Houzz Tour: Spacious 19th-Century Home With Modern Appeal in Ireland
This Georgian townhouse combines traditional style with modern glamour
Cheryl F
February 6, 2016
Houzz Contributor. I'm a London-based journalist with years of experience writing for the UK's top interiors titles. I love shopping for quirky accessories, have a passion for rummaging through vintage stores and I'm ever-hopeful of finding that elusive perfect paint shade.
Houzz Contributor. I'm a London-based journalist with years of experience writing... More
This elegant 1817 home in Dublin has everything you might imagine a Georgian townhouse to have: beautiful period features, generous windows and tons of traditional character. However, a large conservatory addition at the back of the two-story house gives it a whole new dimension, adding even more light and a touch of modern glamour. “When we began, the house was an empty shell,” says managing director and lead designer Roisin Lafferty of Kingston Lafferty Design. “We wanted to avoid creating a standard period property that could have been built years ago. It was really important to mix old with new.”
Houzz at a Glance
Who lives here: Designer Roisin Lafferty of Kingston Lafferty Design and her boyfriend; she designed the house for his parents, who own the house but currently live elsewhere
Location: Ranelagh area of Dublin
Size: Three bedrooms, three bathrooms
The house is in a fantastic location in Ranelagh, one of Dublin’s most historic Georgian squares. “The village center, with its lovely boutiques and cafes, is only a three-minute walk away,” says Lafferty.
However, the house was in a terrible state when she and her team were brought in for a top-to-bottom renovation for her boyfriend’s parents, who own the home as a second residence. It needed a lot of TLC.
“Before we started work, the house was in serious disrepair, full of damp and mold, with dangerous and outdated fittings and plumbing,” Lafferty recalls. “It had been a rental property for more than 15 years and, by the time we began work, had been uninhabited for a year. The construction was in terrible condition too, so structural safety was a huge concern.”
Lafferty describes the project as a real labor of love. “Basically, the entire place needed to be gutted, then rewired, replumbed, excavated, completely reconfigured and redeveloped,” she says. “We did all of the construction drawings, electrical plans and all the interior design. It was a fantastic experience.”
Who lives here: Designer Roisin Lafferty of Kingston Lafferty Design and her boyfriend; she designed the house for his parents, who own the house but currently live elsewhere
Location: Ranelagh area of Dublin
Size: Three bedrooms, three bathrooms
The house is in a fantastic location in Ranelagh, one of Dublin’s most historic Georgian squares. “The village center, with its lovely boutiques and cafes, is only a three-minute walk away,” says Lafferty.
However, the house was in a terrible state when she and her team were brought in for a top-to-bottom renovation for her boyfriend’s parents, who own the home as a second residence. It needed a lot of TLC.
“Before we started work, the house was in serious disrepair, full of damp and mold, with dangerous and outdated fittings and plumbing,” Lafferty recalls. “It had been a rental property for more than 15 years and, by the time we began work, had been uninhabited for a year. The construction was in terrible condition too, so structural safety was a huge concern.”
Lafferty describes the project as a real labor of love. “Basically, the entire place needed to be gutted, then rewired, replumbed, excavated, completely reconfigured and redeveloped,” she says. “We did all of the construction drawings, electrical plans and all the interior design. It was a fantastic experience.”
Central to the home’s makeover was the conservatory-like addition at the rear, along with an upgraded garden leading from it. The style complements the original architecture, featuring traditional lines that don’t look too contemporary or out of place.
Lafferty explains the thinking behind the expansion: “Although the house is large in scale, there’s only a relatively small number of rooms.”
The addition, made from a hardwood frame, is situated where an unusable basement sat. “Due to an original height restriction of [6½ feet], it wasn’t a place anyone wanted to spend much time,” Lafferty says. “By excavating the entire basement to improve head height and adding on the full-width conservatory extension, we were able to provide a generous kitchen-living-dining space.”
The basement had lacked natural light, so creating a bright space that flowed into the garden was the goal. “We wanted a lot of glass and to strongly landscape the garden in a tiered way to funnel as much natural light down as possible,” Lafferty says. “Overall, the entertainment space has more than doubled. It really has become the hub of the house.”
Moooi Raimond pendant light: available at Houseology and The Conran Shop
Lafferty explains the thinking behind the expansion: “Although the house is large in scale, there’s only a relatively small number of rooms.”
The addition, made from a hardwood frame, is situated where an unusable basement sat. “Due to an original height restriction of [6½ feet], it wasn’t a place anyone wanted to spend much time,” Lafferty says. “By excavating the entire basement to improve head height and adding on the full-width conservatory extension, we were able to provide a generous kitchen-living-dining space.”
The basement had lacked natural light, so creating a bright space that flowed into the garden was the goal. “We wanted a lot of glass and to strongly landscape the garden in a tiered way to funnel as much natural light down as possible,” Lafferty says. “Overall, the entertainment space has more than doubled. It really has become the hub of the house.”
Moooi Raimond pendant light: available at Houseology and The Conran Shop
There’s a strong blue theme in the home. “My boyfriend’s parents are big fans of blue. We’ve used a lot of different tones to add depth, variety and richness,” Lafferty says.
Here in the doorway, an intricate collage of tiles from Seville, Spain, creates a striking focal point, along with the blue rug and designer chairs. Of the vibrant tiles, Lafferty says the idea was to define the archway leading from the kitchen to the addition. The same tiles were used on the kitchen backsplash.
There’s a real sense of grandeur in this high-ceilinged, light-filled space. “I’ve always been interested in playing with height and scale as well as juxtaposing contrasting styles to form something interesting and original,” Lafferty says.
Rocking chair: Ligne Roset; Nuage swivel chair by Roberto Tapinassi and Maurizio Manzoni: Roche Bobois; Teal Paintbox rug: Bluebellgray; also available at John Lewis
Here in the doorway, an intricate collage of tiles from Seville, Spain, creates a striking focal point, along with the blue rug and designer chairs. Of the vibrant tiles, Lafferty says the idea was to define the archway leading from the kitchen to the addition. The same tiles were used on the kitchen backsplash.
There’s a real sense of grandeur in this high-ceilinged, light-filled space. “I’ve always been interested in playing with height and scale as well as juxtaposing contrasting styles to form something interesting and original,” Lafferty says.
Rocking chair: Ligne Roset; Nuage swivel chair by Roberto Tapinassi and Maurizio Manzoni: Roche Bobois; Teal Paintbox rug: Bluebellgray; also available at John Lewis
Lafferty’s favorite nook in the house features a rotund Pumpkin chair by Pierre Paulin. “Sitting here is the coziest spot and allows views to the garden as well as the living and dining areas,” she says. “Because of the spiral staircase nearby, it feels as if you can see and hear all around the house. It’s also the place with the most natural light and the most color.”
Conservatories can sometimes get too hot and stuffy in the summer or too chilly in the depths of winter, but not this one. “Underfloor heating works very well within the space to ensure an even temperature,” Lafferty says. “As the garden is north-facing, there’s never direct sunlight on the extension, so it doesn’t get too hot, either.”
Pumpkin chair: Ligne Roset
Conservatories can sometimes get too hot and stuffy in the summer or too chilly in the depths of winter, but not this one. “Underfloor heating works very well within the space to ensure an even temperature,” Lafferty says. “As the garden is north-facing, there’s never direct sunlight on the extension, so it doesn’t get too hot, either.”
Pumpkin chair: Ligne Roset
Bright paintings add an arty, gallery feel to the dining area in the addition. “Easels are a beautiful way of displaying artwork without damaging walls,” Lafferty says.
However, the real star here is the cast-iron spiral staircase, which was purchased from a salvage company. “It’s the thing people notice most of all when they walk in,” Lafferty says. “The petrol blue color makes it stand out, and it looks very striking when viewed from the garden. We designed the platform and additional handrails to match the existing steps.”
The light is Marcel Wanders’ Skygarden pendant. “We got to be quite creative with the lights throughout the house,” Lafferty says. “Contemporary light fittings combined with antique chandeliers ensure no room is the same.”
Skygarden pendant light: Flos
However, the real star here is the cast-iron spiral staircase, which was purchased from a salvage company. “It’s the thing people notice most of all when they walk in,” Lafferty says. “The petrol blue color makes it stand out, and it looks very striking when viewed from the garden. We designed the platform and additional handrails to match the existing steps.”
The light is Marcel Wanders’ Skygarden pendant. “We got to be quite creative with the lights throughout the house,” Lafferty says. “Contemporary light fittings combined with antique chandeliers ensure no room is the same.”
Skygarden pendant light: Flos
The living room exudes sumptuous warmth and effortless charm. Elements such as the gramophone, gilt-framed mirror and patterned curtains add to the cozy, historical feel.
“This is the most traditional room in the house,” Lafferty says. “We wanted to retain the original functionality. We sourced a lot of antique furniture pieces and had them reupholstered. There’s also a lot of navy and gold — we wanted to layer up different patterns and textures to give a rich feeling.”
“This is the most traditional room in the house,” Lafferty says. “We wanted to retain the original functionality. We sourced a lot of antique furniture pieces and had them reupholstered. There’s also a lot of navy and gold — we wanted to layer up different patterns and textures to give a rich feeling.”
What makes this house really sing are the numerous beautiful and quirky design details that add personality as well as a sense of heritage — it’s not quite maximalist, but it doesn’t do minimalism, either.
Every corner has been lovingly designed and considered, such as this golden side table overflowing with battered antique books and glass candlesticks. “My boyfriend’s mum certainly has eclectic taste, as well as a real interest in antiques, so she was full of ideas,” Lafferty says.
Gold side table: Zara Home
Every corner has been lovingly designed and considered, such as this golden side table overflowing with battered antique books and glass candlesticks. “My boyfriend’s mum certainly has eclectic taste, as well as a real interest in antiques, so she was full of ideas,” Lafferty says.
Gold side table: Zara Home
As with the rest of the house, the kitchen walks the line between historical and modern.
A display of wall-mounted plates adds a dose of quirky charm. “We used the plates to accentuate the brasserie feel of the kitchen. A lot have a history and are antique; we mixed these older plates with contemporary designs to add to the eclectic feel,” Lafferty says.
Kitchen: Mooney’s Kitchens; Silestone quartz counters: Miller Brothers Stone; CL Railway glass pendant lights: Hicken Lighting & Interiors
A display of wall-mounted plates adds a dose of quirky charm. “We used the plates to accentuate the brasserie feel of the kitchen. A lot have a history and are antique; we mixed these older plates with contemporary designs to add to the eclectic feel,” Lafferty says.
Kitchen: Mooney’s Kitchens; Silestone quartz counters: Miller Brothers Stone; CL Railway glass pendant lights: Hicken Lighting & Interiors
If only all kitchen cupboards looked as neat as this styled modern pantry storage wall. “We were brave with the blue color,” Lafferty says. “I particularly like how each cabinet is a different depth to disguise the slant of the wall behind it.”
The master bedroom has a boutique hotel feel, with a wall of floral paper and a plush quilted headboard. “We wanted to create a spacious, subtle, yet opulent bedroom,” Lafferty says.
A walk-in closet off the bedroom features a mix of rods, drawers and shelves to keep clothes in order.
The paneled archway may look as if it’s always been there, but it was added to hide clothes from view in the sleeping zone.
The paneled archway may look as if it’s always been there, but it was added to hide clothes from view in the sleeping zone.
The creative tiling is one of Lafferty’s favorite things in the home. She’s a fan in general of using interesting tiles to add color, pattern and impact. “You can buy cost-effective tiles and lay them in unusual ways, such as a parquet effect, or create your own patterns of borders, for a more expensive look,” she says.
“There’s a lot that can be done with bathrooms by playing with mirrors and tiles to add personality — they don’t need to be big spaces, either.”
“There’s a lot that can be done with bathrooms by playing with mirrors and tiles to add personality — they don’t need to be big spaces, either.”
What’s lovely about this house is the way it does traditional and vintage without feeling fusty or formal. In this bedroom, piles of pillows, subtly shiny wallpaper and a cluster of mirrors help create a vintage feel.
Once again, blue is the relaxing backdrop. “It’s important for us that the bedroom is a serene sanctuary in which to escape,” Lafferty says. “The soft blue gray walls create a calming environment.”
Once again, blue is the relaxing backdrop. “It’s important for us that the bedroom is a serene sanctuary in which to escape,” Lafferty says. “The soft blue gray walls create a calming environment.”
This office space has a formal “club” feel, thanks partly to the brown leather chesterfield sofa and library-style shelves.
“We wanted to create a gentleman’s smoking room feel,” Lafferty explains. “This room is all about drama. We used two Marcel Wanders Skygarden pendants to define the space and designed the mint green paneling and bookcases to add texture and depth.
“Although there are traditional elements, we juxtaposed them with contemporary furniture and lighting. Taxidermy — butterflies, birds — was also used to add further color and interest.”
“We wanted to create a gentleman’s smoking room feel,” Lafferty explains. “This room is all about drama. We used two Marcel Wanders Skygarden pendants to define the space and designed the mint green paneling and bookcases to add texture and depth.
“Although there are traditional elements, we juxtaposed them with contemporary furniture and lighting. Taxidermy — butterflies, birds — was also used to add further color and interest.”
The basement bathroom has a luxe, vintage feel.
Bathroom fittings: The Victorian Kitchen Company; tiles: TileStyle
Bathroom fittings: The Victorian Kitchen Company; tiles: TileStyle
The final piece in the puzzle of this house is the glorious garden. “Landscaping the garden was a huge part of our job,” Lafferty says. “Previously, it was overgrown and on ground-floor level, with the basement a cold, dark dungeon.
“The garden is very much an extension of the house. We wanted to create the feeling of outdoor rooms, and included a lot of lighting so it can be enjoyed throughout the year and at nighttime too.”
“The garden is very much an extension of the house. We wanted to create the feeling of outdoor rooms, and included a lot of lighting so it can be enjoyed throughout the year and at nighttime too.”
The garden is tiered to create interest and a sense of space. “You can have a different experience on each of the three levels,” Lafferty says.
“All the walls in the garden are retaining concrete walls,” she notes. “This garden is [8 feet] lower than the gardens on either side, so a lot of structural work was required. As it’s north-facing, there’s limited sunshine. We wanted to maximize the amount of natural light that came into the house, and by designing the garden over three tiers, we’ve funneled in as much daylight as possible.”
The walls are built of Ecocem cement, which has a lovely off-white finish.
“All the walls in the garden are retaining concrete walls,” she notes. “This garden is [8 feet] lower than the gardens on either side, so a lot of structural work was required. As it’s north-facing, there’s limited sunshine. We wanted to maximize the amount of natural light that came into the house, and by designing the garden over three tiers, we’ve funneled in as much daylight as possible.”
The walls are built of Ecocem cement, which has a lovely off-white finish.
The lion’s head fountain was found at a salvage firm; the metal garden furniture continues the vibrant blue theme of the house.
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I love the house, but I am on a campaign to rename the main bedroom anything but 'master bedroom' any suggestions?
Love This!
I only saw this story today. How did I miss it? It's really great! I love blues and greens too and my house is full of both though still a 'work in progress'. I love and covet that blue spiral staircase. A wrought iron spiral staircase is dreamy enough IMO but then for it to be painted such a beautiful shade of blue... Heavenly.
I can't believe this is only their second home though. What a waste (and what must their primary residence be like if this one's only runner up?!). Still, at least the designer and her boyfriend get to benefit.
My only gripe - the tins! Just no! People with such great taste in décor shouldn't reveal such bad taste in food (tinned soup and beans etc.? yuck).