Contemporary in style, but warm and welcoming with it, this three-bed house, close to Rathgar and Terenure, has been reworked and refurbished to make the most of every inch of its 92sq m (930 sq ft).

Natural light is encouraged and enhanced throughout, particularly so in the new kitchen, where an extra large atrium rooflight is not only a charming feature in its own right, but also flows sunshine back through the open plan reception rooms.

Owner Lynda McCracken can take a lot of the credit for the understated elegance here, having completed an interior design course and put the skills acquired into action in her own home.

She moved here with her family 11 years ago. One of her first actions was to open up the two original reception rooms into one very large living area and instal two contemporary fireplaces, which give the space a classy edge.

"We got the fireplaces from Artefaction, and they came with black granite hearths which contrast with the sandstone, " she explained. "Both are full working fires, so they are practical as well as goodlooking."

Lynda also gave consideration to the middle room, in terms of lighting. "When an extension is added, it's often the case that an adjacent room suffers in terms of light, but the glass rooflight in the kitchen ensures the entire open-plan area is bright.

"We took the decision more recently to paint the whole house in a warm cream, contrasting with plain white on the woodwork. It's the simplest thing, but it has somehow pulled the whole look of the house together."

Orwell Gardens is a quiet cul de sac, near all amenities.

The Luas tram stop at Milltown is within 10 minutes walking distance.

To the front of no. 29 is a large driveway laid in gravel, combining off-street parking and raised flowerbeds as borders. At the side is a garage with full planning permission for conversion to additional living accommodation.

A particular feature of the property is the south-facing rear garden, landscaped to include two decked areas and with an abundance of evergreen plants that ensure interest regardless of the season.

Inside, accommodation is equally well planned, opening from the entrance hall straight into the double livingroom with solid maple floors.

This, in turn, leads straight through to the sunny, eat-in kitchen, which spans the full width of the house.

A lovely feature of the kitchen is the way it links visually with the rear garden through two large glazed doors. Kitchen units are in maple with black granite work surfaces.

The dining area of the room has a maple floor, with the space currently dominated by an eye-catching abstract painting in blue.

Next to the kitchen is a utility room well fitted with maple presses.

Upstairs are two double bedrooms, each with castiron fireplaces and maple floors. The larger room has excellent built-in wardrobes with mirrored doors. A third, single, bedroom is to the front of the house. Maple flooring is a feature in the bathroom, which has both a bath and Mira shower.

The house is impressive in terms of presentation to the market, and Lynda's advice is simple for any other owners contemplating selling this spring: "De-clutter as much as possible, but not so much that the house looks spartan.

"It's all about striking the balance between paring back and leaving a sense of warmth and welcome, too. So get rid of the excess and put back your house plants, nice prints and the odd scatter cushion . . .hopefully, visitors should be able to see it as a home, not just a show house."

Agent: Sherry FitzGerald, 01 - 4907 433 Price: 710,000

WHAT LYNDA DID

After consultation with an architect, she opened up the two main reception rooms to create a double-sized livingroom. This allowed for the creation of a more modern family home overall, with the installation of two sandstone fireplaces a key starting point for the subsequent interior design.

Extended the kitchen to run the entire width of the house, while ensuring the adjoining reception area is still bright, courtesy of an extra-large atrium rooflight.

Painted the entire house in a natural paint in a warm cream that reacts subtly to the changing light.

Pared back non-essentials and clutter, while ensuring that the house is not austere or forbidding by adding pristine white duvet covers, house plants and colourful cushions.