Easy City Elegance

See More Photos

Stepping inside this sophisticated and light-filled Ranelagh home, it’s hard to imagine what a sorry state it was in when home-owners Emma Coyle and Al Byrnes first set eyes on it.

?When you walked in, you were met with two more front doors,? Emma recalls. ?One door opened straight onto the stairs and led to a poky two-bed flat and kitchenette, while the second led into a one-bed flat with access to a scruffy yard. It was really pretty awful!?

Unlike many others who viewed the property, the couple saw a diamond in the rough, and got it for less than the asking price. They then went on to save even more money by doing the majority of the work on the house themselves, with Emma drawing up designs and Al taking six months off to project manage things.

Once the hard work of gutting and re-designing was done, it was time to get to work on making the house feel comfortable and homely. ?For me, paintings, books and photos are what make a house a home,? Emma says.

The couple have curated a great mix of antique family heirlooms, retro finds, brilliant mid-century design classics, Art Deco touches and big, bold prints. Every square inch of the house oozes design perfection, while managing to not feel contrived. ?It’s not just about collecting beautiful things, it’s about keeping it personal so that each room reflects you.?

Photography by Mark Scott.?