Previously functioning as a garage and later as an art studio, 14A Victoria Villas has undergone further transformation to become a single-bedroom house flaunting an exterior terrace spanning each storey. The property was last procured by Caroline Flannery, an interior designer who successfully fashioned a tasteful and diverse abode.
Nestled beside a line-up of vintage redbrick houses, the house’s rear façade stands prominently viewed from the street, featuring the frosted glass panes of the first-level balcony.
Making a roundabout towards the inviting mustard-painted front door, one enters a foyer tailored to hang the occasional jackets, leading to an airy corridor. The corridor features a pair of towering windows overlooking the rear terrace and offers sufficient room to house the substantial drawer unit seated currently, or alternatively, to place a reading chair and bookshelves.
Turning left from the hallway through a sky-high glass door presents an open-layout kitchen/dining/lounge area. While setting up her kitchen, Flannery made sure she equipped ample storage to cater to her cooking enthusiasm and myriad collection of herbs and spices. Modern white units with hidden handles cover drawers, shelved cabinets, a bin storage tucked beneath the sink and a refrigerator-freezer. For ease, Flannery made an addition of a filtered tap. A marbled mirror backsplash accompanies the sink, reflecting the exterior terrace at the rear, and an inbuilt shelf stages a book display by the side.
Much of the furniture has been tailor made for the house, and Flannery is open to selling certain pieces as part of the property deal (open to discussion). This includes the substantial dining table complemented by a contemporary chandelier-style overhead lamp and the snug tan leather chairs arranged around it.
The wooden laminate flooring extends to the lounge that boasts of a custom-built TV and display unit and a shelf hung over the extended radiator behind the couch. The plush blue velvet corner couch also incorporates an extendable bed for visitors. The spacy lounge links to the rear southwest-facing terrace via a sliding door.
Featuring a maintenance-free composite deck, the terrace of the residence is adorned with a Parisian-style blue stripe awning that can be retracted during rain showers, making it a valuable asset when entertaining guests. Festoon lighting enhances the atmosphere as the party continues from indoors to outdoors. As Flannery states, the transition between the inside and outside space is seamless and enjoyable.
Stepping back into the corridor, a tastefully decorated guest lavatory is noticeable, complete with rattan textured wallpaper accentuated by gold undertones. Clever storage options are concealed beneath the stairway, including a space designed specifically for the laundry machine.
The line of glazed windows visible from the lower floor hallway extends upward into the first-floor bedroom. This room also encompasses a series of elevated clerestory windows and a large glazed wall facing the balcony. While the generous influx of sunlight may be ideal for artist studios, it could prove inconvenient for individuals seeking a tranquil bedroom atmosphere. This potential drawback has been addressed by Flannery through the introduction of remote-controlled blackout blinds on the elevated windows, and bespoke fabric panels on the sides of the glazed door that leads to the balcony.
The bedroom, painted in a rich Obsidian Green hue by Little Green, features a custom-made green velvet headboard. An en-suite bathroom is also available as well as a built-in desk at the stair-top; perfect for working from home due to the accompanying inset shelves.
Flannery is looking to relocate to a house equipped with a guest room and a more spacious garden to explore the craft of vegetable cultivation. Consequently, her distinctive home is on the market, with DNG as her agents, for a desired price of €425,000.
The house, covering 63sq m (approx. 678 sq ft), offers impressive B3 Ber, thus ensuring low bills. According to Flannery, it infrequently requires heating; however, it only takes an hour to warm the entire house on the rare occasions it’s needed.
Situated just a ten-minute walk away is the Dart stop at Clontarf Road. Several bus routes provide easy access to the city centre, with bus number 15 being a viable option for reaching Rathmines and Ranelagh, as Flannery advises. There is an abundance of walking routes close by, such as Clontarf promenade, and Fairview Park is a popular choice for hosting musical gigs. A Sunday market also takes place at St Anne’s Park.