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Houzz Tour: Modernism Emerges in a Dublin Victorian
An urban Irish home trades a dilapidated structure for an open layout, skylights and indoor-outdoor flow
Houzz Editorial Staff
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Although its tight urban location dictated limited square footage and access to light, this Dublin, Ireland, home feels surprisingly open and spacious. Once a completely dilapidated Victorian without a single bathroom, this 1,200-square-foot home now comfortably houses a couple and their two children. Architect Catherine Crowe of Optimise Design opened up the back, added skylights and created a clear view from the front door to the sunny patio. "The original house was incredibly dark and poky, and [the clients] wanted to banish that feeling completely," she says.
Houzz at a Glance
Who lives here: A designer couple and their 2 daughters, ages 2 and 14
Location: Dublin, Ireland
Size: 1,200 square feet; 3 bedrooms, 2 1/2 bathrooms
Houzz at a Glance
Who lives here: A designer couple and their 2 daughters, ages 2 and 14
Location: Dublin, Ireland
Size: 1,200 square feet; 3 bedrooms, 2 1/2 bathrooms
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by Optimise Design
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| Crowe blended high- and low-end items to get the look the clients wanted within their budget. Ikea cabinetry contrasts with a more expensive navy-colored glass backsplash and counter in the kitchen. Backsplash, adjoining counter: Tipperary Glass RAL 5008; bar top: solid oak, Ikea; range, hood, refrigerator: Whirlpool, integrated by Ikea; floor tile: Terra Maestricht, Mosa Tile; bar stools: Ikea |
by Optimise Design
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One of many two-story Victorians in this neighborhood, this home was in a desperate state of disrepair. It had no indoor toilet, had a collapsed ground floor and ceilings, and was initially only one room deep. Crowe and her team added on the kitchen, dining room and a bathroom on the ground floor, and a master suite upstairs.
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by Optimise Design
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| The couple wanted plenty of storage space but didn't want bulky built-ins to be a major feature of the home. Glossy white storage in each room visually blends in with the home's design. This kitchen display unit highlights the client's blue and white Wedgwood dining set — the inspiration for the navy and white color scheme. Storage: Besta, Ikea; table: Bjursta, Ikea; chairs: Eames; pendant: Louis Poulsen PH-50, YLighting |
by Optimise Design
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Large sliding doors on the back of the house allow the garden to become an integral part of the house. Crowe treated this space as one large indoor-outdoor room. "We wanted it to be a beautiful space to look out on, where you could slide open the large glass doors and feel like you were dining outside," she says.
by Optimise Design
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Both of the clients love Scandinavian design, so they implemented a cool palette of grays, whites and blues. White walls allowed Crowe to create more dramatic feature walls.
Crowe had skylights installed above the staircase; the light they let in combines with the pools of light from the rear of the home.
Crowe had skylights installed above the staircase; the light they let in combines with the pools of light from the rear of the home.
by Optimise Design
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Ceramic floor tiles in the hall run out through the kitchen and all the way to the end of the patio, continuing the connection between the spaces. A bamboo wall at the back of the property ensures privacy from neighbors.
Wall paint (both by Dulux): Eskimo Boot (light), Zen Retreat (dark)
Wall paint (both by Dulux): Eskimo Boot (light), Zen Retreat (dark)
by Optimise Design
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Almost all of the Victorian features and details of the home were beyond repair, so the homeowners started over with a more contemporary feel. Small black fireplaces throughout were the only original features that could be saved.
Much of the furniture and artwork came from the owners' previous home; Crowe worked around these pieces for the interior design. The turquoise, coral and gray tones in these three large screen prints show up in the pillows and other accents.
Rug: Rug Art, Dublin; coffee table: vintage, Retrospect; couch: Habitat; screen prints: Mike Fitzharris
Much of the furniture and artwork came from the owners' previous home; Crowe worked around these pieces for the interior design. The turquoise, coral and gray tones in these three large screen prints show up in the pillows and other accents.
Rug: Rug Art, Dublin; coffee table: vintage, Retrospect; couch: Habitat; screen prints: Mike Fitzharris
by Optimise Design
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An orange retro light served as inspiration for the warm beige and burnt orange furniture and accessories in this room.
Orange lamp: vintage, Retrospect; upholstered chair: vintage; orange rug: Ikea
Orange lamp: vintage, Retrospect; upholstered chair: vintage; orange rug: Ikea
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by Optimise Design
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| The clients wanted the kids' rooms to be playful. Crowe played with color and form in the teen daughter's room. Ikea bedding complements custom pillows and window treatments. The desk is a vintage find, repainted white. Bedding: Ikea; butterflies: Urban Outfitters; branch art: Habitat; window treatment: silk, Osborne & Little |
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The same colored glass from the kitchen, this time in a subtle gray, covers the walls of this shower. The hard-wearing material not only adds color but also reflects light.
Wall tile: Terra Maestricht, Mosa Tile; butterfly: Debenhams; toilet, sink: Sonas; silver pig: Next Home
Wall tile: Terra Maestricht, Mosa Tile; butterfly: Debenhams; toilet, sink: Sonas; silver pig: Next Home
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by Optimise Design
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| Crowe loves the serene feel of the master bedroom. "I love the manipulation of light and view," she says. "It is a very restful space." The roof in this second-story room opens into the pitch, where large skylights can catch sun at any time of day. Bed frame: Malm, Ikea; rug: Muji; table lamp: Dunnes Home; bedside lamps: Hicken Lighting |
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A window seat tucked into the bay has an angled window for a perfect view of the Dublin mountains over the surrounding chimney tops.
Pillows: Osborne & Little and Ikea
Pillows: Osborne & Little and Ikea
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The nursery, equipped with an original fireplace, is full of thoughtful and personal details. The crib belonged to one of the clients, and the rocking chair belonged to one of the baby's grandmothers. The artwork was made by the couple as an additional sentimental touch.
Ideabook published on Dec. 12, 2012.
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I wish there was more than a glimpse of the garden, it seems to be beautiful too.
@denise:
From our experience with Ikea furniture (Faktum kitchen, Pax and Besta cabinets), I'd say that the boxes are very sturdy (when properly assembled) and especially the high gloss doors look much more expensive than they are.
The Blum hinges are a bit confusing at first, but once you got it, it's easy to adjust the doors.
When you are mainly interested in the Besta system, you won't have a problem with the shelves because they are not wider than 20". Lacking other storage right after moving, I had to put 'tons' of real heavy glassware and china on my Besta shelves and they did not bend a bit.
Thanks for your input. I really like the kitchen display cabinetry above. I have a huge wall in my family room that can use cabinetry like that.