A privet fence shields 8 Ailesbury Park, a very fine Edwardian property, from the road. Lovingly cared for, it has been upgraded in a sensitive fashion, so that its new and period parts mesh well without ruining the gorgeous kinks that make a period house such a charming place to call home.
There are 14ft ceilings in the hall and reception rooms, a pair of nicely proportioned interconnecting rooms; each is grand but not uncomfortably so. Polished floorboards have been softened by rugs and the rich mahogany fire surrounds feature lovely art nouveau motifs on the tiled inserts. While one of these would have been a formal dining room, both are now used as drawing rooms and with south- east-facing light to the front, there is plenty of room for basking.
The house was upgraded in 2004 by Reddy Architecture, specialists in sensitive refurbishments – they did Castle Martyr Resort. The firm added a double pitch brick-fronted kitchen and breakfast- room extension to the rear that was designed to fit in with the surrounding redbricks. This was a year before the current owners bought it.
0 of 3
From the lounge a set of maple steps lead down to the light-filled breakfast area, lit by glass brick windows to the side, and banks of roof lights. To the rear, double doors open to the garden.
Instead of dead space the volume inside the steps doubles as a clever wine cellar, accessed via two panels that sit flush with the floor. There are two openings, one for white and one for red.
The garden, while small, is lush and private. The lawn is a manageable size and the surrounding beds are planted with specimen plants and trees, shielding it from the neighbours. While north-west facing, it gets evening sun.
The kitchen is open to the dining room but feels like a separate entity because of a dividing half wall. Its Shaker-style maple units have polished granite countertops, a corner pantry and the sink is positioned to overlook the garden. The deep indigo blue electric five-door Aga is an addition by the current owners.
The master bedroom is on the first floor and with shower en suite it spans the width of the house. There’s a very fine double to its rear and the family bathroom is located on the first floor return where there is also a laundry room.
At 275sq m, this is a sizeable family home with another three bedrooms and a shower room situated on the second floor.
The location, while adjacent to amenities, feels far removed thanks in part to the presence of bollards at the top of the road to deter its use as an alternative commute route.
The property, which has a C3 Ber rating, is asking €1.75million through agents Sherry FitzGerald. According to the Property Price Register, number 1 sold in March, 2010, for €1.85million. Number 13 sold in February, 2013, for €1.475 million.
