Savills Savills

WHEN YOU THINK of dream homes, you probably think of huge buildings, with lots of ‘road frontage’ (ahem) and more bedrooms and baths than your ordinary person could possibly need.

But you don’t have to have a massive house – and let’s face it, not everyone can afford such a pad – to have a dream home.

What’s key with the detached 2 Chester Gardens in Ranelagh is, as we’ve just mentioned, it’s detached.

The second is that it’s in a prime area of the city, but tucked away down a little laneway.

It’s secluded and private, with just one next-door neighbour in a similarly designed home.

The look of this home is clean lines, modern ideas, and huge amounts of light. It’s neat and well-contained, with the living room taking centre-stage. There are three bedrooms (the master has a handy walk-in wardrobe), one of which is downstairs.

But its great secret is its basement, which currently is a second living room. It’s rare to find a basement set up like this in a new home on the market, Savills say.

If you don’t fancy having a second living space, you could turn it into a den, or a music or reading room.

There’s more potential with the kitchen, which currently has a cement floor that is crying out for something new like wooden flooring to complement the cream fitted cabinets.

Picasa Picasa

If you’re someone who wants light, light, and more light in your house, then you’re of the same ilk as the architect here, who has positioned windows everywhere possible. The two upstairs bedrooms are light-filled, and the downstairs areas have many large windows letting in the brightness. Even the basement has a small window.

Privacy-concious people will welcome the fact the house is behind private security gates, so those with children can let them potter about without too much worry.

The garden hasn’t had a huge amount of love, so if you’re green-fingered then there’s space for you to do your thing.

But what about the amenities? Ranelagh village is a few minutes walk away, and is jammed with restaurants, shops and pubs, and Rathmines is also very nearby, and similarly equipped to give you a good life. There are two Luas stops within easy reach, and bus stops too.

This is a house for people who like a contemporary look, and want a neat and cosy home that’s not sprawling but well-contained, bright, and private.

2 Chester Gardens is for sale for €800,000 by private treaty through Savills.