€1.1m for renovated Wicklow coach house that now offers ‘5-star luxury’

Carlisle Mews on Duncairn Lane in Bray has featured in Image Magazine and Home+Design Magazine and is feted as one of the most unique homes to come on the market in the south Dublin, north Wicklow area for quite some time by agents Sherry Fitzgerald.

Just a two-minute walk from the seafront in Bray and tucked into a quiet lane, no expense was spared in its conversion from two, derelict commercial properties into this large three-bed family residence, complete with a beautiful south-facing extension and garden.

The current owners, who had previously renovated a neighbouring property a few metres away fell in love with this location and the community and when the opportunity to purchase and convert this property became available two years ago they employed the best consultants and tradesmen to finish the home to the highest standard.”

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The owners employed award-winning, RIAI Architect of The Year, Culligan Architects to turned an 1860s stone-built coach-house into a modern, energy-efficient A2 BER rated and air-tight home.

Many new builds would struggle to reach the same levels of warmth and cost-savings as this home. Breathable insulation, re-pointed stone, lime harling finish, natural slates and charred timber complete the fabric of the house. Features such as the curved walls, which were used for making it easier to drive a coach around the internal corner of the mews, have been carried through to the grand, double-height entrance way where a solid walnut stairs curves its way up to the walnut-floored landing.

The real terrazzo flooring, is a unique and luxurious flooring that welcomes you along with the warmth from the under-floor heating. Moving through the home a simple pallet of natural earth colours make for a light and relaxing ambience. The brick fireplace with bronze Charnwood stove and terrazzo plinth act as a focal point in the main living-room space whilst the curved wall and couch zone the living room from the rest of the open-plan interior.

Continuing through to the high-quality kitchen with a massive three- metre island and natural wood joinery, it quite literally is the heart of the home.

Cooking on the large, vented induction hob you have views to the playroom/snug, the living room, dining room and out to the garden connecting you with the whole of the downstairs. Top of the range Siemens and Bosch appliances were used throughout the home and a full-length fridge and freezer give ample food storage. A large Blanco black-granite sink integrated into the white stone worktops is adorned with a bronze Fohen 3-1 hot-tap with instant boiling water.

Large roof-lights over exposed joists lead you into the dining room extension with crafted bench seating matching the kitchen units and providing ample storage. The massive, three-piece Rationel window with walnut clad window boards bring your eyes to the long sunny garden.

Taking a step outside to the private, sunny garden, the brick patio and planter make for a lovely evening drink in the summer. Looking back to the stone, brick and charred wood extension is one of the most breath-taking parts of this home and one can see the award-winning architect’s influence.

There is a large space at the end of the garden where plans were approved for a garden room/hot tub. The owners have opted to keep it as a play and BBQ area for now but this space with the late evening sun offers a lot of potential. A neighbouring garden that adjoins the house also offers potential for the future owner to purchase and create an even bigger outdoor space.

Upstairs, the master-bedroom features a full height-roof leading the eye to the incredible lantern rooflight . A black-clad dormer window looks out to the quiet lane and bespoke wardrobes offer plenty of storage. A terrazzo-clad ensuite with vast shower and luxury Meir/ NK Porcelanosa sanitary ware provide a 5-star experience. This is carried through to the similarly finished main bathroom with its showpiece, double-sized stone bath and Lusso Stone taps. This wet room is finished with a brown terrazzo and walnut and features a “bunker” style window for privacy.

Two other generous and well-designed double bedrooms, finished again with natural-wool carpets by luxury brand Cormar and bespoke joinery for storage complete the first floor.

Outside in the front courtyard with parking for two cars, is a highly practical and large storage/plant room. This space is the energy efficiency heart of the home with a Grant heatpump and Vent-Axia mechanical heat-recovery unit housed here.

During the conversion the clients employed an energy consultant in the design of the house and through the measures mentioned above along with above-normal levels of insulation and triple-glazed Rationel windows give this house an A2 BER.