An internal courtyard and generous glazing flood this Dollymount home with natural light
A design by Studio Delaney has modernised the space, while prioritising a sense of light and spaciousness.
When she first saw this Dollymount home, Jean Delaney of Studio Delaney explains, it was outdated, and lacked the features a modern family desires. “A series of separate internal rooms created a fragmented layout, making everyday life feel cramped and disconnected. It simply didn’t support the way the family wanted to live.”
What they wanted was a bright, spacious and functional home, she explains. “They wanted larger, more functional rooms with better flow and circulation. A focus on incorporating as much glazing as we could to allow natural light into the new spaces which would in turn flow throughout the rest of the house. Improved utility space and maximising storage were other key priorities, along with creating an additional family room on the ground floor within the existing garage space. Overall, they were looking for a home that felt open, efficient and aligned to their needs.”
As a result, the design included a full renovation to the ground floor, including a new kitchen and bathroom, and new flooring and wall treatments. “To elevate the home, we also introduced a number of feature elements such as a gas stove, large glazed sliding windows and a zinc/aluminium clad light box in the master bedroom,” Jean says.
“We introduced light wells within the new extension as well as an internal courtyard to create the sympathetic blend with the external and internal spaces that in turn would bring in more natural light and create a sense of openness within the main kitchen, living and dining area.”
The palette for this space is neutral, chosen to create a calm environment, and spotlight the quality of the materials and textures used. “The limestone brick cladding used on the exterior of the extension continues seamlessly into the internal spaces. Paired with the large pane picture windows this blends the inside with the outside assisting the visual connectivity between the two. The sleek black aluminium sliding glazing that frames views out into the garden and adds a refined architectural contrast.”
In contrast, warmer tones in the natural timber flooring run across the entire ground floor. “Subtle sculptural details also play an important role,” Jean explains. “A curved plaster surround forms the gas stove feature fireplace, while ribbed plaster battens line the internal light well, drawing the eye upward and creating a gentle linear rhythm across the ceiling. In the kitchen, the palette and tone are reflective of a classic contemporary approach with painted shaker-style fronts paired with elegant veined marble worktops. A timber-finished freestanding island adds a final touch of warmth and texture, grounding the space and complementing the natural tones used throughout the home.”
A standout feature of this space is undoubtedly the use of glazing. “The large glazed sliding windows frame the garden like a series of living artworks,” Jean says. “The curved plaster fireplace surround and the ribbed plaster battens in the light well add subtle sculptural character, lifting the space and adding interest in subtle and elegant ways. In the kitchen, the combination of the framed shaker fronts, veined marble and the timber island brings a refined yet warm focal point to the centre of the home. Altogether, these elements give the home a personal, curated and crafted feel.”
The resulting space is “serene, sophisticated and richly tactile. The neutral palette, flooding of natural light and elevated details incorporated through the bespoke joinery offer a curated approach to the design both inside and out. Sculptural and feature elements touches introduce gentle movement and visual interest whilst the natural finishes create grounding and balance.”
Photography Elyse Kennedy
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