Time to call in the neighbours.

"I could see the house had potential 'supermodel' qualities - good bones, character and lots of height. But I had to literally renovate it from front to back, with the intention of not only extending the kitchen but also introducing as much natural light as possible. A friend of mine, architect Johnny Bennett, just happened to live on the terrace, so he knows these houses really well. I also had a lovely builder . . . Paul Kelleher from Cork, take a bow . . . so I consider myself a lucky girl, with none of those horror stories that other people have when renovating and building on an extension."

A calm, stress- free ambience is very much in evidence throughout, greatly contributed to by pale walls and natural fabrics drifting at the windows. A genteel shade from Farrow and Ball's heritage paints was the obvious choice . . . but which one? Old White is perfect for walls in older properties, says Helen, especially when combined with pure white painted skirtings, doors and architraves.

"I used Old White in the hall and in every room to create a sense of unity throughout. It has a soft, chalky grey tone, but is never cold, and it works equally well with the dark wooden floors in the kitchen or the more formal reception rooms. For the window dressings in the living and dining room, I sourced very fine cotton lawn and edged it with a border of natural coloured linen, which echoes the cover on the couch. In the spare bedroom, I used a favourite pair of old French lace curtains. In the main bedroom, I have very heavy cotton curtains in grey with a red stripe."

In contrast to the neutral palette, there are also accents of red furnishings throughout the house, while the simple lines of custom-built cupboards and bookcases are contrasted by ornate gilt framed mirrors and Helen's fashion prints and posters.

The bright, extended kitchen, with almost double height ceiling, is both functional and informal, and a real draw for family and friends. It's accessed at the end of a long reception hall through French doors. Two sets of French doors lead on from the kitchen out to the sheltered courtyard and Helen's garden studio. This is where the serious design work on her collections is carried out. But the house too expresses the subtle glamour of its owner . . . even in the kitchen.

"It's important for me to strive to keep work and socialising separate. I've worked on a number of collections in that little garden studio, it's very safe and secure, and I've often happily stayed out there till midnight. The house is very much home, nowhere more so than the kitchen as it's now so big, bright and welcoming. On quiet afternoons, I might do a little sketching here. It's a great party space too . . . I had 26 people gathered for a birthday party last year, and the table was dressed with a huge linen tablecloth, big candelabra and large black roses."

All of which ensures No 4 Lullymore is a house that will never go out of fashion.

The lowdown

Address: No 4 Lullymore Terrace, Sally's Bridge, South Circular Road, Dublin 8
Price: 850,000
Agent: Felicity Fox 01-633 4431 Details: Victorian redbrick property spanning 106sq m (1,140sq ft) and comprising a reception hall, drawing room, dining room, kitchen/dining room, two double bedrooms, bathroom, own-door office and landscaped garden with rear vehicular access
Highlights: Period features; extended kitchen/dining room with French doors to garden; Farrow & Ball paints; custom made presses, cupboards and radiator covers; private courtyard garden with separate office