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In 2022, Dublin-based designer Suzie Mc Adam believed she had finished creating the perfect home for her family. However, an unforeseen opportunity arose just a short distance away. A friend and real estate agent invited her to view a house that was originally for a potential client. “The moment I stepped inside, I knew I had to tell my husband, ‘We need to find a way to secure this property,’” Mc Adam recalls.
It’s easy to understand her enthusiasm. The home, a sprawling 6,000-square-foot Regency-style Georgian constructed in the 1790s, opens up to a beautifully landscaped garden filled with waist-high daisies, soft pink hydrangeas, and majestic palm trees, all creating a picturesque view of the nearby Irish Sea. The street where this house resides was once appreciated by literary giant James Joyce, who alludes to it in his renowned work, Ulysses. Mc Adam expresses her sentiment: “I just fell in love with it.”
The original features of this Georgian beauty have been preserved through the years, with much of its historic charm remaining intact. As her family dog, Mischko, patiently waits by the entryway, the interior showcases a harmonious blend of old-world elegance and modern design. The entrance hall features a French woven bench sourced from the renowned Clignancourt Markets in Paris, complemented by naval-inspired wallpaper from Surface View. The original geometric floor tiles lead to a central staircase adorned with a Pierre Frey Palmador runner. Above, an exquisite ceiling pendant by Aerin Lauder for Visual Comfort adds a touch of refinement.
Mc Adam’s design signature shines in the kitchen of her coastal Dublin dream home. Renowned for her sophisticated and whimsical transformations of historic residences, she had just wrapped up a townhouse restoration, juxtaposing rich chocolate wood paneling with delicate botanical artwork and a striking pendant light reminiscent of a pearl necklace—a reflection of her unique blend of grandeur and playfulness. Upon entering this Georgian coastal home, she immediately saw its extraordinary potential. “It ranks among the oldest houses in the vicinity,” she notes. “Back in the 1800s, the aristocracy from Dublin’s Georgian squares would arrive here by carriage to indulge in a day by the sea.”
Astonishingly, the residence had largely escaped the pervasive renovations that often alter historical homes. “Everything from the original plasterwork to the fireplaces and floorboards remained untouched,” she elaborates. To add to her advantage, the previous owners had resolved many of the property’s structural issues, allowing Mc Adam to concentrate on enhancing its interiors while preserving its historical allure.
“This home, in comparison to my professional projects, is far more expressive,” she shares, speaking of her design choices that include hand-painted murals, vintage furnishings, and art collected over time. “It served as my experimental space. I had the freedom to explore numerous ideas that I might not have the chance to test with a client.”
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www.architecturaldigest.com