WHEN writer Ita O'Kelly moved into Ardlui 10 years ago, it was something of a homecoming. Having grown up in the area, she was familiar with the grand period redbricks that define this part of Dublin 6, and took it in her stride when she discovered that her high-ceilinged, Victorian gem was going to require an abundance of TLC.

"At that time, no improvements had been done on the house. When we tried to pull the curtains, they fell down because they were so rotted with age. But the upshot was that all the period features were still in situ. The original floorboards had survived really well because, as was the practice then, they had black shellac painted around the edges . . . if they had been covered in carpet, they would have crumbled with woodworm."

A decade on, the house is thoroughly restored and renovated. One of the biggest challenges in terms of creating a warm and family-friendly atmosphere in the house was the installation of a good heating system . . . especially as Ita didn't want the easy option of modern radiators.

"To my mind, they jar in a period house and claim valuable wall space. They don't heat rooms as well as the old fashioned cast-iron variety.

We were lucky to be able to source the restored Victorian radiators from a building of the same era as the house . . . 1895. Not only do they look fabulous, they are also cost effective because they take 90 minutes to cool down. We also opted for underfloor heating in the kitchen/living room which provides radiant heat."

Apart from the practical aspects of the house, the generous space has been opened up throughout living areas, with a considered eye on original features. Glazing expert Peter McCrystal restored the detailed stained glass double doors between the two formal reception rooms. Farrow & Ball paints were chosen for their depth of colour and resistance to fading, while the contemporary white gloss kitchen with smoked glass units is bright and welcoming even on the greyest of winter days. The kitchen is openplan to the conservatory, dining room and living area.

"I cannot say enough about how good it is to have a living room as well as a big kitchen.

It's great for casual entertaining or if you just feel like relaxing with a book or in front of the television.

"And while this is a big house overall, it's easy to maintain. A quick run of the mop ensures the wooden floors are dust free and the restored sash windows keep the draughts and dust out.

It's also a great house for kids . . . they can really play and enjoy the space. It was definitely built for anything a child could throw at it."

Address: Ardlui, 54 Kenilworth Park, Dublin 6W

Details: Restored Victorian red brick semi-d spanning 186sq m (2,006sq ft) and comprising an entrance hall, two interconnecting reception rooms, open-plan dining room/conservatory/kitchen/living room opening to the garden, "ve bedrooms (four doubles and one single), one en-suite, main bathroom, shared driveway for offstreet parking and landscaped rear garden Highlights: Tastefully restored home that been reworked for modern living. The four separate hardwood doors from dining/conservatory opening to wraparound deck are a real treat.

Price: AMV 1.75m; public auction 25 October Agent: Douglas Newman Good 01-679 4088

The lowdown No 5 Oakfield Place, Dublin 8: 595,000
NO 5 Oakfield Place, just off Lombard Street West, has one of those modest Dublin 8 period redbrick exteriors behind which lies a high-ceilinged and well-planned interior restored with great flair. This is the perfect city pad combining elegant original features complemented by a surprisingly bright colour palette and modern furniture that sits well within the late Victorian surroundings.

The kitchen is bold with fuschia pink walls and the compact rear hallway strikes a stylish note with its smart black and white checkered floor tiles. Double doors lead from this rear hall out to a private and sheltered patio with feature glass-brick and whitewashed walls.

To the front of the house is the living room with castiron fireplace, window shutters on timber sashes and built-in bookcases in the alcoves. A set of French doors with elegant architrave opens the living room to the kitchen/dining room with white and naturalwood fitted presses complemented by the hot wall colour.

All main rooms, including the entrance hall and one of the two bedrooms, retain their original ceiling cornices, while the living room also has a picture rail and centre rose. Both bedrooms have built-in wardrobes, while the larger room also has French doors to the patio. Adjacent to these rooms is the bathroom which has both a tiled surround bath and a separate shower. Overall there is 58sq m (625sq ft) of floor space.

Price: 595,000 Agent: Felicity Fox 01-633 4431