How a Cork family transformed the interiors of their 1970s house 

You don't have to move house or extend to achieve your ideal living space as these residents and their interior designer show 

French windows now let in more light to the living room in the 1970s semi-detached 1970s residence in Cork. Pictures: Denis Minihane

Television shows might have you convinced gutting your home to a shell and slapping an edgy glass box on the back is the only way to have a space-efficient, modern home, not helped by our tendency to have myopia regarding the potential of our property as it stands.

It’s something Cork-based couple Nicola-Marie and James realised when they looked to improve their 1970s three-bedroom semi-detached house where they’ve lived with daughter Clara (seven) since 2018.