James Crowley, a Cork native and architect at Foley & Crowley Architects in Donnybrook, undertook a spatial enhancement of a modest, terraced cottage in Broadstone, situated just 15 minutes by foot from Dublin city’s O’Connell Street. An ingenious remodeling, including a dormer attic conversion, boosted the residence’s floor plan to 58 sq m (624 sq ft).
The quaint dwelling, Number 3 Myrtle Street, is conveniently situated a stone’s throw away from the charming Blessington Street Basin park nestled within the heart of North Dublin. It boasts a Tudor-style gate lodge, a lush community garden, and a delightful duck pond.
Interestingly, unlike nearby homeowners who opted for expansions that consumed their sun-bathed outdoor patios, Crowley chose a different path. He deliberately preserved the bright, southern-facing outdoor terrace to ensure unimpeded sunlight access to the home’s open-concept kitchen/living/dining space at the back. Crowley admits it may sound trite from an architect’s perspective, but he intended for the outdoor area to perfectly meld with the interior, a feat he undoubtedly accomplished.
Upon purchasing the property back in 2017, for a sum of €272,000 as recorded by the Property Price Register, the layout comprised of a compact living room at the front, a rear bedroom, and a galley kitchen. Crowley astutely demolished the intervening wall to pave the way for an interconnected kitchen and living space at the rear of the property and constructed a separate wall to carve out a study-cum-bedroom space at the front.
This versatile dual-purpose room showcases the original exposed-brick fireplace and is adorned with a luxury blue velvet couch that can be transformed into a spare bed for guests. Other notable features include space-efficient floating shelves and a sturdy corner desk unit, making it an ideal workspace for those working remotely.
Crowley undertook a refurbishment of the loft, leading to the construction of an upper level dormer extension equipped with its own en suite; however, due to the room’s ceiling height, it can’t be formally classed as a bedroom. Regardless, Crowley has ingeniously used it as a bedroom, installing a low-set Japanese-inspired bed and side lockers to give an enhanced sense of space. Additionally, the room provides ample storage within its integrated wardrobes and beneath the eaves, as well as behind the bed.
Bespoke carpentry features throughout the house, efficiently utilising limited spaces. In addition, Crowley is a co-owner of Modoco; a business that customises doors for Ikea kitchens. His own kitchen showcases exquisite white wood units from his company with beech embellishments and surfaces. Separating the kitchen and the living room is a peninsula which houses the sink and provides a convenient spot for a tall stool, creating a comfortable seating area. The kitchen’s design extends to the understairs cupboards – one slot is perfectly suited for a collapsible bicycle – and the stairs themselves beautifully incorporate the beech finish.
One unexpected element of the house design is a large kitchen door that opens to display a dazzling drinks cupboard boasting illuminated shelving to accommodate guests’ drink choices. Situated beyond the kitchen, there is a cleverly organised utility area where washing machines are out of sight and there’s a dedicated place to hang laundry. Furthermore, a generously sized shower room is located beyond this.
Covering the entrance and kitchen floor is durable grey cement, whereas the main living areas benefit from solid oak herringbone flooring. The congruity of the natural stone on the ground level creates a harmonious flow, extending from the skillfully restored brick facade to the carved stone hearth in the study/bedroom. This continues to the wood-burning stove backdrop in the lounge and the wall surrounding the rear patio, which was meticulously rebuilt using bricks reclaimed from an internal partition.
With Crowley and his young family transitioning to a new construction venture by the sea in Co Wexford, this bright, modern, fully prepared and B3-rated home is now available for purchase through Eoin O’Neill, on the market for €435,000.