However, the dynamic force behind the 'Get-Sorted' enterprise and presenter on Househunters and Househunters in the Sun TV programmes, and her architect husband, Rory O'Reilly, wanted a more practical, modern pad to reflect the needs of their everyday family living.

"I always knew that we were going to leave the house, " says Liz. "While I love and embrace Victorian architecture, I aspire to a more contemporary style of living. We were happy to downsize and consider ourselves lucky to have found the mews we now live in."

According to Ken MacDonald, managing director of Hooke & MacDonald, downsizing, which was evident in the Irish market last spring and autumn, is set to become a strong trend over the next two to three years.

"A lot of people have been selling the bigger houses, and downsizing to apartments or more modern accommodation, " he says. "There are thousands of houses around Dublin that are too big for the people in them." A growing number of householders, MacDonald says, are opting to release their equity and buy an alternative property for one-third of the price.

"Ease of maintenance is a big factor as carrying out work in old houses is costly.

Also socially it's a very good idea as it frees up a lot of accommodation for more people, " he says.

For Liz and Rory, however, it was a case of been there, done that and seeking a more laid-back, contemporary living space was key.

This hankering for a more modern layout coincided with the signs of a slowdown in property sales. "The market was just starting to feel nervous. Being a homefinder, I constantly get phone calls from auctioneers letting me know about properties they have for sale. They also knew I was on the lookout for something different, " Liz remarks.

On a family holiday in Majorca last Easter, she found herself in search of the international editions of the Irish daily newspapers. Soon she was on the phone from her sunbed to Norman Gray in Gray's of Rathmines. "He told me that he had the house for us. He said it wasn't on the market and that the price was the price, " remembers Liz.

Liz and Rory met Gray and viewed the property the following Monday and the deal was done the next day. "We ended up buying it before we put our home on the market, but we both knew it was perfect for us, " she says.

Tucked down a discreet little lane in Rathmines, the award-winning property, which was designed by McCullagh Mulvin and built eight years ago, had been tastefully decorated by its owner who was moving into an apartment. "It was in lovely order, but being who we are, we were going to change it, " laughs Liz.

A new navy kitchen with a nougat reconstituted granite worktop was made by Bob Mooney from Delgany and installed in the 55ft long living area upstairs where floor-to-ceiling windows provide views of the south-facing garden where a eucalyptus, bamboo and Japanese maple trees and a pebble pool are set against vibrant pink walls paying homage to Mexican architect Luis Baragan. Elegant bleached oak wall units with stainless steel handles enhance the coloured kitchen and make for more of a furniture feel. The previous owner made them a present of the large maple dining table from O'Hagan Design which is accompanied by new red Eames chairs from Bob Bushell.

Being big TV and sports fans, a 50' plasma TV has pride of place, encased in oak panelling, over the cantilevered solid fuel fireplace with limestone hearth. A red Barcelona chair from their old garden room provides the hot seat.

While the couple had a cull of possessions and furnishings before the move, with Rory giving an old armchair to a friend who had just bought an apartment, and other items put in storage in anticipation of a holiday-home purchase this year, quite a few pieces survived. The two lime-green two-seater sofas, bought at Duff Tisdall, now get lots of use in the living zone, and the Baby Grand piano that Liz snapped up secondhand, also made the transition.

Antique pieces such as an art nouveau loveseat also work well in the new abode, and blend beautifully with contemporary furnishings such as the console table from Duff Tisdall's Africa range.

Versatility is key downstairs, where the entrance hallway, with its eye-catching glass staircase and limestone flooring, was reconfigured and extended. The passageway that used to lead to the garden has been divided into three separate areas to provide a wet room and utility room; a self-contained guest bedroom cum study with double doors to the timber deck;

the main bedroom which accesses the bathroom; and Rossa (7) and Ellie's (5) bedroom.

Other areas were totally refurbished;

for example, the shower and bath were combined, retiling carried out, and underfloor heating added in both bathrooms.

The free flow of space and the ability to see right through to the garden adds to the appeal of the new dwelling. "Victorian houses are very cellular. Even though we adapted the house as much as we could for 21st century living, we were still left with a succession of un-used rooms. Here, although we have less space, it is more flexible and we use it all, " enthuses Liz.

However, with Rory still longing to build his own sustainable home, it looks like it won't be long before the family ups sticks again.

"The dream would be to acquire part of a large back garden and build in the city, " says Liz.

Rory O' Reilly, architect, 086-678 2798; rory@rorarchitects. com