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Edwardian elegance meets modern luxury at this striking Killiney home
Steeplewood sits on 1.2 acres of well manicured private grounds, too.
WITH ITS ARTS and Crafts character, beautifully built modern extension and 1.2 acres of landscaped gardens, Steeplewood is the epitome of well-connected and upgraded country house.
Within easy reach of Dublin, there is something storybook about Steeplewood. Dating from around 1900, this handsome Edwardian building stands behind electric gates on Killiney Avenue, surrounded by mature grounds that create a sense of seclusion in one of south Dublin’s most popular areas known for its celebrity residents.
The house almost extends to a whopping 500 m² yet its appeal lies in more than size alone. It is a home of deep bay windows and inviting window seats, original fireplaces, decorative coving and beautifully well-proportioned rooms. These surviving period details lend warmth and personality to the interiors, while a series of thoughtful additions has adapted the property for family life today.
In the drawing room, a large picture window frames the landscaped grounds and the neighbouring church steeple. An Italianate marble fireplace provides an appropriately grand focal point, complemented by dark timber flooring and an ornate ceiling rose.
An arched opening connects the room with the dual-aspect dining room, creating a beautiful setting for entertaining on a big scale.
The substantial family room has a more relaxed atmosphere, with another box-bay window seat, timber floors and an original cast-iron fireplace. However, it is the recently completed kitchen and breakfast-room extension that brings an entirely new dimension to the property.
Designed by architect Andrew Lohan, this bright, contemporary space respects the character of the original house without attempting to imitate it. A vaulted ceiling, rooflights and wide glazing bring daylight deep into the room, while concertina doors open the space directly onto the back garden.
The bespoke Porter & Jones kitchen is arranged around a marble-topped island and equipped with appliances by Miele and Fisher & Paykel. Generous pantry storage and large preparation areas make it as practical as it is polished. A traditional Aga and black-and-white tiled floor in the original kitchen area preserve a pleasing link with the house’s past.
Elsewhere on the ground floor are an additional reception room, a spacious laundry room, guest toilet and lots of storage, the less glamorous but much-needed features of a well-run family home.
Upstairs, the main bedroom suite is in a private wing and feels closer to a boutique hotel than a conventional bedroom. Its reception area could serve as a home office or quiet sitting room, while the bedroom opens onto a balcony with views across the grounds towards the Dublin Mountains. A walk-in wardrobe and an en suite bathroom with a cast-iron, claw-foot bath complete the spaces.
A separate library or study also enjoys its own balcony, offering a particularly peaceful place to work or read. The remaining spaces include five further bedrooms, several bathrooms and a first-floor family room that could be repurposed as an additional bedroom if required. Painted cast-iron fireplaces, vaulted ceilings and tucked-away study and dressing areas give the upper rooms plenty of individuality.
The gardens are central to life at Steeplewood. Designed by landscape designer Martin Brady, the 1.2 acre grounds combine lawns with mature trees and carefully arranged planting. Despite the property’s handy location, the setting feels peaceful and protected, with lots of places to sit, entertain or simply follow the garden through the seasons.
A detached garden room adds further flexibility. Designed to sit comfortably within its surroundings, it could become a studio, gym, home office, games room or private retreat.
Killiney Beach and the DART station are within walking distance, while Killiney Hill and the villages of Dalkey and Glasthule are close by. The area is also well placed for schools and transport connections, with access to the N11, M50, Luas and Aircoach.
Steeplewood succeeds in balancing architectural distinction and everyday ease, privacy and connectivity, Edwardian romance and modern living.
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