House and Home Jan/Feb 2026

REAL IRISH HOMES Real Inspiration

Rethink your WFH setup for 2026

What makes a design last generations? Is it exceptional craftsmanship? Is it honest materials? Is it timeless design? For us, it’s all of these. at’s what makes a Neptune home.

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EDITORIAL

Editorial Director

Sive O’Brien sive@houseandhome.ie

DESIGN

Art Director

Marlene Wessels

ADVERTISING

Commercial Brand Director

Jane Forrest, Jane@houseandhome.ie

PUBLISHING

Distribution: Newspread

PHOTOGRAPHY

Makeover Mode

30 NOW WAYS WITH PAINT

Step away from the colour chart. If you want your walls to feel current, start here. From colour capping to limewashing, seven experts share what you need to know

78 WHAT’S NEXT: 2026

Reading nooks, stone shades, fringed furniture, personalised décor; the trends to know now

88 ARCHITECTURE NOW

Smart, architect-approved ideas that will instantly raise your renovation or build game

106 SMART TECH AT HOME

Smart tech is quietly reshaping modern living – here’s how to make it work for you

110 THE NEW WORK ORDER

It’s time to rethink your home workspace for creativity, comfort, and calm

116 SHOPPING: WORKSPACES

Give your home workspace a stylish lift with these smart and functional desks, chairs, and lamps

122 DREAM HOME DIY

Extract: Dream Home DIY: 35 elevated & affordable upcycled projects by Jaharn Quinn

128 MY HOUSE AND HOME

Irish-born, London-based interior designer Brian Woulfe about why a home should always be a welcoming space

Shauna Lally, Lynda Kenny, Marlene Wessels

CONTRIBUTORS

Róisín Carabine, Orla Neligan, Nathalie Marquez Courtney

CEO

Karen Hesse

PRINTING

Boylan Print Group

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Making Room

This time of year, I always find myself doing a slow lap of the house, noticing the corners that need love and the ones that just need clearing. It’s never about having more space; it’s about making space.

That’s what this issue is about: making room. Not for more things, but for more ease. A bit more light, a better flow as you move through your day. Sometimes it’s a cleared corner, a new accessory, a lick of paint, or simply stepping back to imagine the potential of a bigger project. Small changes create space, physically and mentally.

In What’s Next 2026 (pg 78), we explore the colours, textures, and finishes that open up rooms. These choices help spaces feel brighter and more welcoming. Our Now Ways To Paint special (pg 30) features colour experts who share their paint tips, techniques, and wisdom on adding the right amount of character and a calm sense of spaciousness.

If you’re thinking about bigger changes, our Architecture Now feature (pg 88) is not to be missed. It brings together seven of the hottest Irish architects reimagining homes for living. They share the most sought-after renovation trends, from up-and-over windows that reflect the changing light and landscape to exposed timber ceilings that balance openness with intimacy. We guarantee you'll be saving these pages for future projects.

We explore hidden tech upgrades, too, that quietly give you back time and clarity, in Smart Tech at Home (pg 106). The New Work Order (pg 110) shows how thoughtful zoning and natural light can support creativity in your work-from-home setup.

As always, we take you inside beautiful Irish homes and ask all the questions. It’s a reminder that real space isn’t measured in metres, but in how a home gives you room for your life to unfold.

Here’s to softness, and the quiet pleasure of making room.

SIVE O’BRIEN, Editorial Director

NEWS

BY SIVE O’BRIEN

A fresh edit of launches and looks to inspire your next home project trend

DUBLIN’S NEW DESIGN CRUSH: JAQI

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watch

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Dublin’s interior scene has a new obsession: Jaqi, the freshly opened design store from interior designer Jackie Treacy, brings a curated, European-in ected aesthetic to the city. The idea stemmed from Jackie’s frustration with nding unique, characterful pieces for projects. “There was a gap… distinctive, signature pieces were a struggle to nd here,” she says. In uenced by Italian design, mid-century style, and 20th-century art, she has created a space where contemporary furniture and vintage soul blend effortlessly. Jaqi’s edit includes standout brands, many new to Ireland, such as Nordic Knots, Gubi, UHC Tapis, Evolution 21, Palliser, Kristina Dam, Louise Roe, and Dutch makers Puik Design. Each brings something different: fun retro shapes, bespoke rugs, sculptural seating, timeless woods, and accessories worth gifting (or keeping). “Put it all together and suddenly you’ve got a totally different look than what you would see out there in the Irish market,” Jackie says, and she’s right. The store feels fresh, layered, and unmistakably curated. If you love design with personality and hard-to- nd pieces, it’s a must-visit in-person or to explore the online store, Jaqi.ie

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CLOUD DANCER

Pantone, the global colour authority behind the shade forecasts designers (and design lovers) live by, threw us a curveball, by choosing Cloud Dancer, a soft, breezy white, as its 2026 Colour of the Year. Controversial, yes, but it’s not your basic blank neutral; its warm-meets-cool balance gives rooms a calm, clear, quietly confident lift. Whether you pair it with punchy colours or keep things pared back, we think it’s less ‘boring white’ and more ‘reset button’ - a fresh, light, creative start to the year ahead. Start your cloud-like home decor journey with these musthaves: 1 Cloud pendant, to order, Circu.net 2 Alabaster tealight holders, from €39.99, Zarahome.com 3 Aurora chair, €299, Ezliving-interiors.ie

Meet the glow-up you didn’t know your walls needed: Forbes & Lomax, makers of the original Invisible Lightswitch, just dropped a stunning new matte brass nish with serious style mileage. The brand also picked up the Butter y Mark from Positive Luxury, a major nod to its eco-conscious manufacturing and recycled materials. Switches worth swooning over. Forbesandlomax.com

LINWOOD Omega IV

Velvet

HOLD ON

The Amanda Holden x DFS collection has officially dropped, and we were lucky enough to be at the London launch to see it unveiled in all its glory. The range is pure Amanda: plush upholstery, elegant curves, and irresistibly comfy sofas and armchairs wrapped in touchable, luxe fabrics. If you’ve been waiting for the right moment to refresh your suite, this collab might just be the one. Showstopper, four-seater, pillow back sofa in Glitz Teal, €2,079; Showstopper, fluffy footstool in pink faux fur, €699; exclusively at Dfs.ie from February.

On the House and Home team’s RADAR

this month:

We’re moodboarding...

If you do one thing to get your 2026 home projects moving, make it ‘Your Home - Your Sanctuary.’ This full-day workshop, led by Ireland’s top colour psychologist, Adele Roche and award-winning stylist Sarah Twigg Doyle, is a rare chance to learn from the best. Set in the beautiful Amo and Pax retail and event space in the grounds of Avoca, Kilmacanogue, Saturday 24 January, you’ll discover how to choose colour for your home with confidence, style like a pro, and create a moodboard to guide your year’s projects. Book now, Amoandpax.com

We’re eating...

Healthy, after the festivities. Curly kale with maple tahini dressing, goat’s cheese tartlets with red onion marmalade - are just some of the delicious offerings that grace the pages of the recently launched Foxford cafe cookbook. Fans of the famous woollen mill in Mayo will be all too familiar with its cafe, an interior-design lover’s dream in the old mill building. Foxford Cafe Cookbook, by Kathleen Flavin, O’Brien Press, €24.99, Bookstation.ie

MEET YOUR NEW LIGHTING CRUSH:

the Will & Co x Dwell Collection by Eilish Rickard and William Diamond

Designed in Dublin and crafted by master artisans in Vietnam, the range blends sculptural form with subtle texture and luminous warmth, and honestly, we love it when an Irish collab comes out this cool. Beautifully made and artfully considered. From left: The Ines lamp, €219; The Trudy lamp, €169; the Ross lamp, €239; Dwellbyeilishrickard.com

We’re planning...

Our pantry space of dreams, like this one, which was part of the winning kitchen design that helped one of our favourite Irish kitchen companies, Roscommon-based Mark Lohan Kitchens, scoop a triple win at the recent All-Ireland Kitchen Awards. Mlk.ie

Get the Hoxton Dublin look — take your cues from the capital’s newest hotspot and channel its modern members club style at home 1 2 7 5 6 10 9 8 By Sive OBrien

1 Bahamian sofa, to order; Gubi floor lamp, €1,499; walnut and onyx table, €2,240, all Jaqi.ie 2 Cotton wool pouffe, €149, Arket.com 3 Six-arm brass chandelier, €625, Orianab.com 4 Totem table lamp, €136, Hm.com 5 Manhattan fl atwoven rug, Rugs.ie X Geri Designs, Rugs.ie 6 Linen accent chair, €359, Zarahome.com

7 Garett armchair, €2,166, Sohohome.com 8 Mulberry mix cushion , €29 , Ezliving-interiors.ie 9 Helix table lamp, €85, Marksandspencer.ie 10 Fringed velvet cushion, from €22, Dunelm.com

090 6424000 - info@tubstiles.ie - tubstiles.ie

INSPIRING SPACE

1898 THE POST

A boutique retreat in the heart of Ghent that invites you into another world of quiet charm

THE SPACE Push open the heavy doors of 1898 The Post, and you’re instantly enveloped in atmosphere. Set in Ghent’s former central post office, this romantic neo-Gothic landmark overlooks the Graslei and feels like a secret. For those drawn to history, good design, and the thrill of stepping into a different world, this is a memorable stay. Every detail is cocooning: deep green walls, moody lighting, creaking stairs, and the chime of towers outside your window. Original stonework and timber beams are preserved. Warm textiles, vintage desks, velvet armchairs, and brass accents add comfort. The hotel evokes a grand old library remade as a restful sanctuary. At its heart is The Cobbler, a sultry bar where bartenders shake and stir beneath cathedral-high ceilings. Outside, Ghent’s rooftops glow. Breakfast is in The Kitchen, a cosy space that feels like a stay with your most stylish friend.

INSPIRATION FOR YOUR HOME Moving through the hotel is a masterclass in creating moody interiors without ever feeling gloomy. It’s all about layering textures, colours, and lighting with intention. Think deep greens and charcoals, warm wood, aged metals, and candlelight. The rooms feel curated - part vintage, part modern, always balanced.

DESIGN NOTES

STORIED SPACES Original post-office architecture has been lovingly preserved: soaring ceilings, arched windows, carved wood.

MOODY GREEN MAGIC The signature palette of deep greens, moss, and smoky neutrals creates an instant sense of calm.

OLD-MEETS-NEW Antique furniture, vintage finds, and handpicked textiles give each room a ‘collected’ feel.

FIND SIMILAR AT

SOFA Tetrad wood frame sofa, €2,765, Meubles.ie

PERSIAN RUG Keshan Persian rug, €693, Rugs.ie

BUTTON-BACK ARMCHAIR Matisse chair, from €1,045, Finlinefurniture.ie

FLOOR LAMP Flamant Roland floor lamp, €489, Podfurniture.ie

INDUSTRIAL-STYLE READING LAMP Nové table lamp, adjustable, €48.50, Lights.ie

GREY ARMCHAIR Fernando slipper chair, €399, Diamondfurniture.ie

LEATHER BAR STOOLS Chelsea bar stool, €219, Homestoreandmore.ie

GLASS AND STEEL SHELVING Bolis Rod shelving system, from €1,014, Cadesign.ie

CURTAINS Linwood Faroe wool chenille curtain fabric in slate, from €115, Briansnolan.ie

PAINT NOW WAYS

Step away from the colour chart. If you want your walls to feel current, start here. From colour capping to limewashing, seven experts share the paint techniques you need to know

BY RÓISÍN CARABINE

ANNIE SLOAN ON ...

COLOUR BLOCKING

WHAT The ‘80s paint technique that saw blocks of colour applied to walls is now being used to highlight furniture and architectural features in the home in a more considered way.

HOW By using distinct blocks of colour you can draw attention to specific areas to bring drama. Ensure the contrast in colours is strong enough to create a focal point without overwhelming.

COLOURS Choose shades that reflect your personality. For a cohesive look, take your cue from colours that are already present in the room.

WHERE Use colour to highlight furniture, trims and architectural details. Be adventurous: adding colour to unusual or mundane spaces, like inside shelves, around window recesses, or along the edge of a door can instantly elevate them.

CAUTION Colours don’t always need to shout to be seen; pale colours can be impactful, just in a more subtle, gentler way.

ABOUT ANNIE

Best known as the inventor of Chalk Paint, Annie Sloan is a legend in the world of colour and creativity. An artist and designer turned global paint pioneer, she has written 27 books on techniques, texture and fearless use of colour - the kind of titles pros keep on their shelves, like Quick and Easy Paint Transformations and Room Recipes for Style and Colour. When Annie shares a paint idea, it’s practically gospel. Anniesloan.com

RÓISÍN LAFFERTY ON... MEANINGFUL COLOURS

WHAT People want a home that reflects their personality and supports how they actually live. Decorating with meaningful colours, rather than what’s ‘on trend’, can help achieve that.

HOW Think about how you want to feel on a personal level - uplifted, cocooned, comforted – and choose colours that support those feelings. There are rules though to choosing colour; the space still needs to feel cohesive.

COLOURS Choose colours with depth and a slight hint of muddiness over saturated hues. Avoid anything with cool or acidic undertones; you can’t go wrong with colours connected to nature.

WHERE I find that colour is less jarring the more you cover with it so don’t be afraid to wrap a room in one shade. Use stronger shades to create ‘moments’ of vibrancy, rather than all over.

CAUTION Always test out the paint first before applying. Paint directly onto big boards that you can move around the space throughout the day to see how it reacts to natural and artificial light.

ABOUT RÓISÍN

Interior designer Róisín Lafferty needs no introduction. She’s best known for transforming Irish interiors with her bold, rule-breaking approach to colour. Her 30-shade Prestige Collection for Fleetwood - includes hues like a sun-warmed clay called Zallal (her favourite), plus rich jewel tones and neutrals - cements her reputation as a leading tastemaker. Roisinlafferty.com. Fleetwood.ie

RUTH MOTTERSHEAD ON... DOUBLE DRENCHING

WHAT Unlike colour drenching, which involves enveloping a room in a single shade, this technique uses two or more related colours to achieve a more dynamic result.

HOW Drench all available spaces for a fully immersive look, so no white ceilings or skirtings. Painting the woodwork, walls and ceiling in different hues can feel more layered.

COLOURS The variation of colour is in the hue, rather than strength. This means pairing colours that are near to each other on the colour wheel, rather than tonal shades from the same family.

WHERE This technique lends itself particularly well to heritage properties where you want to highlight period details; it’s also perfect for adding personality to featureless rooms.

CAUTION Make sure to test your chosen colours out first; take into account the proportions of the room as well as its aspect.

ABOUT RUTH

As creative director of Little Greene, Ruth Mottershead oversees one of the world’s most considered, eco-focused colour archives. Every shade is rooted in natural pigments, historic properties and meticulous research. The result? Paint with integrity, depth and heritage. When Ruth shares a colour insight, it’s backed by centuries of experience. Littlegreene.com

ABOUT HELEN

Helen Shaw, marketing director of Benjamin Moore, is the go-to expert for deep insights into colour. Benjamin Moore, the renowned American paint brand with Irish roots dating back to 1883, offers over 3,500 expertly crafted shades, including its signature Historical and Classic collections. Helen’s knowledge of tone, undertone and finish offers a unique perspective from a leader in global paint. Benjaminmooreireland.com

HELEN SHAW ON... COLOUR CAPPING

WHAT This newest paint trend involves enveloping a space in a tonal wash that gradually deepens the further up it goes, incorporating the ceiling into the design.

HOW Play with multiple tones from the same colour family to achieve a layered effect; the ceiling in the deepest shade, the cornicing a mid-tone and the walls in a lighter tone.

COLOURS Colour capping can be quietly impactful, even in a palette of neutrals. It also works with bolder, knocked-back jewel tones or a palette of warming earth tones, ranging from buff to rust.

WHERE In older properties, colour capping can be used to highlight architectural features while in more minimalist spaces, it can add dimension, making flat surfaces feel more dynamic.

CAUTION The transition between wall and ceiling shades should feel intentional and cohesive. Avoid using clashing colours or strong contrasts that lack harmony.

PAINT SWATCHES FROM RIGHT

1 Amulet AF-365

2 Sherwood Tan 1054

3 Pale Moon 289 Benjaminmooreireland.com

ANNA BOUGHARBEL ON... LIMEWASHING

WHAT Created using natural mineral pigments, limewash walls have a chalky, textured finish that develops a rich patina over time.

HOW Walls need to be prepped first with a special primer before applying a thin layer of lime paint, in a cloud movement, using a special natural fibre brush.

COLOURS Darker colours create a more pronounced texture than lighter colours. However, the more coats you apply, the less textured and smoother the finish.

WHERE Lime paint is breathable and anti-fungal, making it perfect for children’s rooms. It can also be used in bathrooms but requires a protective coating to make it water resistant. Avoid high traffic areas as marks and chips can’t be repaired.

CAUTION Once you begin to limewash a wall you have to finish it; stopping halfway through and restarting can lead to issues with blending.

ABOUT ANNA

Anna Bougharbel is the force behind Maison Anna B, the Cork studio that brings high-end European textures to Irish walls. After discovering French brand Mercadier’s luxe lime paints and microcement while building her own home (@iaorana_home, pictured left), she became one of the few Irish specialists trained to apply them. When Anna talks texture, we listen; she’s redefining the modern, tactile finish one brush stroke at a time.

Maisonannab.com

Trusted tools of the trade, available from Maison Anna B

ABOUT PATRICK

As Farrow & Ball’s international brand ambassador, colour consultant, and online voice behind colour advice, Patrick shares his expertise with homeowners both virtually and in person through in-home consultancies, on the brand’s Instagram feed, as well as its hugely successful The Chromologist podcast. If Patrick endorses a shade, his judgment is trusted - he truly knows colour and how to use it, tastefully.

Farrow-ball.com

PATRICK O’DONNELL ON... COLOUR DRENCHING

WHAT Colour drenching simply involves painting everything the same shade: the walls, woodwork, ceiling, radiators.

HOW Using a flat finish on everything (like Farrow & Ball’s Dead Flat which has a 2% sheen) creates a seamless flow of colour and a truly immersive experience.

COLOURS Follow the basic principles you would with any colour choice; consider the aspect of your room, which colours you are personally drawn to, and how you want the room to feel.

WHERE Colour drenching loftier rooms has the effect of dropping the ceiling, which helps make a space more cocooning, while having continual colour in a small space, eliminates visual noise.

CAUTION For me every single room needs, lightness, shade and tension. A colour-drenched room will not welcome a same-shade sofa or bedspread. Far better to create contrast.

KATHRYN LLOYD ON... HALF WALLS

WHAT Painting a half-wall in your favourite shade is a great way to inject colour and personality into a room without it being overwhelming.

HOW This technique is by no means bound by a 50-50 split; use furniture, windowsills and architectural features to identify where the dividing line should sit.

COLOURS Using colours from the same family creates a sense of sophistication and harmony; a lighter shade on top with the darker shade on the bottom.

WHERE This method is perfect in high traffi c areas like hallways (using a wipeable paint), while in small spaces it can visually blur the ceiling and wall edges, creating the illusion of a higher ceiling.

CAUTION If you choose to include doors or built-in furniture into the design, use a paint that’s suitable on multiple surfaces, (such as Crown’s Crafted or Easyclean ranges).

ABOUT KATHRYN

Kathryn Lloyd leads colour direction at Crown Paints, one of the UK’s oldest and most influential paint manufacturers. As the brand’s trends and tone specialist, she tracks emerging colours and translates them into thoughtful, practical advice. She actively shares her guidance through Crown’s online colour hub, curating collections and offering expert insights to help homeowners choose shades confi dently (and avoid regret). Crownpaints.com

REAL HOMES

Three Irish homes, each a study in craftsmanship, character and charm

HOMEOWNERS

Curve

appeal

THE HOUSE

Architect Ekaterina Voronova, her husband Tony, daughter Sasha, and son George

Semi-detached period home in Dun Laoghaire

How one architect’s vision, patience and precision gave a failing 1930s home a second life

BY ORLA NELIGAN PHOTOGRAPHS SHAUNA LALLY STYLING SARAH TWIGG DOYLE

KITCHEN The kitchen blends functionalism with warmth, anchored by a vintage SE 68 chair by Egon Eiermann for Wilde & Spieth. A bright orange Audio Pro multiroom speaker adds playful colour, while paintings by her late close friend Alexey Krasnovsky of a serene Canadian landscape bring depth to the space. The custom window seat, designed by Ekaterina and made by CBA Engineering, features a panelled back and fitted leather cushions

FRONT ROOM A vintage Knoll Saarinen conference armchair, reupholstered by Bjorn Jauer in orange wool, introduces sculptural form to the front room. It stands next to a 1970 Herman Miller George Nelson coffee table, and a bright red Jieldé Signal SI833 lamp that introduces French industrial character. On the wall hangs a still life by Russian artist Alexander Florensky, while Ekaterina’s portrait by Alexey Krasnovsky is positioned above. The Georgian rug beneath, bought in Georgia, grounds the room

The vintage cinema seat is from a 1930s Berlin cinema. The purple WMF vase is by the German Bauhaus industrial designer, Wilhelm Wagenfeld OPPOSITE, CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT Ekaterina's sketches sit on a vintage trolley.Bespoke details stand out, including oak-shelved niches, panelled walls and a storage bench designed by Ekaterina, made by CBA Engineering. Vintage 1940s lamps and a pair of cherished vases – a large Russian piece and a Ruscha vase by Kurt Tschörner. The preserved original kitchen window, (now double-glazed), creates a charming connection to the home’s past. Flower pots by Anne Hoff for Bergs Potter bring natural warmth to the ledge. A handwoven wool rug from Uzbekistan injects colour. Overhead, a mid-century Sputnik lamp illuminates Danish Kähler ceramics

Aglance through architect Ekaterina Voronova’s portfolio is a tale of two halves. She transforms historic, time-worn properties with the care of a preservationist and the boldness of an architect into elegant, sophisticated homes full of personality. But none is more personal than her own 1930s Dun Laoghaire semi-d.

When she and her husband Tony bought the house more than 20 years ago, it was, in her words, "a complete bargain for all the wrong reasons." A huge crack ran across the front façade. Half the house was sinking, thanks to unstable foundations, the walls were damp, and the place had no heating. An elderly man had lived there alone for decades, and little, if anything, had been updated since the 1930s. The kitchen still had the original cooker, which Ekaterina used for two years while they made the place barely livable. But while most people saw a disaster, she, having trained as a conservation architect, just saw potential. “Structurally, it terrified other buyers,” she says. “For me, it just meant the price was right.”

The renovation was challenging and exhausting, made harder by the fact that she, Tony and her two children, George and Sasha, had to live in the house throughout. Stabilising the house required silicone injections into the ground, planning permission took time, and with two young children at the time, the family lived on top of one another in a two-bedroom layout that had been carved into tiny box rooms. Yet Ekaterina knew exactly what she was doing. “People think it’s harder for architects renovating their own home, but in many ways it’s easier,” she says. “No client to answer to. Making decisions for myself was the easy part; I knew they were the right ones.”

The original 100sq m footprint was extended to 200sq m, with a double-storey curved extension to the side and rear, which was never about size for its own sake but rather a bridge between old and new. From the beginning, Ekaterina

MUSIC ROOM ABOVE The bespoke bookshelf, designed by Ekaterina and crafted by CBA Engineering, contains her collection of interior design magazines. Russian wooden toys accompany a New York painting by Alexey Krasnovsky. A terracotta Bloomingville lamp adds a touch of warmth

OPPOSITE An Artek Stool and a custom CD shelf, designed and made for her archive by CBA Engineering, fits perfectly

“A lot of people just stick a big block on the back... It rarely works. I wanted the old and new to have a conversation”

wanted the old house to retain its own identity and rhythm. “A lot of people just stick a big block on the back,” she says. “It rarely works. I wanted the old and new to have a conversation.” So she lived in the house, observed the light, absorbed the atmosphere, and redesigned slowly. She sketched dozens of layouts, studied how the sun travelled through the rooms, and ensured every new window framed something worth looking at – a tree, a church spire, or a corner of the garden she designed herself. The rear extension curves, instead of forming a standard box, softens the space and shifts the garden views to where they matter. “Every wall is where it is for a reason,” she explains. “I moved the back wall slightly to the right so you don’t look down a tunnel from the original sitting room. And upstairs, I angled things so I could see the church on York Road. Architecture should help you enjoy small, everyday moments. The curve was probably my bravest design decision.”

Inside, she preserved far more of the 1930s house than most architects would. She kept the stairs, knobs, doors, original room layout, and even the proportions. She added panelling but never tried to recreate the past literally. Instead, it’s a modern interpretation, filtered through her own sensibilities: Scandi simplicity, a neutral palette, and subtle shifts of texture and detail that make the house feel warm, personal, and lived in. “I can’t live in minimalism,” she laughs. “I’m an anxious person. I need calmness and softness – nuances, not noise.”

Her interiors are filled with mid-century furniture, scaled perfectly for the house’s high ceilings. She has rugs from Morocco and Russia, lights from the 1930s and armchairs by Irish designers Duff Tisdall. The kitchen table was the first piece of furniture the couple bought in Ireland. They cut it in half, added an extension panel, and painted it. “Total DIY, but it has been with us 27 years.”

The kitchen itself, made of solid oak, dates from 2006 and

KITCHEN A Soviet-era Rodchenko poster adds humour and constructivist punch to the kitchen. Beneath it, a Britannia range cooker

LEFT Curved walls define the new extension, a gentle architectural gesture designed by Ekaterina to create flow between the house and garden. The steel and oak window seat soften the space's geometry

KITCHEN RIGHT An Eiermann SE 68 chair, panelled window seat, and eucalyptus painting. Overhead hangs a PH 5 pendant by Poul Henningsen for Louis Poulsen

“People come for dinner and never want to leave... The garden does something to you”

still looks timeless. Ekaterina uses it as an example when encouraging clients to choose sustainably and avoid trends they’ll tire of. And throughout the house are pieces of art she has collected, including works by a friend and esteemed painter Alexey Krasnovsky. “They change with the light,” she says. “Art is essential. It’s part of who I am.” There were a few surprises during the build; her training meant she anticipated almost everything. But there was still that moment when her custom-designed bed wouldn’t fit up the stairs and had to be cut in half and reassembled in the bedroom. “Architects make mistakes too,” she laughs.

Born in Moscow, Ekaterina has lived in Ireland since 1999. She credits both places for shaping her taste. From Russia came her love of art, detail, and the emotional presence of interiors. From Ireland came her passion for period features and garden design - something new to her when she arrived. The garden is now a lush extension of the house and central to the family's way of life. Her favourite room is the kitchen, thanks to its deep connection to that green space. “People come for dinner and never want to leave,” she says. “The garden does something to you.”

Many years later, the house is still warm, soulful and endlessly adaptable. She often moves furniture around, collects new pieces, and treats the home as a living design project. But its essence remains the same: a modern interpretation of a classic, one that is deeply personal, quietly confident, and beautifully layered, respecting its history and the way she lives today.

Ekaterina Voronova, architect Ekaterinavoronova.com

BEDROOM The bed is layered with a hand-knitted bedspread made by Ekaterina’s au pair, Zita. Paintings by Russian American artist Alexey Krasnovsky, including Russian Toys, animate the room. The custom bed, designed by Ekaterina and made by CBA Engineering, sits beside minimalist 1940s German Bauhaus-style bedside lamps and a vintage Knoll Saarinen armchair

LEFT A mahogany vinyl player from Francis Street antiques sits beside a drawing of Zanzibar by Ekaterina, framed in a piece from Stone Town

OPPOSITE PAGE From the Dun Laoghaire antique market, a Lazy Susan accompanies a Chinese bedside cabinet. A Moroccan rug, woven by a women's Co-op from the Atlas Mountains brings story and purpose. The Saarinen chair and Krasnovsky artwork provide a visual link to the rest of the home

EKATERINA'S

TIPS ON CONSIDERED RENOVATING

DON’T BE AFRAID TO SHOW YOUR PERSONALITY Your home should express your identity. Let your tastes, quirks, and character shape your choices, not fleeting trends.

THINK AHEAD Select enduring materials and anticipate how your lifestyle might shift - children growing, evolving work habits, or future changes.

DO YOUR RESEARCH BEFORE ENGAGING PROFESSIONALS Define your vision clearly and hire professionals who share it. Once committed, trust their judgment and heed their guidance.

LANDING Alexey Krasnovsky’s paint palette, its oils remarkably stayed soft two years after his death, rests on a small table designed by Ekaterina and made by CBA Engineering. A Jerpoint Glass vase, Scandinavian vases and a Krasnovsky linocut complete the vignette

GARDEN HOUSE Designed by Ekaterina, the garden house serves as a guest room, library, sauna and studio. Surrounded by greenery, it feels like a tiny retreat at the end of the garden

EXTENSION Showcasing Ekaterina’s curved design, the full sweep of the extension creates softness and continuity between the original 1930s house and the new addition

EKATERINA'S TIP

1

CHOOSE COLOUR WITH LIGHT AND MOOD IN MIND Notice how the colour changes with natural light over the day. Use tones that create the mood you want and help you to feel calm.

Backnatel pendantlamp €31, Ikea.ie

Unikko cushion cover €51, Marimekko.com

EKATERINA'S TIP

3

DON’T LEAVE WALLS BARE; LAYER THEM Large, bare walls feel stark. Add panelling, layered textures, art, or curated displays for depth, warmth, and architectural interest.

Araucaria ceramic mug €36, Irishdesignshop.com

Reclaimed stool €269, Caseys.ie

EKATERINA'S TIP

2 LIVE IN THE SPACE BEFORE RENOVATING Take renovating slowly. Spend at least a year in the house to understand its light, ow, and daily rhythms. Your initial ideas will almost certainly evolve once you fully experience the space.

Berry Watch cashmere blend throw, €149, Avoca.com

Nobonobo Slot P20 lounge Chair €1.439, Woodesign.ie

HOMEOWNERS

THE HOUSE

Rachel and her husband Alan

Two-storey, Victorian terraced house in South County Dublin

Editorial Elegance

A seasoned style maven returns home from London and transforms a small period house into a masterclass in elegant, collected living

BY ORLA NELIGAN PHOTOGRAPHS SHAUNA LALLY STYLING SARAH TWIGG DOYLE

ABOVE AT THE TABLE A set of John Ryan ceramics from Rosalins. A gold shell candle holder from Sostrene Grene adds character to the kitchen walls, along with paintings from her favourite gallery in Ile de Re.

BOOT ROOM Rachel admits to loving a ‘bold entrance’ and developed the pink paint colour ‘Charlotte’ for the boot room in her role as a consultant with SheerLuxe, which is still available in B&Q. The papier Mâché picture is from Flanagan Harhen Interiors, and she admits to ‘splashing out’ on the coat hooks in Knobs and Knockers.

KITCHEN TABLE The kitchen table was gifted to Rachel by her parents, complete with her sisters’ signatures on the underside. She bought sheepskin-covered chairs from Flanagan Harhen Interiors to complete the ‘rustic’ look. On the table alongside the pink ceramics are a blue Le Creuset cafetiere, and a candlestick holder by Issy Granger. A rug, made from recycled plastic bottles from John Lewis, softens the space

There’s one thing that rings true for Rachel Reidy, commercial brand consultant and owner of R2 Communications, and that's the quiet power of manifestation. Having moved home from London in the pandemic, she had her heart set on a charming Victorian period property on Dublin’s coast, only to have it fall through at the last minute. After a brutal bidding war, she put it out of her mind until a few months later, when she got the call to say it was theirs if they wanted it, and just within their mortgage application window. It wasn’t the only thing she manifested. She had bought a pack of Penhaligon’s extra-long matches years ago while hoping that one day she would have a real fireplace to put a match to. “It was the feature fireplace that made me fall in love with the house first,” she laughs. “That, and the Indian artwork on the tin.”

After 20 years in London, much of it spent at global publishing company Condé Nast across House & Garden, World of Interiors and GQ, she returned to Ireland with a lifetime’s worth of cherished pieces in tow. What she didn’t yet have was the home she hoped would one day belong to her until 2024, when she clapped eyes on a charming Victorian house from the 1860s, tucked along a picturesque road near the Dublin coast. “I adored it the moment I stepped inside,” she says. “The fire was lit, the light was beautiful – everyone viewing it that day wanted it.”

The house, thoughtfully restored by its previous owners, blends period character with modern ease: high ceilings, cornicing, and original sash windows are paired with zoned heating, ceiling speakers and even an irrigation system for the garden. Apart from some reworking of spaces and some built-in shelving, there was little to be done. Rachel’s homes, past and present, are shaped by her belief that a house should reflect the life you’ve lived. In London, she fell for timeless vintage pieces from her favourite interiors shop Pimpernel & Partners on the King's Road, and furniture gifted at meaningful moments in her life: the mirror her parents gave her for her first London home, the vintage typewriter from friends for her 30th birthday, a drinks trolley for her 40th, the record player from her husband and the old family kitchen table etched with childhood signatures. “I’ve always believed that if you truly adore something, buy it, even if you have nowhere to put it yet,” she says. “You’ll find the perfect place for it one day.”

The heart of the home is the living room, Rachel’s favourite room, anchored by the open fire she always dreamed of. Pink sofas soften the space while a chandelier

KITCHEN DETAILS Tom Dixon candle, a ceramic guinea fowl from The Blue Door in Monkstown and a teapot from Carolyn Donnelly, add personality. The voile blind is from Brian S Nolan

THE COURTYARD The outdoor courtyard is connected to the interiors with antique chairs from The Storeyard in Portlaoise, alongside a mirror from Cox and Cox and outdoor rug from Sostrene Grene

MAGAZINES Rachel’s collection of Vogue magazines from her time at Condé Nast make a stylish statement in the master bedroom

LIVING ROOM Dusty-pink sofas and armchairs show off Rachel's love of pink, with soft pink curtains to enhance the hue from Murphy Sheehy. The grey cushions are from Flanagan Harhen Interiors. The bobbin floor lamp is Helen Turkington. The green marble side table from Gavelle Interiors

BELOW A Rattan magazine holder is from Sostrene Grene

LEFT The sheepskin chair is from Meadows & Byrne. The rug is from The Blue Door. The gold bar cart from Nest

"I’ve always believed that if you truly adore something, buy it, even if you have nowhere to put it yet... you’ll find the perfect place for it one day”

brought from London and a green marble side table add layers of luxury and colour. She admits to not being ‘very handy’, but she did paint the boot room in Charlotte, a shade from a collaboration between her client SheerLuxe and V&Co. Papier-mâché artwork and beautifully crafted hooks from Knobs and Knockers elevate the otherwise functional space. The downstairs WC, meanwhile, is a dramatic statement with an Italian bent, using Osborne & Little Portovenere wallpaper. “It’s such a talking point,” Rachel says. The kitchen needed no renovation, but Rachel added warmth and narrative through personal objects. A recessed pantry maximises storage, while bespoke stools from CA Design offer comfort for long conversations. The kitchen table – loved for decades in her family home – brings genuine nostalgia to the new space with her sisters’ signatures on its underside. Artwork purchased on a girl’s trip to Île de Ré and a framed Tracey Emin ‘Year of the Woman’ napkin from a GQ party form a gallery of memories along the walls. Just off the kitchen, a onceunused space has been transformed into a snug reading nook. “It’s one of the comfiest spots in the house,” she says. “Hours just disappear here.”

The main bedroom channels a boutique hotel thanks to a dramatic headboard upholstered in a Sanderson fabric Rachel had held onto for years after spotting it at a sample sale. Her savvy instinct for a good find struck once again. An antique mirror from her London home, stacks of treasured Vogue magazines to remind her of her time working in the parent company, and her collection of travel hats add personality. "For me it has always been the little things that make a house feel like a home," she says. The remaining two bedrooms were refurbished with her husband Alan’s children in mind: one doubling as an office and bedroom for his daughter, and the other a twin room for his sons. Alan is happy to hand the interiors reins to Rachel, but is hinting at a stove. “I got a chimney sweep in last year and discovered that the hearth is actually plumbed for a stove, but I’m not telling him that,” she laughs.

It’s a home which mixes high style with unfussy restraint, where touches of whimsy meet elegant finishes. “I don’t think I was destined to have a big house, but I always wanted a period home, one that feels elegant yet cosy, and one with a real fireplace to make it feel like home.”

"For me it has always been the little things that make a house feel like a home”

RACHEL'S

TIPS ON STYLING WITH FLAIR

CHOOSE BEAUTIFUL EVERYDAY ITEMS

A chic laundry basket, a pretty match striker, or a lovely set of bedlinen can elevate the everyday and make your home feel curated. I recently bought a duvet cover in Île de Ré with extra fabric along the sides and bottom, designed to cleverly tuck back into the bed and keep everything looking tidy.

ADD A WILDCARD Rooms can look too perfect when everything matches. Introduce one unexpected piece, like an antique stool, a quirky candle holder or a mismatched dining chair to keep the space feeling personal.

LIGHTING This is one of the easiest ways to elevate a room; most of the lighting in the house is low, creating a cosy feel. Opting for slightly oversized lampshades creates a designer feel, especially in smaller spaces where big pieces make a room look bigger.

CHILDREN'S BEDROOM A vintage mirror from Pimpernel & Partners hangs over a vintage table, sourced in London. The bedlinen is from Arnotts, striped cushions from The Blue Door, adorning the wall, Panama hats collected over the years

Empire pleated lampshade €70, Mavericksoulinteriors.com

RACHEL'S TIP

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AMBIENCE It's the simple little touches that help to create ambience in a home; candles help create ambience just as much as cushions or colour do.

Abigail Ahern papier-mâché fulton vase, €36, Amberandwillow.com

Eline table lamp, €279, Dwellbyeilishrickard.com

Colour compliment framed artwork, €99, Woodesign.ie

Global cream lattice rug, from €130, Rugs.ie

RACHEL'S TIP

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BOOKS Stacked books instantly add colour and interest to coffee tables, ottomans and bookshelves. Mix fashion, interiors and travel titles for character.

Nicholas Mosse Lawn bowl €52, Irishdesignshop.com

Johnson accent chair, €449, Meadowsandbyrne.com

RACHEL'S TIP

2 ARTWORK Don't be afraid to choose a big piece of artwork. Even in a small space, like a reading nook, this not only adds impact, but also balance.

Shibori magazine rack, €63.50, Kavehome.com

Pineapple ice bucket, €79.90, Nordicnest.com

Primark Home damask vase, €12, selected Penneys

MY MAVERICK STYLE

Aoife O’Dea, founder and creative director of Maverick Soul Interiors, champions individuality and free-spirited interiors

Aoife’s family home with Walter, her husband, and three children: Oscar, 9, Maya, 6, and Fiadh, 1, mirrors her maverick interiors soul. A touch chaotic and full of life, with vibrance and boldness inspired by her homeware designs. The Maverick Soul online atelier caters to the adventurous with globally sourced, one-ofa-kind pieces, bold colours, and vibrant patterns. Aoife believes a home should mirror its owner’s spirit and ignite creativity every day. This philosophy shines through in her joyful, eclectic space: a living showcase for Maverick Soul Interiors’ vibrant, soulful, and unmistakably personal vision.

BY SIVE O’BRIEN PHOTOGRAPHS MARLENE WESSELS

THIS PAGE Antique Chinese cabinet, painted in Coppice Blue by Farrow & Ball. Bobbin lamp bases, lampshades, assortment of fabrics, all from Maverick Soul Interiors. Collection of fruit bowls from a Lisbon market. Green ceramic patterned bowl, bought at a souk in Marrakesh

The kitchen table is Calligaris. The wishbone chairs are Nordia Home. The antique Persian rug was bought on eBay. The floor lamp base is from Made.com. The patterned lampshade and blue gloss candle holders are all Maverick Soul Interiors. The landscape painting is by artist Blaise Smith

“London shaped my eye. From Portobello antiques to Chelsea studios, I soaked up every style I could find, and it transformed how I curate my own spaces”

HOUSE STYLE Maximalist, joyful, and eclectic. Colour, bold patterns, and a curated mix of eras and global influences are central.

INTERIORS INSPIRATION Aoife’s interior style is rooted in early inspiration from her mum, whose effortless eye for art, fashion and design filled their family home with treasures gathered from her travels long before such variety was common in Ireland. That expressive, multicultural aesthetic shaped Aoife’s instinctive love of vibrant hues, bold prints and unexpected combinations, all of which define her own home. She approaches interiors with the same creative curiosity she brings to designing lamps and mirrors, obsessing over colour interplay and form, and constantly refreshing her space by repainting, rearranging artwork and experimenting with new layouts. Her cousin, Ciara, a naturally gifted interior decorator, also played a key role in influencing how Aoife layers, curates and brings character to every room she touches.

“My

home is maximalist, joyful and wonderfully eclectic. I love colour in motion, and a little bit of chaos always feels right”

INTERIOR STYLE Aoife spent many years living in London, which played a huge role in shaping her aesthetic. She found being surrounded by a spectrum of design to be transformative. She loved shopping for antique gems at Portobello Market and Golborne Road, and browsing high-end interior design studios in Chelsea.

ROOM TO RELAX The front sitting room is cosy and collected - art everywhere, shelves of books, and layers of textiles. In winter, with the fire and candles lit, it’s Aoife’s favourite place to unwind (when it’s free of toy baskets!).

FAVOURITE CORNER The end of her kitchen table, where she spends all her time sketching designs, is surrounded by vibrant Chinese cabinets, a colourful gallery wall and big windows that flood the room with light.

BEST BUY A standout thrift find: antique French chairs from Facebook Marketplace for €80. Aoife had them reupholstered by her friend, Sara, of Cleo’s Closet, in Colefax and Fowler fabric.

ART IS Everywhere. A mix of styles and genres, but it’s Aoife’s favourite piece by Elizabeth Cope, called Amanda’s Flowers, that brings brightness and character to the space. Mavericksoulinteriors.com

“The way I design a lamp or a mirror is the same way I style a room. It all starts with colour. I obsess over combinations until they feel alive”

ABOVE The brass candle holders are Graham & Green. The candles and ribbons are Sostrene Grene. The wicker basket is Meadows & Byrne LEFT The green velvet sofa, EZ Living Interiors. A selection of cushions were bought at a Marrakesh souk. The antique French chairs were bought on Facebook Marketplace and upholstered in Colefax and Fowler fabric. The flatweave grey wool rug is Meadows & Byrne. The bamboo lamp base and green dot pleated lampshade with cobalt blue velvet trim is from Maverick Soul Interiors. The Two brothers’ green print is by artist, LS Lowry BELOW The grey velvet sofa is Heal’s. The silk Uzbekistani cushion covers are from Etsy. The pink fish print pleated lampshade is OKA. The lamp base was bought at an Adams auction. The built-in bookshelf is painted in Minister Green by Farrow & Ball. The portrait painting is by artist, Jordi Rollan Lahoz

What’s next:

BY RÓISÍN CARABINE

Reading nooks, stone shades, fringed furniture, personalised décor; the trends to know now

CURVED FURNITUE Bye-bye rigid, boxy silhouettes, hello sophisticated, sculptural furniture in plush fabrics and tactile materials – cocooning and comforting. Fitzrovia two-seater sofa, from €1,079; accent chair, from €795; footstool, from €397, Sofology.com

HANDPAINTED TILES Handpainted tiles are having a renaissance on kitchen splashbacks, floors, walls, even furniture and we are so here for it. Ca Pietra X Divine Savages, The Brambles Collection wall tiles (33038), to order, Tilestyle.ie; The Brambles Antique Rose wallpaper, €221.95 a roll, Divinesavages.com

PORTABLE LIGHTING

Moveable, rechargeable, remote controllable, with no trailing flexes - portable lamps make light work of illumination. What’s not to love about this micro trend? FROM LEFT Margo Selby Hibberd rechargeable lamp, from €34, Habitat.co.uk; Hay PC portable in Iron Red, €95, Lampmasters.ie Porta, aged brass lamp, from €102, Lightsandlamps.com

“The use of natural materials and colour schemes inspired by nature is set to continue in 2026. I’m already seeing rich, earthy green paints being embraced as the new neutral”

Carla Benedetti, designer & interiors stylist, Carlabenedetti.com

HERITAGE-STYLE KITCHENS History-rich kitchen styles are being reimagined for modern homes with classic details aplenty: pot hangers, plate racks, wooden cabinetry, cook’s table. Crafted from natural oak, Neptune’s Borough collection (below) is the brand’s first new kitchen in a decade. Borough kitchen collection, Neptune.com

READING NOOKS House listings are a strong indicator of what buyers want and according to real estate platform Zillow, this year it’s all about reading nooks (up 48%) - and library walls replete with rolling ladder. Walls painted in Benjamin Moore Gentleman’s Gray, Benjaminmooreireland.com

TEXTURE IS EVERYTHING Touchy-feely tactile surfaces have replaced colour as the new way to add depth, dynamism and visual interest. What’s not to love about ribbed tiles, embossed wallpapers, high pile caperts and velvet upholstery. Mand (Terra Cotta Armor) porcelain tiles by Mirage, to order, Tubstiles.ie

BURGUNDY & BLUE

The colour combo you never knew you needed until now; the perfect balance of cool and warm tones gives a grounded, sophisticated look. Original Style ‘Promenade Brighton’ wall tile from €150 per sq m, Xotile.ie

RUGS AS ART Much more than a quick floor fix, intricate patterns, irregular shapes and interesting weaves are reimagining rugs as works of art that wouldn’t look out of place hanging on walls. Louis de Poortere, Antiquarian Nordic Suzani 9730, from €395.10, Rugs.ie

RETRO REVIVAL Throwback styles are making a comeback through fresh takes that pay tribute to the 1960s, (geo patterns, walnut woods), 70s (smoked glass, velvet furniture), 80s (glass blocks, animal prints) and 90s (decorative cooker hoods). Kallarhals vase, €12, Ikea. ie. Mova five-piece open end corner sofa, from €5,449, Dfs.ie

“This year will be all about making our spaces feel interesting, layered and lived in; we’ll see more mixing of materials, warmer colours, organic shapes and imperfect finishes”

Lisa Marconi, interior designer, Designled.io

COLOURED GLASS FURNITURE It’s the comeback we’ve been patiently waiting for; from Miniforms Striche Murano molten glass coffee tables by Matteo Zorzenoni to Kateryna Sokolova’s Bilboquet cocktail table in moulded and blown glass for Roche Bobois (pictured), the designs don’t disappoint. Bilboquet table, from €1,830, Roche-bobois.com

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PATTERNED CARPETS

Floral, retro, checkerboard, swirls: pattern-rich carpets are making a serious comeback. Brintons woodland-inspired designs (pictured) taps into Pinterest’s new Wilderkind trend for animal aesthetics –with a delicate touch. Brintons Woodland Stag 100% wool carpet from €128.14 per sq m, Mattbritton.ie 14

ANTIQUE ADDITIONS Want to make your home feel more lived-in, less manufactured? Embrace the imperfect and incorporate some well-worn antiques. This sleeper trend is quietly gaining momentum. Carved armchair, 19th century, €392, Joythorpeantiques.com 13

PAISLEY PRINTS Does the return of boho style at Chloe and Valentino signal a surge of paisley prints? New York-based surface design studio Plumager thinks so. Expect interiors to follow suit. Pomegranate in Bazaar wallpaper; units in Citrine and Portland Stone Intelligent Satin, Littlegreene.ie

“Sustainability will continue to influence design choices more heavily in 2026 as buyers focus on the provenance of the products they purchase - the makers and the materials”

Heather Barnes, founder, Tomorrows.store

STONE SHADES

Alabaster, marble, travertine, onyx, clay; statement shades in stone are transforming functional lighting into stunning focal points with texture and form adding to the drama. FROM RIGHT Travertine stone diffuser wall light, from €238.16; Alabaster Slope Pendant, from €238.16; Alabaster Spotlight, bronze, €118.49, all by Industville at Hickenlighting.com 17

INDOOR-OUTDOOR FURNITURE

A blurring of the lines between indoors and outdoors is set to continue apace this year. Danish design house Gubi is leading the charge with a new collection of furniture that looks – and works - just as good outside as inside. Gubi OEO Bistro table; Grace lounge chair, Wearemaven.ie

“We’re

moving away from safe neutrals into deeply expressive colour stories. Rich mineral tones, softened brights and layered pigments will be used with confidence… not for shock value, but to create spaces with soul, depth and personality”

Geri O’Toole, interior designer, Geridesigns.ie

AFROHEMIAN DÉCOR A Pinterest prediction for 2026: African heritage meets boho vibes in colourful textiles, woven baskets and globally inspired layers. Searches on the site are up a whopping 220%. Woven, African pendant shades, made to order, from €195, Sahara.ie

MAXIMALIST MIRRORS Mirrors are having a major moment. Think oversized, chaotic, fractured: ‘irregular shapes that trade symmetry for personality,’ says US online interior design platform Laura Ashley Lovell mirror, 99cm, €354.48, Lightplan.ie

FRINGED FURNITURE Fashion’s favourite embellishment is headed straight from the spring catwalks of Bottega Veneta and Balmain to the couch (quite literally). Velvet Baxter T-arm sofas with fringing; Reform cabinet, Jonathanadler.com

“The warm woods: the darker, richer woods, are definitely here to stay. We’ll see them a lot this year - they’re very popular, both in furniture and in kitchens. They give depth, character, and feeling. People want warmer tones, more comfortable lived-in homes, now”

Jackie Tracey, interior designer, Jaqi.ie

Architecture now

Smart, architectapproved ideas that will instantly raise the game on any renovation or build

BY RÓISÍN CARABINE

“Arches

aren’t just decorative, they’re functional too. The curve of an arched window acts like a lens, drawing the eye to the outside”

PROJECT Melmore House, an 1850s villa transformed into a modern family home, recognised as Northern Ireland’s House of the Year 2024

TREND ARCHITECTURAL ARCHES

Donna Collins, architect & designer, Dot Projects

“Adding arches to your home is a small structural change that can have a big impact. Part of their appeal lies in the fun and excitement they bring to a space while providing visual relief, introducing softness and variation in form.

Arches should feel intentional They work best when they echo existing structural elements (doorways, windows), reinforcing the architectural language of the house.

Creating arched windows and doors can be costly and disruptive. One less expensive solution is to use glazing bars to create an arch within the existing frame.

Consider how arched doorways and openings will be finished; plastered, framed in wood, tiling can be tricky.

Repeating the same arched forms throughout creates continuity and flow. Look to reference arches in other more decorative ways too, through curved furniture, arched mirrors, circular lighting.”

Dot-projects.co.uk

TREND BIFOLD KITCHEN SINK WINDOW

Courtney McDonnell, founder, Courtney McDonnell Architects

“A bifold kitchen sink window is a modern nod to the classic ‘sinkunder-the-window’ layou t offering a seamless transition and connection to the outdoors without sacrificing countertop or storage space.

More interactive than a static window, a bifold window transforms the sink area into a serving hatch cum outside bar when paired with an extended worktop (made from a frostproof material, suitable for outdoors) and stools.

Bifold windows work best when you have a wall to stack the panels against. If you don’t have a suitable stacking wall, consider a sliding or lift-up window instead.

Thoughtful planning and placement are key . A bifold window that opens outward will keep the circulation space inside clear.

Don’t incorporate a bifold window at the expense of a sliding glass door . If space is tight, it’s better to create a generous access door to the garden, than squeeze in both.”

Courtneymcdonnell.com

“A bifold window at the sink creates a really nice interaction between the people inside and those sitting outside”

“An up-and-over window is a bold architectural statement; including other apertures on the same wall will only dilute its impact”

TREND UP-AND-OVER WINDOWS

Declan McCabe, founder & director, McCabe Architects

“Up-and-over windows are a combination of an ‘up’ element (window) and an ‘over’ element (roof) , joined together seamlessly in the slimmest profile frame to create an uninterrupted expanse of glazing. Perfect for pulling natural light deep into a space , these windows open up views of sky and landscape that might otherwise go unseen. Typically created using structural glass , windows can be double or triple glazed, depending on performance required. Additionally, solar control coatings can be applied to limit overexposure to sun and heat.

The style of the property, aspect and surroundings will dictate how much of the glass should rise vertically (up) versus across the roof (over). Inclusion of an up and over window needs to be factored in at concept stage as installation will require additional structural steel to support its weight.”

McCabearchitects.ie

PROJECT St John’s Point, Donegal: the renovation and extension of a traditional farm building offers its owners a sensory experience that deeply connects with the surrounding environment while maximising visual opportunities

“A canopy can set the tone for how the home is experienced but it doesn’t need to be showy to work e ectively”

TREND EXTERNAL CANOPIES

Shane Cotter and Kathryn Wilson, co-founders, Architectural Farm

“External canopies extend the threshold of a home out into the garden, creating a transition space that feels both open and sheltered. The function of the canopy will dictate its size and should be considered first. Will it primarily be used as a solar shading device? Will it be used as an entertaining space? Or, is it simply a design element? Canopies have an identity beyond function , adding depth, textural interest and character to what is normally the cliff face of an extension. Canopies can be cantilever, pergolas with mechanical louvres or overhangs; each expresses shelter and shading differently.

A well-designed canopy should feel like an extension of the property’s language , not an afterthought. It should echo its proportions and history while mirroring externally what’s happening internally in terms of materials used and the rhythm of the roof.”

Architecturalfarm.com

PROJECTTOP St Agnes Road: the hit and miss brickwork and geometric cut-outs in the thick concrete canopy create depth and shadow in the external space

PROJECTLEFT Pergola Project, Dublin: thick structural walls are carved out to provide seating which give a sense of permanence and sanctuary, softened by green windows and exposed pink joists

“Involving an electrician early in the design process is crucial as every wire and service has to be concealed so it doesn’t affect the aesthetics of the structure”

TREND EXPOSED CEILINGS

Colin McDonnell, principal & founder, Found Architecture

“Exposing timber joists is both a celebration of structure and a subtle tool for organisation ; it adds depth, drama and texture while shaping how a room is read by creating zones from above without having to do anything on the ground. Ceilings can be louvred (with joists running parallel), criss-crossed in a grid pattern overhead, or vaulted. Standard, planed white deal is an entry level timber option for joists Spending more on quality carpentry and a higher-grade timber (red deal, oak) will give the ceiling a slicker finish. Exposed ceilings offer interesting lighting opportunities and are perfect for concealing ceiling fittings, such as smoke detectors, from view. Exposed ceilings are subject to fire safety regulations and are generally only permissible in singlestorey spaces or rooms with no habitable space above.”

Foundarchitecture.com

“Test colours out on site; put swatches up against brick and render, on the north and south side of the build and note how it shifts in atmosphere under different light”

PROJECT TOP Grattan: a double height concrete extension, framed in red, bookends a period home

PROJECT LEFT & RIGHT Rathdown: a ‘long gallery’ extension in a framework of dark green aluminium and glass along the build’s perimeter

TREND COLOURED FRAMES

Declan

Scullion, founder & director, Scullion Architects

“Coloured frames around glazing can transform the atmosphere and character of a property without major structural changes. Plus, coloured frames look more considered than default white.

Choosing a colour is not just about aesthetics . A period property, for example, carries its own architectural language; frames painted in a shade that belong to the palette of the era feel more integrated.

The surroundings matter too ; consider the context of the property and other properties adjoining it. Achieving harmony and continuity are in everyone’s interest.

Go bold with a strong colour only where the context can wear it, for example an urban setting in a mixed context-dense site. Being attentionseeking for the sake of it can wear thin very quickly.

Don’t forget finish . A textured matt finish looks richer and is less saturated and reflective than gloss.”

Scullion.ie

“Double-height glazing is a major investment. Choose a reputable company that both manufactures and installs and check that glazing guarantees cover a minimum of 20 years”

TREND DOUBLE HEIGHT GLAZING

Gillian Sherrard, interior architect & director, Sherrard Design

“Double height windows are one of the most dramatic ways to bring natural light into a space - ceilings feel higher, volumes more expansive and the changing sky becomes part of the interior.

Ultra-slim, minimalist frames combined with concealed fixings and flush thresholds help to reduce visual clutter and allow for uninterrupted views of the outdoors. High performance glass can help to manage heat loss and gain Here, I used electronically controlled roller blinds, discreetly hidden inside soffits for an unobtrusive look.

Double height glazing is best suited to a sheltered site that offers protection from prevailing winds and driving rain. It also requires space to work effectively; on narrow plots the glazing can feel overwhelming.

What’s outside matters Double height glazing magnifies everything in sight, so invest in creating nice views outside with landscaping.”

Sherrarddesign.com

www.joyasleep.ie

a Labour of Love

A 1950s Salthill home renovation became a three-year journey for interior designer Lynne O’Loughlin and her clients

BY SIVE O’BRIEN PHOTOGRAPHS LYNDA KENNY

THE FAMILY HOME The project brought many challenges. “It was the longest build I’ve done,” admits Lynne. “The building process was delayed and ended up taking three years, but we got there. It was a labour of love, and now they’re so happy. It’s a beautiful, spacious home that truly works for them.” Over time, the professional relationship became a friendship. “I didn’t know them at the start, but after three years, you get to know people,” she laughs. This connection shaped every step of the design process.

OPPOSITE PAGE, OUTSIDE The windows and doors are from Tribe Windows

ABOVE The transition from the kitchen into the living area. This large open space has a dividing wall and vertical shiplap painted in Artic Blonde by Colourtrend. A roof light bridges the two openings. The ceramic wall lights are by Spark & Bell. Semi-solid, wide plank smoky floors from the Carpet and Rug Centre. Oil on canvas painting by artist, Tom Climent

THE LIVING ROOM The Eames-style lounger and Ottoman; Ethnicraft wool sofa; and Pols Potten marble coffee table are all from Ca Design. The vintage rug was picked up at a market in France

THE PROJECT “Such a lovely family; they started as five and welcomed another baby just after moving in,” says interior designer Lynne O’Loughlin. The 1950s house is in Salthill, near the sea. “Small Crane, the architects, created the design concept with the clients vision, then brought me in for the interiors and furnishings.” The architects referenced infrastructure along the promenade with subtle curved forms. “The clients gave me some free rein,” Lynne says. “We developed this pared-back midcentury vibe with a long internal courtyard at its heart.” This set the foundation for what would become their family home.

THE OUTDOOR CONNECTION

Landscaping by Edel Feighery finished the project, enhancing the family-home feel in the outdoor spaces at move-in. The garden includes a gym, a BBQ area under an overhang, and is set up for family living. The office leads through an arch into a prep area and bathroom, offering a workspace that balances function and looks. The end result brings together lessons learned throughout the long journey.

THE LIVING ROOM The Finn Juhl-style leather armchair is from Ca Design. The oil on canvas painting is by Cadla Forde. On the wall is a Sakura, matte white, striped, double ceramic and brass wall light from Mullan Lighting

WINDOW SEAT, RIGHT On the custom-built bench is a Kelim fringed cushion by Ferm Living from Nest

THE DESIGN ETHOS “As a designer, I start with how you want to feel,” Lynne explains.

“Functionality and longevity are key for me. I don’t rush into trends. I’m classically trained, from a fine-art background. I want people to live in their homes.” This house reflects that: calm, timeless, and practical.

“It functions well. There’s hidden storage and spaces that breathe.” With the ethos established, the home’s character comes to life in its thoughtfully curated palette.

KITCHEN The joinery is by Sherwood Kitchens. The over-the-counter pendant light is the Pholc Donna Line 120 pendant lamp from Finnish Design Shop

DINING AREA A set of elbow-style dining chairs in ash with black leather seats are from Ca Design. The dining table is the CPH30 2.0 table by Hay from Finnish Design Shop. The patterned cushions are from Re Design, Salthill. The abstract painting is by Leah Beggs. The sheepskin throw is from Joyce’s Craft Shop

THE LAYOUT The redesign included a third-floor attic conversion, resulting in four bedrooms. Every inch was carefully considered: from the playroom and courtyard to the flow between floors. Artwork was sourced together later in the process, with CA Design providing furniture, Spark & Bell handling lighting, and all joinery crafted bespoke for the home. These careful choices highlight the problem-solving involved throughout the renovation.

THE COLOUR STORY The house features a restrained palette of four colours: Railings for the black V-groove kitchen, Arctic Blonde for white, Denim, and Kitty Wake for skirting and doors. These colours are used in various combinations, with the children’s rooms featuring pops of Red Earth and Yellow Hare. Warm, semi-solid oak floors run throughout the home, including the staircase, which was matched to the flooring. Originally intended as an open floating staircase to allow light in, the design was modified to create a smooth, rendered staircase with the original rail, resulting in a distinctive architectural feature extending to the third floor. The home’s colour choices complement its thoughtful layout and design.

THE CHALLENGES “Because the project lasted so long, the biggest challenge was keeping the vision consistent,” says Lynne. “But the concept pages we started with were the same as we finished witheven the colours.” Delays that extended the project over several months meant the family spent long periods in an apartment. “It was tough, but that time let us plan perfectly. Nothing was rushed.” Overcoming these hurdles, the team focused on ensuring every detail worked - including the connection between indoors and outdoors.

THE LESSONS LEARNED Lynne notes that the only aspect she would change is the sealer on the concrete tiles in the blue bathroom, as improper sealing led to early marks before the clients moved in - a valuable lesson. She otherwise describes the home as considered and calm, yet full of life. Strong colours can work well, she says, if they are isolated and the main living areas are kept light, crisp, and clean.

BEDROOM The oak Malmo bed frame is from Caseys with bespoke bedlinen is by Carmel O’Flynn. The sheepskin rug is from Joyce’s Craft Shop. The Cashel brass cone reading light is from Mullan Lighting

BATHROOM LEFT White and black mosaic floor tiles, from Cutting Edge Tiles. The Rivale wall light in Red Iron is from Mullan Lighting. The wooden stool is Joyce’s Craft Shop

BATHROOM RIGHT The wall tiles are Costanova Banyan Blue Matt from Cutting Edge Tiles. The patterned floor tiles are from Best Tile. The bespoke wooden vanity is by Sherwood Kitchens and glass ceiling pendant light from Mullan Lighting

THE TAKEAWAY After three years, the family home fulfills all original hopes. The project tested everyone involved but ultimately offered substantial rewards. The home is durable, timeless, and joyful - functioning perfectly for the family, which Lynne identifies as her ultimate design goal. The result is a fulfilling space shaped by dedication and collaborative growth.

SOURCEBOOK

Architects Smallcrane.ie

Joinery Sherwoodkitchens.ie

Furniture Cadesign.ie

Flooring Carpetrugcentre.ie

Paint Colourtrend.ie

Lighting Sparkandbell com, Mullanlighting.com, Finnishdesignshop.com

Art Tomcliment.com, Cadhlafordeart.com, Leahbeggs.com

Tiles Cuttingedgetiles.ie, Besttile.ie

Countertop Notjustgranite.ie Ceramics @re_galway

Windows Tribewindows.ie

Accessories Joycescraftshop.com

SHOWER The long terracotta tiles are from Cutting Edge. The Drench shower in chrome is from Bathroom World

CHILDREN’S ROOM Joinery by Sherwood Kitchens is painted in Red Earth by Farrow & Ball

Lynne O’Loughlin Interior Design Studio Lynneoloughlin.com @lynneoloughlindesign

LEFT Ikea’s Symfonisk picture frame also houses a Wi-Fi speaker, €250, Ikea.ie RIGHT Basalte’s range of multifunctional controls and display blend technology with a luxe aesthetic, Basalte.be BELOW Amina’s range of completely concealed speakers means they can be installed invisibly almost anywhere – from within the wooden media walls in cool industrial spaces to behind Plaster of Paris in chic Parisian penthouses, Aminasound.com

smart tech

at home

Smart tech is quietly reshaping modern living – here’s how to make it work for you

BY NATHALIE MARQUEZ COURTNEY

INVISIBLE TECH

The world of smart home tech continues to evolve rapidly, with a dizzying array of products and technologies constantly unveiled. Want to know how to cut through the noise and fi nd what really works? The trick is to think in terms of goals, not gadgets. “Technology should be useful and simple and beautiful,” says Stephen Thompson, managing director at HAS Integration. “It should integrate into the fabric of the home.”

Establish where you’d like to add a bit more ease and automation, and use that to guide your tech choices – from home security and monitoring (think doorbell cams and smart locks), to entertainment and ambience (integrated speakers and mood-based lighting) and even accessibility (voice-based systems that help people as they age).

Whether you opt for a professional, whole-home automated system that’s deeply integrated into your space, like Control4 or Crestron, or prefer to tinker with DIY options like Apple’s HomeKit, Google Home, or Alexa, the crucial thing is that it feels intuitive and accessible. “It can cost the exact same thing to invest in the wrong system as the right system,” notes Stephen, stressing the importance of ensuring that everyone in the home is familiar with any systems and controls that are installed.

FROM LEFT 1 Samsung

The Frame 55-inch TV with Art Mode, €1,199, Harveynorman.ie. 2 Birdie fresh air monitor, wood, €229, Birdie.design. 3 Myggbett window/door sensor, available soon from Ikea.ie

SMART SLEEP

A quick scan of the thriving sleep tech space tells you that we are all very invested in making the most of those Zzzs. While much of the innovation focuses on trackers and wearables, there’s still plenty of cool and quirky home tech to buy. Most are focused either on helping you stay in sync with your natural rhythms (think phone-free sunrise lamps and smart alarm clocks) or on minimising discomfort and distractions (blackout sleep masks with vibrations to help you doze off, and even mattresses that help regulate your temperature). But almost all agree – the biggest enemy of sleep is a smartphone or tablet, so that’s the one device you should try and keep away from your bed if you can. Opt instead for a smart speaker, which can double as an alarm and control your smart home gadgets without having to pull out your phone.

Remote- or app-controlled blinds are a simple but powerful way to improve the quality of your sleep, Luxaflex.ie BELOW

LEFT The Eight Sleep Pod 5 system features futuristic blankets and pillow cases that adjust the temperature of your bed for you, while the mattress can automatically detect snoring and adjust to mitigate it, from €5,248, Eightsleep.com

LIGHTING

While remote-controlled lighting is well established, those in the know have been taking things to the next level. “Lighting design is a huge piece of the modern home,” notes Stephen. He works with a London-based lighting designer when creating his smart-home spaces. “It’s about lighting up points of interest within rooms. Maybe it’s highlighting the joinery details or stairwells to create ambience, instead of floodlighting the whole space. We also work to create lighting that works with your circadian rhythm and subtly changes throughout the day.”

Dim-to-warm bulbs that mimic natural sunlight are a no-brainer for bedrooms and certainly offer a calmer way to wake than the incessant beep of a phone alarm.

Lighting can also be a crucial part of a savvy home security system. Your lights can be programmed to turn on and off even if you’re not home.

FROM LEFT 1 KULGLASS

Kulglass lamp speaker in red-brown, €99, Ikea.ie

2 Nanoleaf Matter and Wi-Fi E27 smart bulb, €22.49 (for two) at Nanoleaf.me 3 Dyson

Solarcycle Morph desk light in Blue/Copper, €449, Dyson.ie

4 Blomprakt Bluetooth speaker lamp in light blue, €45, Ikea.ie

ABOVE The Luna pura wireless light, €868.23, can be switched, dimmed and have its colour temperature changed by touch control or through an app, Occhio.com LEFT The new Sonas Eterna mirror, €425, features integrated energy-saving lighting and intuitive touch controls, Sonasbathrooms.com FAR LEFT The Wake Sleep light by Thomas Heatherwick for Tala, €305, gradually dims in the evening and brightens close to wake-up, Eu.tala.co.uk

FROM LEFT 1 Cafe Affetto WiFi-connected espresso machine €1,566, Amazon.ie 2 Simplehuman touch-free sensor pump, €100, Simplehuman.ie 3 Samsung side-byside fridge freezer with Family Hub, Samsung.com 4 Amazon Echo Show 2nd gen smart display, €399, Currys.ie

In many ways, the kitchen is the one room in the house that’s lagging in the smart home race. Lack of collaboration and interoperability between appliance manufacturers means that while there are some great-sounding gadgets, they don’t tend to integrate seamlessly into many kitchen workflows.

However, more and more we’re seeing that the kitchen of the future is really working to bring you closer to kitchens of the past – ones that prioritised communal spaces and social cooking. Think ‘invisible’ induction worktops and hidden appliances.

ABOVE LEFT New Zealand brand Fisher & Paykel’s range of connected kitchen appliances allows you to remotely control, monitor and manage them all from a single app, Fisherpaykel.com ABOVE The small glowing dot is the only tell-tale sign that this kitchen island houses a Gaggenau Essential Induction cooktop, Gaggenau.com

work the new order

From stylish decked-out studies to cute laptop-friendly corners, here’s how to rethink your home workspace for creativity, comfort, and calm

BY NATHALIE MARQUEZ COURTNEY

THIS PAGE Two-section workspace in white/oak, €1,817.94, Stringfurniture.com

OPPOSITE Studio Secretary desk nook in 145 Rosehip, €1,546.26, Montanafurniture. com; Pira G2 wall-mounted shelving unit, to order, Stringfurniture.com; Attenkar laptop/monitor stand in birch, €22, Ikea.ie; L6 Notebook Manager laptop holder, €198, Humanscale.com; Studio Secretary desk nook in 167 Ruby, €1,546.26, Montanafurniture.com; Wondawall mobile partition wall on castors, to order, Assmann.de; &Tradition Rombe modular shelving system, from €2,085, Nordicelements.com

THE COMPACT THINKER

Space is at a premium, but you don’t let that cramp your style. You like hard-working, multi-functional pieces that seamlessly blend form and function. You make the most of every corner, and you’re confident in your ability to work pretty much anywhere – whether it’s replying to an email while sitting at the dining table, or listening to a workshop while note-taking on the couch.

A lovely way to create a workspace that feels inspirational and focused, rather than something improvised out of necessity, is through zoning. It might be as simple as grounding the area with a soft rug or anchoring the space with a piece of art that inspires you.”

SIOBHAN

LAM, founder, April and The Bear

THE CREATIVE MAXIMALIST

Think clutter, but make it creative and curated. Your workspace is a joyful jumble where colour, texture, and ideas collide. As a creative maximalist, you draw energy from your surroundings. You love to fill your space with magazines, mood boards, stacked sketchbooks, and collected trinkets. Dynamic, energetic, and alive, every piece on your desk tells a story.

Many clients ask for tips on how to create a nice background for video calls. I always advise to keep it simple with a piece of art, some nice books and a few objects on a shelf to add visual interest without being a distraction.”

CAROL CRIMMINS, Lead designer, Nordic Elements

CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT

Venezia Rialto Writing Desk 192 €7,756.58, 1stdibs.com; Cecily rug, €180, Oliverbonas.com; Vazoo 6 oak bookcase, €2,429, Woodesign.ie; Nyhavn desk in walnut, €6,198.82, Nest.co.uk; Desk organiser, €19.99, Hm.com; Arum portable desk lamp, €189, Aprilandthebear.com; Fete A6 undated weekly planner, €17.95, The-completist.com

A lot of people need quietness, away from family, but you don’t want to end up in a cramped space with no windows. Aim for a well-lit area and ideally, one where you have a bit of a view to the outside.”

STEPHEN

WALTON,

Small Crane Architects

THE MINIMALIST

Clutter-free and calm, if you’re a minimalist WFH-er you favour a clean look and do your best thinking when your space is visually quiet. In a day filled with pings, packed in boxes and an ever-growing to-do list, the calm simplicity of your workspace feels like an exhale. You love a pre-work desk tidy to get you in the right headspace, choose a neutral palette that exudes serene vibes, and have distilled what you need down to the bare minimum.

CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT Desk in light beige, €299, Hm.com; Custom-built desk in a Galway home by Galwayinteriordesign.ie; S60 desk table, €1,020, Aprilandthebear.com; Work desk, €150.95, Wearemaven.ie; Zeph armless chair, from €603, Hermanmiller.com

THE TRADITIONALIST

You like mixing your tech with tactile, warm pieces filled with history and romance. You favour natural materials and vintage accents, but traditional here isn’t overly retro. Texture matters - the wood grain of a desk, brass lamp patina, or the softness of a wool blanket all help balance the sleekness of screens and keyboards.

CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT Ardingly desk, €1,350, Neptune. com; irregular desk, €249, metal table lamp, €39.99, Hm.com; Dyberg Larsen London desk lamp in black, €71.31. Lights.ie; Olive Leuchtturm1917 notebook A5, €20.69. Easons.com; mid-century writing desk, from a selection at Outset Galway; Pix blue ballpoint pen, €300, Montblanc.com;

Wooden desks and cabinets bring warmth and harmony, although an ergonomic workstation is essential – furniture must support both the body and the mind.”

MAGDA WALECKA, co-founder, Galway Interior Design Studio

CABÜ BY THE LAKES

DESK EDIT

C68 desk, from €1,559, Nordicelements.com

Aaren desk, €498, Meadowsandbyrne.com

Lagkapten/Mittback desk, €100, Ikea.ie

Daystak desk RD3, €1.728,95, Wearemaven.ie

C67 Butler desk, €1,059, Nordicnest.com

Abbetved oak desk €159, Jysk.ie

Luka veneer corner desk, €419,00, Woodesign.com

office desk, €628.15, Boconcept.com Finn desk, €709, Aprilandthebear.com

WORK PERCH

Style meets swivel in these eye-catching chairs for every kind of workspace

Aprilandthebear.com

LIGHT WORKS

Light up your day with desk lamps that mix function, flair and glow

Salt & Pepper Globe lamp, €200, Stoneandbeige.com

Zarahome.com

Dream Home DIY

35 ELEVATED & AFFORDABLE UPCYCLED PROJECTS

BY JAHARN QUINN

Jaharn Quinn is an upcycler, maker and photographer. Born in Sydney and raised in Brisbane, her obsession for upcycling has been a lifelong love affair

THE ART OF UPCYCLING

Upcycling furniture can open up a world of sustainable design possibilities. However, it’s more than creating something with your hands while saving money. It’s about making conscious decisions when furnishing your home and, while it may seem daunting not knowing where to start, it’s important to note that small changes can make a big impact. Look around your home. Can you identify any furniture you need at home? Can you source it second-hand from your local charity shop or thrift store? Do you have a piece of furniture, such as a sideboard, that’s tired and outdated? Can it be revived with paint or timber stain instead of being thrown out and buying something new?

MY UPCYCLING PROCESS

Upcycling is a process that unfolds one step at a time. Each project is unique and the outcome is always different. While it might seem daunting at first, my step-by-step upcycling process will guide you through every stage.

I’ve broken down the entire process from start to finish with heaps of easy-tounderstand, practical advice and tools.

PRACTICALITIES

When I have an upcycling project in mind, the first factor I consider is practicality: ‘Is it foolproof?’ While all of my projects are steeped in home DIY, I always make sure the finish is professional and practical – like sealing plaster (multi-purpose joint compound) with paint or a clear coat of varnish if it’s a high-use item, like a console table. I never pretend a material or project is something that it’s not. I spend hours doing research, I ask a lot of questions, and I test, test, test until I know it’s practical for everyday use.

PROBLEM SOLVING

No matter how much planning and preparation goes into a project or how much upcycling experience you may have, every project has an element of creative problem-solving. I see this as a positive challenge rather than a hin-

drance. I’m all about figuring out the hard stuff, so my projects are easy and foolproof for you to make at home. If you’re working on your own upcycling project and you can’t figure out how to do something yourself, do lots of research until you have your answer. It’s challenging but so rewarding and satisfying. Often, you’ll find yourself upcycling furniture in a way you’ve never seen done before. There’s no playbook, just your imagination and perseverance.

TOOLS AND MATERIALS

Every upcycling project requires the use of materials and tools, some require more than others.

Not everyone has every tool at home or the confidence to use them, that’s why I always consider which ones I use in my projects and suggest affordable, easy-to-use alternatives where possible.

I also choose tools suitable for different skill levels. In every project in this book, I explain how to use an exciting variety of materials and tools, so you’re armed with the confidence and knowledge to start using them and complete as many projects as you want.

CARING FOR THE PLANET

I always make sure every single upcycling project is dripping in sustainability. Preventing furniture and materials from ending up in landfill is very important from both an environmental and a cost perspective. I always use thrifted furniture, second-hand materials or whatever I can find at home that I already have, then I source anything else I need from hardware, craft and fabric stores. I also challenge myself to create projects using leftover materials and everyday rubbish, which you will see scattered throughout the pages of my book.

ABOVE Jaharn prepares a vibe tray for an upcycling project

OPPOSITE PAGE Jaharn is seated on an upcycled timber-stained stool. In the book is a step-by-step guide on how to do this at home with tips on materials, tools, and safety gear

COLLECT INSPIRATION

My thrifting and upcycling process begins with collecting inspiration. There are many different places I get inspiration from, and each of them are an excellent resource for igniting creativity and ideas. A fantastic medium for collating inspiration is a pinboard. I pin lots of different things to it, including magazine and newspaper clippings, fabric and paint swatches, string, ribbon, printed paper and cardboard samples. When I take something off the pinboard, I store it in a folder, which I often refer back to weeks, months or years later. Just because you might not be inspired by something today doesn’t mean you won’t be again in the future, so don’t throw any of your inspiration out. It’s also a fun time capsule to look back on years later.

FURNITURE DESIGN

I am continuously fascinated and deeply passionate about furniture design. I can’t help but look at a chair or a table and spend an inordinate amount of time figuring out how it was made; it gives me a sense of mood and feeling. I am particularly interested in sustainable

materials and design, and I draw inspiration from all around me, including galleries, hotels, restaurants, homes, museums, and so much more. These places inspire my design purpose, which is centred around sustainable furniture design – reworking old pieces and using sustainable materials wherever possible.

TRAVEL

Travelling is truly the only time I switch off. I love to immerse myself and experience new places, try different foods, talk to locals and take in everything around me. I love putting my phone down and taking photos with my SLR camera. I can spend hours editing them until they’re just right and provide a window looking back to a time that was. Different places, experiences, food and cultures greatly inspire my work!

PINTEREST

Pinterest is an incredible creative resource and offers a treasure trove of inspiration and ideas! Each week I set time aside to look through images and I save anything I love onto private

boards to refer back to at a later date. I also share my personal projects on an array of boards, which people can access whenever they need inspiration. Pinterest has helped me find my aesthetic, stay on top of interior trends, inspire new ideas and discover my colour preferences. It’s an incredible tool for upcycling.

SECOND-HAND BOOKS

I am obsessed with finding second-hand books written about furniture, interior design, woodworking, home DIY, fashion, architecture, crafting and garden design. Whenever I go thrifting, I always look in the book section and have found some absolute gems over the years. They’re always inexpensive and provide a great reference and inspiration for my upcycling projects

MAGAZINES

I’ve always loved collecting magazines, and one of my favourite sections in my studio is my magazine library. I love looking through current and past issues for inspiration. I like to keep up with and look back on interior trends and colour forecasts, and incorporate elements of them in my projects. In saying that, however, don’t feel obliged to follow trends or what a magazine is telling you to like that month. Take your time, experiment and find your own style by trusting your gut and choosing what you love, and let it evolve over time. When I stumble across something I love, I tear out the page. I pin my magazine tear-outs to the pinboard I upcycled for my studio, which I made using decking timber I found at my local tip shop and cork tiles. Collating images on my pinboard is one of my biggest sources of inspiration.

NATURE

Whenever I feel overwhelmed or lacking creativity, spending time in nature gives me energy and sparks my imagination. The colours, shapes, patterns and textures of nature inspire all my projects. I feel a sense of calm when I’m in nature, whether it be hiking, surfing, skiing or swimming. I love looking at the trees, the mountains and ocean around me and listening to the sounds of the wind, waves crashing on the shore, snow crunching underneath my shoes and leaves rustling in the trees above my head. Nature clears my mind and inspires me endlessly.

FIND A PROJECT

Creating an idea and finding a project to upcycle should inspire connection between the piece of furniture, how it functions in the home and with the people living there. It should bring soul to a space and balance design intent, sustainability and environmental responsibility. In my experience, upcycling furniture should level up your living spaces and can begin in one of two ways. If you already have a project in mind and some time on your side, look for the perfect piece of second-hand furniture to upcycle. I go thrifting at least twice a week – sometimes I find what I am looking for quickly, while other times it can take weeks, sometimes months. Another way an upcycling project may start is when you stumble upon something that inspired an idea and has potential. I love these projects because they’re spontaneous and I feel motivated to start making them right away.

SKETCH A DESIGN

For years, I would reimagine and design my upcycling projects in my head. As you would expect, this didn’t work very well for me. I am a highly visual and tactile person, but even if you’re not, sketching your ideas and designs onto paper is a game changer. I don’t use a special pencil or pen, I don’t use fancy paper or an expensive notepad, but I sketch every upcycling project because it helps clear my mind and often leads to better ideas. I also include notes on materials, tools and finishes. In my

humble opinion, you don’t need formal training to sketch a design. As long as you have a pencil (or pen) and some paper, preferably in a notebook so you can keep your sketches together in one place, you don’t need anything else other than your own ideas.

CREATE A MOOD BOARD

Once you have an idea in mind, have found something to upcycle and sketched a design, it’s time to think about how you want the finished project to look. A project mood board is a good way to ensure that the piece you are upcycling will suit your interior style and the existing pieces in your home.

just right. You can do this on a large piece of paper or on an online platform like Pinterest or Canva, but I highly recommend colour printing it so you can see it in its physicality. Place this onto a wall in your home or a pinboard and step back. Does it make your heart sing? Do you need to make any adjustments?

CHOOSE A COLOUR PALETTE

RIGHT The wavy bookshelf. In the book Jaharn gives a step-by-step guide on how to make a wavy bookshelf at home with tips on materials, tools, and safety gear

A mood board visually represents your ideas, including inspiration and colours, and brings your vision to life. When all your bits and pieces of inspiration are ready, organise and play around with the placement until everything looks

It’s easy to get overwhelmed by the variety of colours to choose from, especially if you’re like me and love all colours. However, when you change your mindset and think about how colour makes you feel, it becomes a lot easier to express yourself and your projects. Stop and think about the feeling you wish to create when you see a piece of upcycled furniture in your home. Place swatches from your colour library (see page 22) on the wall. See how these colours interact with other pieces in the same space.

LEFT Joharn shows a guide to upcycling a simple kitchen cupboard by adding a cafe curtain. In the book there’s a step-by-step plan for achieving this in an hour

ABOVE Joharn with a timber-stained sideboard. This upcycling project can be achieved in four hours

Choose a colour or palette that makes you feel something (fresh, cosy, tranquil, moody, airy, comfortable, luxurious, calm, happy, thoughtful) and reflects you, the piece, the feeling and the space you want to create.

CREATE A VIBE TRAY

A vibe tray is an excellent medium if you’re a visual, tactile person. I learnt about vibe trays from Kelly Wearstler, an exceptional interior and furniture designer who coined this term. A vibe tray creates a physical manifestation of your project mood board. This step is crucial in adding materials, fabrics, paint swatches and other objects together, such as shells,

marble, rocks, hardware and jewellery, in a tray to inspire your vision for a project, room or space. She creates a vibe tray for every project, and while it’s not set in stone because projects continually evolve, it helps to have this tangible representation of the project. I am both a visual and tactile person, and I find this method of collating inspiration that I can hold in my hands always works well for my projects, no matter the size or complexity.

CHOOSE A FINISH

I love to obsess over the details and want to make sure the finish is flawless. But I also love to experiment, learn, make mistakes and share all the highs

and lows – my mistakes save you time. No matter how much experience you have in upcycling, whether you’re a total novice or a seasoned expert, I think ensuring the finish is professionallooking is important. We’re not seeking perfection here – because upcycling is messy and fun – but we want to make quality projects that stand the test of time. It might be as simple as using the right paint roller so you don’t see visible brushstrokes, choosing the correct varnish or deciding whether or not to paint plaster (multi-purpose joint compound). Upcycling doesn’t have to look cheap, and these little details make a big impact. See page 55 to learn how to choose finishes.

UPCYCLING TOOLKIT

You will need a work area with a flat bench, lots of ventilation and some essential tools. You don’t need these all at once. Instead, start with one upcycling project and gradually build your upcycling toolkit from there.

 apron

 bench vice

 broom or workshop vacuum

 bucket

 chisel

 clamps

 cork block

 drop sheet (cloth)

 flexible sandpaper block

 glass cutter

 hacksaw

 hammer

 level

 mallet

 measuring tape

 metal joint knife (small and regular)

 microfibre cloths

 microfibre paint roller and roller frames (small and regular)

 mineral spirits

 mitre box

 paint tray (one for paintbrushes and paintbrushes painter’s tape

 palette knife panel saw

 pencil

 plastic joint knife (small and regular)

 pliers

 reusable snaplock bags

 ruler

 scissors

 screwdriver kit

 screws (particle board, timber and metal in various sizes)

 sponge

 string

 sugar soap

 tenon saw

 utility knife

 white vinegar wire brush

 wood glue. one for rollers)

IN ADDITION TO THESE TOOLS, IT’S HELPFUL TO HAVE THESE MATERIALS ON HAND:

 acrylic water-based paint pot samples (interior and exterior)

 clear construction adhesive

 glue stripper

 heavy-duty construction adhesive

 paint stripper

 plaster (multi-purpose joint compound)

 PVA glue

 sandpaper

 tiling adhesive

 tiling grout

 timber stain

 varnish (matt, satin and gloss)

 water-based white primer paint

 wax polish

 white construction adhesive

 wood filler.

Always wear your essential safety gear, including protective earplugs, eyewear, face mask, gloves and closed-in shoes.

EXTRACTED: Dream Home DIY, 35 elevated & affordable upcycled projects by Jaharn Quinn Hardie Grant Books, photography Jaharn Quinn and Aimee Dodge, €24.64, Waterstones.com

ABOVE Pictured are upcycled pieces from the book: Floating art frames and checker wall art

MY HOUSE AND HOME

MY HOME IS Little Venice, London, a neighbourhood I fell for because of its beautiful communal gardens. My dogs, Barney the Sheepadoodle and Porter, the Irish Setter, need space to run, and I loved the idea of looking out over greenery in the middle of the city. It’s a classic London terrace with four-metre ceilings and huge south-west-facing windows that flood the space with natural light - something I crave, both personally and as a designer.

WHAT MAKES IT SPECIAL

I undertook a complete back-to-brick refurbishment, so everything you see has been rebuilt from the inside out. I was, without doubt, my own worst client. With clients, you can say no; with yourself, it’s all yes, yes and more yes. I wanted to honour the property properly: no shortcuts, no quick fixes, with every decision made with longevity in mind. Acoustics were a huge focus. Living in an apartment means neighbours above and below, so I created a fully insulated “box within a box,” allowing us to play music, have dinner parties and let the dogs roam without disturbing anyone, which has transformed the way we live.

MY DESIGN ETHOS centres on responsible luxury: quality materials, natural textures, and a calm, lasting feel. During the renovation, I chose real wood, natural stone, metalwork, and VOC-free

paints. I avoided stark white paint, using instead soft pigments from French brand Argile, whose nature-inspired tones set the palette. Lighting is key. Every piece of art is intentionally lit - if you love something enough to display it, you should see it properly. A home should be social. Eight can gather at our dining table, eight can relax in the living room, and there’s room for everyone to gather around the kitchen island with wine. Hosting brings me joy, so the layout supports that.

A WELL-DESIGNED HOME removes stress. Every material, from wipeable matt paint to double-brushed oak floors, was chosen so the dogs can play and guests can relax without anyone worrying about scratches, spills or red wine disasters.

MY HOUSE STYLE is city sophistication - tailored, atmospheric, timeless. Everything is considered: bespoke upholstery, mid-century lighting from an Italian hotel, and natural stone throughout. My Cotswolds country home is the opposite - relaxed, rustic, and full of quirks. There, character leads the design; here, design leads the space.

ON MY WISHLIST The walls and shelves are filled with memories from travels, making the home feel complete. Now, I’m drawn to small curiosities like whimsical Anissa Kermiche ceramics, and winter-warming Brora cashmere blankets.

MY BIGGEST LOVES I love creating a home that feels welcoming. Nothing matters more than guests feeling at ease - able to unwind, chat, cook, and truly be part of the atmosphere. Ambience is everything, so I focus on reducing upkeep stress so my home becomes a place just for living.

MY BUSINESS My 15-year-old studio is evolving, and we’re excited to open an atelier in Dublin soon - with ongoing projects in Dublin, Limerick, and Kerry, this is a natural next step. I travel to Ireland several times a month and am deeply invested in the market.

FROM TOP LEFT 1 Interior designer Brian Woulfe

2 The dining area at Brian’s London Little Venice apartment 3 The cinema room, designed by Brian, at a renovated Hampstead Heath project

4 Cashmere blanket, €865, Broraonline.com

5 Anissa Kermiche salt and pepper shakers, €110, Bollicinemykonos.com

Watch out for Brian’s Irish atelier opening this year. Designedbywoulfe.com