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Houzz Tour: A Dublin Apartment is Given a Modern Luxe Makeover
Neutral colours, warm metals and a clever layout create a home that fits perfectly with the owner’s lifestyle
When Dublin-based design duo Angelina Ball and Grace Macdonald of Phoenix Interior Design were tasked with overhauling the interior of a penthouse on the outskirts of their city, they were excited about transforming the tired décor into something really special and luxurious.
“The building was completed in 2004,” Angelina Ball says. “It’s a unique development, as every apartment has a different layout, each with its own design.”
The pair worked alongside the owner of the third-floor penthouse, who was heavily involved in the design process from start to finish. “He also had a huge input into the functionality of the space and we designed the apartment to suit his lifestyle,” adds the designer. “It was great witnessing the property gradually transform from an outdated, ordinary interior into a contemporary, luxury penthouse. It has a special feeling.”
“The building was completed in 2004,” Angelina Ball says. “It’s a unique development, as every apartment has a different layout, each with its own design.”
The pair worked alongside the owner of the third-floor penthouse, who was heavily involved in the design process from start to finish. “He also had a huge input into the functionality of the space and we designed the apartment to suit his lifestyle,” adds the designer. “It was great witnessing the property gradually transform from an outdated, ordinary interior into a contemporary, luxury penthouse. It has a special feeling.”
The penthouse comprises a spacious open-plan living and dining room (18ft x 17ft), a kitchen, three bedrooms, two en suites and a main bathroom.
“The principal room has two defined areas – living and dining. The living zone is open and airy, but the sofa and TV deliberately face away from the dining area,” says the designer. This helps to define the two distinct spaces, as does the addition of a cosy rug next to the sofa. The living area is given further cohesion with the introduction of black tones on the fireplace, shelves, cushions and artwork.
The solid oak flooring was stripped back, whitewashed to brighten the natural wood, then sealed with a matt finish.
“The principal room has two defined areas – living and dining. The living zone is open and airy, but the sofa and TV deliberately face away from the dining area,” says the designer. This helps to define the two distinct spaces, as does the addition of a cosy rug next to the sofa. The living area is given further cohesion with the introduction of black tones on the fireplace, shelves, cushions and artwork.
The solid oak flooring was stripped back, whitewashed to brighten the natural wood, then sealed with a matt finish.
The comfortable, L-shaped sofa was custom-made in grey linen. “The seat pads are feather-wrapped. It’s unbelievably comfortable,” says Ball. It’s finished off with piles of bespoke cushions in a palette of ochre, grey and taupe.
The low-key luxe vibe continues with a caramel faux-leather swivel chair, a coffee table with a gold metal base, and a grey wool rug.
“The artwork above the fireplace is a photograph on Plexiglas. It’s my favourite item in the apartment,” Ball adds.
Artwork, Cobra Art. Cushion fabrics, Zoffany and Osborne & Little.
The low-key luxe vibe continues with a caramel faux-leather swivel chair, a coffee table with a gold metal base, and a grey wool rug.
“The artwork above the fireplace is a photograph on Plexiglas. It’s my favourite item in the apartment,” Ball adds.
Artwork, Cobra Art. Cushion fabrics, Zoffany and Osborne & Little.
The lofty, double-height ceiling allows for a first-floor mezzanine, where the owner has laid out a bar, cinema area and entertainment zone.
“The mezzanine was part of the original design, but we replaced outdated steel railings with a partition wall,” explains Ball. “It gives the apartment a contemporary, sleek look and makes the mezzanine really feel like a separate space. The pod seating and table make you feel as if you’re in a trendy bar.”
The large, statement light fitting is made from wrought iron with grey metal mesh and accentuates the grand proportions.
See inventive ways to incorporate a mezzanine
“The mezzanine was part of the original design, but we replaced outdated steel railings with a partition wall,” explains Ball. “It gives the apartment a contemporary, sleek look and makes the mezzanine really feel like a separate space. The pod seating and table make you feel as if you’re in a trendy bar.”
The large, statement light fitting is made from wrought iron with grey metal mesh and accentuates the grand proportions.
See inventive ways to incorporate a mezzanine
At the other end of the mezzanine is a cinema area furnished with luxury lounge chairs and a large, 60in smart TV.
Read expert advice on how to create a cinema in your home
Read expert advice on how to create a cinema in your home
The mezzanine bar is fully functional and a great place to gather with guests. “We refurbished it in a grey-brown, with quartz worktops to complement the woodwork and paint colour,” says the designer.
Bar painted in Charleston Gray, Farrow & Ball.
Bar painted in Charleston Gray, Farrow & Ball.
The 2m dining table, made from elm wood with an x-frame support, is paired with gold Eames Eiffel-style chairs.
“The glazed door leads out onto a large balcony and barbecue area,” Ball says. “We chose sheer white roller blinds to still let light into the space when privacy is required.”
There’s no furniture next to the table, so there’s plenty of space to relax and spread out.
There’s no furniture next to the table, so there’s plenty of space to relax and spread out.
A serving window from the living room into the kitchen is a new feature of the penthouse.
“The biggest challenge was the kitchen,” says Ball. “It was dark and felt closed off from the rest of the apartment. It just didn’t do the property justice. The serving window rectified that, and now it looks as if it was always there and part of the original design.”
The owner loves to cook, so the kitchen was designed as a simple U-shape, with the cooking facilities on the back wall and the preparation surfaces to the right and left.
High-gloss, cappuccino-coloured door fronts are offset with a marble-effect quartz worktop, a white metro-tiled splashback and white porcelain floor tiles.
Kitchen, Jonathan Williams Kitchens. Woven leather and chrome bar stools; copper pendant lights, all Phoenix Interior Design.
“The biggest challenge was the kitchen,” says Ball. “It was dark and felt closed off from the rest of the apartment. It just didn’t do the property justice. The serving window rectified that, and now it looks as if it was always there and part of the original design.”
The owner loves to cook, so the kitchen was designed as a simple U-shape, with the cooking facilities on the back wall and the preparation surfaces to the right and left.
High-gloss, cappuccino-coloured door fronts are offset with a marble-effect quartz worktop, a white metro-tiled splashback and white porcelain floor tiles.
Kitchen, Jonathan Williams Kitchens. Woven leather and chrome bar stools; copper pendant lights, all Phoenix Interior Design.
Elegant and luxurious, the master bedroom has an en suite bathroom and walk-in wardrobe.
“Our client wanted the feeling of a luxury hotel room and somewhere he could relax away from the living space,” Ball explains. “The colour palette is very on trend, with grey, black and gold accents.”
Discover more gorgeous ways to use metallics in the bedroom
“Our client wanted the feeling of a luxury hotel room and somewhere he could relax away from the living space,” Ball explains. “The colour palette is very on trend, with grey, black and gold accents.”
Discover more gorgeous ways to use metallics in the bedroom
Like a number of objects in the penthouse, the headboard is a bespoke piece. It’s made with a solid, stained-oak surround and Osborne & Little fabric.
The gold and black side tables and twisted nickel bases on the lamps echo the colours and geometric patterns of the cushions and wall art.
Cushion fabric, Osborne & Little. Furniture, sourced from a wholesaler by Phoenix Interior Design.
The gold and black side tables and twisted nickel bases on the lamps echo the colours and geometric patterns of the cushions and wall art.
Cushion fabric, Osborne & Little. Furniture, sourced from a wholesaler by Phoenix Interior Design.
The second bedroom uses a colour scheme of restful taupes and off-whites. A faux-fur throw adds to the cosy feel and complements the bronze crackle curtain fabric.
TELL US…
What do you think of this luxury penthouse? Share your thoughts in the Comments below.
TELL US…
What do you think of this luxury penthouse? Share your thoughts in the Comments below.
Who lives here A professional couple
Location Dublin
Property A large penthouse, which is part of a boutique development of luxury apartments, built in 2004
Size 3 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms
Designers Angelina Ball and Grace Macdonald of Phoenix Interior Design
The flat is part of a development that includes three penthouses, 13 apartments, one house and communal areas. Phoenix Interior Design were contacted to tender for the work on the entire building, but this penthouse was special, because it was designed to the owner’s individual specifications and style.
“The client has a great eye for interior design and really got involved in the whole process,” says Angelina Ball.
Walls painted in Half Paris Grey, Zoffany. Bark wallpaper (behind media unit), Osborne & Little.