Property with a horsy connection

By Tommy Barker

A former horse's quarters here has been converted from stable block to a plush three bedroomed mews home, saddled with a €545,000 price guide which nonetheless will have prospective bidders trotting out for a look-see.

The mews is detached, with about 1,010 sq ft of living space on two levels, and is off Rugby Villas road within walking distance of both Ranelagh and Rathmines, the south city R&R suburbs of red-brick gentility.

Selling agent Rebecca Penwill of HOK Residential pitches this former stables at young professionals and fledgling families - the third bedroom is a big plus, but the lack of a garden is the drawback: grazing days are clearly over given the land values in this D6 area.

The house is narrow enough, a room wide throughout plus some limited corridor space, but the decor is crisp, smart and modern with a couple of design twists for extra visual interest such as lit recesses in walls for artwork.

One of the most striking features is the extensive use of glass blocks in the bedroom divide between sleeping area and fully tiled shower room/WC. Glass blocks are ideal for this sort of use, and here they are coloured blue for a moody maritime/marine feel.

In addition, there is a main bathroom at upper level to serve the other two bedrooms and visitors.

Ground level layout is simple, almost by necessity, with a splayed entrance door leading to a living room and dining area, with a kitchen behind.

The 27' by 11' wide living area has a staircase running up one side wall, and the landing above has neat cut-outs in the wall painted dark blue, used to dramatic effect for display of objets d'art, and this landing area also has storage cupboards and an overhead Velux for extra light.

The renovation work was only carried out in 2001, so there's still a new feel and the style is up to date.

Quality of materials used is good - obviously when space is restricted it allows the budget to stretch in other directions.

Examples are chrome fittings, handles and dimmer switches, recessed lighting, oak floors, cherrywood units in the kitchen and the like.

Available by private treaty, the mews will have an appeal for style afficionados and could well suit a buyer from out of Dublin who wants a low-maintenance pad in the capital for working visits, weekends and parties - horses for courses, really.