Hall

Hall

We have a gorgeous hall in the house. From entering via the front door, you come into the main hall with the original arch which had some patio style doors installed (not originals) which have now been removed. We are planning on installing Crittal style doors in this arch for heat preservation as the staircase is big and very high with a huge window on the 1st landing which is approx. 3m tall so lots of light.

The ceiling of the stair case is beautiful barrel shaped with 3 ceiling roses. At present there is no ceiling lights but I think it would be stunning to hang some very simple bulb design lights from the ceiling rose by the window and a single pendant on ground floor and the top landings.

Below are some pictures of how it looks now as well as some images on the lights I have in mind.

View from top landing

One big window = lots of light

Hall stairs barrel ceiling  & roses

Buster & Punch - Nude 6.0 Lights

&Tradition  - Marble Light Pendants

Basement stairs & guest loo to be re-installed 

Doors gone - ready for new Crittal style doors to go in

Old hall doors - now gone

Bannister details - all original and in good condition

Basement

Basement Update

The basement had been converted into a 2 bedroom apartment years ago and we are incorporating this back into the house with new stairs and a total renovation.

The basement has now been totally cleared out and ready to be re-modelled. The space is being fully renovated to deal with damp issues and re-configuation which will include a mud room, laundry room, wine cellar, my office and a spare room with an en-suite + lots and lots of storage space.

The space will be designed to allow as much light in as possible with light walls and finished off with a polished concrete floor with underfloor heating throughout.

Wine Cellar to be

The view from 'my office to be' to the garden (at present)

Office to be

Office to be

Laundry Room & Storage + stairs to be re-introduced

Beautiful old stone wall hidden behind plasterboards.

Kitchen

So excited about getting my new kitchen, as some of you know I LOVE cooking and it's my true de-stresser as I just switch off and cook although preferably on my own and this kitchen is just that - a kitchen!

No open plan dining/family room - just a kitchen, no excuse for kids to run around my feet and I can close the door once the cooking is done and ignore the washing up.

As our kitchen is a combination of 2 huge windows, 2 very large doors, a chimney breast, very high ceilings and no straight walls, it has to be made to spec - lucky me ;-)

Our kitchen is the creation of my own ideas interpreted and improved by the talented Morwenna Gerrard and will be built by the equally talented Patrick McKenna of Wabi-Sabi (www.wabi-sabi.ie) in Dublin.

The kitchen design will have a contemporary look with white spray painted handle-less doors with internal carcasses made with oak veneered timber. The central island will have a brass coated welded steel frame supporting a slim Carrera marble top with the basin, dishwater and bins built into a white box underneath.

All is planned very carefully as space is premium and tricky, but actually it's going to be just great. I will have all the storage I need around my 'work' area and the coffee machine, cups etc. is in a cupboard where David won't be in my way when he makes his 10th coffee that morning.

Still deciding on appliances and taps - current favourites are VOLA taps (Danish of course), Quooker tap, Miele ovens and Dishwasher and a 91cm Liebherr integrated fridge/freezer with an ice maker but no water dispenser. Lets see how the budget works out - have promised David to be flexible in some areas.....

Below are some images of the old kitchen and some 3D drawings of the new one plus a lifestyle image of my chosen light - the very cool 'Bent Chandelier' by Workstead, which will also be available in my shop very soon.

Old Kitchen 

Old Kitchen 

Old Kitchen 

Old Kitchen 

New Kitchen Design - by Wabi-Sabi

New Kitchen Design - by Wabi-Sabi

New Kitchen Design - by Wabi-Sabi

My chosen light for the central island - 'Bent Chandelier' by Workstead 

Demolition

The demolition or 'enabling' work as the architects call it is progressing nicely, and various engineers, conservation people and specialist contractors have been visiting to review the next steps ie. restoration and how to go about it in a sensible (economic) way.

All very fascinating, we had a walk round with the team recently and one of the floor boards in the 'Green' room was lifted to see what's underneath.

The Green room is in the oldest part of the house 16th Century and was apparently where the tower of Booterstown Castle was ie. the 4 walls of this room is the remains of the tower, and the rest is under our floor boards = big chunks of stone! This means that in order insulate under the floor, the boards now need to be lifted as impossible to get under the floor as hoped.

So if the budget escalates to much we could always sell off a few stones as historical artefacts :-)

Here's a few pictures from recent visits.

Green Room - under our floors, remains of Booterstown Castle's Tower

Kitchen being stripped back - we found a copper tank & boiler tucked behind the units

Kitchen - many layers of 50-70's wallpaper hidden behind the cupboards.

Patio doors in Hall and plaster boards under stairs - all gone!

The current view from my new basement office.

Basement nearly stripped out and ready for renovation, underfloor heating and polished concrete floor.

View towards to the garden.

Where the stairs will be re-installed to the basement and remainder Laundry Room.

Beautiful stone walls hidden behind the plaster boards - hoping to clean these up.

Basement Guest Room - Stone Walls to be given a good clean and maybe paint.

And we're off!

Work has finally started! We are starting with the demolition stage or 'enabling work' as the architect is calling it.

Basically everything that has to go is being broken down, taken out. Floors taken up, numbered and photographed as well as the granite front and back steps. All to be put back again later on.

All very exciting although daunting as well, lets just hope they don't find any old bones under the floorboards as I could really do without any more delays.


Here's a few pics from day 1 - Today, will keep updating as we progress.

Once there was a garage......

Boarding going up.

Basement being demolished.

Planning Permission Granted!

Finally the 'FUN' can start, just a few minor details to clarify but in theory we can start!

Had meeting with our architect, Johnny Bennett from Extend last Friday and think we have finally solved the design element of our en-suite which was causing some headaches as the room is big but it's all doors, windows and fireplace so a tricky space.

Master bedroom

Master bedroom door.

Master bedroom - Fireplace

Making changes....

Boys Room

One day this will be the boys bedroom - a bit of work to do, but think it will be great and they will have enough space. At least the walls are thick enough to keep the noise in or out!

Note the door - that is a wall!

Beautiful ceiling which needs lots of TLC.

Corridor/Wall - 16th Century castle wall.

Nice high ceiling - maybe a swing?

A few before pictures.....

Front door with original lock and key.

Hall Stairs - gorgeous window = lots of light

Stunning barrel ceiling, all 3 roses in situ.

Corridor/Wall - Into the Green Room

Family Room - big beautiful windows overlooking garden.

Doors into garden from Green Room.

Kitchen - will be getting a full makeover.