Alifetime of travel has resulted in a very unique interior in this redbrick Victorian terraced house in Dublin city. Spanish-born interior designer Aurora Aleson and husband Paul Halpin have travelled the world and often brought back beautiful things that have found a place in their home. ‘Paul has always had a deep interest in the culture of central Asia, and we have travelled extensively in that region, where they make the most beautiful carpets in the world,’ says Aurora. ‘Paul’s interest is deeper than carpets of course, and his collection of books on the culture of Asia is so extensive and unique that it will be left to the Chester Beatty library, but he also has an excellent eye for the visual arts, so we have collected everywhere we go.’
The couple bought the house back in 1986, it was the first house they had viewed. ‘We simply looked at it, liked it and bought it,’ says Aurora. ‘It was in a quaint street and we loved the garden.’ The house was in poor condition and the garden a complete wilderness, but that didn’t worry the couple as Aurora loves to rescue a building and make it beautiful once again and Paul has great DIY skills. They were happy to complete the renovation in their own time, once the house was rendered liveable, although that in itself was a mammoth task as the house had rising damp, needed a new roof and complete rewiring, plumbing and the installation of central heating.