Dublin-based design studio Anam imbues a new-build Killiney Hill house with life, warmth and texture.
We are all used to horror stories of interiors projects spiralling far beyond the initial scope of works – but rarely in a good way. Such was the case, however, in this wonderful and considered South Dublin new build.
“The brief was really simple at the beginning – the client wanted a bit of paint and a cabinet for shoes,” laughs Anam Design Studio’s Liz Hughes, who worked on the project alongside partner Alex Michell. “And it just went from there.”
Though the client lives overseas, he visits frequently, bringing his parents and dogs, so they wanted a comfortable, convivial space that suited multi-generational living. The intent was to create a warm, minimalist environment that would act as a welcoming and restful base. As the client and the design studio talked, their shared interests and tastes led to more and more bespoke designs. “The whole process of creating this together became very enjoyable,” recalls Liz. “The client definitely had an appetite for bespoke pieces and that’s what we enjoy doing.”
The result? A truly custom-built Modernist-inspired open-plan home. Above all, it’s an ode to the power of joinery to effectively and stylishly pull a space together. “When you put really good joinery in a room, it sets the tone, especially in a lot of Irish houses where spaces are maybe a little bit more compromised,” says Alex. “We can make more efficient use of storage and provide better seating layouts and really start to set the look and feel of the space in a way that isn’t always possible if you’re just using off-the-shelf furniture and paints.”
The spirit of collaboration continued here, as Anam worked with a team of master craftspeople and joiners from Dublin studio Wabi Sabi, known for their meticulous attention to detail. “The design and concept are only as good as the people who can deliver it,” says Liz. “It’s so important to have good relationships with contractors and craftspeople so they not only deliver what you want, but bring things you hadn’t even thought of to the table.”
More than ever, homes tend to be busy, multi-functional spaces, and Anam’s goal was to cater to many different use cases while maintaining a calm, serene feel. The high level of bespoke joinery allowed for this – from hidden device charging points and sockets in the bedroom to a karaoke machine in the living space, everything has been carefully catered for and cleverly concealed. “The proof is in the building – not only do we think it looks great, but everything is a joy to use,” enthuses Alex. “It’s that extra level of craftsmanship and detail that takes things from simply looking good on the surface to really having a feeling of quality and adding to the experience of living with the house,” adds Liz.
This supports the overall ethos of the design, which is inspired by the early Modernist movement. “Frankly, a lot of modernism now is about efficiency – building things quickly and getting stuff out,” says Alex. “But if you look at the early masters, there was this attention to craft and detail that we want to bring back. One of the lovely things about working in Ireland is that there are so many talented craftspeople who get really excited by these projects.”
Modernism’s now famous principle of form following function resulted in that now familiar strikingly clean look, which the duo feels leaves a lot behind. “Often you can have these spaces that might look great, with strong, clean lines – but do you want to live or work in them? Maybe not,” says Liz. Here, luxury is in the materials and details, down to how cupboard doors open to reveal solid timber internals. “We think about every touch point, and making the day-to-day that little bit more pleasurable,” says Alex.
This is most evident in the kitchen, where hidden power points in the beautiful limestone island unit mean there are no trailing cables, and a chef’s larder houses all necessary appliances. “The client’s mum is a great cook, so the kitchen had to not only look great, but be really functional,” says Alex. “So you can put all your implements in the cupboard, but then open it up and you don’t have to plug in your blender or go hunting for your KitchenAid – it’s all there, but it’s just tucked away behind doors, which works great in an open-plan space. It was important that it was practical but was also just really warm and easy to live with.”
The palette throughout most of the home is light, muted, calm and quiet, though the use of natural materials and lime paint add texture. “The space feels very enveloping, there’s a warmth when you walk in and you feel like you want to stay and that you don’t need to rush,” explains Liz.
The main bedroom boasts a seating area – “where you can look out at views of Dublin Bay” – as well as a smart slotted storage design that conceals vertical radiators and a custom-built headboard. “Again, those long joinery units were great for running power cables through,” says Alex. “We were able to create hidden charging points that let you just put the phone away at night.”
Most dramatic of all, the bedroom leads to a wood-lined walk-through wardrobe that gives way to a moody bathroom. “The client’s parents wanted everything very light, but he wanted something a bit grittier and grey, so he ended up with the top floor, which has a moodier feel and is a little bit more quirky,” explains Liz. The experience here is much like the feeling in the rest of the home – “a kind of refuge away from the world.”
Photography Peter Molloy