CHANGE OF SCENE
Dave and Emily Lynas extended their Thirties home to take advantage of the spectacular sea views
Swapping city life for a rugged surfing spot led these seasoned renovators to a Thirties detached property in Northern Ireland
decorating tip ‘We kept the walls neutral to create a calm background for the splashes of colour added with furnishings and art’
Stunning vistas, great surf and a desire to raise a family in a quieter place led café owners Dave and Emily Lynas to a somewhat unloved detached Thirties house overlooking a rugged stretch of coastline in Northern Ireland.
The couple had both grown up in this area before moving to Dublin, but were now ready to leave behind city life and move back to the north, where they still have family. ‘I’m a keen surfer and this is a wonderful surfing spot, with beautiful views,’ says Dave.
Having previously renovated two houses in Dublin, the couple jumped at the chance to buy this property and weren’t put off by its barely habitable state. To help them work out how best to use the space, they recruited local architect Michael Williams of Williams Creative Design. ‘We wanted to retain the character of the house and had a very strong idea of what it should look like,’ says Dave. Eventually, after months of planning applications and building work, a fabulous extension began to take shape.
‘The house has been transformed by the extension,’ says Emily. On the ground floor they created the large kitchen-diner and sitting room with two Velux windows to bring in light, as well as large sliding doors and windows that reveal the dramatic landscape and everchanging weather. Upstairs, they enlarged the master bedroom, adding an en suite, and created a large bathroom and bedrooms for their sons, Finn, three, and Josiah, 18 months.
When the builders finished, the couple had a large blank canvas on which to stamp their style. The kitchen they chose is a bespoke design by Rhatigan and Hick in County Wicklow. ‘When we visited the showroom, we were taken by the handmade cabinets, but also the company’s whole ethos. They came here and hand-painted all the units once the kitchen was fitted,’ says Emily. The grey units seem to reflect the moody sky and polished marble worktops elevate the sturdy, functional wooden cabinetry.
Emily and David love to reuse and salvage wherever possible, and have become skilled treasure hunters. ‘We were so happy when we found our antique parquet flooring, which was originally from a nearby school,’ says Emily. ‘It was delivered in individual pieces and then painstakingly laid. It unifies the old and new parts of the house.’ It’s also very robust, which is essential for a young, outdoorsy family.
With the renovation work complete, the house is full of stories, with each item telling its own tale. Dave and Emily’s carefully chosen vintage furniture and classic design pieces mingle effortlessly to create a characterful home. The house has a serene, Scandinavian feel, with plain white walls and plenty of simple but beautiful furniture, plus vibrant splashes of well-placed colour.
Now, with a fourth member of their family on the way, more extensions planned for the house and a new café about to open, the couple are more rooted than ever in this idyllic coastal spot and feel fortunate to call it home.