Walking into 49 Leinster Avenue in North Strand, Dublin 3, is a bit like walking into the Tardis.

From the front it looks much like any other small period terraced cottage, but once inside one is immediately struck by the high ceilings, large sash windows and the extra space created by the cleverly designed kitchen/diningroom to the rear of the house. Number 49 is for sale by private treaty for £220,000 (279,400) through Gunne Residential.

Architect couple Sean Mahon and Antoinette O'Neill have transformed the house into a stunning example of how the old and the new can successfully.

Situated on a quiet avenue comprising a hotch-potch of terraced cottages and two-storey redbricks, it is 20 minutes' walk from town.

To the left of the entrance hall is a sittingroom with an extraordinary high ceiling framed by the original deep coving. A large sash window keeps the room bright and airy and the smart, limestone surround open fireplace is the focal point.

The family bathroom challenges the traditional Irish notion of what a bathroom should be. The centrepiece of this room is a mosaic tiled shower almost large enough to double as a child's play pool. Hidden behind one of the timber units which flank the shower is the washing machine. The warm terracotta walls are offset by a black slate floor.

There are steps down to the extended area which is divided into two rooms - a kitchen and a dining/living area - by an eye-catching deep blue semi-partition wall behind the island in the centre of the kitchen.

The island has a black granite top with a stainless steel sink and a cooker. Beneath the counter top on either side, crimson storage presses match the cupboards to the left of the kitchen door. The dining area behind this has two doors, one leading to the side patio and the other to the paved and lawned back garden.

The landing and stairs have the original floorboards and dado rail and both bedrooms have the original tiled fireplaces.