THERE ARE HOUSES that are beautiful to look at, but don’t seem to have soul. Houses that seem to have all the right elements – great lighting, complementary colour scheme, tasteful furniture, period touches – but you don’t quite see the spirit of the owners coming through.

Clarendon, located on Terenure Road East in Rathgar, and on the market for €2.95 million, is very beautiful to look at, but its appeal goes far deeper than that.

It’s obvious that its owners have an artistic eye, because the decor combines vintage, restored and contemporary items from stores like IKEA in a completely seamless, natural and appealing way.

The little touches throughout the house – like the fairy lights strung on branches, the woven stair-runner, the various shades of grey that colour the home – make everything pop.

But for a new owner, take away these touches and you still have an incredibly enticing, and meticulously thought-out home.

This is a story of transformation, and there’s still potential for more change.

When the family bought Clarendon, it was broken up into 10 bedsits and two offices. Its owner says it “needed a lot of TLC” – and tender loving care they gave it.

Rather than slavishly following the traditional use of the first-floor reception rooms in such a home, they turned one (spanning the length of the house) into the kitchen and dining room.

With dual aspect windows, greys and whites as the base colours, a Shaker-style island, and an Aga oozing heat, it’s a bright and warm space. It doesn’t feel like a hemmed-in kitchen – the space is used wisely, so it’s not a sea of cabinets.

The flooring is Douglas fir, washed in white lye and with each board 33ft long. The wooden floor carries into the hallway, which has a restored vintage glass-topped dresser and animal rug to greet guests.

It’s a dramatic look, but strong looks are what this house is all about. The detached double-fronted six-bedroom Victorian home dates from circa 1843 and has been completely renovated, restored and transformed by its owners.

The bathrooms are stunning – the master bedroom’s en suite unusually features black marble floors and dark walls.

If it sounds overwhelming, it’s certainly not – it’s incredibly calming.

All of the bathrooms have a strong look to them, again showing that the owners think outside the box when it comes to their home.

As the kitchen is upstairs, the sleeping areas are both on the second floor and in the basement space.

This latter part of the home is used most by the family, with an office, side entrance, bedrooms and den. It’s a clever use of rooms that makes the house really feel different.

The high ceilings on the top two floors give a lovely feeling of airiness, and though they are slightly lower in the basement level, there’s still that feeling of space.

In Clarendon, you’ll also find detailed cornicing, fine marble mantlepieces, original fireplaces and windows.

The house also has a large front area with off-street parking for several cars, and a large back garden with plenty of potential for landscaping.

Though it’s located on a busy road, it’s quiet and serene inside. Near both Rathgar village and not far from Terenure, it’s close to shops, schools, public transport, but never feels like it’s in a busy area.

The work the current owners have done to this house is incredible – the perfect springboard for a dream home of your own.

Clarendon, East Terenure Road, is for sale by private treaty through McGuirk Beggan for €2.95m.