KILMAINHAM APARTMENT
This apartment sold itself when it revealed it's expansive views over the Phoenix park, the War Memorial Gardens and all the way around to the Dublin mountains.
But, it was a generic, beige space with no thought to the lighting, layout and particularly, the views.
This was sold as a furnished apartment but the new owners wanted us to accommodate their own furniture and art in the new design.
They sold everything from the apartment except for the large L-shaped sofa and matching chair and the curtains that I knew would look great in a new scheme.
THE HALL
There were seven wooden doors leading from the hall to various rooms.
With no natural light in this area, painting them all white brightened it up and allowed for a strong, cheery wall colour.
Changing the bland floor tiles to the warm cork updated the entrance, giving a much warmer welcome.
And then of course.... we have the library!
Behind a closed door in the hall is this little surprise with favourite books and a cherished childhood picture.
KITCHEN
The kitchen was dated and crucially, the magnificent view was behind you as you worked.
Where space is premium, both corners were inaccessible where units could be fitted.
The walls enclosing the kitchen area made the space seem poky and were removed for a fresh, open plan kitchen designed to have full access to the views at all times.
A downdraft extractor eliminates any obstruction to the views and acts as a backsplash when in use.
Kitchen before renovation
The fabulous new terazzo floor slabs inspired the colour palette, a deep muddy green on the units and all of the walls in the living area gives it a contemporary finish it's also a great colour for art and plants to stand out against.
Two large vertical radiators hung on the only walls that artworks could be displayed and were
one along the wall as you enter the living space.
White quartz worktops lift the darkness and tie in with the terazzo.
replaced by a low radiator beneath peninsula painted in same colour as the units and another low
Installing a downdraft extraction system allows the kitchen seem part of the living space.
When in use, it also acts as a backsplash.
The same colour in satin wood over the sink
maintains the minimal look while allowing it to be wipeable.
ZONING
The room needed to be zoned to make sense of each area.
The kitchen peninsula achieves this zoning and a long console made from salvage larch was commissioned to separate the living and dining areas.
This table is handy as a desk/ extra table top for dinner parties etc.
DINING AREA
The family table was refurbished and the frame was sprayed in a wonderful beetroot colour that picked up on the colours in the "done deal" crannoc chairs that we had recovered in fabulous floral velvet.
The spanner marks on the table left by the owners brother, add to it's character.
The circle of friends candle holder is another much loved item that was always lit at gatherings as she was growing up.
The statement light alone defines this intimate area, preparing it for many dinner parties to come!
THE LIVING AREA
The divider once again zones the dining area from the living area.
Two murano lights that were bought on a trip to Venice cast a wonderful light over plentiful ferns that thrive here, they also bring some subtle changes to the colours in this space.
The layout was changed to gain full advantage to the fabulous views.
We recovered the chair to add some colour and added textures with the tweeds, wool and velvets.
I'm a big fan of area rugs, they add comfort while reinforcing the zoning.
Re covering the armchair in orange tweed adds a strong pop of colour.
These earthy tones are in some of the art, lights, rugs etc.
The textures and colours give the living area a casual, homely comfort that this room needed.
before
THE BEDROOM
This bedroom was absolutely soulless and needed lots of texture and colour to personalise it.
The headboard was updated by padding it and covering with a strong chartreuse velvet.
tiling this room with cork adds the warmth and comfort it cried out for.
A warm neutral colour on the walls allowed the artwork stand out and the bedside lights gave it a contemporary finish.
before after
Lots of layers and textures add comfort and as in all of our designs plants play a big part
