A once-dilapidated redbrick, nestled just outside Dublin city, gets a stylish makeover for a professional couple by interior architect Maria Fenlon
Words: Sive O'Brien | Photography: Ruth Maria Murphy
The owners, a busy professional couple, needed a Dublin base to complement their weekly commute between County Clare and the city. Initially unsure whether to buy a house or an apartment, they ultimately decided they wanted a home that offered both style and function: a courtyard for summer BBQs, a parking space, and a design perfect for both relaxation and entertaining.
The couple chose a property that was quite rundown but situated on one of the best streets in the area. They then tasked interior architect Maria Fenlon to reimagine the space to work for their lifestyle. Here's a taster of the finished result, plus Maria's top tips for hiring the right contractors.
1. Referrals: A good contractor saves you money, so don’t underestimate word of mouth. Do your homework. Don’t just go by what is on their websites. Get in touch with people who have worked with the contractor previously. Then, go and see the quality of their work and get insights on every part of the project.
2. A good fit: You must be able to communicate, and you need to know they listen to your queries and can clearly give feedback.
3. Solution-driven: Look for contractors who bring solutions to your problems and want to debate and discuss issues collaboratively.
4. Experience: Make sure they have experience doing exactly the type of house or job you require so they have the necessary experience to solve any issues.
5. Relationships with subcontractors: Check out how your contractor works with subcontractors; if there is a level of respect, everyone on the team will work better together towards a common goal.
To read the full story of how Maria and her team made this fabulous transformation, check out the January/February 2025 issue of House and Home. You can buy a digital copy here.
