Period Drama
A tired Victorian home in Dublin 8 gets a modern makeover while retaining its old bones and beautiful architectural features
WORDS Orla Neligan
PHOTOGRAPHS Elyse Kennedy
THE HOMEOWNERS John and Thomas, and their greyhound Olly
THE HOUSE Victorian terraced semi-d in the heart of Dublin city
For some, the least appealing of homes are those that have seen their share of inhabitants, those that sport thread-worn carpets and damp walls, where wiring is exposed and plumbing is leaky.
But for John O’Donohue and his partner Thomas Feeney, who could see past the dark, dingy rooms of their 100-year-old run-down Victorian semi-detached house in Dublin 8, it had all the potential for their dream home.
“The state of it initially would put anyone off buying it,” laughs John. “But many of the homes on the road were built to house workers from the nearby Guinness brewery and were structurally sound with lots of original features still intact. Plus, the area was a big draw for us, with great shops and cafes nearby.”
They initially engaged an architect to design plans for a modern extension.
They had grand visions of modern glass extensions with kitchen islands and banquette seating, admits John, who was heavily influenced by Instagram and TikTok, and admits they had to step back from that to figure out what they really needed and wanted, which was essentially a warm, comfortable home and a place for entertaining friends and family.
The initial plans were incredible, but the costs were prohibitive, and so they set about renovating the existing footprint instead of engaging Shay Lally of Houses to Restore to head up the mammoth task of retrofitting the old dame, paying homage to her historic bones while coaxing her into the 21st century.
Walls were demolished, new plumbing and wiring installed, a new kitchen and bathrooms fitted, and careful attention given to restoring original features such as the bannisters, fireplaces, and coving.
JOHN & THOMAS’S TIPS ON RENOVATING WITH FLAIR
Highlight original features
Instead of concealing period details like fireplaces, mouldings or windows, emphasise and integrate them into the design.
Find the balance
Respect a property’s history by letting original features shine, while adding modern accents that don’t overwhelm the space.
Confidence and staples
Mixing styles and periods can feel daunting, but like getting dressed, confidence and a few reliable staples go a long way.
Read more tips, the full interview and every image from John and Thomas's renovated home in the new issue of House and Home magazine.
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