This Terenure home has been refreshed with light-filled spaces and garden views
Warm neutrals and thoughtful detailing breathe new life into this north-facing home, where light, views and subtle updates have transformed the kitchen into the heart of the house.
For the couple who own this north-facing home, the kitchen had long been a source of frustration. Spending much of their time there, they found the space dark, draughty and disconnected from the mature garden beyond. “They were unhappy with the dark and draughty north-facing kitchen in their home,” says Rachel Moore, architect and director at Archaus Architecture and Interior Design. “They have a beautiful, mature garden, but had very limited views of the garden from the kitchen or dining table. They spent a lot of their time in the kitchen, but really didn’t like the space.”
Although the home didn’t require additional rooms, the clients wanted to make subtle but impactful changes. “They were looking to create a warm kitchen-dining area suitable for hosting their grown children and grandchildren,” Moore explains. “The rest of the house needed a decorative update using the existing furniture and choosing appropriate neutral colours to suit the north and south-facing rooms.”
The redesign focused on opening the home to light and the garden. Larger windows on the eastern elevation and a new glazed corner at the rear now flood the kitchen with sunlight. A built-in window seat provides extra seating and storage, making the dining area more functional. “The kitchen units and appliances were kept, but the oak veneer cabinets were sprayed,” Moore explains. “Then new handles were added, and the oak laminate worktop was replaced with a Silestone worktop and splashback.”
Even the side passage, once overlooked, became a key design feature. There was a door to the side passage/garage/utility room off the kitchen, which the clients used to leave open to let more light in,” Moore says. “I proposed replacing it with a glazed door and adding a glazed panel so light from the covered side passage could permanently filter into the room. Initially, the client was hesitant as the view wasn’t very attractive, so we refinished the floor, added a timber batten wall along the side passage, and created a ‘secret door’ to the utility room. We continued the timber batten out to the garden, so it can be seen through the large, fixed window in the dining area.”
The material and colour palette were carefully chosen to complement the home’s character, and Moore notes that the clients gravitated towards a warm neutral palette and had a lot of original art and ceramics, which they wanted to highlight.
“The original floorboards were re-finished, and in the north-facing kitchen,” Moore explains. “Colourtrend’s ‘Subtle” was chosen for the walls, while Farrow & Ball “Schoolhouse White” was applied to the kitchen units. A warm limed-oak laminate wide plank floorboard contrasts with the polished surfaces, giving the space texture and warmth. With these choices, the space feels bright and welcoming while still allowing the garden views and natural light to shine through.”
The results are subtle yet transformative. By increasing window heights, creating visual connections to the garden and layering warm materials against bright surfaces, the kitchen now feels like a modern extension of the home.
“The most successful part is that the kitchen feels like a modern extension/addition to the house,” Moore reflects. “The side passage has become a play area for their grandchildren, and overall, they feel they have gained more usable space and can enjoy the views of their garden.”
Photography: Shauna Lally
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