Boutique owner renovates office space into home

Gráinne Wynne, a boutique owner, recently transformed a small office building into a home in Blackrock village, despite her mother's concerns. Her mother wrote her a letter listing 20 reasons against the purchase, preferring a more conventional option. Going through about 100 properties, Gráinne initially thought she wanted a traditional house with a garden. However, high building costs made her reconsider. She found a unique opportunity in a mews, which had previously served as an office but had planning permission for residential use. Many of her friends and family doubted her decision. The building's layout featured a spiral staircase, which her mother pointed out might be a challenge in the future. But Gráinne loved the vibes of the area and imagined her dream home there. After fully renovating the four-story property, her mother was pleasantly surprised by the transformation. The new home now features modern design elements, including black sanitary ware and microcement finishes. Gráinne also included outdoor spaces, such as tiny terraces on every floor. Despite facing some challenges, including high commercial stamp duty fees, Gráinne successfully upgraded the space. She learned a lot during the renovation process and feels confident she could take on another project. She has named her new home "Athena," after the Greek goddess of wisdom.