Even the family pet, a dog named Cooper, is noticeably more content following the revamp of this house. While previously, Cooper was constantly alert to the surrounding clatter of his terraced home, he now enjoys a peaceful slumber on his owner’s lap in the serenity of their newly renovated house.
Stepping off the bustling Drumcondra streets on Dublin’s north and into their home, the tranquillity is palpable. The well-judged material choices and soothing colour scheme make it a sanctuary. Donal Boyle, one of the homeowners, shares an unforeseen pleasant surprise, “The peace here has transformed Cooper completely.”
Donal Boyle and his partner, Ian McEvoy, became the custodians of this 1930s-built, red-brick house in 2020. Recognising the extensive work needed, they continued to live in their Finglas residence while renovations were undertaken, a process which was unfortunately prolonged by the Covid pandemic. McEvoy humorously reflects, “To the extent where I wondered if people assumed we were fabricating tales of a new house purchase.”
The move to the revamped house finally transpired at the end of 2022, utterly justifying the interim wait. The crowding and darkness of the original layout have been supplanted with a spacious, open-plan design that extends from the front entrance to the rear garden. A central courtyard injects additional natural light into the house.
All accolades for the ingenious designs, according to McEvoy, have to be awarded to ODKM, their architects. The homeowners, though seeking inspiration, knew they desired a modern design that also underlined the home’s attractive features. Boyle reminisces, “We aimed to preserve as much of the original character of the house. All front-view aspects, including windows and doors, have been retained, with repairs made to the window sashes.” The original fireplaces in the bedrooms were also preserved.
Commenting on the project, Barry Kane, the ODKM Architects’ managing director, emphasises the project centred on light, flow, and functionality. “The inclusion of a central courtyard enabled us to expand the floor layout and strategically place rooms around the newly created lightwell in a smart, efficient manner.”
Upon entering the residence, one’s gaze is immediately drawn towards the staircase. Not one for conventionality, Boyle insisted on a non-traditional design for the staircase. Crafted with wood, ample concealed storage space can be found on one side of the staircase, doubling conveniently as a seating space near the entrance, useful for slipping on and taking off footwear. As one ascends the staircase, it transforms into perforated steel.
Previously, a sharp incline led to the property’s back garden. However, a sequence of internal steps presently provides a smooth transition between the front and back gardens. Furthermore, it enhances the ground floor’s expansiveness and volume, making way for a curved featured ceiling. Boyle declares that the architect was infatuated with the idea of implementing curves throughout the property, evident in the curved mirrors, doorways, and ceilings.
Among the attractive features of the house is a decorative screen beside the dining section, constructed from a Celosia block provided by Mutina, an Italian ceramics firm. Boyle attests his initial scepticism about the feature, but admits his relief in trusting the architect’s vision.
The house, originally just 110sq m, has had its size more than doubled following its extension into the garden. Nevertheless, Boyle and McEvoy have no thoughts of overcrowding it with material goods. They recall their previous, small house, and how amazed they were at the amount of items they had amassed over time. They appreciate the ease with which their new home can be maintained, with doors to various rooms cleverly concealed behind paneling, installed by Oakheart & Co. Essential kitchen appliances are stashed away in the pantry and underneath the counter, maintaining a tidy look.
Boyle envisioned a timeless kitchen, impervious to whims and trends. The more than four-meter-long kitchen island, designed by Dean Cooper & Company, is perfect for hosting guests. Despite the ample seating, guests still favour the kitchen. Subtle copper accents are laced throughout the Dekton island and mirrored in copper-tinted mirrors in the living and kitchen areas.
The upper floor has been modified to allow the fusion of the fourth bedroom into the principal bedroom, delivering an opulent en-suite, bathed in natural light streaming in from the rooflight above the bath. This area is McEvoy’s preferred spot in the home. He has come to enjoy working from the kitchen, which benefits from the warmth of the east-facing garden, offering a cosy atmosphere even during the winter.
Their decision to go against the traditional unembellished patio doors and adorn them with soft, light voile curtains was driven out of a need for privacy. Boyle affirms their passion for the cosy aura the curtains extend to the space. “Opening the curtains now almost gives a chilled impression considering the level of comfort they add,” he adds.
McEvoy asserts that the significant investment in home enhancement and insulation, in conjunction with the installation of a heat pump has drastically improved the Ber rating from E to A2. Despite the high costs of purchasing and installing the pump, McEvoy is firmly convinced of its value. Despite dealing with obstacles such as the rising costs due to Brexit and Covid, and skyrocketing steel prices, they remained focused.
Sticking to budget wasn’t easy, with the actual costs overshooting the set limit by about 10-15% because they opted for additional features. “We wanted to avoid regrets in the future about foregoing something, hence we opted to accomplish as much as we could on the first go,” Boyle explained.
When asked about any advice they’d offer to others undertaking a similar project, Boyle’s suggestion borne out of their experience is to hire a competent architect. Emphasising the importance of this, he spoke fondly of the amazing work their architects, ODKM, had done in the past and how well they connected.
McEvoy advises investment in a quantity surveyor, stating that the long-term gains are worth it as the surveyor brings unique negotiation skills that are vital in these situations. Additionally, employing a project manager is a good idea if the budget allows. They managed the project themselves but admit it was challenging as having to constantly make quick decisions was exhausting.
On top of everything, Boyle suggests vigilance in tracking the budget to avoid overspending. It’s all too easy to get carried away by the awe-inspiring elements and end up splurging double or triple the initial budget.
Their biggest achievement? “We finally have our dream home,” declares a thrilled Boyle. The blend of old charm and modern aesthetics is what he adores the most. And their greatest error?
McEvoy recounts, “The installation of our patio (a constructed area of our garden) turned our home utterly chaotic, mainly due to the lack of lateral entrance. We’re yet to work on the rest of the garden, which implies we’ll have to bear the jumble once again. Ideally, it would’ve been more efficient to oversee the garden work simultaneously, but the finances just couldn’t cover it.”