Behind the rather uninspiring facade of No 18 Cullenswood Gardens, in the heart of Ranelagh in Dublin 6, hides an enviable lightfilled space of some 251sq m (2,700sq ft) that marries modern easy family living with comfortable elegance.

Transforming the property has been a real labour of love for the current owners, and after more than 20 years living here, they've decided to sell. The space that they once outgrew as a young family, and were forced to extend, has now outgrown them and they're looking to downsize to a more manageable home, now that their children have grown up and moved on.

What they're leaving behind is a remodelled and extended five/six-bed family home that's a whole lot bigger and a whole lot different to how it originally looked when they first bought it, with two interconnecting reception rooms, family room, kitchen, utility, study, shower room, family bathroom and converted attic.

Over the years, they've rearranged rooms, reconfigured spaces and moved out and up as their family grew.

They started off by swapping the kitchen and the breakfast room around to create two new spaces. The old kitchen, which was more like an add-on, is now a sleek, contemporary, streamlined space with high-gloss cream units along two walls, featuring stainless steel appliances, granite worktops and a glass splashback.

Then they knocked down the dividing wall between the sitting room and the original drawing room to open up the space. These two rooms have a slightly more formal feel with furniture arranged around the fireplace.

Walls are painted white with wooden flooring underfoot.

Ten years ago, they added a single storey extension to the back of the house, extending the original family/breakfast room so that it now spans the entire width of the house. This space is perfect for eating and relaxing and has double doors out to the garden. A curved wall of glass blocks allow light to flood the room.

At the same time they added a two-storey extension to the side of the property, to accommodate a study, shower room, utility and two more bedrooms.

Not wanting to leave any space untouched, they also converted the 44sq m (470sq ft) attic to create one seriously big master bedroom with en-suite and walk-in wardrobe.

While their vision to create a bigger, more comfortable family home was a long time in the making, it's been worth it. And what's more, they've achieved all the extra space without sacrificing too much of the garden. It's a generous 60ft x 35ft, laid mostly in lawn with two patio areas.

They're going to miss this home, the neighbourhood, its convenience to town but as ever, ones for a challenge, they're on the lookout for another renovation project . . . this time something a lot smaller. Let's hope it doesn't take them as long to finish it.

The lowdown

Address: No 18 Cullenswood Gardens, Ranelagh, Dublin 6
Details: Remodelled and extended semi-detached property comprising two interconnecting reception rooms, family room/breakfast room, kitchen, utility, study, shower room, five bedrooms, family bathroom with the master en-suite bedroom and walk-in wardrobe in the converted attic
Highlights: While this property has been extended to 251sq m (2,700sq ft), the good news is that it hasn't encroached on the garden too much, it's a good 60ft x 30ft
Price: AMV 2.45m; auction 14 March Agent: Gunne Residential, 01-499 5050