A Home with a Heart

Formerly a series of bedsits, Kate and Cian have successfully transformed this Victorian semi in Rathmines into a stylish family home.

- PENNY CRAWFORD-COLLINS

Back in 2018 when Kate and Cian first viewed this property it was a far cry from the elegant home it now is. ‘We were told it hadn’t been lived in for almost forty years, there was no central heating, no shower, no kitchen, as it was in such bad condition it was more affordable for us, and a period property was our dream. I fell for all the original features particularly the stained glass window on the landing. We were lucky not many people were interested in it, but we did have to bid against another couple and went over the asking price, but thankfully not too much,’ says Kate.

The couple lived in the house for eight months while waiting for planning. They enlisted an architect to help with the refurbishment and design of the new kitchen extension planned for the back of the house. ‘The main prerogative was to create a light-filled kitchen which was to be the heart of the house as we both love cooking and entertaining.’ Our architect designed a small 16-metre square extension to tuck neatly under the first-floor return, designed on an angle with a canopy above bi-fold doors, and a wrap-around roof light.