Now after two years of hard work and effort, she's selling her labour of love, which she shares with husband Jack and children Rachel and Harry, and upping sticks to take on a completely new house challenge, transforming a Victorian home for modern family living.

What she's leaving behind at No 44 Rossmore is an exquisite gem of a home that combines high style and family-friendly living beautifully. All new owners will have to do is move in and hang up their coats.

In every room of this 260sq m (2800sq ft ) home, Julie-ann has stamped her mark, transforming walls with modern paper, pretty paint colours and tiles and injecting life into spaces with a mix of modern and classical furnishings and accessories and gorgeously warm wooden flooring underfoot.

What buyers will find most appealing however is the open plan layout downstairs. The kitchen, living and dining area form one big space with furniture cleverly positioned to define the different zones.

Light floods in from every direction here via Velux windows, and a wall of glazing in the dining area with patio doors opening to the garden.

The kitchen is every budding chef 's dream with solid walnut fitted units topped with white granite worktops, integrated appliances and island which also doubles as a breakfast bar.

Also on the ground floor is a utility, study-cum-playroom and a separate, more formal reception room with a large bay window and feature fireplace.

Upstairs are five bedrooms, two of which are en-suite, and a main bathroom kitted out with contemporary fixtures and fittings.

Outside there is a large cobblelock drive with ample parking for three cars, and a beautifully maintained rear garden, part lawned with a wrap around deck for entertaining al fresco.

While Julie-ann is looking forward to the challenge of transforming an old house what she'll miss most about this place is the neighbours.

"We've been totally overwhelmed by the sense of community and neighbourhood here, " she says. "Everyone is very sociable and really friendly." Of course, she must also be delighted that her hard work has paid off and increased the value of her house by double what she bought it for.

Price: 950,000 Agent: McDonnell Properties 01-276 0033