Get ahead of the curve in this striking Killiney three-bed for €895K

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When the owners of Harbour View moved here in 2006, the curved walls, which might have deterred a very exacting buyer, simply added to the property’s charm for them.

Another attraction defying the norms of property convention was that the living room was upstairs, accessed via a spiral staircase. For one half of the couple, this was an irresistible layout that harked back to her childhood.

“I remember, growing up, friends of my family actually lived in a triangular shaped house, and that they had a formal upstairs living room. My granny’s house had a spiral staircase. So of course, the attraction to this house was instant.”

Situated along Talbot Lane in Killiney, the house and its neighbouring buildings once formed the original stable block that serviced the former Ballinclea House. The Georgian mansion, built by members of the Talbot family of Malahide, was demolished circa 1950 after a fire, while the horseshoe-shaped terrace was converted into private residences.

Renovating what was initially a very 1970s property involved a lot of heavy work. Substantial enhancements were made by the couple, including building a rear extension to replace the existing conservatory, with all new services such as a contemporary kitchen, modern bathrooms, heating and plumbing systems.

Those unique curved walls also demanded a rethink when it came to fittings, and so much of the furniture, including the vast living room sofa, were custom designed to fit the space.

The refreshing upgrade also included the installation of new windows, while the colour choice of soft neutrals on walls, white-painted floorboards and wainscot panelling all add to the feel-good natural light and give a nod to the coastal setting.

The front exterior, painted a pale pink, gives an additional fanciful effect. This again is very much down to childhood nostalgia. The owner says that before deciding on the colour, she drove around the local area looking at other exteriors to get inspiration.

“I wanted to suggest a kind of fairytale ‘gingerbread’ cottage. Also, when you think about it, this is quite a female house with all those curves!”

The 105.6 square metre interior opens into a bright hallway, the light enhanced by the traditional wooden front door’s glazing and fanlight.

Leading off to the right is the inviting dine-in kitchen with dual-aspect windows. The owners’ own period-style dining table and chairs currently grace this space and hint at the older origins of the house.

A set of French doors open to the front terrace and garden, while a glazed stable door leads to the rear garden snug. One of the two bedrooms on this level also opens directly to the rear garden and has a porthole window and plantation-style shutters. There is also a shower room on this level.

A real feature of the property is the upstairs living room, accessed by the spiral staircase from the dining area. There is a decidedly sunny aspect to this room, with the soaring apex of the ceiling retaining original roof beams, enhanced by the addition of skylights, while the main window takes in wonderful views across the garden towards the sea. This is also a cosy space with a gas fireplace, tiled hearth and wooden mantelpiece.

The first-floor master bedroom has full-height fitted wardrobes and an en suite.

The mature front garden and patio are private. A family friend gave good advice on the initial design, suggesting the owners take a sample of the soil before selecting the right plants. It has paid off and now the curved house is offset by a more formal garden bordered by mature trees and shrubs, affording great privacy. There is ample parking for three cars in the driveway.

At the rear, the compact space is screened by neat bay leaf hedging, with a decked floor, customised wooden seating, and a pergola canopy – which the owner refers to as the family’s outdoor snug and which has outdoor heating. It also has the ultimate al fresco cooker, a Big Green Egg, and is festooned with strands of garden lighting.

Harbour View is set within a small enclave of private homes, just a ten-minute walk from Killiney village, 15 minutes from Dalkey, with an array of artisan shops, cafés and boutiques, not to mention a choice of schools and leisure activities, including walks on Killiney Hill, and local transport links with Dublin bus routes and the Dart.