Home & Build Summer 2016 by Clear Designs

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Irish Homes in Mayo, Kildare and Dublin

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Contents

Letter from the editor

ummer is finally upon us and welcome to our new issue of Home & Build. In this issue we have some amazing new builds, a passive house, amazing interiors and plenty of ideas to inspire you with your own building project. In this issue taking our cover position is the home of a registered Chartered Architectural Technologist, Dublin man Joe Fallon. With over 25 years’ experience in the construction industry Mr Fallon designs energy efficient buildings with a strong emphasis on natural light and his wonderful home is a testament to his many years’ experience. Flick forward to page 10 to read the full story. Previous readers of Home and Build will be familiar with another architect Patrick Bradley, who owns a multi award winning design led practice creating architecture throughout the UK and Ireland due to his own property gracing our cover. This time round we are delighted to feature Slemish House in Broughshane, County Antrim. The home was designed in a similar form to an agricultural shed but inside its modern, glossy and minimalistic and was built for clients who wanted a bespoke design and to stand out from the crowd. A form of home building that is very popular is the passive house standard. In this issue we feature a new build oak frame passive house in Naas, County Kildare The home owners knew that they wanted an oak-framed house built with structural insulated panels, good U-values, airtightness and heat recovery ventilation. The result is an outstanding property I think you will agree. Along with these above properties we also have an amazing conversion of a cottage and sheds into a beautiful home in Mayo and a surfing house in Sligo, the home of interior designer Audrey Reynolds along with a Dublin mews property Michael Ó Mara of MiD has put his excellent skills to. Finally, in this issue we also take a look at the new VW Passat Alltrack in our motoring section, our bathroom special is a great guide to encourage you to make that long waited bathroom renovation and a host of new and handy gadgets in our New Gear section along with other relevant articles for your new build or renovation project. Enjoy this issue and don’t forget to pick up our next edition out in early October and available in all good newsagents. Until the next issue, Home and Build Team

Sales & Marketing Director: Anthony Kelly Production Manager: Keith Wealleans Graphic Designer: Colin Brennan Editorial Assistant: Emer Kelly Design & Layout: cleardesigns.ie For all advertising and marketing queries, contact Anthony on ph: +353 1 458 7672 or email: info@homeandbuild.ie Home and Build Magazine Ltd Ph: +353 1 458 7672 Email: info@homeandbuild.ie Address: The Loft, Main Street, Newcastle, Co Dublin © Home and Build Magazine Ltd 2016 ISSN: 2009-8669

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Contents

NEWS 4 Latest news from the self-building and home sector in Ireland COVER STORY 10 Once an old farmhouse, now it’s a family home! BATHROOM SPECIAL 15 In depth guide to your new bathroom GROHE RED 30 The innovative GROHE Red with 5 stage filtration system NEW GEAR 32 The latest work tools and gadgets

SURFS UP IN SLIGO 34 Myles and Jane Lamberth build their perfect home CAR REVIEW 38 We review the new Volkswagen Passat Alltrack

A BEAUTIFUL MEWS IN RANELAGH 44 Michael O’Mara talks about this completed project in Dublin 6 OAK FRAME KILDARE 52 PASSIVE HOUSE A unique project in Co Kildare 58 PATRICK BRADLEY DESIGNED SLEMISH HOUSE An appreciation of surroundings in Co Antrim FROM STAY AT HOME 66 MOTHER TO INTERIOR DESIGNER Home of Irish interior designer Audrey Reynolds TIEING OLD AND NEW 74 TOGETHER Old cottage and sheds become Mayo Home INTERNATIONAL HOME 78 Hupomone Ranch California

WEBSITE www.homeandbuild.ie for further information

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News

NEWS

Index Finds Sharp Rise In Construction Activity And New Orders

onstruction activity and new orders rose sharply in May, despite signs of a slowdown in growth, the latest figures show. There was also a boost in the number of jobs being created in the sector, according to the Ulster Bank Construction Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI) - a seasonally adjusted survey which tracks changes. Simon Barry, chief economist, Republic of Ireland at Ulster Bank, said: “The latest Ulster Bank Construction PMI signalled ongoing growth of construction activity in Ireland during May with the headline index remaining well above the 50 mark at 55.9. “Although the rate of expansion eased slightly, it was still marked and above the pre-downturn average. “A slowdown from the record rate of expansion seen in February was probably inevitable but it would be reassuring to see some stabilisation in the growth rate in the coming months.” Activity has risen for the past 33 consecutive months, although the rate of expansion eased to the slowest since November last year. The greatest acceleration was on commercial construction projects over the month.

Housing activity also increased sharply but civil engineering recorded only a slight rise, the slowest in a nine-month sequence of growth. New business was up for the 35th month in a row and there were reports that previously on hold projects were being progressed. Meanwhile, the rate of job creation quickened slightly in May as firms responded to higher new orders by taking on more staff. The research also found cost inflation had gathered momentum due to higher bills for fuel and raw materials. Mr Barry added: “Looking beyond the headline figure, weaker expansions were also seen with regards to housing activity and new orders, while business confidence dipped. “On the other hand, there were positive signs from a faster rise in commercial activity, while construction firms were in a position to up their rate of job creation slightly. To sum up, the overall picture is one of solid improvements, albeit with less spectacular rates of growth than were seen in the first quarter of the year.”

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News

75% Of The Housing Stock Will Need To Be Upgraded To A2 Bers By 2050

nergy Action Limited has published its study on the energy performance and retrofit trends of the housing stock of the Northside of Dublin City looking to 2020 and 2050 climate protection targets. This Irish study is one of many carried out within EPISCOPE in 16 EU member states where pilot actions have tracked the rates of retrofit in a variety of local, regional and national housing stocks to determine if current trends will achieve the 80% CO2 reduction target by 2050, and if not, what increase in retrofit activity will be required. In order to meet the 80% CO2 emissions reduction target by 2050, the EPISCOPE study’s model predicts that an additional 75% of the stock will need to undergo a deep retrofit by 2050 and that the grid will have to be decarbonised by 60% compared to current levels by 2050. A deep retrofit assumes that an existing dwelling will achieve an A2 BER rating by adopting ambitious fabric upgrades and switching to renewable technologies such as heat pumps for space and water heating. While the practicalities of achieving deep retrofits on such a very large scale are debatable, the analysis shows the scale of the task ahead and that business as usual will not suffice if CO2 reduction targets are to be achieved.

New Focus From Stelrad With Aqua Series

here’s a leading name in the heating sector that has been providing quality radiators and towel rails across the UK and Ireland in all price brackets. The combination of high quality manufacture, reliability, ease of installation and countrywide availability has always set Stelrad radiators in good stead and now it’s developing a new stance – particularly with radiators targeted at the bathroom and the kitchen. One of the major trends in the radiator marketplace is the selection of standout radiators that make a statement in these two vital rooms in the home. Not for most homeowners the same radiators that are used in all the living and bedrooms, but a special radiator – a decorative or designer radiator – that

adds to the ambience and says something about the rooms in which they are mounted. Stelrad has offered a range of decorative and designer radiators for the bathroom and kitchen for many years but with the recent launch of its new Aqua Series, it is taking this increasingly important marketplace head on. Stelrad believes that a radiator shouldn’t simply be functional, it should add aesthetic appeal to the room in which it is installed, so now it is offering a range of highly reliable, high performance, good looking radiators to grace any bathroom or kitchen under its Aqua Series branding.

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News

Belling Named ‘Best Brand Overall’ For Freestanding Cookers In Recent Which Reliability Survey

elling has been named ‘Best brand overall’ in the freestanding cooker category of a reliability survey by consumer champion Which?. Belling’s range of freestanding cookers have been voted as the most reliable by Which? panel members with a score of 79%. Which? states that “it’s possible to get exactly what you need from a freestanding cooker for a reasonable price”. In more recent Test Lab Buyer’s Guides, the Classic 100GT and DB4 90E range cookers also performed well and were awarded 73% and 67% respectively. Belling have a great range of built-in, freestanding and range cookers. There’s something for everyone, whether you’re after a dual fuel mini range, an electric option with energy-efficient induction hob, or a fanned gas cooker featuring clever technology that circulates air within the cavity to create a more stable cooking environment. For information on ROI stockists, call Dimpco on 01-8424833 or visit www. belling.ie. For all Northern Ireland enquiries, call GDNI on (028) 38 337317 or visit www.belling.co.uk

Ultimate In Efficiency at Ultimate Windows & Door Solutions

f you’re searching for affordable passive-level windows and doors, Ultimate Window & Door Solutions should be your first port of call. Whether you are choosing passive-level windows and doors, PVC Windows, composite or timber doors Ultimate Window & Door Solutions can meet your needs. A family owned and run business with 30 years’ experience in the industry, Ultimate Window & Door Solutions offers the highest quality, energy efficient windows and doors. With over 40 different products on display at their newly extended showrooms in Ballymount, they have something to suit everyone’s project and budget, from a number of highly experienced manufacturers within the industry. Their range includes Internorm – the largest window manufacturer in Europe, which specialises in passive, low energy products; Lacuna folding doors, the best timber folding doors in Europe, which are built to last; double glazed and thermally efficient PVC windows, and a wide selection of composite doors from their Palladio and Apeer ranges, which lead the market in both quality and security. The company has also recently introduced the EKO OKNA range, a Polish low energy window system which offers high quality products

and passive certification at an affordable cost. Ultimate Window & Door Solutions also offers a bespoke timber window and door service, designing and manufacturing any type of timber windows and doors, ranging from traditional sliding sash windows to contemporary composite front doors. Everything can be viewed in our new showrooms. Upper floor, Unit 22 Turnpike Road, Ballymount, Dublin 22 www.ultimatewindowsanddoors.ie info@ultimatejoinery.ie TEL: 01-6853353

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Upper floor, Unit 22 Turnpike Road, Ballymount, Dublin 22

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info@ultimatejoinery.ie www.ultimatewindowsanddoors.ie info@ultimatejoinery.ie

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News

CSO: House Prices Up 7% In First Five Months Of Year

ouse prices have risen by almost 7% in the first five months of 2016 compared to the same period last year. According to the latest figures from the Central Statistics Office (CSO), property prices rose by 6.9% in the year to May. This compared with a 7.1% rise in April and an increase of 13.8% recorded in the year to May 2015. Residential property prices increased by 0.2% last month, compared to an increase of 0.3% in April and an increase of 0.5% recorded in May of last year. In Dublin, residential property prices rose by by 0.1% in May and were 4.8% higher than a year ago. House prices increased by 0.4% in the month and were 5.7% higher compared to a year earlier. Dublin apartment prices were 1.1% lower when compared with the same month of 2015 The price of residential properties in the rest of the country increased by 0.1% in May compared with an increase of 1.1% in May of last year. Prices were 8.5% higher than in May 2015 Overall, house prices in Dublin are 32.8% lower than at their highest level in early 2007. Apartments in Dublin are 42.5% lower than they were in February 2007. Residential property prices in Dublin are 35.2% lower than at their highest level in February 2007. The price of residential properties in the rest of the

country is 35.7% lower than their highest level in September 2007. Overall, the national index is 33.2% lower than its highest level in 2007. Chief economist at Davy, Conall Mac Coille said that although prices in Dublin were showing stronger growth, overall the picture was one of modest price increases. He also said the impact of Brexit would not hit the housing market until at least the end of the year.

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Roofing slate has for centuries been desired for its durability and aesthetic appeal, but it does have drawbacks with its weight, pitch restrictions and brittleness. British Board of Agrément (BBA) certified TapcoSlate combines all the positive features of this beautiful, natural product, but adds practicality and enhanced performance to create a beautiful roof that won’t break or delaminate, survives substantial impact, is very light in weight and can be used on lower pitches than those achievable with natural slate.

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Lightweight – as low as 12kg per square metre. Can be used on roof pitches as low as 14 degrees. Authentic slate appearance – combines the beauty of slate with modern technology. Easy to install with pre-marked nailing and exposure guides and spacers. Easily cut with a fine-toothed saw or sharp utility blade. No breakages – TapcoSlate will not crack, split or break when cut, dropped, or walked upon. No need to build in a wastage factor. Random edges and patterns with constant colour throughout. Built-in camber for tighter fit when fixed in situ. No sorting, clipping, or drilling prior to roof loading. Packaged in bndles of 25 for easy handling. 40-year warranty. Fully tested to BBA standards, including fire rating, wind, driven snow & rain, and water absorption. Overall installation costs are extremely competitive. TapcoSlate can be laid much faster than natural slate. home&build_jan_2016_half-page.pdf 22/01/2016 TapcoSlate is not made from recycled1plastics but is 10:55 manufactured

from recyclable virgin limestone and polypropylene. Tapco Roofing Accessories Tapco roofing products conform to the latest BS5534 guidelines for total dry-fix installations. Accessories for the roofing system include: Mechanically fixed Tapco Ridge & Hip Caps. Universal fitment for pitches from 14 to 55 degrees. The RidgeMaster® Plus and HipMaster roof ventilating systems complement TapcoSlate for pitches from 14 to 45 degrees. Patented internal baffles exclude windblown snow and rain while internal filters block out insects, leaves and other debris. Slate Vents – Cowl Vent, suitable for all pitches, cambered profile for tighter fit, aesthetically pleasing, easy installation (no clips), robust (no breakage), driving rain resistant, with 10k airflow. A low-line vent product is currently in development for pitches of 25 degrees and upwards. An R type adaptor is available for connecting pipework. Slate Dry Verge System, designed for use with most natural and manmade slates up to a maximum 6mm thickness. Available in 2 metre lengths and manufactured from high impact UPVC, black in colour.

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Cover Story

“Throughout the build, I was determined not to take anything away from the ‘farmhouse feel.”

ONCE AN OLD FARMHOUSE,

NOW IT’S A FAMILY HOME! Joe Fallon’s Wexford Home

s a registered Chartered Architectural Technologist Dublin man Joe Fallon is well used to designing houses of all shapes, sizes and most importantly catering for each family’s needs but when it came to designing and building his own family home in Wexford, it was a different story. Running his own Chartered Architectural Technologist company who design energy efficient buildings with strong emphasis on natural light. With more than 25 years’ experience within the construction industry, the bulk of their work involves designing extensions, one off houses, renovations and a small

amount of commercial work. Earlier this year, the company won the award for the Best Public Park at the Community and Council Awards as well as the Wexford Chamber of Commerce Social Contribution Award. In 2011, the company were also shortlisted for the CMG Architectural Practice of the Year. Mr Fallon who is originally from Templeogue and his wife Deirdre is a native of Mullingar in Westmeath reside in their home near Ballywilliam in County Wexford which they share with their two young children Grace and John. Having lived in Dublin for a number of years, the house is the perfect ‘peaceful hideaway.’

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Cover Story

11 Words: Emer Kelly Pics: Joe Fallon

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Cover Story

“My mother is originally from this part of Wexford so I would be quite familiar with the area and I would have known a lot of the locals,’’ said Joe Fallon. “Accidentally we saw that this house was up for sale and it was also my mother’s first cousin that was selling it so she told us that if we were interested in buying the house we could. The house dated back to the 1700’s. Whilst the main building was derelict the out buildings were fine and they even had a roof. The main house wasn’t built as well as the out buildings though so we understood that a restoration would be out of our price range and the house was of a cottier style meaning that it was a cottage with a low ceiling and no windows. “I kept redrawing the home and eventually my wife Deirdre put her foot down and told me to decide upon the final design. When you’re designing your own home as a designer, you never think that you will get it 100% right. When we converted the barn, we turned it into my office as well as a type of granny flat for my mother. “We applied for planning permission and within 18 months it came through. We didn’t encounter any problems, we were able to demolish the cottage and start from scratch. We built the house on the same site. We salvaged what we could from the old house such as salvaged stone that we put over the new doors and we saved whatever else we could including the flagstones which we put around the fireplace and in the hallway,’’ added Mr Fallon. As he was working in Dublin three days a week at the time, Joe had to rely

on local people for pointing him in the right direction when it came to finding tradesman to work alongside him on the project whilst Joe happily worked as project manager with a local Engineer overseeing the structural elements of the build whilst Mr Fallon covered the rest as well as calling in favours from suppliers of building materials and specialist traders that he had a rapport with. With the house being built on a mountain, there was a slight interference. “We had to redirect (the springs) so we were able to put in the concrete footings which was tricky especially as we were building the house in the winter time which is when the springs appear. For the house, we chose a hollow block single leaf construction cavity wall as it was quicker to build and we wanted to move into the house as soon as we possibly could. The materials may have cost that bit more as the blocks are more thermally efficient and the house is insulated on the inside therefore creating a thermal envelope,’’ enthused Joe. Having double height ceilings throughout the house, Mr Fallon also quite cleverly put in a hidden sliding glass door between the kitchen and living room to make up for any heat lost in the space throughout the cold winter months. The living area features a salvaged wooden floor from a church in Belfast with a plain stone floor being one of the eye catching features in the kitchen as it is said to marry well with the wooden floor in the living room. An impossible feature to miss is that of a piece of dark bog oak which is in

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Cover Story

situ over the stove in the sitting room salvaged from a yard in Kildare with a lot of the furniture throughout the home having been bought in Conran Interiors. “Throughout the build, I was determined not to take anything away from the ‘farmhouse feel.’ In the main house, we built the upstairs windows closer to the ground and smaller as we wanted the new house to be sympathetic to the environment whilst not overshadowing the barn. “We refurbished the barn in recent years and we were able to salvage a lot of it. We kept the wall and roof structure whilst figuring out how to link up the old with the new as they were in or around one metre apart. We got a stonemason from the area to reuse the salvaged stone from the cottage which

built the bridging wall. The stonework is perfect and it is impossible to tell where his work begins and ends,’’ explained Mr Fallon. “At night, we can see Hook Head which is a good 30 or 40 miles away. We always wanted a house in a rural location. We’re delighted with the house and how it turned out, we’re delighted to be away from the hustle and bustle of Dublin! The only problem is we have a south facing conservatory and it can be hard to read the newspaper in there on a Sunday morning with the direct sunshine beaming in on top of you and we could have also made the hotpress a bit bigger than it is but other than that we’re happy.’’

“The living area features a salvaged wooden floor from a church in Belfast.” Summer 2016 Home & Build

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Cover Story

“Joe happily worked as project manager with a local Engineer overseeing the structural elements of the build.”

CONTACT LIST ARCHITECTURAL TECHNOLOGIST: Joe Fallon Design www.joefallon.com, joe@joefallon.com 087-2566808 BUILDING MATERIALS:

Heiton Buckley Gorey, County Wexford 053-9421317 ELECTRICIAN:

Michael Fallon Electrical Holywell, County Dublin 087-8348180 GROUND WORKS AND DEMOLITION CONTRACTOR:

Michael Ryan & Son Plant Hire, Enniscorthy, County Wexford 087-6533846

INSUALTION:

SOLAR PANELS:

Kingspan Insulation Castleblaney, County Monaghan 042-9795000 www.insulation.kingspan.com

Manufacturer Carey Glass Neenagh, County Tipperary Registered SEAI Installer: Mick Martin 087-6900911

INTERNAL DOORS:

BATHROOMS:

Doras Distributors, Dublin 22 www.dorasdist.com 01-6235444 NATURAL ROOF SLATES:

Tegral Roof Slates, Athy, County Kildare www.tegral.com 05986-31316 SALVAGED TIMBER:

Dean Duncan Naas, County Kildare www.oldsalvagewood.com 045-901801 086-2336792

Ideal Bathrooms Ardmore House, Lower Ballymount Road, Walkinstown, Dublin 12 01-4609911 FLOORS:

Bearfoot Flooring Western Industrial Estate, Knockmitten Lane, Dublin 12 01-4567129

Home & Build Summer 2016

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BATHROOM FEATURE SPECIAL

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Bathroom Special

THE EVOLUTION

OF THE BATHROOM Designs and styles continually change so we chat to a variety of people in the trade to find out about the past, present and future of the bathroom.

hen it comes to choosing the fixtures and fittings as well as the colours, style, and accessories for the bathroom (s) in your home it is a serious business. From the price, brands, longevity and caring for the appliances there is more to a bathroom and what has to be taken into consideration than what meets the eye. “In terms of trends when it comes to a bathroom, it depends on what market you are chasing. A lot of tiles used in a different pattern are quite popular. Traditional style (sanitary appliances) are coming

back in the higher end of the market,’’ said owner of The Stone Rooms, Conor Redmond. “A lot of home owners have panelling going through their houses and some of the home owners have brought that panelling into their bathroom and a lot of the higher end houses would have that feature and it just seems that the traditional style sanitary apppliances are coming back. We do a lot of work on high end houses with architects such as Tyler Owens and other firms within Dublin. This firm (Tyler Owens) specialise in traditional and contemporary one off houses. “Creams are becoming very popular again for a bathroom as well

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Bathroom Special

17 Words: Emer Kelly Pics: Home and Build past issues

as white and various shades of grey in both terms of accessories, appliances and tiles,’’ added Mr Redmond. “In my end of the market, for a bathroom you could start at a price from €3,000 anything up to €15,000. If you’re asking me for a middle of the road price or about a bathroom for a three or four bed semi-detached house, you’re looking at anything between €5,000 and €7,000 to have the bathroom supplied and fitted,’’ imparted Conor. “At the moment, it seems that a lot of people are taking out the bath and putting in walk-in showers and that would be what we call a WEDI system. It is a very unique German wet floor system which allows you to put in a preformed waterproof tray and then you tile on to that allowing a level access shower,’’ said Sales Director in Ideal Bathrooms, Damian Farrell. “This product is around a long time and it has been tried and tested for many years. It’s a great idea because in the past people had big shower trays and big steps to get in and out of the shower so this WEDI system can be put in at level access meaning that there is no step or ledges or anything else that you can trip over. “Since water rates came in, people would always have used the bath and they were happy to fill it (the bath) but now we have a situation where people are a lot more conservative and remember the average bath uses 200 litres

of water where a shower can use anything between 30 to 50 litres of water,’’ added Mr Farrell. “We are also the agents and distributors for many of Europe’s premiere brands such as Villeroy and Boch, Keuco, Viega and the exclusive range of Kludi tap and shower fittings. Kludi offer an economy range of shower heads which consume only nine litres per minute (and they only use nine litres of water per minute) which is very good because a lot of these big rain heads (shower heads) would use anything between 15 to 20 litres of water per minute. Getting in the shower for two or three minutes is definitely a lot more energy efficient towards having a bath. “Baths are always going to be a feature of the bathroom and the people who are installing baths into their bathrooms are more so a young family with young children. “Furniture is coming into the bathroom more and more. Years ago people would of had a basin and a pedestal whereas now people have a basin with a vanity unit below it so there are some lovely plain colours like whites and greys becoming very popular when it comes to bathrooms and the accessories to match. Walnut and the oak finishes are still quite popular as well,’’ enthused Damian. “As far as the tiling goes, the neutral colours are still quite popular. The

“In my end of the market, for a bathroom you could start at a price from €3,000 anything up to €15,000.” Summer 2016 Home & Build

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Bathroom Special

two big trends with tiling at the moment are that the tiles are getting bigger and also what is happening with tiles is that you are getting that natural stone effect. Two of the new collections from Villeroy and Boch astoria and gemstone have all the features of natural stone without the maintenance. The complete collection is on display in our Ballymount showroom “99.9% of the sanitary ware colours are white where in the far distant past you had your browns, blues and greys when it came to sanitary ware. The colour is now brought in in the furniture or the tiling in the bathroom now rather than the units,’’ imparted Mr Farrell. “Usually the life expectancy of any bathroom we do is about 20 years and we have people coming back to us that would have dealt with us in the midnineties and they are just coming back now. If you get the right products and the right colour choice then you don’t need to redecorate or renovate your bathroom again. We have Vilroy bathrooms for sale from €2,750.” To further compliment your bathroom we asked the Managing Director, Steve Perry of the Shower Doctors Ltd to briefly explain what shower options are currently available. “First of all there are four different types of showers, these include Electric, Pumped Electric, Power Shower and Mixer Valves. There are also variances of these which for example can intergrate digital technology. “Electric showers heat the water as it passes through the unit. These (types of showers) can be broken down into two categories, mains water fed electric and pumped electric showers. The first type as the name suggests is fed from the cold water mains supply to your house. If the water pressure at your cold kitchen tap is weak, below 0.7 bar pressure the likelihood is that a mains fed electric shower may not be suitable for your property,’’ explained Mr Perry. “In these situations it is recommended to install a pumped electric shower. These units are fed from the cold water storage tank in your attic or loft space. The pump in the shower unit generates the pressure to push the water through the unit. These units are generally a little more expensive but they are worth the extra cost. You are no longer relying on the mains water supply

pressure and you avoid the risk of a ‘hot shot’ if someone turns on water somewhere else in the house. “A power shower also has an integral pump however the hot water is provided from a separate store or traditional hot water cylinder. It does not heat the water, it only mixes the water which is then boosted by the pump to improve performance. The main advantage of this product over an electric shower is the volume of water which could be up to three times that of a mains electric shower,’’ added Steve. “A thermostatic mixer valve is fed from a hot and cold water supply which blends the water to a comfortable temperature before exiting the valve. It has the added advantage because of the thermostat to self regulate and stabilise the temperature if another water source is turned on. “Finally a mixer valve is a basic valve that blends the hot and cold water in the shower unit. It does not have the benefit of a thermostat for added safety,’’ enthused Mr Perry. “Choosing the right shower for your particular installation can save you money and improve your showering experience. For expert advice contact the shower specialists at www.theshowerdoctors.ie.”

“Creams are becoming very popular again for a bathroom as well as white and various shades of grey.” Home & Build Summer 2016

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Bathroom Special

TOTO WASHLET TOTO is Japan’s leading producer of sanitary ware and is a name that has been synonymous with the advancement of bathroom culture since its creation in 1917 and is now available in Ireland

t’s technological innovations and high standard of quality have made it an iconic and much-loved brand in Japan. And with European consumers demanding an ever-more luxurious and fulfilling bathroom experience, the time is right for the world’s most sophisticated bathroom products to enter the European market, elevating the bathroom from the merely functional to the restorative and meditative. TOTO has sold 40 million WASHLETs world-wide since 1980, reinforcing its position as the technology leader in the bathroom industry. Showertoilets are found in 77.5 per cent of Japanese homes, and demand is increasing in Europe. If this trend continues, WASHLETs will become standard here within 10 years. A toilet seat which could be heated to body temperature, a telescopic wand jet for intimatewarm-water cleansing, and a warm air dryer: All of these comfort features were included in the very first WASHLET TOTO brought to market in 1980 – long before any other manufacturer. Today, 35 years later, TOTO has sold 40 million shower toilets around the world, and continues to be the technology leader of the bathroom industry. Some of today’s WASHLETs clean themselves The wand jet and heated toilet seat are standard features found in all TOTO WASHLETs, and additional comfort and hygiene functionalities are available depending on each model. Another standard feature in all TOTO WASHLETs and toilets is the highly efficient Tornado Flush: Powerful jets create a circulating whirlpool which thoroughly cleans the entire toilet bowl with just 3 or 4.5 litres of water, leaving nothing behind. Tests show that toilets from other manufacturers have flush systems far inferior to these hygienic results. Luxury hotels count on TOTO WASHLETs According to a recent study commissioned by the Japanese government, around 77.5 per cent of all households in Japan have a

shower toilet. The high-tech toilets are also becoming more common in shopping centres, office buildings, train stations and airports, and even in trains and airplanes. A very special space to experience TOTO products first-hand opened in Tokyo’s Narita Airport in April 2015: the 145 m2 TOTO Gallery. WASHLETs are also becoming more widespread in Europe since TOTO entered the market here in 2009. Increasing numbers of wellness and luxury hotels are installing TOTO WASHLETs in their rooms and suites. The list of the Japanese company’s references includes such names as Shangri La, Hilton, Mandarin Oriental, Peninsula, Ritz Carlton, Hyatt, Jumeirah and Marriott. Why not try the experience of a WASHLET at Soaks Bathrooms, Belfast? Soaks Bathrooms are the only WASHLET dealer in Ireland and have 6 different working washlets on display, including one in their customer toilet. For more information please visit www.toto.com or call +44 2890 681 121

“TOTO has sold 40 million WASHLETs world-wide since 1980.” Summer 2016 Home & Build

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Introducing your new best friend...

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A new dimension in cleanliness – the Toto Washlet. Experience a toilet with features such as a heated seat, automatic cleaning, odour extraction and warm air drying – with the ability to program your individual preferences via remote control.

Visit our showroom to see the largest working display of shower toilets in the UK and Ireland. We have eleven working models on display including Toto, Geberit and Villeroy and Boch.

All images shown are of the TOTO Washlet, exclusive to Soaks Bathrooms. MON – SAT: 9.30AM – 5PM, THURS: 9.30AM – 8PM | 5 – 7 APOLLO RD, BELFAST BT12 6HP WWW.SOAKSBATHROOMS.COM | TEL: (028) 9068 1121

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Bathroom Special

TO YOUR BATHROOM If you are planning on redecorating your bathroom over the next few months, then this feature is a must read!

rom copper baths, grey walls and washlets, something tells us bathrooms are going to be a place that we soon won’t want to leave! “The Toto washlet is selling very, very well and 70% of toilets sold in Japan are washlets and it is a trend that the Irish people are starting to follow,’’ said owner of Soaks Bathrooms, Wayne Lyons. “Some of the things that make the Toto washlet are; when you walk up to the unit the seat lifts up automatically, the seat is heated for you, it has odour extraction built into it so when you down it instantly extracts the odour from the toilet which avoids any smell in the bathroom, there is also a function where it washes you and dries you with a variety of temperatures for the water and heating system to choose from. When you are finished with the unit the seat closes within two seconds. “The Toto washlet is very hygienic. The price range for a unit begins at in or around £1,000 which is about €1,200 with today’s rates and we’re getting a lot of phone calls from the Republic of Ireland for bathrooms overall due to the great rate of the exchange rate so people coming up to the North will

get a better rate on their Euro as due to the Brexit, the English pound has lost in or around 15 to 20 per cent of its rate. “The Toto Washlet is really hitting the industry by storm and most of the major bathroom manufacturers have either launched a washlet similar to this one or they are planning to launch one within the next 12 months. There has been 40 million Toto Washlets made in 30 odd years,’’ enthused Wayne. “Other than the Toto range we stock all of the main bathroom brands from Vileroy and Boch, Roca, Geberit, Crosswater and Lefroy Brooks. We’re Ireland’s largest bathroom showroom,’’ added Mr Lyons. In recent times another feature that has become a big hit in bathrooms is storage, some home owners opt for chic cabinets to store towels, toiletries and medicines whilst other go for the open shelving option as well as bathroom vanities with open shelving. “Another big trend I see creeping into bathrooms is storage. People like to have storage in their bathrooms to hide their medicines, toiletries and towels away which makes the bathroom neat and tidy. “In terms of the upkeep of the bathroom and its features I would say that

Words: Emer Kelly Pics: Home and Build past issues

THINGS TO CONSIDER WHEN IT COMES

“Copper baths are going to be a big trend over the next while.”

Home & Build Summer 2016

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All makes, all models, nationwide We are the shower repair specialists for multi shower installation sites including GAA Clubs, Hotels, Fitness Centres, Golf Clubs and Hospitals. Commercial and residential enquiries welcome.

Appointed Service Agents and Parts Stockists for:

Only GenuIne SPare ParTS uSed

Irelandâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s only appointed service provider for Stuart Turner Pumps

Thermostatic Master Mixer Specialists

01 620 5657 or visit

www.theshowerdoctors.ie Summer 2016 Home & Build

Address: 44 Parkwest Business Centre, Parkwest, Dublin 12 Summer 2016.indd 23

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Bathroom Special

“In recent times another feature that has become a big hit in bathrooms is storage.” you are better off choosing a bathroom unit as well as toilets that hang off the wall rather than it sitting on the floor because you’re not having to mop around the units, you can mop underneath it so there is nowhere for dirt and dust to gather and it makes it easier to mop your whole floor,’’ explained Mr Lyons. The design trend for copper accents in a bathroom is here to stay, as it’s a trend that adds warmth and elegance to any setting. If you are looking to lend a nod to the trend then you should invest in statement pieces such as a copper radiator or a copper bath. It is important to note though that if you are considering incorporating some copper features into your bathroom that you compliment the copper with other materials as well as using a slate grey colour on the walls which is sure to make the copper features stand out. Copper baths are going to be a big trend over the next while, the washlets are going to become dramatically stronger, softer pastel colours which you would expect to find on a Farrow and Ball colour chart are coming in and the wood finishes are going out,’’ revealed Wayne. A trough sink is another popular feature that is set to creep into homes.

This type of sink is an extra long sink which is big enough to allow yourself and another person use it at the same time whilst getting ready to walk out the door. This sink can also be used for washing large and bulky items. Square shaped, almost square shaped and angular shaped designs when it comes to fixtures and showerheads are also becoming very popular. Apparently squares are hot commodity when it comes to home decor in general but they are said to be particularly well suited for use in bathroom decor as they are versatile shapes that work well in modern, contemporary and transitional bathrooms. Geometric inspired square faucets and fixtures are also finding their way into master bathrooms as well as various types of angular designs appearing in a variety of bath elements including bathtubs, soap dishes and showerheads. And finally anti-fog bathroom mirrors are becoming one of the must have items for your bathroom with foggy bathroom mirrors a thing of the past due to this new invention. It is also said that it is now becoming ‘trendy’ to put lights in the shower area instead of relying solely on the bathroom’s main light to illuminate the area in question.

Home & Build Summer 2016

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Bathroom Special

â&#x20AC;&#x153;The Toto Washlet is really hitting the industry by storm.â&#x20AC;?

Summer 2016 Home & Build

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Floor Screed

EASY SCREED As the longest established liquid floor screeding company in Ireland, Easyscreed are the sole suppliers and nationwide installers of Easy Screed.

he vastly experienced site and office staff have dealt with the installation of over 200,000 mÂ˛ throughout Ireland. They are the market leaders in liquid floor screed installations in Ireland offering a professional, reliable and quality service every time. An Irish owned company, offering advice and expertise to architects, builders, home-owners, the underfloor heating industry, timber frame manufacturers, pre-fabricated building systems and the renovation market. Easy Screed is a self-levelling liquid, natural floor screed. A fast, efficient alternative to traditional sand and cement floor screed, Easy Screed is designed for smoothing and levelling floors before installation of the final floor finishes. Easy Screed is made from a blend of the highest quality materials available combining a mix of sand, water and an alpha-hemihydrate calcium sulphate binder agent. It contains no cement and therefore eliminates many problems generally associated with traditional floor screeds. Because of its unique high-strength properties, Easy Screed is poured in a much thinner layer than traditional screeds, from just 10mm when used for floor levelling and between 35mm and 50mm with underfloor heating. Easy Screed is a CE certified product, conforming to DIN EN 13454.

162 Richmond Road Fairview, Dublin 3

What is Easy Screed? EasyScreed is a self-levelling liquid, natural floor screed, alternative to traditional sand and cement screeds. Designed for smoothing and leveling floors before installation of the final floor finishes, Easy Screed is made from the highest quality natural materials available in Europe.

For more information, please give us a call +353 (01) 837 3555

Email: jerry.beades@gmail.com

Web: www.easyscreed.ie

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210

The Belling Range Cooking Collection

Inspiring generations of chefs since 1912.

Since 1912, Belling has been dedicated to creating cooking products that set the very highest standards in quality, innovation and design. For more than a century our products have inspired generations of home cooks and professional chefs.

Find your inspiration today. To explore the Belling Range Cooker Collection visit www.belling.ie or call Dimpco on 01-8424833.

SEE THE BELLING RANGE COOKER COLLECTION For Northern Ireland enquiries, call GDNI on (028) 38 337317 company AT WWW.BELLING.IE A or visit www.belling.co.uk

Belling and Dimpco are both part of the Glen Dimplex group of companies.

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Summer 2016 Home & Build

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HOME & BUILD DVD’S DVD001

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DVD003

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Health & Safety DVD €20

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€20

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€20

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€20

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Rooﬁng 1 DVD DVD015

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For more information on each product, visit www.homeandbuild.ie/shop

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For more information on each product, visit www.homeandbuild.ie/shop

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Grohe Red

“This kettle hot water tap features an innovative 5 stage filtration system.”

GROHE RED

The innovative GROHE Red® system keeps up to three litres of filtered kettle hot water ready for immediate use at all times.

n the past you would have needed a pot or kettle, but now you can have steaming water directly from the tap, delivering instant refreshment on demand. Take a moment to count up just how many times you need kettle hot water in the kitchen. Whether you’re looking forward to a nice cup of tea or coffee, or need to blanch vegetables or boil a pan of pasta for dinner, kettle hot water is a necessity. Now, with GROHE’s Red® tap, you can draw up to three litres of filtered kettle hot water directly from the tap without having to wait. The GROHE Red® is simple to use, eco-friendly and economical, and saves energy compared to boiling a kettle. It also reduces water wastage, as you’ll only use the amount of water you actually need, rather than boiling excess water in a kettle or pan. The tap is WRAS approved for all installations and also comes with a 5 year guarantee for ultimate peace of mind. What is special about GROHE Red®? This kettle hot water tap features an innovative 5 stage filtration system, which is unique in the market, delivering fresh filtered water. The GROHE Red® tap filters out heavy metals such as lead and copper and removes substances which impair the smell and taste, such as chlorine and organic compounds. This means that you’re left with fresh filtered water for that great tasting cup of tea or coffee. GROHE offers an option of a GROHE Red® Mono or Duo model, the latter of which allows

you to replace your existing tap as it incorporates standard mains hot and cold water. The Mono is in addition to your existing kitchen tap, and sits alongside it. Safety is paramount to GROHE, and the GROHE Red®’s stringent safety features include CoolTouch® and ChildLock®. GROHE CoolTouch® eliminates the risk of scalding on hot surfaces by using a clever insulation system, while the ChildLock® handle makes it practically impossible for children to start the flow of hot water from the tap, as a turn and pull action is needed. The GROHE Red® also features GROHE SilkMove® for easy and precise lever control. The GROHE Red® is available in GROHE’s striking and scratch resistant Starlight Chrome and Supersteel finishes, designed to make a statement in your kitchen that will last for years to come. Pick between a rounded or square spout tap to complement your kitchen décor perfectly. Please visit www.grohe.com/uk for more information on the GROHE Red® kettle hot water tap and the full range of GROHE’s products. GROHE will be on stand D15 at the House 2016 exhibition being held in the RDS, Dublin, from 20th to 22nd May 2016. For further information, please contact MT Agencies Ireland Ltd on +353 (0) 1864 3363

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7767

GROHE KITCHEN

GROHE RED® DUO KETTLE HOT WATER IN AN INSTANT

Making tea and coffee

Cooking pasta

Sterilising baby bottles

Features and Benefits • Kettle hot water and mixer tap in one • Filtered water is beneficial for drinking • Childproof - safety lock on the handle • GROHE Cool Touch® - insulated spout, prevents scalding • GROHE SilkMove® - smooth handle operation

GROHE RED® DUO Mixer and boiler 4 litres 30058000

• GROHE StarLight® - stylish chrome finish • Economical - saves water and energy GROHE.COM/UK

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07/07/201614:00 10:46 23/03/2016

New Gear

NEW GEAR Olympus Tough TG-Tracker

f you plan on going on an active holiday this Summer then this could be for you. Olympus has updated its tough camera lineup with the Stylus Tough TG-Tracker, a rugged actioncam that specializes in tracking location, temperature, altitude and more. The TG-Tracker takes 8MP stills with a 1/2.3” sensor and provides 4K/30p and 1080/60p video recording options. It offers a fixed F2.0 13.9mm equiv. lens and the whole unit is rated to be waterproof to 30m/100ft, shockproof from 2.1m/7ft, freezeproof to -10C/+14F and crushproof to 100kgf/220lbf. Also provided are a 1.5” flip-out (but non-rotating) LCD and a built-in lamp with 30 and 60 lumen settings, the latter of which can be used for a flashlight mode. The tracking features for which the camera is named for include built-in GPS, barometric pressure sensor, temperature sensor, compass and an accelerometer. A pistol-style SG-T01 grip is bundled with the camera to help keep shots steady. The grip itself bends into a few different configurations to enable high or low angle shooting, and of course, selfies. Price range from: €300 www.olympus.co.uk

Igloo Trailmate

here are plenty of things you need to go camping during the Summer (fire, tools, tent, marshmallows, etc.), but beer isn’t technically one of them. You still need a cooler though, so you might as well get one that’s also capable of taking care of your “need” for cold ones. Igloo’s new Trailmate Cooler has everything you need to get you through a weekend in the wilderness. Oversized, never-flat wheels designed for rough terrain. A butler tray with cupholders for serving and lounging. Tie-down loops for hauling chairs and towels. Bottle openers on both sides. Most importantly, it has a 70 quart capacity that will hold 112 beers and keep them cold for four days thanks to special insulation and a lid. Can you even imagine a camping trip without a beer run? We can’t, but we’re looking forward to it. Price range from €250 www.igloocoolers.com

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New Gear

Spyndi Modular Segments Let You Build Unlimited Furniture Styles

e’ve seen modular furniture before. However, they usually have modules that assembled into specific shapes, so they don’t quite allow you to get creative with your furniture. The Spyndi, on the other hand, can be put together a ridiculous amount of ways, allowing you to turn it into a nearly-unlimited range of furniture styles. Consisting of individual wooden bars with interlocking edges, the system lets you build a whole load of things, from armchairs and loungers to ottomans and stools. Because of the unconventional way the furniture is built, the darn things appear highly unusual, too, looking more like biomechanical constructions to give your home an added flair. Each segment, by the way, is made of wood, with an organic coating, making it suitable for both indoor and outdoor use. And, yes, you can interlock as many of these things as you want, so as long as you have enough pieces, you can build yourself a veritable monstrosity in the living room. A Kickstarter campaign is currently running for Spyndi. Pledges to reserve a unit (enough 990 www.spyndi.com segments to build a chair) is priced at €990. Price range from €990

Dewalt Flexvolt Battery

ob sites are hazardous enough. Cords from your power tools scattered everywhere only make them even more so. That’s why a lot of folks switch to cordless tools whenever possible. Problem is, shortcomings in battery technology have so far hindered their use when it comes to larger tools with huge power requirements. The Dewalt Flexvolt battery changes that. With a max voltage of 60 volts, the battery should be able to supply the greater energy requirement of larger power tools, allowing the company to expand into tools they’ve never been able to offer in cordless form before. That means, you can finally go cordless with most of the power tools in your arsenal, whether you’re a DIY hobbyist who regularly builds stuff in the backyard or a skilled professional. Even better, the Dewalt Flexvolt won’t just work with the new 60V tools, it’s also backwards-compatible with all of the outfit’s 20V power tools. That’s right, the battery can change its voltage output automatically, depending on whatever tool it’s attached to. Price range from €140 www.dewalt.ie

Stanley Satellite Offers Flexible Work Lighting

he unusual design actually serves a utilitarian function. With the arms folded out, they can function as instant legs, so you can set down the light at a comfortable working angle. Additionally, being able to fold gives it the flexibility to either illuminate the same area as the light in the center (when folded out) or around it (when folded in), which should help it accommodate more lighting situations. The Stanley Satellite comes with 18 ultra-bright LEDs spread across four sections of the device (the three arms and the center), providing up to 300 lumens of brightness. The center area shoots out a spotlight-style beam, while the three surrounding panels produce a diffused floodlight, with five different modes that allow you to choose the kind of illumination it provides. It comes with a rechargeable battery that can hold charge for up to 12 months at a time, with the ability to keep the light running for up to six hours straight. Features include a head that tilts down for more easily directing the light, a magnetic base that lets you snap it on under the hood of a car, a 1-amp USB port for charging your cellphone from the onboard battery, and a built-in loop for hanging on a hook. Price range from €30 www.stanleytools.co.uk

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Sligo Home

fter getting married and their travels, Myles and Jane Lamberth drove all around the West Coast of Ireland and South England looking for the perfect place to ‘set up shop’ and home and whilst many places came close including moving out to the French Alps, in the end Strandhill always had a certain draw for them due to the good mountains and the good surfing facilities. But there was a need for a better place for people to eat which lead to the Lamberths not only setting up home there

but they also opened their very own café on the Strandhill sea front entitled ‘Shells.’ The house they started off with was more or less destroyed and featuring old ceilings and a lot of dampness. The foundations of the house were that of a century old run-down cottage but Myles and Jane were able to salvage some of the existing materials as well as gathering some new raw materials which they incorporated into the design of the house. This quickly turned the dwelling from a run-down cottage to a modern family home which they share with their one

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Sligo Home

35 Words: Emer Kelly Pics: Mike Searle and Orca Publications

“They also opened their very own café on the Strandhill sea front entitled ‘Shells.’”

SURFS UP IN SLIGO Surfing House in Co Sligo

Summer 2016 Home & Build

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Sligo Home

year old son whilst getting some help along the way from their builder Derek Shaw and their architect John Wiggins. “We have a love for flea markets, junk shops and breathing new life into old things, so why not do that with an old house. We think character and design is more important than functionality! It was the thick stone walls as well as a mountain view that took our breath away despite it not having a sea view that attracted us to the house and it also helped that it was one of the cheapest houses in the village,’’ said Myles Lamberth. “Boundary issues and a delayed start as we were waiting for our builder to finish another job meant it took us 18 months before we could move into the house. All builds of a house are frustrating at times but it is important to just hang in there and be faithful to your original ideas which is what we did. “When we got stuck into the work ourselves, we loved it but when you stand and stare at the same half constructed house as well as forking out thousands of Euro’s for months it can get frustrating. In saying that, our builder Derek Shaw couldn’t have come more highly recommended as his work is to a very high standard and he never took shortcuts,’’ added Mr Lamberth. It was when both Myles who is originally from Cape Town and Drumcondra native Jane were surfing in Cornwall during the summer a few years ago that love blossomed but it wasn’t plain sailing as their first official date was a disaster which was saved by a romantic sunset swim in the sea and according to the Lamberth’s the rest is History. On almost every surface throughout the house a rough-hewn wood salvaged from all over the country has been turned into kitchen units, wall panelling and a dining table. The house is definitely that of surfers with the dwelling having a loft-like feel to it featuring high ceilings and an open-plan layout. “We designed the house to have everything we love in it. The house is only two and a half miles away from the café but at the same time they feel like two different worlds,’’ explained Myles. “When we planned out the design of the house, we were not thinking about children but the open plan space really works well for our baby as we can play, cook, eat and socialise all in the same space and it is also very easy for

us to keep an eye on things and there isn’t a need for two-way baby monitors. I would highly recommend open plan houses if you have children. The polished concrete floors are a bit hard but we went out and bought a big fluffy rug to stop the little man from hurting himself,’’ added a laughing Mr Lamberth. “We will never sell this house, it’s small but perfect for us. If we have more kids we might have to extend again or go into the roof but we love this house too much to leave. Some of my favourite things in the house and parts of the house would have to be the hot outdoor shower, under the stars or in the rain there’s something special about having a shower outside. For Jane it would be our 10ft table from Rocket Lane who use wooden gym flooring to make furniture. Jane loves to socialise around the dinner table and it is also a major feature to our open planned house. “We used a lot of polished concrete, stone and old up-cycled wood that creates many characteristics to the home. We took an old floor and stuck it to a wall to add character, we poured concrete tabletops for our kitchen, our kitchen only cost us €500. We also used a rusty barn door that slides open to our bathroom and we also exposed a lot of stone and didn’t hide the beams as we love the beams so they would be some more of my favourite things in the house,’’ enthused Myles. “I would highly recommend to vault your ceilings as you will be amazed as to how much of a sense of space it gives by doing this. Another thing I really like about the house it that we didn’t have a huge budget so we basically ‘tacked on’ a wooden shed as an extension to the back of the house which has given a modern look to the house and it was also a lot cheaper to build!”

CONTACT LIST BUILDER:

Derek Shaw Benbulben Construction Limited 1 The Court, Luttrell Park, Castleknock, Dublin 15 086-3868760

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Sligo Home

â&#x20AC;&#x153;The house they started off with was more or less destroyed and featured old ceilings and a lot of dampness.â&#x20AC;?

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Car Review

e decided to do our photo shoot outside a newly opened primary school in West Dublin. With kids all off for the summer it’s strangely quiet here but this really is the home to the VW Passat Alltrack. No, I don’t mean the terrain but more the demographic of the potential purchaser. The Passat estate is a very capable car and has plenty of space so it’s practical, but the Alltrack is all that and much more. It’s a family car that can offer so much more fun to the holidays and the kids will be hopefully far more enthusiastic to go on the next family trip. It’s really an altogether more tougher version with good off road ability, bigger wheels, plastic wheel arch surrounds for that off-road look and protection from any off road scratches, suspension improved with a ride height increase of 27.5mm to deal with any off road activities should you go on that Summer adventure with the family and it has new bumpers with fog lights to improve its stance on the road. The Alltrack is certainly not all show. The under body has engine and gearbox protection in case you really go hard at it, some finely tuned electronics help emulate a limited slip diff and give the Alltrack the traction of a permanent 4WD Our test vehicle came in a bright habanero orange colour with matt chrome wing mirrors, large 17-inch Ancona alloy wheel along with LED headlights and rear lights. On the inside it comes with a 6.5-inch touchscreen to control the sat-nav and DAB digital radio, as well as any music you want to stream from mobile devices using the standard Bluetooth connection. silver trims on the dashboard and brushed stainless steel pedals and cloth seats with Alltrack logos on them. There’s a simple choice of two engines for the Passat Estate Alltrack: a 2.0-litre diesel with 148hp and a manual gearbox, and the same 2.0-litre diesel with 187hp and a DSG automatic gearbox which was in our test model. The 148hp unit is the most fuel-efficient of the pair, and is claimed to return 57.7mpg. So what’s it like on the road you ask. Does that increased height affect it’s handling. Well in short no it doesn’t. I felt a commanding view of the road which is probably due to the ride height. It’s enjoyable to drive and while there is a slight bit of body lean it really isn’t enough to worry about. After a day or so getting used to the Alltrack I started to appreciate it for what it is. The Alltrack has a button on the dashboard that allows you to switch from Eco, Normal and Sport driving modes. You can feel a noticeable difference in both steering and throttle sensitivity and you pick which ever best suits your needs. I had a very enjoyable time with the Alltrack and it’s an extremely versatile vehicle. While I don’t have the need to tow a trailer or caravan the Alltrack can handle a braked towing weight of 2,200kg or 750kg unbraked. It comes with heaps of safety technology and while pricey you do get a lot for your money. I’m not a big fan of estates I have to admit but this was great fun to drive and I can see the fun such a vehicle can offer. The VW Alltrack might just have converted me!

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Car Review

Words: Anthony Kelly Pics: Home & Build Staff / Webpress

VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT

ALLTRACK A good looking estate with real off road abilities

Technical Specification Engine Size 2.0 TDI 4Motion DSG 190 Business Edition Fuel Type Diesel

“There’s a simple choice of two engines for the Passat Estate Alltrack.”

Power 190hp Torque 400Nm Acceleration (0-100km/h) 8 seconds Top Speed 220 km/h Consumption 5.1L/100km or 55.4 mpg CO2 Emissions 135g/km Road Tax €280 per year (B2) Base Price €40,950 Our Test Model €48,355

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Windows

K&K WINDOWS LTD. K&K Windows Ltd is an Irish owned Company established since 1995.

n this time we have rapidly grown in to one of Ireland’s largest fabricators and installers of uPVC & Aluminium products for both residential and commercial products. All our products are fabricated at our state of the art factory in Craanford, just outside Gorey in Wexford, Ireland.

Your Design, Your Home Our Staff are completely and utterly committed to the best design and quality. We offer an extensive range of bespoke framed glazing products providing a cost effective and reliable solution to your needs. Our extensive knowledge of the current building regulations can help you create the perfect window, door or screen. Let our Sales Reps talk you through your dream to make a house a home. We Create from Design to Finish (No Middle Man) Our in house team comprising of Sales, CAD Technicians and Production Personnel are highly experienced in the commercial glazing industry with many years experience with various glazing facilities. We will work tirelessly

to ensure you get the very best of the best. All hardware used by K&K Windows Ltd are sourced from Europe’s leading suppliers. All glass used by K&K Windows Ltd is sourced from Ireland’s largest suppliers. With 72 different types of glass K&K can offer a wide range of glass options with workable lead times, K&K are leading the way in insulating glass by offering “Vistatherm Elite” a Low E energy efficient double and triple glazed units, and for extra care a treble seal. K&K Windows offer a much lower U-Value. Rejuvenate your Home We have completed many small to large projects over the years and one of our more familiar projects was the K Club completed in 2006 and the Amber Springs Hotel in Gorey completed in 2006. All our expert and highly trained fitting team are impeccable and courteous in their work. We have completed many small to large projects over the years and one of our more familiar projects was The K Club completed in 2006 the Amber Springs Hotel in Gorey completed in 2006.

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FREEPHONE 1800 250 260 WEB www.kkwindows.ie EMAIL info@kkwindows.ie OPENING HOURS 9AM - 5:30PM MONDAY - FRIDAY | 10AM-2PM SATURDAY | ANY OTHER TIME BY APPOINTMENT Home & Build Summer 2016

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05140

Dial before you dig! You never know whatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s below the surface. Digging into a gas pipeline can cause serious injury â&#x20AC;&#x201C; even death. So before you break ground, always check the location of gas pipelines. It could save your life. Email - dig@gasnetworks.ie or visit www.gasnetworks.ie/dial

Summer 2016 Home & Build

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Decking

THINKING OF A DECK?

THINK AHEAD WITH TREX

ost deck planning starts with the usual photo-op in mind, including hammocks, umbrella drinks, and giant friendfilled fiestas. Yet rarely do such plans budget for the experience. Namely, keeping up with the washing, sanding and restaining. Dealing with leftover blotches from sunscreen spatters and red wine spills. And what about a summer’s worth of fade marks where the table and flowerpot used to be? When it comes to building a deck, it’s worth thinking long-term. And that’s where TREX comes in. While some costs are simple (a deck board, screws, stain) other costs we don’t think about are more precious to miss out on… like a lazy lunch with the kids, time with the paper and straight-up relaxing. Unlike traditional wood decking TREX does not need to be scrubbed/ power washed, sanded and stained once a year. All that it takes to bring your TREX decking back to looking like new is some hot soapy water and a deck brush. That means you now don’t have to look at your deck every spring and sigh at the thought of trying to fit a few days’ worth of maintenance in before sitting down on it and relaxing.

TREX composite decking comes with industry leading 25 year residential and a 10-year commercial warranty against fading and staining for peace of mind. It is also mildew resistant, doesn’t rot, warp or splinter so is gentle underfoot for the little ones. For the environmentally conscious among us TREX is also made of 95% recycled materials and has never felled a tree for decking production in its company life. No longer shall your deck be that thorn in your thigh very year in time and money. It’s time to invest in the future of decking and spend your wellearned time and money enjoying your outdoors. It’s no wonder why TREX is the #1 decking brand in the world. To find out more about TREX Contact: LM GROUP, G8 Maynooth business campus, Maynooth, Co.Kildare. TEL: 01 902 2524. www.lmgroup.ie

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The World’s #1 Decking Brand. Now In-Stock.

G8 Maynooth Business Campus Maynooth | Co. Kildare 353.1.902.2524 | sales@lmgroup.ie lmgroup.ie | trex.com

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Mews In Ranelagh

“The clients were open to suggestions so we went with something a bit more demure.”

A BEAUTIFUL

MEWS IN RANELAGH We chat to Michael Ó Mara, Interior Designer about an exciting project

wo Mew’s were built in 2013 just off Northbrook Road in Ranelagh, Dublin 6 with Interior Designer Michael O’Mara being heavily involved in the designing of the layout of the house as well as designing the interior features for his clients who bought and moved into one of these Mews type houses with the project from site to enclosure taking approximately nine months to complete . A Mews house is a British term used to describe a row of stables usually with carriage houses below and living quarters above with the properties being built around a paved yard or court along a street behind large city houses and

whilst it is number to see quite a lot of these types of dwellings in London, it isn’t very often that you would come across a Mews house in Ireland especially in such a residential and urban village as this south-side Dublin one. “There were two properties built at this location by Gerry Jones of Jones Property Services and I knew the owners of the mews in question, that is how I got involved with this project,’’ explained Michael O’Mara. “The two houses look the same from the outside but the layout is quite different because I really pushed for a redesign of the space as I know the home owners had originally planned to have it as a four bedroomed house

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Mews In Ranelagh

45 Words: Emer Kelly Pics: Michael O’Mara

“It achieved a BER A3 rating so it is a sealed unit home with a heat recovery system.”

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Mews In Ranelagh

N M

“The project from site to enclosure took approximately nine months to complete.” but that would have ended up as one decent sized bedroom and three much smaller sized bedrooms so I advised my clients that as they were in a great location, as the house was a big investment and Ranelagh is a quality area so we should focus on making it into a quality home and not try to cram as many bedrooms in as possible. “On the first floor, from an interior perspective we used several textured wallpapers to add a sense of luxury. We had very minimalist designed built in storage as the client really wanted to keep it (the storage) very contemporary and subtle. The client had some more classically designed furniture pieces and it (the furniture) was kind of moulded in a contemporary setting. At the front of the house, there is a facade with a trelis style wood feature with more or less floor to ceiling windows which illuminates the main bedroom. This area is referred to as ‘The winter garden’ as it enjoys the sun throughout the day even in the winter time.” “Throughout the house, there is underfloor heating so it is like a climate controlled sealed house and it achieved a BER-a3 rating so it is a sealed unit home with a heat recovery system as well as a ventilation system throughout the whole place. At the front of the house, there is a facade with a trelis style wood feature with more or less floor to ceiling windows which illuminates the main bedroom. “The master bedroom itself has an en-suite bathroom which features an opaque glass sliding door so rather than having a studded wall there, there is a glass sliding door with a fixed glass panel into the bathroom that brings in natural light from the winter garden at the front of the house. We used a lot of glass elements in that en-suite, rather than using a clear glass I got a tinted glass to divide the sink from the bidet and then I used a lot of mirror to reflect a lot of the natural light back out through that space. I also used a nice dark floor in there which gave great contrast to the sanitary units,’’ enthused Michael. “At the back of the house, the original proposal was to have two bedrooms, however we decided that it would be more fitting to the house to have a more

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Mews In Ranelagh palatial style room there with good depth and space. “Downstairs on the ground floor, there are full width sliding doors which open out to the back garden which allows a lot of light into the house. The garden features wooden decking, granite slabs, feature planting and a triple fountain water feature. “The clients love the house and one of the things they really like is that there are two guest toilets and they were both fitted out in a leather style tile so essentially it is a porcelain tile but it has a leather look and finish to it.The monochromatic bathroom in diesel blue is on the second floor. On the ground floor, they chose the tan, earthy coloured bathroom tile, and we used a white grouting throughout to really emphasise the lines of the rooms,’’ revealed Mr O’Mara. “On the ground floor, the original orientation was for the kitchen to be in the centre because it is quite a long room but we felt it was better to have the kitchen at one end of the space where there was good light, a dining area which would probably be less used in the centre and then the living space at the back of the property looking out into the private garden area with the water feature. “Another interesting and unique feature in the ground floor area is the study/office area with the minimalist, tall, linear windows. Through that, natural light flows from a sky light in the ceiling of the study that seconds as floor area on the first floor landing. The light actually comes down from the second floor roof garden, through the first floor glass floor into the ground floor study area. The study room was made as both a feature and also a light

facilitating function to add an additional natural light to the central part of the ground floor area,’’ said Michael. “The main bathroom features a stand alone bath with a waterfall bath mixer and there is also a lot of glass and mirror throughout the space. I also put in a little bit of subtle accent lighting and obviously with all of the glass in there it creates a very nice and relaxing ambiance. It looks like there are stars sparkling and reflecting throughout the bathroom,’’ he enthused. “Both the main bathroom and the master bedroom ensuite are quite atmospheric rooms with subtle yet complementary lighting design engaged; the clients were open to suggestions so we went with something a bit more demure and unique. “As you enter into the property from the front landscaped parking bay, you are greeted by a spectacular feature staircase with contrasting colours used to emphasise the perspective. Originally the staircase was going to be all light oak in finish, but we decided to have the threads stained in a darker colour to give a nice kind of contrast. As you ascend the stairs you are presented with the dark and as you descend, you see the light. “This project was really about capitalising on the floor space available while focusing on making this house as luxurious as possible. The property is a good size property with the emphasis on creating quality, livable spaces in an urban city setting in line with modern standards and capitalising on efficient technologies through the use of insulating foam, underfloor heating, and appropriate thermal insulation technologies.’’

CONTACT LIST CONSTRUCTION:

Gerry Jones, Jones Property services, Laragh, County Kildare 087-2555639 or 01-6286970 INTERIOR DESIGN:

MiD Michael Ó Mara Interior Design www.m-id.ie 01-2846903

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Mews In Ranelagh

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Space Saver SS80

SMITH’S SPACE SAVER SS80 Narrower Fit!

Smith’s Fan Convectors has launched a new version of its market-leading Space Saver plinth heater to fit 80mm plinth heights.

he new slim-line SS80 kitchen heater from Smith’s is the only plinth heater available in Europe that fits IKEA-style 80mm plinth heights. In the first of a number of innovations for the product, Smith’s has designed a new Space Saver hydronic plinth heater to fit much narrower plinths found in kitchen designs popular from Scandinavia and Germany. Like its taller counterparts, installing the Space Saver SS80 frees up wall space for extra wall surfaces and more storage or desirable kitchen appliances, instead of home owners having to make do with a panel radiator. Jim Bennett, Smith’s Sales & Marketing Director, stated, “The Space Saver is a key appliance for the New Build and RSL markets, as well as for the mainstream consumer. It offers efficient, controllable warmth to kitchens where space is at a premium. Installers can use it to replace a radiator and because it will work off any wet central heating system, it’s a simple replacement that gives so much more to the end user.” The Smith’s Space Saver installs discreetly into the dead space under fitted units and is now supplied as standard with a stainless steel grille,

as well as being available in alternative finishes. The Space Saver SS80 is suitable for heating rooms up to 24m3 and could also provide an alternative heat solution for bedrooms and office furniture that also have plinths. It uses an extremely low water content when compared with a radiator and so it will heat up much more quickly than both radiators and underfloor heating, as well as affording users more responsive controls.

For further information, please visit www.smiths-env.com or contact MT Agencies Ireland Ltd on +353 (0) 1864 3363

“The Space Saver SS80 frees up wall space for extra wall surfaces and more storage or desirable kitchen appliances” Home & Build Summer 2016

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Kildare Home

new build oak frame passive house in Naas County Kildare has become the house of dreams thanks to the father and son duo Pat and Paul Doran of Pat Doran Construction Ltd who are based in Ballymore Eustace, County Kildare. The home owners knew that they wanted an oak-framed house built with structural insulated panels, good U-values, airtightness and heat recovery ventilation with the building type being that of 160 square metres, detatched two storey house which saw work commencing in late October 2015 with the property completed at the end of March this year. As to how the construction company got involved, Paul Doran said: “The Client approached us as we were Builders with experience of low energy/passive building who were located in the area he wished to build. Pat and I both worked on the project as we take a team approach to our projects. “Pat (Doran) is a Carpenter by trade and the attention to detail that he practiced in carpentry he also utilizes in every aspect of building. On this project he was responsible for coordinating all the trades involved with the structure, from the foundations through to the Oak frame and the SIP Panels, whilst ensuring there was no mistakes along the way. “I spent quite a bit of time with the client, the Electrician and Plumber to install the services the house needed while preserving the airtight envelope required by the Passive House standard,’’ added Mr Doran. “On this particular project this presented more challenges than normal. The Oak frame made it very difficult to install services throughout the house. “While the client did not want to lose living space to plant and equipment in a house with a modest sqm area. In the end however all the hard work paid off with an air test well below passive house requirements,’’ enthused Paul. A passive house is a building

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Kildare Home

53 Words: Emer Kelly Pics: Tomasz Juszczaki of Image Works

“The home owners knew that they wanted an oak-framed house built with structural insulated panels.”

OAK FRAME

KILDARE PASSIVE HOUSE

A unique project in Co Kildare Summer 2016 Home & Build

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Kildare Home

standard that is energy efficient, comfortable, affordable and ecological at the same time. A passive house is not a brand name but a construction concept that can be applied by anyone that has stood the test of practice. Although when all is said and done, this building is more than just a low-energy one due to the fact that these houses allow for heating and cooling related energy savings of up to 90% compared with typical building stock and more than 75% compared with average new builds. When it comes to heating oil, these houses use less than 1.5 litres per square metre of living space per year which is far less than typical low-energy buildings. These types of houses are also praised for their high level of comfort as they use energy sources inside the building such as the body heat from the residents or solar heat entering the building. The suitable windows with good insulation and a building shell made up of good insulated exterior walls, roof and floor slab retaining the heat during winter in the house as well as keeping the heat out during the summer. Whilst the ventilation system consistently supplies fresh air making for superior air quality without causing any irksome draughts. A highly efficient heat recovery unit allows for the heat contained in the exhaust air to be reused. As a low energy builder, in Mr Doran’s eyes what are some of the advantages

of building or living in a passive house? “To me the single biggest advantage of having a Passive House is comfort. This is often missed with a lot of the attention being focused on the remarkable energy efficiency. Of course this is great but it neglects the true design intent of a Passive House which is to optimise comfort and health for its occupants,’’ imparted Paul Doran. “The sense of feeling the quality and comfort of our immediate environment has too long being neglected in the buildings we live and work in. I would hope the Passive House standard is the start of expecting the same sense of quality in our buildings as we do in top of the range cars,’’ he added. The wielding of the oak frame stilted the size and shape of the residence but in turn lent itself well to assembling the passive house standard. “The open plan living space combined with the compact layout I find makes the house very user friendly. Whilst the oak frame is very striking and adds enormously to the atmosphere of calm in the house,’’ said Paul Doran about the layout of the property. As to whether or not, he enjoyed working on the project: “Anything as unique as this project is always very enjoyable. Whilst all the difficulties and challenges added to the experience as each solution added to the sense of achievement,’’ said Paul Doran.

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Kildare Home

â&#x20AC;&#x153;A passive house is not a brand name but a construction concept.â&#x20AC;?

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Kildare Home

CONTACT LIST ARCHITECT:

Martin Murphy Design & Build Solutions Knockbounce, Kilcullen, Co Kildare 087-6857909 CIVIL & STRUCTURAL ENGINEER:

Duffy Chartered Engineers Jocelyn House, Jocelyn Street, Dundalk, Co Louth 042-9351600 OAK FRAME:

Woodrights paul@woodwrights.ie 01-2809887 086-8567112 SIP SYSTEM SUPPLIER:

SIP Energy Homes Caheroyan, Athenry, Co Galway 091-874290 CONTRACTOR & PROJECT MANAGEMENT:

Pat Doran Construction Tipperkevin, Ballymore Eustace, Co Kildare www.patdoran.ie patdoranconstruction@gmail.com 045-864373 086-8803700 BER:

Greenpro Energy Consultants 1st Floor, 49 Tullow Street, Co Carlow MECHANICAL CONTRACTOR:

David Gaffney Heating & Plumbing Ardilaun, Shanacloon, Co Kildare 086-8128558 ELECTRICAL CONTRACTOR:

Frank Knight Electrical

Bohergoy House, Curragh, The Curragh, Co Kildare 087-2362412 AIRTIGHTNESS TESTING:

Greenpro Energy Consultants 1st Floor, 49 Tullow Street, Co Carlow ROOF INSULATION & AIRTIGHTNESS CONTRACTOR:

Baker & Co 01-2896619 PASSIVE SLAB:

Kore Energy Unit 4, Ballisk Business Court, Donabate, Co Dublin 01-8085555 WINDOWS & DOORS:

Munster Joinery Ballymount Road Upper, Tallaght, Dublin 24 064-7751151 MVHR:

Zehnder, via Flynn Heat Recovery Wilton, Ballycumber, Co Offaly maurice@flynnheatrecovery.com 057-9336999 Solar PV Contractor:

Base Engineering www.baseengineering.ie CEDAR CLADDING:

Machined Timber Services, Unit 8, Block B, Bulford Business Campus, Kilcoole, Co Wicklow

01-2812106 SCREEDS:

Renobuild Unit 1, Newtown Business Park, Enniscorthy Road, Enniscorthy, Co Wexford 053-9366444 PLASTERBOARD:

Gyproc Ireland 4 Kilcarbery House, Nangor Road, Dublin 22 01-6298400 AIRTIGHTNESS PRODUCTS & WOOD FIBRE INSULATION:

Ecological Building Systems Main Street, Athboy, Co Meath 046-9432104 ROOFING:

Euro Clad Ireland IDA Industrial Estate, Monread Road, Naas, Co Kildare 045-435470 HEAT PUMP:

Daikin Europe NV Unit 1 Orchard Business Park Centre, Orchard Avenue, Citywest, Co Dublin 01-6423430 SOLAR PV:

Solarworld 50 Ports Road, Newtownbutler, Co Fermanagh BT92 8DT 078-13934507 or armin@solaroports.ie

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Slemish House

lemish House in Broughshane in County Antrim had a specific role to play, meet the brief and more. The clients aimed to build a house that would stand out from the crowd and one that would make full use of its views towards Slemish Mountain. From a distance, this selfbuilt property may be hard to recognise from neighbouring sheds and barns in the faraway landscape of the Antrim countryside. The home was designed in a similar form to an agricultural shed but inside its modern, glossy and minimalistic. The bespoke design was created by architect Mr Bradley who worked closely with his clients to create a home that captured the beauty of the area. “The site is open to the elements with little mature vegetation and is separated from an adjacent field by a dry stone wall. The design went through many different forms, however it was a simple form that truly fitted the brief and complimented the long and thin site,’’ said Patrick Bradley. “The clients knew what they wanted and it was a very bespoke brief and in terms of the concept, they wanted something that would stand out, so the clients and I went for something that had the form of an agricultural shed. “Using commercial materials which is usually used for sheds, cladding and timber were purchased from local suppliers and the design ensured that the home would integrate well into the surrounding landscape and neighbouring farmyards,’’ explained Mr Bradley. “The site itself has amazing natural beauty and at first we had difficulty with planners but I knew a planner who could understand and see our vision. The site is actually quite narrow and there are some beautiful old stone walls that we wanted

“It’s a traditional building technique “The dwelling alsoformed features using hand lumps of earth.” sustainable technology.”

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Slemish House

59 Words: Emer Kelly Pics: Aidan Monaghan

PATRICK BRADLEY DESIGNED

SLEMISH HOUSE An appreciation of surroundings in Co Antrim...

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Slemish House

to keep. These things made the house quite tricky to design but the main part of the brief was to make the most of the views of Slemish Mountain as not many people have that view and it (the Mountain) really was the focus of the entire project.” “A material palette had been developed from the outset, agricultural cladding and timber to integrate itself with that of a neighbouring farm yard,’’ he explained. “The main internal feature is the open plan dining/living/kitchen space which is endorsed with three floor to ceiling glass walls allowing a 180

degree viewing platform to Slemish Mountain in one direction and unspoiled views to the countryside the other direction. The biggest part of the brief was that the bedrooms had the best views. “When I went down to do analysis on the site, I ensured that when the clients were lying in bed in the master bedroom that they would be able to look out on the mountain and that was a big element for the clients. The subsequent bedrooms are all for guests and each of these rooms open up to a completely different view from the rear which is actually a striking view of the fields and woodlands,’’ imparted Patrick.

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Slemish House

â&#x20AC;&#x153;The clients knew what they wanted and it was a very bespoke brief.â&#x20AC;? Summer 2016 Home & Build

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Slemish House

“Rather than the furniture being an afterthought, it was actually key at the planning stages.”

“The downstairs of the house is mostly glass so the landscaping on the site was essential which formed another key part of the planning. The formal landscaping was an important part of the design and it was designed to be integrated into the layout of the house which would provide perfect areas for both private enjoyment as well as when the home owners are entertaining their visitors. In a way, the house has married itself to an outdoor-indoor living space. “The design of the house is done in such a way that it is an ‘’experience’’ to view the house. You are pulled around the house in terms of the design as well as being drawn to the views. The clients don’t have any children so this is basically an exhibition house,’’ he revealed. “The dwelling also features sustainable technology such as air source heat pumps and mechanical heat recovery ventilation systems installed. “Rather than the furniture being an afterthought, it was actually key at the planning stages as they have been collecting furniture for years so when I was designing the house they gave me the dimensions of everything and it was part of the brief to determine the best place for the furniture which

includes some pieces from Africa as well as all over Europe. One of the other feature pieces in the house would be the staircase as the clients wanted a floating staircase so that’s what we created,’’ said Mr Bradley. “The project took approximately two years as the clients took it (this house) on as self-build rather than leaving it to contractors. It was a collaborative project and the clients were incredibly well researched so it all went very smoothly. The clients knew what they wanted and they gave us a really detailed brief but they also gave me the freedom to go beyond that. “As the clients often work from home, I created an office for them in a separate building but we integrated it into the design. The house is open plan but we introduced some walls to create different sections so it wouldn’t be too open either but the upstairs of the house is a lot more intimate,’’ enthused Patrick. “I really enjoyed working on this project, I think it worked out very well and I am very happy with the result as are the clients,’’ he said.

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Slemish House

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HOME & BUILD DVD’S DVD001

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DVD002

Access For Everybody DVD DVD005

€20

Foundations DVD DVD009

Carpentry DVD DVD006

€20

Plumbing & Electrics DVD €55

DVD010

€20

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Interior Design

rish Interior Designer Audrey Reynolds choose to stay at home where she was a full time mother to her two daughters that she shares with her husband, Keith. When their youngest daughter, Amy began secondary school, Audrey then decided that she was going to study full time at the Dublin Institute of Design due to her love of interior design. Over the years, herself and her husband have bought, lived in and renovated four houses with their current home in Sutton a place where Audrey is constantly thinking of ways to change it! “I was born in Sutton and I moved to Howth when I was four years old with my parents and younger brother, Peter. I bought my first house when I was 19,’’ said Audrey Reynolds. “The house was a two bedroomed terraced house in Sutton. Our first house when we (Keith and I) got married was in Ashbrook in Clontarf and we then moved back to Howth. I have been very lucky to live in this lovely location for most of my life and to bring up our two daughters here surrounded by beaches, sea views and cliff walks. “I am also very lucky to have a job I love. My brother Peter owns LoveSuits.ie and I have decorated all of his four shops and we are about to open number five in Swords. My eldest daughter, Emma, is studying Interior Architecture and will come and work with me if I can afford her,’’ added a laughing Audrey. “This is the fourth house, we have lived in. Our last house was Victorian and whilst it had beautiful sea views, it needed a lot of work! We had to replace the kitchen, some bathrooms and all the windows - all of which were wooden sash windows - so it was a complete money pit,’’ she explained. “It was a pleasure to move into a brand new, walk-in house, built by Peter and Alan Small of Habitat Developments. They had put in marble floors, ensuite bathrooms in all rooms and beautiful wood panelling with feature staircases. They are absolute perfectionists and nothing we asked was too much trouble. They even hung mirrors and pictures for us.’’ Having moved into a ‘’brand new, walk-in’’ house, Audrey described moving into this house as a relief. “To be honest, moving into this house was a relief after the amount of work we had to do on our last house. All we had to do was the nice part, such as decorating it. We chose beautiful plain silks and fabrics by Casamance and Roisin Cross Silks for our curtains. We had a lot of furniture already, our sofas are by Orior and John O’Connell Furniture with some pieces also coming from Eichholtz. “When we viewed the house, we just loved the quality of the build and the standard and quality of products used on the interior, not to mention the newness after years of an old house. There were marble and limestone fireplaces, marble floors, art deco style bathrooms with free standing baths, wall panelling, coffered ceilings etc. The location was also perfect for us and our daughters. “Our two daughters (Emma and Amy) felt at home straight away as the house is close to the Dinghy Club, the Tennis Club, lovely beaches and plenty of friends close by,’’ explained Audrey. But what exactly is it about refurbishing houses that she likes so much?

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Interior Design

INTERIOR DESIGNER We take a look inside the home of Irish interior designer Audrey Reynolds

Words: Emer Kelly Pics: Audrey Reynolds

From Stay At Home Mother To

â&#x20AC;&#x153;I think this year the trends are natural materials such as seagrasses and geometric prints.â&#x20AC;? Summer 2016 Home & Build

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Interior Design

“I have always loved interiors and design and would be influenced by designers such as Helen Green of London, Kathleen Hay (a Nantucket based interior designer) and the famous Irish architect and designer, David Collins, who tragically passed away in his 50s only a few years ago after a prolific career in design. He worked on some of the top hotels in the world including, Claridges, The Berkeley and Sandy Lane and he loved working with the colour blue,’’ enthused Audrey. “I think we all get tired of our own stuff after a while and sometimes a refurbishment is essential because of the age or condition of something and sometimes it is purely cosmetic and just to freshen up your space. “I would also go to the Design Centre at Chelsea Harbour in London where they have a fantastic selection of showrooms from Nicky Haslam to Porta Romana Lighting, and I also go to Maison et Objet in Paris twice a year to source furniture and fabrics. I would say to anyone thinking of refurbishing, renovating or building, make sure the team you use are compatible and used to working together so that your project moves quickly and cohesively along - from the architect, to the builder and finally the interior designer. Each of these people will bring their own teams of trusted experts on board, she said.’’ Having lived in her current home with her family for the last few years, has she any plans to make any refurbishments to her beautiful home? “As I work on renovations and interior projects all the time, I am constantly being tempted by the things I see going into them! Even though I am quite happy with my kitchen, I am constantly tempted by the designs of Woodale

Design (Keith Fennelly). These are beautiful hand painted in frame kitchens and have absolutely stunning stone surfaces in Calacatta and other marbles. Their designs range from classical to contemporary. They also do gorgeous libraries, bathroom vanities etc,’’ explained Audrey. “I am also a big fan of Herringbone floors and would source many of my floors, tiles and bathrooms from Conor Redmond at The Stone Rooms, Dublin Road, Sutton, who also has a gorgeous selection on offer. Another excellent place to source bathrooms, tiles, floors and paving is Outhaus in Santry,’’ she added. With such opulent furnishings and surroundings, what would be or what are some of her favourite things in her house and why? “My favourite things in my home are a few small antique pieces and paintings which belonged to my Dad. He collected antiques and I have all his antique source books from Lyle and The Millers Guide. And of course anything sentimental which was made by my daughters and family photos. I also have the menus and telegrams from my parents’ wedding in the Shelbourne Hotel in 1965 and a good few of their Waterford Crystal sherry glasses,’’ explained Audrey. Quite the family woman for a number of years, what was it that attracted Audrey to a career in Interior Design? “Both my parents had an aesthetic eye - my Mum worked in fashion and my Dad was an Engineer and loved cars, James Bond movies and collecting antiques. I always loved design and interiors so when our youngest daughter, Amy, went to secondary school, I studied at the Dublin Institute of Design. “I graduated in 2008 but the recession had just hit so I had to put my plans

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Interior Design to open a business on hold. So in the meantime, I went to work at the Good Room in Kinsealy, followed by Ventura Design, firstly at their HQ in Ballycoolin and then I went on to run their showroom in Santry. I then went on to open my own business, Estilo Design, www.estilodesign.ie with my business partner and former work colleague, Helen Price. “We do a lot of work with award winning high end builders like Coynestone Homes, known for their extensive portfolio of beautiful houses with impeccable finishes (wall panelling, coffered ceilings, bespoke staircases etc) as well as working with private clients,’’ revealed Audrey. And in her opinion, what does she think some of the popular designs that are going to creep into our homes over the next while will be? “Currently, what is really on trend in both wall coverings and fabric is texture. Thibaut, Anna French, Zoffany, and Cole & Son all have the most beautiful textured seagrass wallpapers. These are all natural grasses which are grown and then hand woven together with cotton strands to give a really luxurious, high end feel. You will often see where these wallpapers join due to the random nature of the weave,’’ explained Audrey. “I think this year the trends are natural materials such as seagrasses and geometric prints. Wall panelling with the skirting, wall panels, architraving and coving all painted the same colour is another very elegant look that is current and coffered ceilings are also very “in”. “White is making a big comeback in kitchens along with the ever popular

grey teamed with Cararra or Calacatta marbles. Also in kitchens, mirrored backsplashes behind the hob/range are very fashionable right now,’’ enthused Audrey. “In paint, the new range from Benjamin Moore is getting great reviews for its quality and pigments and you can get the charts and paints from MRCB in Dublin. “Warm metals are also very popular again with plenty of golds and coppers back in lighting and furniture,’’ she imparted. “In terms of things that never go out of date I would say that the New England look whilst very popular at the moment is also very classical and timeless. In terms of colours, it is such a personal thing and very dependent on the light in your house but all the neutrals from Farrow & Ball, Little Greene etc are always winners - they just need to work with your chosen look in your space because colours will look different in a North facing room to that in a South facing room so you should always paint an A4 tester of your chosen colour and put it on your wall so you can see how the colour changes as the light flows through from morning to night time.’’ As to what projects Audrey is currently working on- “We are currently working on show houses for Shannon Homes at their magnificent coastal development, Cnoc na Mara, in Blackrock, Co Louth and the renovation of a gorgeous beachfront penthouse apartment in Howth, also with Coynestone Homes.”

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Interior Design

CONTACT LIST ARCHITECTS:

KITCHEN:

Niall Henry Grand Canal Wharf, S Dock Road, Dublin 01-6185055 www.dublindesignstudio.com

Keith Fennelly of Woodale Designs Pollerton Road Lower, Carlow Woodaledesigns.com 059-9143979 BATHROOMS/TILES/STONE/FLOORS:

Peter Owens Tyler Owens, Lofts Design Studios, Distillery Dublin 3, Distillery Road, Drumcondra, County Dublin 01-5250050 www.tylerowens.ie

Conor Redmond of The Stone Rooms 11 Dublin Road, Dublin 13 01-5519131

BUILDERS:

Kingscourt Country Manor Brick Ltd Unit 26 Airways Industrial Estate, Boeing Road, Airways Industrial Estate, Dublin 17 01-8421277 www.outhaus.ie

Robert McNally of Coynestone Developments LTD 69 Belmayne Park North Dublin 13 robert@coynestone.com 087-6057474 enda@coynestone.com 087-9188331 www.coynestone.com 01-6523093 Alan Small of Habitat Developments Summer Cottage, Newport, Seafield, Donabate, County Dublin

BATHROOMS/TILES/STONE/FLOORS/PAVING/ BRICKS:

INTERIOR:

Estilo Design www.estilodesign.ie Audrey Reynolds 086-2723433 audrey@estilodesign.ie Helen Price 087-6907972 helen@estilodesign.ie

PROPERTY DEVELOPMENT:

Shannon Homes, Colpe West, Drogheda, County Louth phil@shannonhomesdrogheda.com

“I think we all get tired of our own stuff after a while and sometimes a refurbishment is essential.”

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If your home is not on the natural gas grid, Flogas has a very special offer if you are converting from oil to gas or installing a gas heating system for the very first time. Sign up to Flogas LPG and you’ll not only get 1,200 litres FREE, we’re also offering a two-year interest-free loan of up to €3,000 to help with the cost of switching from oil to LPG (ROI only). If you switch, you’ll also benefit from our price freeze promise for the first 12 months. Customers also receive a free site survey, the removal and disposal of any existing oil tank and full system testing after installation. Your LPG is conveniently stored in a tank beside your house and our remote monitoring system means you can rest assured that you’ll never run out of LPG. You’ll enjoy the convenience of our easy monthly payment plans as well. There has been a recent surge in the incidence of theft from residential oil tanks, which has left many owners out of pocket. With Flogas LPG, homeowners have peace of mind that their energy supply is secure and safe from theft. Flogas also provides payment plans to its LPG customers at no extra cost to spread bills over 12 months.

You won’t have to flex your muscles to lift one of our super light, super easy Flogas Gaslight cylinders. Not only are they about half the weight of the traditional steel cylinders, the semi-translucent exterior allows you to see exactly how much gas they have left. It means no more running out of gas when the shops are closed. Lightweight, portable and rustproof, the new Flogas Gaslight cylinders are as safe as steel and won’t leave rust marks on your patios or decks. They fit all leading brands of LPG appliances, making it ideal for caravans, campervans, motor homes, barbeques and patio heaters. Our 27mm clipon regulator easily connects to most LPG appliances quickly and safely. The Flogas Gaslight cylinders are available in 5kg and 10Kg sizes. Go to flogas. ie/gaslight for your nearest stockist or to buy online. Call us anytime and discover how much Flogas can change your life for the better. Contact Customer Service on 041-9831041 or www.flogas.ie

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Flogas LPG

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Mayo Home

TIEING OLD AND NEW TOGETHER Whilst Creating Something Special! Old cottage and sheds become Mayo Home

hen Mayo Based Architect Mark Stephens moved to the beautiful Foxford in County Mayo with his family in 2004 he designed and built his own house which featured an underground section with a grass roof which later went on to feature in a newspaper followed by a future client who also lived in Foxford contacting Mr Stephens about commissioning Stephen’s arcitectural practice to extend his own house. “The client works in a bronze foundry in a

barn on the same site and this building has a curved metal roof and wanted the new extension to echo this industrial building and to have a similar form and roof. The client originally did one extension a few years before I became involved and the large barn extension was to add much needed space to their family home,’’ explained Mark Stephens as to his involvement with this project. Mark Stephen’s house is approximately three miles away from his client’s house and through reading about the talented architect’s work, the

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Mayo Home

75 Words: Emer Kelly Pics: Mark Stephens

â&#x20AC;&#x153;This was the first project of this type that we worked on with a curved metal, barn roof.â&#x20AC;?

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Mayo Home

“We managed to blend the buildings in with the use of terracotta and grey coated steel roofs.”

client read the article and decided that they wanted Stephen’s involved with the extension of their family home with the remit for the new building to blend in with the others on the same site. “We managed to blend the buildings in with the use of terracotta and grey coated steel roofs which had been designed to look like old galvanised steel,’’ added Mr Stephens. Before the work on the extension began, the cottage was 871 square foot with the family home now measuring in at more than 2,000 square feet; 2,475 square foot to be precise. The house was designed to cater for a large family with lots of space for teenagers! “This was the first project of this type that we worked on with a curved metal, barn roof; subsequent to this we have completed a few after,’’ he explained. This property cannot be seen from the road. The outside of the extension has a white-painted furnish to the ground floor and western red cedar to the first floor with a stainless steel balcony on the first floor which takes in the views of the neighbouring countryside. Upon entering the house through the avant-garde bit of the house into a sizeable entrance hall featuring vaulted ceilings and a solid timber staircase. The first floor features an open landing with two bedrooms featuring doors which open out onto the balcony area, a large bathroom can also be found on this level. With a number of people opting to either build their home out of mainly

containers or using containers and other materials for an extension, can Mark see the attraction as to why someone would want to use unsightly containers as building materials for their home? “I think the idea of containers homes is great unfortunately by the time that you have cut and joined them into the shape you require and then insulated them I think it may be cheaper and less problematic to start with a steel frame,’’ revealed Mark. The ground floor of the house comprises of the living area; three French doors lead out to the garden with double doors leading its occupants from the living area into the dining room and kitchen. The steps from the kitchen then tie the new in with the old as the steps bring its occupants into the old cottage section of the property. The dining area has a further set of double doors that open out to a streamlet of water in the garden. The living room features a stone wall and a stove for those cold evenings along with timber floors and a loft area. There are also two more bedrooms in the cottage end of the house with the upstairs of this part of the house housing a large bedroom. “I’d love to work on a similar project to this one; we have some great projects currently on the books with some great clients and if anyone is looking for a sustainable approach to the combination of traditional and contemporary architecture we would love to hear from them.”

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Mayo Home

Summer 2016 Home & Build

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International Home

Hupomone

RANCH CALIFORNIA Hupomone Ranch is an original 160-acre homestead located in the Chileno Valley, just three miles west of downtown Petaluma, California.

he ranch had been fallow for over 30 years and the owners, a young family with three children, wanted to build a barn house that would reflect their commitment to sustainable farming, draw on the natural serenity of the site and build on the sense of place in western Petaluma where farming and ranching are still a part of peopleâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s daily lives. The site has a wonderful balanced quality to it, and the simple grounded form of the barn is sited to compliment this setting and capture the long views to the coastal range beyond. Set into the more opaque north side,

the entry provides shelter tucked under the loft above and frames a view through the house to the meadow beyond. The light-filled living area opens up to the long view south and gathers the bedrooms and kitchen to either side. The kitchen has slide away windows that open directly to the garden. The house is certified LEED Platinum and features a number of energy saving features. Passive heating and cooling with thermal mass and insulation, Geothermal, radiant cooling and heating along with solar and photovoltaic panels contribute to the houseâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s energy efficiency.â&#x20AC;? The site has a wonderful balanced quality to it, and the simple grounded

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International Home

form of the barn is sited to compliment this setting and capture the long views to the coastal range beyond. An integral part of the design, the landscaping by Lutsko Associates includes several outdoor living areas, organised along a riparian restoration and native plantings. Erin Martinâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s interiors compliment the flow of indoor/outdoor living. The owners have built a number of the exterior tables and benches and are in the process of building their dining room table.

â&#x20AC;&#x153;The light-filled living area opens up to the long view south.â&#x20AC;? Summer 2016 Home & Build

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