House and Home July Aug 2026

SPECIAL 13 trends to rethink your space Bathrooms by budget

The garden space investments for Irish homeowners: Saunas, entertaining spaces, lounging zones 8 EXPERTS Spill the secrets to nailing small spaces

MORE THAN JUST A GARDEN SHED.

An exclusive collection of crafted garden buildings, designed for living as much as storing. From sheds to summerhouses, saunas to bars, each in bespoke countryside colours, creating a place to slow down and stay a little longer.

(045) 879 170

GARDEN BUILDINGS BY CARAGH NURSERIES

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.

That’s what makes a Neptune home.

Over 30 stores across the UK and Europe neptune.com

Scan

Homes

Let

Playful

How do I create an instant garden, now? We asked garden expert Jo McGarry

A softly layered retreat in the heart of the Portuguese coastal hotspot of Comporta

Eight rooms, eight experts on making every centimetre count

124 THERE’S AN APP FOR THAT

AI can rethink a room in seconds. We rounded up the six worth your screen time and where each one falls flat

128

Carlow-born, Brooklyn-based designer Alexander Buckeridge of Studio Bucky shares his home style loves

A once-bland Georgian-style property is reimagined as a layered family home mixing old and new with clever planning, colour and design details 60 FUTURE EYES

When Hannah O’Neill bought a Victorian in Dublin 6, she saw past the crumbling walls and overgrown garden to the home it could become

76 INSIDE HIS STYLE

Brendan Courtney’s considered, sea-view home in Co Wicklow

116 ROOM TO GROW

A Rathgar family transforms their home with a bold extension every member of the family can call their own

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

Elyse Kennedy, Marlene Wessels, Lorraine Maguire

CONTRIBUTORS

Bathroom Special

80 FRESH SOAK

The colours, surface finishes, statement fixtures and clever storage ideas you need to know, according to industry experts

92 BIG BATHROOM UPGRADE

IYour next renovation project beckons; we’ve made that tricky bathroom update easy with four schemes for all budget

Outdoor Living

102 ROOM TO BREATHE

Your garden has more to give than you think. Treat it as another room: turn a patch into the most-used room in the house, no extension required

118 OUTDOOR ESSENTIALS

Shopping: Parasols, loungers, and outdoor rugs to liven-up your outdoor spaces

Orla Neligan, Nikki Walsh, Jennifer Power, Ruth O’Connor, Sophia Arceo, May Murphy O’Neill, Aurora Santoro, Sophie McKenna

CEO

Karen Hesse

PRINTING

Boylan Print Group

GO DIGITAL

Log on to Houseandhome.ie or download our App for a digital download straight to your phone or tablet.

House and Home is published by House and Home Publishing Limited.

All prices quoted in House and Home are correct at time of going to press, however readers are advised to check cost and availability before buying. No part of this publication may be reproduced in any form without prior written permission from the publishers.

House and Home magazine sells more copies on newsstands, nationwide, than any other Irish interiors title

The High Summer Edit

Confession: I spend my days poring over everything hot in interiors, yet my own home is still very much a work in progress. The toughest part of decorating isn’t the money or the mess; it’s figuring out what you actually want.

Like everyone else, I’ve made the costly mistakes, chased the look over practicality, talked myself into the trends, and lived to regret it. Decorating has never been harder: too many choices, too many opinions online. What I do have, after years of peeking inside other people’s houses, is a conviction that every home has a story, and the sweet spot is where your own personality goes in. That, and a ruthless sense of what’s worth your money – and what isn’t. So, before you reach for the paintbrush, consider these three things:

ONE GOOD VINTAGE PIECE Our small-spaces feature brings together eight experts for eight challenging rooms, but it was Amber Cleary’s advice on the living room that stuck: one well-made vintage item gives a small room a sense of soul that new pieces just can’t match (Small Space, Big Design, pg 30). FOCUS ON the garden room you’ll actually use. Saunas, plunge pools, and built-in outdoor kitchens are turning unused garden spaces into proper rooms, but each one means balancing big ideas with how you’ll use the space day-to-day. This is the shift with the most momentum this summer (Room to Breathe, pg 102). RECONSIDER the bathroom as a place to linger. The bathroom sanctuary is here to stay, and a few coloured fixtures, considered lighting, and a bit of character go a long way. We break it down by budget and atmosphere (The Big Bathroom Upgrade, pg 92).

For real home inspiration, take a look at four Irish homes in this issue, from Dublin to Wicklow to Co Down. Each one shows that the best rooms are shaped by personality, not perfection. Now is the time to tell your home’s story.

SIVE O’BRIEN, EDITORIAL DIRECTOR

JENNIFER POWER Jennifer has spent years in publishing, directing magazine covers and styling shoots, and now writes Happy Mail, a twice-weekly Substack on interiors, joy and the small things that make everyday life feel better. She brings all of that eye to this issue’s small-spaces feature: eight experts on the rooms we tend to write off. And to our news pages, too. Jenniferpower.substack.com

SOPHIA ARCEO With a background in English literature, Sophia Arceo writes on culture and architecture for a range of magazines, with an eye on a future spanning both writing and interior architecture. For this issue she put the new wave of AI design apps through their paces, so you don’t have to, in There’s an App for That, pg 124.

Scan our QR code and get following, engaging, and chatting on Instagram @houseandhomemagazine

Pinterest @houseandhomemag Sign up to our tribe or subscribe to the digital magazine: Houseandhome.ie PS Sign up for our newsletter, Houseandhome.ie for updates on events, VIP launches, and new digital content

THE EDIT

BY JENNIFER POWER

HOUSE JEWELLERY

Petra is the NYC-based hardware brand that treats levers, knobs, and pulls as miniature works of art. These pieces are bold, sculptural, and anything but ordinary, offering an instant way to refresh a tired kitchen or chest of drawers. Shipping worldwide, Petrahardware.com

etsy finds

Top 3 shops shipping to Ireland:

1 Pressed wildflower herbarium printsframe them, hang them, never take them down. €107, Etsy.com/shop/WilderAndWren 2 The red theory shows no signs of slowing down in interiors - this wall sconce is the most elegant argument for committing to the colour. €416.15, Etsy.com/shop/Beautyartlights 3 A functional object that earns its place as art. This ceramic wall clock is too cute, €263, Etsy.com/shop/JasmineRaisbeck

TRUE COLOURS Current obsession: Fleetwood’s Prestige, a 60-shade Core Collection pairing long-loved favourites with new tones tuned to Irish light. Handcrafted in Ireland, airpurifying, scrubbable, multi-surface. And then there are their much-talked-about designer collabs: timeless, liveable shades from Ventura’s Arlene McIntyre, and 30 well-travelled, daring hues from Róisín Lafferty. Let the paint project begin. Hepurn and Studio White, from €35.99 per litre, Fleetwood.ie

1 3

2

SMILE LINES When the headlines turn heavy, a little whimsy goes a long way. Caroline Burke makes the kind of cheerful, colourful ceramics that lift a grey mood at a glance, hand-built one at a time in her garden studio. Splatterware bowls, sculptural candle holders, plates you’ll want on display, and no two quite the same. Small joys meant to be kept and passed on. We’re filling our basket as we type. Amore plate, from €52, selection of plates, from €30, Carolineburkeceramics.com

THE FOLLOW LIST

The accounts we’re following - delivering inspiration with every scroll.

FROM LEFT JOY THORPE This antique maven sources treasures from auctions, flea markets and the Moroccan medina for her infamous Kilkenny store. Each piece tells a story, offering an antidote to mass-production and homogenous interiors, @joy.thorpe SARA COSGROVE Sara spent years at the most prestigious interior design houses before returning to Dublin. Follow Sara for restrained luxury and interiors you want to live in, not just look at, @saracosgrovestudio MELANIE REKOLA Growing up on over 100 acres of forest and meadow, she brings her Nordic heritage to every landscape project, with a deep commitment to sustainability and biodiversity, @ladylandscape

THE ULTIMATE RESET

The K Club’s all-day terrace makes the case for the indoor-outdoor table: deep olive panelling, walls of glass, woven rope chairs pulled up to warm timber tables. Brass spots and clustered greenery blur the line between dining room and garden. New this season, the Revive Garden brings Nordic-style thermal bathing, hot tubs and cold plunges to the landscaped grounds, too. Summer spa packages, Kclub.ie

On the House and Home team’s

RADAR

this summer

WE’VE GOT TICKETS FOR

Most people are not born with an innate knowledge of how to use colour at home. Luckily, it can be learned in a day at this interiors workshop, run by interior stylist Sarah Twigg Doyle and colour expert Adele Roche. Learn how to use colour in your home and styling techniques: August 29 in Wicklow; September 5 in Cork. €140 includes lunch and modboard materials, One-o-one.ie

WE’RE BOOKING IN AT

FUTURE FORWARD

The next generation of Irish design talent is in safe hands. Marsha Redmond has been named overall winner of the 2026 Sonas Bathrooms and TU Dublin Bathroom Design Awards - her concept described by judges as a masterclass in emotionally intelligent design: rich in colour, curved forms and layered light. One to watch, Sonasbathrooms.com

The most anticipated Irish opening of 2026 is as much a design story as a culinary one. Chef Cúán Greene (ex-Noma) opens Ómós in July outside Abbeyleix, Co Laois: a 16-bedroom guesthouse (below) in a restored Victorian house, plus a low-slung, copper-roofed restaurant over the millpond by Ryan W Kennihan Architects, with interiors by Copenhagen studio ASCA. Book early, Omos.co

WE’RE SHOPPING AT

Arnotts has relocated its home destination to the second floor of its Henry Street store. ‘World of Home’ houses over 350 brands, Dublin’s largest interiors offering under one roof. Mindy Brownes vase, €39.96, Arnotts.ie

SUPERIOR HEAT RESISTANCE A RECYCLED CORE INLAYER 3D DESIGN

ĒCLOS is a next-generation mineral surface developed with advanced layered design technology.

You know the light. It's hanging above the bar in your favourite restaurant, throwing the whole room amber. Or over the corner table in a hotel lobby you photographed and never forgot. You've seen it in a dozen interior accounts on Instagram, but never managed to track it down. Now you know, it's Pure White Lines.

Founded by Matt Goss in East London, Pure White Lines has become a favourite

among interior designers and hospitality teams who know that great lighting is the difference between a decorated space and a finished one. The collection spans chandeliers, pendants, wall lights, and table lamps, each reflecting a distinct design era: Parisian mid-century, Murano glass with 1970s flair, Victorian globes, and Bauhaus industrials. The Sorrento (above), with its layers of amber, pink, and smoked

mirror glass, is particularly striking.

The range is eclectic in the best possible sense: not a matching set in sight, and all the better for it. What we love most about these pieces is that they look collected rather than purchased; they are the special finishing touches that can anchor a room and make everything else fall into place effortlessly.

Pure White Lines, at Hickenlighting.ie

1 Birds 1967 mug no.6, €29, Article.ie 2 Bola Bola pendant, from €164.39, Newstylelights.ie 3 Björkgråmal duvet cover set, €20, Ikea.ie 4 Habitat Festival Dots Olive Green outdoor rug 495817, €269.10, Rugs.ie 5 Capri blue glass, €90, Hedgeroe.com 6 Alf bowl, €4, Jysk.ie 7 Woman with orange dots art print, €28, Aprilandthebear.com 8 WOOOD Perry stool, €89, WooDesign.ie 9 Grey and white spotted vase, €32, Diy.ie 10 Green and purple placemats, €1.66 each, Sostrenegrene.com 11 Boel & Jan Cruella fabric, €46.90, Nordicnest.com

Stylish and Contemporary kitchens from Kube.

This kitchen from Kube Balbriggan features lacquered fronts in Premium Honed Black, paired with a durable Dekton worktop and a laminate breakfast bar—perfectly combining modern style with practical design in a striking dark kitchen aesthetic. Kube Honed Black is a modern handleless design, featuring elegant Dekton Laurent worktops and a laminate Breakfast Bar in Milano Walnut be KitchenProud kubekitchens.ie Scan to find your nearest showroom

QI forgot to plant in spring and need to revive the garden in a hurry. How do I create an instant garden, now?

1 START WITH BIG GREEN

THE PROBLEM: A garden often feels tired because it lacks shape rather than flowers. Without an evergreen structure, everything looks temporary.

THE FIX: Add one or two big green pieces to make the space feel established: evergreen hedging for privacy, a specimen shrub to anchor a border, a mature tree for height and shade. Choose fewer, larger plants over lots of small ones. It looks more confident and expensive.

ASK THE EXPERT

From the family nursery in Caragh, Co Kildare, Jo McGarry grows the mature trees and statement plants that give a garden instant presence. She founded Caragh Nurseries with her husband Ian in 2004, and her design work, much of it for hotels and spas, is built on plants that genuinely thrive in Irish ground and schemes that only improve with age. Her approach is refreshingly direct: plant fewer things and plant them boldly. Caraghnurseries.ie

3 LAYER SCENT, TOUCH & SOUND

THE PROBLEM: A garden can look lovely but feel flat with nothing to smell, touch or hear, especially in the evening when you want to sit out.

THE FIX: Plant scent where you’ll catch it: roses by the patio, herbs by the kitchen door, lavender along a path. Add texture that invites brushing past, with soft foliage, grasses, and ferns. Then bring in one sound, a small water feature or gravel underfoot. These are the details that make a garden feel restful the moment you step outside.

2 ADD FAST FLOWER POWER

THE PROBLEM: A few small plants dotted about leave a garden feeling scattered rather than full.

THE FIX: Pick two hero plants and repeat them in groups of three or five, the trick you see in show gardens. Hydrangeas bring generous colour and abundance; salvias add long flowering and soft, cottagey movement. Weave in lavender or verbena for an airy, pollinator-friendly feel. A few pots by the door add instant colour you’ll notice every day.

THE 48-HR INSTANT GARDEN

• One structural anchor: hedging, an evergreen shrub or a mature tree.

• Two big hero flowering plants, repeated in groups.

• Scent by the door and seating; roses and herbs are a dream pairing.

• Tactile fillers: grasses, soft foliage, ferns.

• One sound element: plant movement, water or gravel.

• Finish with compost and mulch to make everything look done.

New Collection

‘In the Garden’

Eight cultivated wallpaper designs inspired by National Trust gardens

Order samples and a complimentary colourcard, or find your nearest stockist at littlegreene.ie Colour Consultancy service available nationwide and online

littlegreene.ie

THE DETAILS

AlmaLusa Comporta

Portugal

Almalusahotels.com

INSPIRING SPACE

AlmaLusa Comporta

A softly layered retreat in the heart of the Portuguese coastal hotspot of Comporta

THE SPACE AlmaLusa Comporta is a boutique in the truest sense: small, stylish, and defined by a single aesthetic. Surrounded by rice fields, cork oaks, and pale sand, the property impresses quietly. Natural materials here are key: pale wood, woven baskets, and soft linen in chalky whites and sandy neutrals. Rooms open to terraces or gardens, blurring the line between inside and out. Locally made ceramics and layered textures add depth, while the warm light is unhurried. It’s a place that makes you feel instantly relaxed. It’s all about slowing down, opening the windows, and appreciating nature’s influence on this super-stylish decor.

INSPIRATION FOR YOUR HOME What AlmaLusa does better than almost anywhere is show how restraint can feel genuinely luxurious. The palette is tight, but the layering of handcrafted textures stops it from ever feeling sparse. The lesson for home is to commit to a neutral base and then let materials carry the interest: a ceramic bowl, a woven pendant, a linen cushion with visible texture. Keep colour soft, design with light in mind, and trust that less, done thoughtfully, is always more.

DESIGN NOTES

EARTHED PALETTE The chalky whites, sandy beiges, and muted greens inspired by the nearby dunes and rice fields keep every space calm.

COASTAL MINIMALISM Using soft whites, sandy tones, and gentle greens creates a look that feels calm and unified.

INDOOR-OUTDOOR LIVING Terraces, gardens, and open spaces help connect indoors with outdoors, bringing the landscape into every part of the home.

FIND SIMILAR AT

BEDROOM CHEST Sundara ribbed teak chest of drawers, €925, 7thelement.ie

RATTAN LAMPSHADE GoodHome Quetzal natural round lamp shade, €35, Diy.ie

BAMBOO CHAIR Bamboo chair with cotton madam stoltz, €225, Salternativefurniture.ie

WOOD SIDE TABLE Naiara mango wood bedside table, €209,95, Sklum.com

WICKER DIING CHAIR Alvaro dining chair, €495, Eichholtz.com

WOOD TABLE Mikado side table, Ethnicraft, €349, Cadesign.ie

BEDROOM CEILING LAMP Bamboo bubble ceiling lamp, €137,95, Thewilds.ie

small space, Big Design

Eight rooms, eight experts on making every centimetre count. Proving constraint isn’t the enemy of great design; it’s often the making of it

BY JENNIFER POWER

HOW TO MAXIMISE A SMALL KITCHEN

SARAH WILSON @styleswoon

Sarah Wilson is the interiors enthusiast and content creator behind the Instagram account Style Swoon. A self-confessed lover of beautiful spaces, Sarah has spent years documenting, styling and transforming her own Dublin home – sharing every decision, discovery and design dilemma along the way with her devoted following. Her kitchen is our favourite project yet.

FORM OVER FUNCTION Before you decide on any finishes, map how the kitchen actually works – where you prep, where things pile up, how people move through a small space. A beautiful kitchen that doesn’t function will frustrate you every day.

BUY FOR LIFE Choosing trends over timelessness is the most common and costly mistake. Invest in classic cabinetry, layout and worktops, then layer trends through lighting, paint and accessories – things you can change without replacing everything.

LAYER IT A well-lit kitchen transforms how a space feels. Task, ambient and accent lighting working together can elevate even the smallest space. Lighting is always worth investing in, regardless of budget.

EARN IT Never force an island where it doesn’t belong. Without generous clearance on all sides, it becomes an obstacle rather than an asset,

“A well-lit kitchen transforms how a space feels Task,

can

ambient and accent lighting working together

elevate even the smallest space. Lighting is always worth investing in, regardless of budget.”

especially in a small space. A peninsula often delivers the same benefits – worktop, seating, flow –without the compromise.

OUT OF SIGHT A calm kitchen is about seeing less, not having less. In a small kitchen, design storage around what you want out of sight –appliances, bins, and sockets. Pair with a boiling-water tap, and your worktops transform overnight.

MAKE IT PERSONAL Bring in soft lighting, art, textiles and seating. Layer in personal objects with memory and story attached. When people can

gather comfortably, a small kitchen stops being a functional room and becomes the heart of the home.

AU NATURAL Timber and textured stone add depth, warmth and longevity that no trend-driven finish can replicate. They balance the clinical feel that kitchens can sometimes have and only improve with age and use.

GET IT RIGHT Invest in layout, cabinetry and worktops – anything structural or difficult to change. Save on handles, lighting and splashbacks, all of which can be updated without major disruption or cost.

HOW TO MAXIMISE A SMALL BATHROOM

EKATARINA VORONOVA

@ekaterinavoronova.architect

Ekatarina Voronova brings expertise in residential architecture, bespoke interiors, and garden design. Known for transforming historic, time-worn properties with careful preservation and ambitious, creative solutions. Her projects span Georgian restorations, period extensions, and small-space solutions in south Dublin and beyond.

NEVER SKIP STEPS Drawing proposed plans and elevations to scale is not optional; it is the difference between a bathroom that works and one that doesn’t. What looks right in your imagination and what fits – in reality – are often two very different

things. Measure twice, build once.

DETAIL IS EVERYTHING Regardless of budget, proper detailing is nonnegotiable. A bathroom that feels fresh in its design, yet falls short, is almost always found in the finish.

BE BOLD Small spaces can handle bold design choices. The secret is commitment. Choose one strong idea and follow it through completely, rather than diluting it with competing elements. In a small space, half measures rarely work.

MAGIC TRICKS Continuity is everything. Thoughtful tile sizing and minimal visual interruptions allow the eye to travel uninterrupted, making even the smallest bathroom feel so much larger.

LIGHT IT UP Layer it thoughtfully – ambient ceiling light, task lighting at the mirror, and subtle accent lighting. Natural light where possible.

Darkness shrinks a room instantly. A well-thought-through lighting plan transforms a bathroom from functional to extraordinary, and it costs nothing extra to get it right at the drawing stage.

BUILD IT IN Recess niches into shower walls, replace flat mirrors with mirrored cabinets, and design vanities to use every millimetre. Hidden storage keeps small bathrooms calm and uncluttered.

SPEND WISELY Decorative tiles and statement fixtures rarely justify their cost. Invest in good design first – a well-resolved plan saves money and prevents costly mistakes down the line.

COLOUR AS A TOOL Bold colour, applied thoughtfully, adds depth, character and design identity to a small bathroom. Don’t shy away from it – embrace it with conviction.

It’s a myth that all showers are the same.

Omnicare Care Shower

As the name suggests, Omnicare is the all-encompassing shower model that sits at the pinnacle of Inclusive Showering. It’s stylish, safe and smartly designed and can be easily used by everyone, regardless of the level of assistance required. With regulated temperature settings and audible feedback assistance, it’s showering paradise that can be enjoyed by all.

View the full Triton range online: tritonshowers.ie

Eathridge International Ltd (01) 6286711

HOW TO MAXIMISE A SMALL DINING ROOM

CLAIRE IRWIN @claire1irwin

Claire is a chartered quantity surveyor specialising in residential new builds, renovation projects, and deep retrofit works throughout Ireland. Best known for her straight-talking role on RTÉ’s Room to Improve alongside Dermot Bannon, Claire brings the same no-nonsense approach to every project – keeping budgets honest and homeowners informed.

PLAN FIRST, ALWAYS Costs spiral out of control without a clear plan. Cost out every element before starting – choose dining space furniture, cabinets and finishes in advance.

Careful planning prevents overruns. Don’t rush in and never chase trends.

EXPECT THE UNEXPECTED

Underestimating hidden costs is the most common financial mistake. Plan thoroughly but always expect surprises – structural issues can be devastating. Have an architect or engineer assess the space before a single tool is lifted.

INVEST UP-FRONT If budget allows, spend on insulation, windows, doors, airtightness and electrics first. A warmer, healthier home that costs less to run is the foundation upon which everything else is built. A great rule of thumb. Finishes come after.

DON’T SPLURGE When budgets are tight, avoid overspending on items that don’t improve how the space works. Designer dining room pendants can wait. Spend on what you cannot easily change later.

KEEP IT SIMPLE If possible, don’t run new pipes across a room; this is often far more costly than people realise. And think twice about that chimney, too. The foundations, flue and stove alone could set you back around €10,000–€15,000.

CHECK PLANNING Extensions beyond the exempt size or changes to external elevations may require planning permission. Consult a professional before starting work – no matter how small. Proceeding without permission risks having to undo everything at your own expense.

SET ASIDE 10–15%. Always hold a contingency budget for the unexpected. On a €30,000 renovation, that means €3,000-€4,500 kept in reserve. It sounds cautious – until the day you genuinely need it.

SPEND WISELY Choose mid-range tiles and light fittings wisely – the variance in price is enormous and rarely visible in the result. Good paint preparation matters way more than a premium brand, this is often a part people miss.

HOW TO MAXIMISE A SMALL HALLWAY

SIOBHAN DOHERTY @home_stead

Siobhan Doherty is the content creator and colour consultant behind the beloved Home Stead. With a background working with Farrow & Ball, Little Greene, and Paint & Paper Library, her signature is creating homes that feel light, effortless and full of character through the skillful use of colour. When it comes to the hallway, she knows exactly where to begin.

SET THE TONE The hallway is your first opportunity to show personality through colour. The colours you choose here connect the rest of the home – it is worth giving it proper consideration, no matter how small the space is.

AVOID THE TRAP Most people reach for bright whites to lighten a dark or small hallway. Without natural light, the result is flat and dull. Warm, inviting neutrals almost always work harder than stark white.

FINISH MATTERS Hallways are hightraffic areas – be practical. Eggshell at 20% sheen on woodwork and dados. Modern emulsion at 7% above. Ceilings in flat emulsion only – they take no wear whatsoever.

KNOW YOUR LIMITS A dark colour in an already dark hallway rarely works unless the space is tiny and

“Most people reach for bright whites to lighten a dark or small hallway. Without natural light, the result is flat and dull. Warm, inviting neutrals almost always work harder than stark white.”

self-contained. Lean toward colours that add warmth and brightness rather than absorbing what little light exists.

GO DARK Painting woodwork a tone darker than the walls adds interest, creates a connection between spaces and – surprisingly – reflects more light, making the whole hallway feel warmer, brighter and larger.

GO LIGHT A hallway should flow with the rest of the home, so light and bright almost always wins. The exception is a small entrance hall that leads upstairs – these can handle

bolder, moodier colour beautifully.

FIRST IMPRESSIONS The hallway is the first impression visitors receive and the welcome home you and your family return to every day. Even if it’s a small space, it should still feel warm and welcoming.

CREATE A THREAD Flow is everything. Mix complementary whites between rooms to suit each wall colour, but ensure they never jar. A thread of colour – neutral or accent – running throughout makes a home feel cohesive.

HOW TO MAXIMISE A SMALL PANTRY

JUDY GILROY @judygilroy

Judy Gilroy, celebrity fashion stylist and TV personality, founded Clossy, an organisational solutions brand, inspired by the need for practical and attractive systems in her own home. She has developed a one-stop destination for practical living.

HAVE A STRATEGY Decluttering fails without a plan. Set clear goals, write them down, then break them down room by room, task by task. This is a marathon, not a sprint – treat it like one.

LESS = MORE The biggest pantry mistake is assuming you need more space. Declutter first – eliminate what you don’t need, and you’ll be amazed at what you already have. Your shopping bill will thank you too.

DECANT & LABEL Regardless of budget, decanting dry goods into airtight jars transforms even the smallest pantry. It looks beautiful, keeps food fresher for longer, and makes it infinitely easier to find everything in a hurry.

SKIP THE BASKETS Beautiful as they are, baskets hide what’s inside and eat up precious space. Clear bins let you see everything at a glance – and remember, you’re organising to live with it, not photograph it.

JUST IN CASE BOX If letting go feels impossible, create a just-in-case category. Once you see how rarely you use those items – and how easily they could be replaced – holding onto them stops making sense.

TIDY HOUSE, TIDY MIND An organised home isn’t about perfection; it’s about making your space work for you. When your home functions well, so do you. That shift in how you feel is worth it every time.

CREATE ZONES Declutter, categorise, then organise into those categories. It sounds almost too simple – but it’s the system that works in every room of the house, every single time.

QUICK WINS The most neglected spaces are always the hidden ones –cupboards, drawers, hallway shelves. Begin with one surface or one drawer. The quick win gives an immediate sense of progress that keeps you going.

EXCLUSIVE TO CA DESIGN

“Inspired by nature. Embedded in history.”

HOW TO MAXIMISE A SMALL OFFICE

EILISH RICKARD @eilishrickardinteriors

An interior designer and founder of Dwellbyeilishrickard.com, the online homeware store selling pieces with her signature classicyet-contemporary aesthetic. Eilish is known for creating beautiful, deeply liveable spaces,

FUNCTION FIRST Start with how the space needs to work – desk placement, lighting, storage and cable management. Get the practical elements right early, whatever the space size, and everything else falls effortlessly into place around them.

BE CONSIDERED The most common mistake is treating a home office as either a purely functional workspace or an overflow storage room. Design it as a proper room, no matter what size it is – purposeful, and not too office-y.

DOUBLE DUTY The chair, the desk, the lamp – each must perform comfortably and be practical, while feeling timeless and visually thought out. Never sacrifice one for the other. The best office furniture should do all these jobs equally well.

CONNECT IT The most underrated tip is ensuring your home office feels connected to the rest of the house. Curtains, a rug, cushions and a comfortable armchair transform a functional office, whatever the size, into one you actually want to work in.

ADD LAYERS Combine task lighting

for working, softer ambient light for atmosphere and as much natural light as possible. Use warm tones and dimmable fittings so the room adapts naturally throughout the day and into the evening.

MAKE A PLAN Storage and cable management must be considered during electrical planning – this is such an important part of the process, but often an afterthought. Floor sockets, concealed printers and built-in storage keep the space permanently calm, organised and visually clean. Impacting more than just your space, but how you feel in it

ON YOUR MARKS Pushing a desk against a wall is rarely the best solution. Position it near a window for natural light and a view, or facing into the room. The difference in how you feel while working is immediate.

GET PRODUCTIVE A well-designed home office transforms both concentration and creativity. When a space is tidy, practical and beautiful, there is less distraction, it’s calmer and there is a far greater ability to focus.

HOW TO MAXIMISE A SMALL LIVING ROOM

AMBER CLERY @shopamberandwillow

Amber Cleary is an interior stylist and the founder of Amberandwillow.com, an Irish homeware destination known for its distinct, handpicked selection of homewares and furniture, that blend craft, modern design and global vintage finds. Each piece is chosen for its character, for anyone who craves a home aesthetic that feels soulful.

FEEL FIRST Before buying a single piece, decide how you want the room to feel on an ordinary evening – not for a photograph, just for you and whoever uses the space. Function and feeling, especially in a small space.

GO LARGE Scale is the biggest offender in a living room. A sofa too small, a rug too tiny – both make a room feel unfinished. Go generously and pull the sofa away from the wall.

SOMETHING OLD One well-made vintage piece brings instant soul to a small room that no new purchase can replicate. Start there and slowly build everything else around it. A cheap flea market find can change everything.

NEVER MATCH A matching suite of furniture looks like a showroom and feels lifeless. Rooms need tension, contrast and texture. Something rough next to something refined. That friction adds depth and makes a space, especially a small space, feel alive.

BANISH OVERHEADS Layered lighting is your mood-maker. A cordless lamp on a bookshelf, a floor

lamp by a reading chair, pillar candles on a table. Combined, they create warmth no overhead light ever could.

ANCHOR IT Let one piece – a vintage rug, a statement cabinet, a favourite artwork – set your palette and inform every soft furnishing decision. Avoid anything too matchy-matchy at all costs for small living spaces.

BUY ONCE, BUY WELL Choose a sofa style you won’t tire of rather than a passing trend. A slip-covered option is practical with children and pets –and a good cover can transform even an Ikea sofa entirely.

EDIT RUTHLESSLY Layer slowly and with patience. Use the styling triangle – an anchor piece, something with height, something smaller and considered. The best accessories tell your story. A bowl from a holiday. Your granny’s ornament. Real things.

HOW TO MAXIMISE A SMALL GARDEN

CATHERINE CARTON

@daintydressdiaries

Catherine Carton is a content creator, bestselling author, and gardening enthusiast behind the award-winning Instagram account Dainty Dress Diaries, built on the belief that you can have a beautiful home and garden on any budget. Her Dublin garden, once a bare rectangle of grass, is now a thriving wildlife sanctuary.

PLAN FOR STORAGE A shed is ideal, but clever storage boxes that double as benches work beautifully in smaller spaces. Edit regularly – more storage can simply mean more clutter.

START WITH THE BONES Begin with paths, seating, and the places you actually walk and sit. Once the structure is right, everything else falls into place far more naturally. Planting zones become clearer.

WORK WITH ASPECT South-facing gardens need shade and shelter. By contrast, north-facing gardens, often unfairly dismissed, can feel genuinely lush and calm. Once you stop fighting your aspect, you’ll be surprised how much your garden starts to work.

AVOID STERILE Pesticides don’t discriminate – they harm the very pollinators your garden needs. Build with nature in mind, and it will balance itself. You are sharing the space, not controlling it.

SORT THE SOIL New builds hide compacted soil and rubble beneath

the surface. Improve the ground, define your edges, and decide on seating before spending anything on planting. Let it evolve gradually.

TREAT IT AS A ROOM Define the floor with paving or decking, and the space immediately feels intentional. Then, add enclosure, layer in comfort, and play with height to make even small gardens feel larger.

FOUNDATION MATTERS

Overspending on plants is the most common mistake. Instead, spend on fencing, soil preparation and hard landscaping – the foundation is never where you cut corners. Seeds, cuttings and plant swaps cost almost nothing.

NATIVE PLANTS, ALWAYS Holly provides year-round structure and wildlife value with little to no effort. Native hawthorn hedging supports biodiversity beautifully. For small garden borders, hardy geraniums hold everything together, even throughout the most changeable Irish summer weather patterns.

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REAL HOMES

Three Irish homes that get it just right: stylish, comfortable, and full of character

Georgian

Revival

BY ORLA NELIGAN PHOTOGRAPHS ELYSE KENNEDY

HOMEOWNERS

Sarah Getty, husband Chris, and two children, Rex and Rafferty

THE HOUSE

Three-storey Georgian-style home in Newtownards, Co Down

A once-bland Georgian-style property is reimagined as a layered family home mixing old and new with clever planning, colour and design details.

There is a particular romance to the idea of a Georgian house in the countryside: symmetry, proportion, architectural details and all that space. Yet for one family relocating to Northern Ireland, the reality was rather different. “It was beautiful from the outside,” says Sarah Getty, who works at interiors shop Maven, of the three-storey Georgian-style property they purchased in May 2022, “but inside was another story – completely devoid of any character or charm.”

Moving from a compact four-bedroom townhouse in London with her husband Chris and two kids, Rex and Rafferty, Sarah had been looking for a forever home, somewhere with an abundance of space, a big garden, room to entertain, near her family and proximity to Belfast to accommodate her husband’s weekly commute to London. Working with architect Donna Collins of Dot Projects, her mission was to create an interior that felt more sensitive to the period and location, yet accommodate a modern family. The internal layout was gutted and reconfigured, and a substantial rear extension was added, which now houses the kitchen, living and dining space, while a clever ‘broken plan’ layout introduces intimacy through zoning rather than walls. A playroom branches off via sliding doors, while upstairs, the master suite was expanded to include a dressing room, en-suite and cleverly integrated laundry cupboard, one of Donna’s more inspired ideas. Behind bespoke doors sits a washing machine and tumble dryer, alongside a pull-out drawer for folding clothes, shelving, and a rail for hanging garments. “There’s even a dedicated pull-out basket for odd socks,” says Sarah. A simple but ingenious addition that keeps everything organised until pairs are reunited. “It’s probably

ABOVE Brompton porcelain field liquorice and milk, Ca'Pietra tiles from David Scott make an impression in the hallway, along with a bespoke sculpture by Jilly Sutton, a dear friend of Sarah's, the couple's most prized possession. Pendant light from TK Maxx, a shoe locker from Garden Trading, hardware from Matilda Goad, and crates from HAY. A combination of Fog and Terrain paint colours by Abigail Ahern creates a soft, warm entrance to the home. LEFT An hourglass pot from Ferm Living sits next to a slit table in mirror-polished stainless steel by HAY, both from Maven. On the wall hang two plates by Bella Freud.

OPPOSITE, CLOCKWISE TOP LEFT, DINING ROOM A mirror From Herbert Gould sits along a black marble coffee table by HAY, on which sits a shell vase from Home Bargains with faux flowers from Abigail Ahern. The Quaker chair in Oak by Ercol is softened with a sheepskin pad from The Wool Company; Sarah Getty by the dining table holding a mug from Ferm Living; the bespoke kitchen by Function Design Furniture inspired by DeVOL. Ca'Pietra terracotta parquet tiles from David Scott. Checked tablecloth by Ferm Living from Maven.

PLAYROOM The walls are painted in Indian Yellow by Farrow and Ball. Bean bags from the Luxury Nursery Company and a metal locker in Vanilla from Urban Lockers finish the room.

Many hours were spent with Function Design Furniture designing the kitchen, which was inspired by DeVOL. Ca Pietra terracotta tiles meet engineered oak flooring between the kitchen and dining area. Green vintage kitchen scales, belonging to Sarah's late mother-in-law, sit on the kitchen shelf along with Annadale Brickworks cups, bowls, and tins bought from HAY. Counter stools by Muuto in oak are a sleek, contemporary addition to the dramatic kitchen, along with Orla pendant lights from Spark and Bell and a Kizu portable table lamp.

the smallest space in the house, but it’s one of the most functional and fast becoming my favourite,” she notes.

Turning the somewhat characterless interior shell into something more considered called for a deft hand and Sarah’s pool of experience sourcing homewares.

“I once read that if you always buy the things you really love rather than following trends, it will always work in your home; you’ll see your sense of style emerge from that as you are being true to yourself.”

This philosophy is evident throughout. Heirloom pieces – mahogany bedside tables from her husband’s family, silver from a great-grandmother and treasured objects from her father – sit comfortably alongside contemporary design. A Carl Hansen & Søn chair rests on a rug from high-street shop Next; a Soho Home lamp pairs with modern side tables from &Tradition; Ferm Living planters and shelves dotted with personal objects and antiques: a cigarette holder from her grandmother and African elephant bookends from a family member. The result is a mix of old and new: antiques and heirlooms that lend their age and patina alongside contemporary purchases that feel fresh and relevant. “I think people assume everything has to be expensive to look good, but mixing high and low is what makes it feel real,” she says.

This layered approach extends to art and accessories: a neon pineapple adds irreverence, while a portrait by Rusty Studios titled 'Sandra' introduces warmth and colour to the kitchen. Even the lighting becomes a point of play – the dining room pendant by Polish designer Pani Jurek features glass test tubes that can be filled and styled seasonally, from dried flowers to festive touches. Perhaps the most transformative element of the project is the confident use of colour. Inspired in part by Abigail Ahern’s signature dramatic aesthetic, Sarah embraced colour-drenching to create immersive, atmospheric spaces. The ‘good room’ is wrapped in a deep Rivington Blue, while the hallway is cloaked in a moody Fog by Abigail Ahern. Even functional spaces are treated with care: the playroom balances a joyful yellow with lighter tones for a sense of energy and light. And outside, green tiles are a nod to London’s pub and shop fronts and pair beautifully with Ca’ Pietra green striped tiles in the porch. “I love how colour can completely change how a room feels,” says Sarah. “It’s one of the most impactful – and cost-effective

ABOVE Walls painted in Abigail Ahern's Rivington Blue. An old cast-iron from Ryan and Smith in Dungannon; green sofa from Swoon, A handmade Berber rug from Haz Interiors adds colour, as does the artwork by Brooklyn Wheeler, brought from their old house in London, along with the pendant light, and the Oyster light from Ferm castironings RIGHT The Sally sofa by Sits in green, along with a rug by Layered and faux sheepskin from Next OPPOSITE A sideboard from Swoon Editions, sits behind the sofa, decorated with accessories from HAY, next to Ferm Living plant pots, all from Maven.

– things you can do.” Bathrooms, too, were given particular attention. Using Burlington fixtures for consistency, they are elevated through carefully selected tiles from Ca’Pietra and Mandarin Stone. “We spent so much time researching tiles,” she admits. “They’re probably my favourite thing in the house.”

The kitchen is a standout, a bespoke interpretation of a deVOL design, crafted locally by Function Design to achieve the same rustic, timeworn appeal without the logistical challenges of importing. “I am forever grateful to the guys at Function Design for the time they spent rubbing down the kitchen cabinetry to achieve that worn look,” says Sarah. It’s an example of the considered approach she took: nothing rushed, with equal amounts of comfort, function, and design appeal underpinning it all. A boot room, understairs storage, and multiple laundry areas ensure the house works as hard as it looks. “We wanted it to be beautiful, but also practical,” she notes. “It’s a family home first and foremost.” The U-shaped SITS sofa was another nonnegotiable. Deep and slouchy, it had to be the perfect sofa for an afternoon nap, according to her husband, Chris, but it's also versatile, with removable covers you can wash and swap over time.

In hindsight, she admits she might have listened more closely to her architect’s advice – particularly when it came to rendering the extension in white rather than matching the original brick. “You live and learn,” she says lightly. “I might have also chosen easier floor tiles to clean,” she laughs, referring to the Ca ‘Pietra terracotta tiles in her kitchen, which, she admits, are a ‘nightmare to clean’. Other

ENSUITE Microcement creates a seamless look in the ensuite shower, paired with Iggy White Gloss mosaic tiles by Mandarin Stone. Brassware in polished nickel is by Victrion. OPPOSITE, FAMILY BATHROOM

Geometric tiles from Mandarin Stone. Striped towels from H&M. Wall lights from Spark and Bell. A vintage stool from a market in London. The first-aid cabinet is from Garden Trading. Recycled wooden shelf from Graham and Green, on which sits a print by David Shrigley. OPPOSITE, EN SUITE Brassware from Burlington Bathrooms. Rosso Di Sacchi tumbled marble tiles for the floor. Swan planter from Anthropologie, accessories from Ferm Living and Abigail Ahern dot the shelves.

lessons were more practical: unforeseen groundworks added to the budget, which ultimately rose to around £500,000, including a multi-use sports court in the garden. Yet these are minor footnotes in an otherwise dream journey. “When we walk in, we just feel happy, there’s a real sense of peace here,” says Sarah. And perhaps that is the true essence of good design: not just how a space looks, but how it makes you feel.

Follow Sarah's renovation journey on Instagram @rainey_house

CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT The dressing room walls are painted in Kelp by Abigail Ahern. A reclaimed parquet floor is from a Parisian château, sourced from Wilson's Salvage Yard in Dromore. Modular shelving by Strin in Cashmere metal and oak; large Pond mirror with brass edging by Ferm Living, all from Maven. DOWNSTAIRS BATHROOM is painted in Downpipe by Farrow and Ball. Sanitaryware and brassware from Burlington Bathrooms. The mirror and wall lights are from La Redoute. MASTER BEDROOM Kelp was also chosen for the walls and ceiling; the illustration rug is also Abigail Ahern. The chandelier is a

SARAH'S

RENOVATION TIPS

COLOUR DRENCHING If you paint your ceiling white, your eyes will be drawn upwards, and you want them to focus on the beautiful colour you have painted your walls. Colour drenching also gives the illusion of spaciousness and creates drama. It is one of the most cost-effective ways to give a room a big visual impact.

SPEND TIME ON THE PLANNING Rome wasn’t built in a day. Take your time over decisions and plan ahead. Take screenshots of interiors you like and save them in the appropriate folders on your phone. You will see your sense of style developing through this.

LIGHTING PLAN It’s worth giving it plenty of time. Think ahead about things like plug points and where you want lights to go, because the builders will ask you one day and need an answer ‘now’!

CONTINGENCY We had a contingency budget, but we were still surprised with hidden costs, so be prepared for curveballs.

DECISIONS These take time, as does sourcing, so factor that into your time-scale and try to approach your renovation with as many decisions made, it’ll keep you on schedule and hopefully on budget.

SARAH'S TIP

1

CURATE OVER TIME Take your time creating your spaces, and buy pieces you really love rather than following trends. If you always buy the bits you love, you will see your sense of style emerge, and your house will remain timeless, as you will always love those pieces.

Large Hourglass pot €349, Fermliving.com

SARAH'S TIP

3

PORTABLE LIGHTS No one uses the‘big light’ anymore, except for decorative reasons, so creating lots of sources of lighting to create ambience is a must. Portable lights give you the flexibility to add light to places where you can’t run cables, kitchen islands, and dining tables, and you can even bring them outside for some atmosphere on summer nights.

Pond mirror, €169, Aprilandthebear.com

SARAH'S TIP

2 THRIFT Don't be afraid to scour big-ticket items on eBay, Facebook Marketplace, or other second-hand sites - you never know what you might find or what you could save.

Colby rechargeable portable rattan table lamp, €52, Marksandspencer.com

HayJ104 chair Industryandco.com

Gingham napkins, set of 4, €14.99, Hm.com

FutureEyes

When Hannah O'Neill bought a Victorian house in Dublin 6, she saw past the crumbling walls and overgrown garden to the home it could become

BY NIKKI WALSH PHOTOGRAPHS ELYSE KENNEDY STYLING SOPHIE MCKENNA

HOMEOWNERS

Hannah O'Neill, her husband Andrew, and children, Hugo and Arthur

THE HOUSE

A three-storey 1845 Victorian Townhouse in Rathmines, Dublin 6

The first time Hannah O’Neill viewed her three-storey period home, she had to fight her way through a thicket of overgrown trees to get to the front door. "It had been in the same family for a hundred years," she recalls, "and while it needed some care, it was very much in its original state, with stunning features.” Walking from room to room with what she refers to as "future eyes" she could see its potential, despite the crumbling walls. "I grew up in a Victorian townhouse, so I knew how beautiful the rooms could be."

Finding her own style was a longer journey. "There's so much noise out there on social media and Pinterest. I didn't know what I wanted, and there was a lot of self-reflection at the beginning. In the end, what helped me so much was to go into each room and ask myself, how do I want to feel in this room?" she says. She and her husband lived in the house for three years before they began renovating, freshening the walls with paint and adding a small shower room for convenience, and then brought in builders. "It was hard, but now I'm grateful, because it gave us a better house," she explains. "The light exploded into the front of the house in the morning, so we moved the

EXTERIOR & HALLWAY The front door is painted in Farrow & Ball's Stoney Ground, framed by trees and hedging from Carragh Nurseries. Inside, marble checkerboard tiles from Fossil Stone bring graphic impact to the hallway. Panelling in Farrow & Ball's Pointing meets walls in Dimity. A cream wool herringbone stair runner from Fibre Flooring, is from Des Kelly Interior. Antique brass door knobs are from Proline

LIVING ROOM The light beige Sally sofa is from The Sofa Room. The olive herringbone throw is from Zara Home with scatter cushions from Housebarn. A matching ottoman, upholstered in Andrew Martin fabric, rests on a textured Blue Elephant rug from Wayfair and carries a decorative chrome tray from TK Maxx, while framed floral prints from Housebarn add a botanical note. Walls are painted in Colourtrend's Powdered Shell, with curtains from Hillarys and a Thierry matt black reading light from Hicken Lighting. Custom media wall joinery by Michael Farrell, finished in Villa Nova's Malmo Serene Cappuccino wallpaper, grounds the scheme behind glass doors from Carlson

KITCHEN LIVING Hand-painted cabinetry in Colourtrend's Salter Stone, with custom joinery by Michael Farrell, topped with Calacatta Hermitage stone in matt from Granite and Marble Crafts. The dark oak island, also by Michael Farrell, anchors the room, paired with an Alcor ash wood table by Kristensen & Kristensen, and a custom corner banquette in herringbone fabric by McGuigan Furniture. Kylie raw old bronze pendants and black spotlights are from Hicken Lighting. Brass cabinetry hardware is from Armac Martin's Queslett and Bakes collection. A Quooker Classic brass tap warm the palette against walls in Powdered Shell and a Havwoods hardwood floor. Plaster botanical prints are from Housebarn. A Belgian linen olive armchair is from The Sofa Room. De'Longhi La Specialista Arte coffee machine and a Lacanche Cluny Classic oven in Anthracite with brass trim. Italian terracotta herb pots are by Bergs Potter from Nordic Nest, Chopping boards and a wooden spoon pot are all Zara Home, cream salt and pepper mills from Housebarn, a marble pestle and mortar from TK Maxx

“Simply sitting in the room makes me feel grateful and at peace. I do a lot of mindfulness practices in this space.”

north-facing kitchen, which was at the back of the front. We wouldn't have done that if we had begun renovating straight away."

The building work took six months. Like all old houses, there were a few surprises. "The back roof needed to be completely redone, and we found dry rot in some of the rooms. I was so relieved we had built in a contingency budget." Hannah made all the interior design decisions with her husband, using PowerPoint to imagine the rooms as a whole. One of her biggest challenges was ensuring the kitchen could accommodate both a table and an island, which she solved by installing a banquette. "I really wanted a family table, so we could all sit down and eat together." With its calming palette of greens and browns and an emphasis on natural materials, the kitchen is one of her favourite rooms. The garden was also all her own work. Again, using PowerPoint, she divided it into zones, with a courtyard for her toddler sons to play; a cosy corner with an outdoor kitchen and fireplace for entertaining; and a small lawn for sunbathing. A keen gardener, there are also flower

RECEPTION ROOM Walls in Farrow & Ball's Joa's White create a warm, light-filled backdrop for ochre velvet armchairs from Optisofa and a cream sofa from Dutchbone, dressed with cushions from Zara Home. A Victorian antique marble fireplace from Wilsons Yard in Belfast is topped by an antique mirror, a treasured family heirloom. Round coffee tables and a ceiling light from Wayfair sit alongside a marble-topped table from H&M Home, while a cream rug from Zara Home grounds the room over hardwood floors with brass trim from Havwoods. Table and reading lamps from Zara Home, an Italian terracotta pot is Bergs Potter from Nordic Nest, candlestick holders from Dunnes and candlesticks from Rosalins in Ranelagh add the finishing touches, with bespoke cabinetry joinery by SC Carpentry

“There's so much noise out there on social media and Pinterest. I didn't know what I wanted and there was a lot of self-reflection at the beginning. In the end, what helped me was to go into each room and ask myself, how do I want to feel in this room?"

beds, including a herb garden. She is grateful to everyone she worked with for parting with their knowledge and experience so readily. At Fossil Stone, where she sourced her tiles, she found a team who truly understood her vision. "They really listened to me, they really got what I was going for, and they were so honest.” Glenna Lynch at The Sofa Room proved equally as helpful in sourcing the right sofa for the living spaces.

The end result is a family-friendly four-bedroom house with an informal kitchen and living room at ground level that opens onto the garden. Upstairs, more formal living areas give adults space and privacy, while a top-floor living room with lots of light is the ideal place to escape with a book. Her favourite spot? The first-floor living room is where she and her husband retreat. "It has a very grand presence and a really warm and inviting energy. Simply sitting in the room makes me feel grateful and at peace. I do a lot of mindfulness practices in this space.”

So what advice does she have for other would-be renovators? Invest in the things that are difficult

POWDER ROOM Walls are painted in Farrow & Ball's Mahogany with a Calacatta Viola marble sink from Premiummarblestone on Etsy is paired with brushed-nickel taps by Burlington from Waterloo Bathrooms. A bronze Richmond wall light from Hicken Lighting and a handmade brass mirror from VienaHome on Etsy complete the look

DINING ROOM The walls and ceilings are drenched in Colourtrend's Bitter Chocolate. A hardwood table from WOO Design is paired with chairs from Dutchbone, set over a Zara Home rug. An antique marble fireplace from Wilsons Yard in Belfast anchors the space, framed by bespoke cabinetry joinery by SC Carpentry. The pendant is from Hicken Lighting, with curtains from Hillarys

“Watching it all come together, however slowly, was incredibly fulfilling.”

to change. Focus on these design decisions. By this I mean the tiles, the stove, the fireplace. And take your time."

She spent many hours playing around on AI. "It can be really helpful for problem solving. And to see what it would look like before you make the investment." Regarding what she might have done differently, she is considered: “Planned timelines with more contingency. Everything takes longer than you expect, and for us, there was a lot of pressure to get it in time for Christmas, even though we thought we would be in for October. If I were to do it again, I would plan for things to take much longer than you think. There are a lot of specialists and sub-contractors involved in these types of projects, and you need to work around their availability.” It was all worth the wait. “Watching it all come together, however slowly, was incredibly fulfilling.”

BATHROOM & MASTER Restored stained glass by Glashaus filters light across the landing. In the master, an antique bureau that came with the house pairs with a Loire stool from Arnotts, lit by bronze wall lights from Zara Home. Curtains and curtain poles are from Hillarys. The Bergen Stonika bath stone is from Granite and Marble Crafts

MASTER & SHOWER ROOM A walnut four-poster bed from WOO Design anchors the master, dressed in white cotton sheets and a duvet set from The White Company, against walls painted in Farrow & Ball's Dimity. Textured plaster lamps and side tables are from Zara Home. A custom vanity unit by Michael Farrell, topped with stone from Granite and Marble Crafts, pairs with polished-nickel taps by Perrin & Rowe from Waterloo Bathrooms. A custom mirror from AC Taylor and polished-nickel wall lights from Hicken Lighting complete the space

NURSERY Bespoke shelving joinery by SC Carpentry, spray-painted in Farrow & Ball's Pointing, lines the nursery, layered with wooden book shelves from Amazon. Forrest bunk beds from Homeline Furniture and hot air balloon bedding from Zara Home bring a playful note, while a soft carpet from Des Kelly Interiors and traditional Milano Windsor radiators from BestHeating ground the room in comfort

HANNAH O'NEILL'S TIPS

RENOVATE WITH EASE

SHOP AROUND Get at least three quotes, because they can vary considerably. Don't be afraid to negotiate and shop local if you can.

BRING YOUR OWN SKILLSET It can save you money. My husband and I both work in finance so we did the financial management ourselves. I am a project manager, so I project managed the build, too. But know where your expertise starts and ends, and bring the experts in for the areas in which you are not confident.

PLAN YOUR LIGHTING Layer as much as possible. Don't rely on downlights. Invest in wall lights, lamps, decorative lighting. You can hire lighting designers, but there are lots of tip online for free.

CELEBRATE YOUR ARCHITECTURE Our house is an 1845 Victorian townhouse so we tried to restore and highlight original details through uplighting and paint colours to make the house feel unique.

MAKE DECISIONS BEFORE THE EXPERTS ARRIVE

During the renovation there is an initial lull when they are doing demolition and then construction kicks in and there is a snowball of decisions that come at you and you need to make these decisions quickly or it will affect time lines. Knowing what you want from the outset – from materials to finishes –will help you build momentum.

REPEAT COLOURS AND MATERIALS This creates flow and harmony and makes every room indoors and out, feel considered.

Follow Hannah's renovation journey on Instagram @victorian_No.13

GARDEN Natural Egyptian limestone paving from Tile Merchant runs through the garden. The outdoor fi replace is lined in limestone herringbone tiles from Fossil Stone, fitted with a stainless steel insert from Zara Home. The Maset solid eucalyptus table is from Kave Home

Brooklyn dome pendant, €186, Hickenlighting.com

1

STYLING FOCAL POINTS When you are styling shelves or a coffee table, create interest and focal points through shape, colour and texture. Plants bring balance and softness to a space, antiques bring age and texture.

Tranquil Blooms poster €11.92, Gallerix.ie

Ethnicraft nesting tables, €1,249, Cadesign.ie

Macha cashmere and lambswool throw, €175, Foxford.com

Araucaria Ceramics mug, €36, Irishdesignshop.com

HANNAH'S TIP

3

LEAVE FURNITURE SPACE It makes a room feel much more luxurious and creates better flow if you leave space between the furniture and the wall.

Foss vase, €190, Ecrustudios.com

Mölle Stripe 5739, €78 per roll, Borastapeter.com

HANNAH'S TIP

2

RUGS TO DEFINE ZONES

Bella teak wood table, €959, Woodesign.ie

Make sure your furniture is on the rug, and that it is big enough; this really helps to anchor a room.

Square natural lacquer tray, €98, Hedgeroe.com

Eliza 2 Seater loose cover sofa, €4,250, Neptune.com

Sisal Herringbone rug with beige border, €129, Rugs.ie

INSIDE HIS STYLE

Brendan Courtney’s considered Wicklow home

Brendan Courtney’s approach to home comes from something he’s always known in his work: the right environment makes all the difference. As a broadcaster, fashion designer, and now furniture designer – the Brendan Courtney Home & Garden collection for EZ Living Interiors – he has spent his career thinking about how things look, feel, and work. His Wicklow house has put those instincts to the test. After a renovation, an unexpected accident, and a full extension, his coastal pad is almost finished. Almost.

BY SIVE O’BRIEN PHOTOGRAPHS MARLENE WESSELS

LEFT Brendan and Nancy Drew (the dog) on the terrace, surrounded by the Brendan Courtney Home & Garden collection for EZ Living Interiors, with additional accessories from EZ Living Interiors. ABOVE The suspended stove is from HDL Dublin. Shelving unit, sofa, armchair, dining table, all EZ Living Interiors. Perspex Ghost chair, Philippe Starck. BELOW Nancy in front of a bespoke cushion by Noelle Interiors.

“I spent a lot of time in the house before the extension, so I really knew what I wanted.”

A WINDING ROAD The house was bought in November 2023, and what followed was, in Brendan’s own words, “a winding road.” The renovation took all of 2024. Moving in began in the summer of 2025, but before the extension could begin, a car crashed into the house in August, an incident that ultimately changed the scale of the entire project. The rebuild and extension started in November 2025 and, at the time of writing, are still in their final stages.

The phasing was always intentional. “This build has always been in stages in my head, for livability and budgetary reasons,” he says. “I wanted to first make the house livable and then tackle the extension.” The outdoor space came into sharper focus once the extension was signed off: the house sits on a hill, so engineering a usable garden required serious thought and structural rigour.

PATIENCE AND PROCESS Patience was key. “You have to keep on it and manage it, but try not to let it consume you.” Brendan also kept a close eye on the budget, working with quantity surveyor Lisa O’Brien throughout. “She managed the budget and saved me a lot of heartache.” According to his builder, Brendan was a decisive client. “Larkrock (builders) commented that I didn’t change my mind much, because I considered every core element at length. I spent a lot of time in the house before the extension, so I really knew what I wanted.”

FOLLOWING THE SUN The outdoor area is so new that Brendan is still finding his way around it. “I am literally only in the door. I sit in the morning with a coffee, and if the sun pops, I sit out.” The design logic, however, was well worked through. Rather than fight the slope, he designed around it. The same 900mm tile that runs from the front door through every room of the house continues out into the back garden, creating a seamless, cohesive flow that reads as deliberate rather than convenient.

“We don’t live in Miami,” he says, “so the weather really determines how much I use the outdoor space.” The layout is thoughtful: there’s dining just inside the wide sliding doors, an outdoor seating area beyond that, and more steps down to another dining level. “You follow the sun and move through the day.” The real test, he says, will be the housewarming party still to come.

THE LOGIC OF WHITE The outdoor furniture is entirely Brendan’s own design, the Brendan Courtney Home & Garden collection for EZ Living Interiors, conceived to move indoors in winter and function just as well there. Everything else reads pale and muted: greys and whites throughout, a choice that was more strategic than aesthetic at first. “I was too focused on getting the layout and structure right, so muted finishes saved money and time. I can add colour later.” There were practical advantages too: the dog, Nancy, sheds relentlessly; white makes that easier to manage. And when the final painting came around, having the entire space in white meant the painter spray-painted everything – twice – in two days. “I actually love the serenity of white,” he adds. “And I’ve come to love it more.”

THE TILES are what tie the whole house together. The same tiles are used on every floor. “That gives a very nice cohesion and a lovely, smooth aesthetic in a smaller house.” For the bathrooms and hallway, he chose a simple pink brick tile, all from Halo Tiles. All the furniture is raised on legs, which

ABOVE LEFT Dining table and chairs, all EZ LIving Interiors. ABOVE Shelving unit, EZ LIving Interiors. On the shelf, a 25-year-old Philippe Starck lamp and Brendan’s grandmother’s Aynsley vase. BELOW Print by Lance Neal, a ‘new home’ gift from friends at Glenmalure Lodge, Co Wicklow. BELOW RIGHT Ralph Lauren sugar bowl, a Christmas gift from Brendan’s late best friend Alan Duffy that has travelled with him from South Africa to London and now Wicklow, and remains his most cherished treasure.

makes cleaning easier. Corrugated glass doors help light travel through the house. Every choice comes back to the same idea: thoughtful restraint.

POOLS OF LIGHT Lighting is never an afterthought for Brendan. “I always start with a cheap pack of solar fairy lights in the garden and take it from there.” He always aims for artificial light to appear as “delicate pools.” He’s added four bollard lights outside, with plans to hide them among plants. Inside, the finishing touch that made the house feel complete was the floating wood-burning fireplace. “When I lit that for the first time, it felt like home.”

His favourite spot in the house says it all. It’s the top end of the dining table. “I can work there, eat there and read. I am sitting beside the wood-burning fire while looking out at the sea.”

DON’T RUSH THE ART Brendan has a rule for hanging art: “Put art on the floor where you plan to hang it, then wait one year. Art should be placed in the exact perfect spot and live on a wall forever. I like to be absolutely sure I want it there.” This same instinct has guided the whole project, a willingness to live in the space before making decisions, letting the house show exactly what it needs.

WHAT’S NEXT There’s still some snagging to do, and the garden hasn’t been finished yet. Two more episodes of The Great House Revival are coming this autumn, a new series of Keys to My Life is being made for RTÉ One, and Radio 1 returns in July. Brendan is also working on a second furniture collection. The house, like his career, is never really finished, and that’s just how he likes it.

Brendan Courtney Home & Garden Collection at EZ-Livinginteriors.ie

“Put art on the floor where you plan to hang it, then wait one year. Art should be placed in the exact perfect spot and live on a wall forever. I like to be absolutely sure I want it there.”

BATHROOM TRENDS

fresh soak

BY ORLA NELIGAN

The colours, surface finishes, statement fixtures and clever storage ideas you need to know about, according to industry experts

ARCHES

Few design features soften a space quite like an arch. ‘I’m a big fan of a curve, especially an arch,” says interior designer Elaine Verdon of Leo + Cici design studio.

“They add just the right amount of softness and balance out straight lines and angles. Arches have a long architectural history, so they are less trendy and more timeless.”

They also add architectural interest to a space – a subtle arched shower niche or entryway can feel so chic. “Pair with beautiful mixed materials like stone and polished cement or lime wash walls for a timeless look,” Elaine says. Arched shower niche Quorn Stone, Mystonefloor.com

COLOURED BASINS

After years of monotonous sweeps of white ceramics, coloured basins are having a design moment, adding a much-needed colour hit and plenty of personality and interest to our bathrooms.

“The good news is sanitaryware no longer needs to coordinate,”

says Amy Bartlett, creative director at Kast. “The basin has become a focal point, chosen for its material presence and tactile quality as much as its function. A coloured concrete basin introduces a layered tension, whether it’s sitting against the cool flatness of white tile or the depth of a richly pigmented wall. That contrast is where the interest lives. Crimson has been one of our strongest performers, and we’re seeing a real appetite for colours that feel architectural rather than decorative.” Rue basin in crimson by Kast, Kastconcretebasins.com

WALK-IN SHOWERS

Frameless glass, oversized showerheads, built-in benches, and open-plan enclosures are replacing bulky box-like showers and even baths.

“Freestanding baths are still hugely popular visually, although interestingly, we are seeing more people prioritising large walk-in showers instead, especially where space is tight,”

notes Denise O’Connor of Optimise Design. “Practically, it’s one less glass panel to clean, and decoratively, it’s allowing the room and you to breathe while adding character.”

Amala 9.5kw Electric Shower in black and brushed brass, Tritonshowers.ie

SINK SKIRTS

The once humble sink skirt, used to conceal the unsightly in our grannies’ kitchens, is back but with an extra dose of charm and style. Interior designer Moya Farrell loves this hack for concealing unsightly pipework, especially when the existing sink may not look as nice underneath, she says.

“In a new bathroom, they are an opportunity to introduce some character, texture and charm.”

By opting for open shelving behind the skirt, you can also maximise storage, particularly where there is an undermount sink, which can result in awkward U-shaped drawers or wasted space.”

Interior designer Louise Roe’s bathroom combines Folly in Berber Brown by Schumacher wallpaper with a sink skirt made from her Cabana x Schumacher fabric; Sharland-england.com

CLEVER STORAGE

If you’re trying to create a ‘home sanctuary’, there’s nothing like a family-filled bathroom of clutter to interrupt the calm. Storage needs to work hard in a bathroom and should be a key consideration from the very start, according to interior designer Tullio Orlandi.

“Built-in

storage can completely change the overall fi nish of a bathroom. Recessed niches or integrated shelving within the shower area not only look cleaner but also remove the need for bottles and products sitting on the fl oor or hanging from shower baskets.”

Existing alcoves or empty spots should always be utilised: “wallhung vanities will also give the illusion of space, leaving the floor clear.” Orlandi explains. Roper Rhodes and Homebirds bathroom renovation, Roperrhodes.co.uk

FREESTANDING BATHS

A good soak goes hand in hand with the home spa trend, and for many, a bath is non-negotiable.

“Not only do they create a beautiful focal point within the room, but they also bring a sense of elegance, comfort and indulgence that instantly elevates the entire space,”

says Louise Hanly of Bathworks. “In today’s busy world, creating a space dedicated to wellness within the home has never been more important, and a freestanding bath is the perfect centrepiece to achieve exactly that.”

Freestanding bath, Sonasbathrooms.com

CHECKERBOARD TILES

The checkerboard pattern is having a grown-up glowup, with homeowners choosing chicer, softer colour combinations that feel elevated for modern life.

“Tile choices are evolving with many clients opting for playful patterns and colours,”

says Ruth McCarthy, marketing manager at Tilestyle. “We are seeing a strong resurgence of checkerboard tiling. Laid diagonally, it brings a timeless, classic sensibility, while a straight-set application feels cleaner and more contemporary. The traditional black and white combination is still popular, but more people are embracing different colour combinations: pinks, greens and terracotta, yet it still feels familiar and classic.” Red and white checkerboard tiles and Tilde brick basin by Kast, Kastconcretebasins.com

COLOUR DRENCHING

The ‘drench’ has been trickling into our homes since last year, as people opt for a more maximalist, albeit gentle, scheme. Elaine Quayle from Colourtrend suggests starting in the bathroom if you’re dipping your toe in.

“Colour

drenching is a fun, simple and inexpensive way to create a wow-space in your home. Bathrooms are a great place to start with these techniques as they are smaller and have di erent surfaces that really heighten the e ect.”

One shade throughout also eliminates visual distractions and helps create a calm, cocooning effect,” Quayle explains. Green colour drenched bathroom accessories, all Dunelm.com

- Sandyford - Kylemore - Cork

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

INTERIOR DESIGN CONSULTATIONS BATHROOM DESIGN 3 D - Galway - Kilkenny - Limerick - Tralee - Ennis - Sligo - Wexford - Navan - Athlone

HOME SAUNA

The focus on self-care that gained momentum during lockdown remains, particularly in bathrooms, where homeowners seek to create personal sanctuaries. While few opt for full-scale spa retreats, Ita O’Brien, head of interior specifications at Versatile Bathrooms, observes a noticeable increase in home saunas.

“These wellness additions are seen as investments in lifestyle, wellbeing, and property value.”

It’s also about supporting stress relief at home, “there is a huge rise in interest in steam rooms,” Ita notes. Japaneseinspired home sauna, Versatile.ie

CLEVER DECORATIVE LIGHTING

Baths and showers often take centre stage in bathroom design, with lighting relegated to an afterthought. And yet, it’s a major player in setting the tone for the whole space: “It really is an underestimated area of bathroom design,” says Geri O’Toole from Geri Designs.

“Face-on lighting from mirrors is always a good option; wall sconces, add function and style. If you have a hidden shadow gap in the ceiling or a wall-mounted vanity, you can sink LED lights into gaps or under the vanity, which gives a soft level of lighting when you need it.”

Geri also calls out simple things like discreet or directional downlighters, only where needed, as effective choices. Brass wall scones with pleated shades, Pooky.com

STATEMENT TILES AND TILE DRENCHING

Tiles in a bathroom are nothing new, but there’s been a noticeable shift from the largeformat greys and beiges that dominated for years to more expressive and personal choices, with dramatic patterns and tile drenching out front. “Customers are becoming more adventurous,” says Gintare Tumosa, designer at XO Tiles.

“Geometric, square, stripes, 3D tiles and even coloured grout are having major design moments.”

Tile drenching has become the bold alternative to paint, offering the potential for more confident, playful designs. Portuguese tiles with Lapiaz gold vessel sink, Koi curvy wall mirror Covet Houser; Covethouse.eu

MICROCEMENT

Imagine never having to scrub the grime out of white grout again? You had me at grout. Microcement is the seamless solution to the above, but it also delivers architectural aesthetics and tactility. “The finish really depends on the quality of the product,” says Anna Bourgharbel, owner of Maison Anna B, specialising in microcementing.

“Ultimately you get this beautiful clean surface with subtle texture and movement unlike paint or tiles. It’s a lovely complement to tiles and panelling, even paint, and gives a calm and cocooning spa feel, which we all need a bit of right now.”

Microcement in Cocomilk in the bathroom of Anna Bourghabel, owner of Maison Anna B. Maisonannab.com

LIVING GREEN

In another bid to move away from the clinical schemes of the past, nature is proving to be a cost-effective design element. Not only do plants thrive in high-moisture conditions, but, according to interior designer Lisa Hayes of Fabric Design, they add texture and softness and are great space fillers.

“Adding greenery is a really simple way to make a bathroom feel warmer, calmer and less clinical. Bathrooms are a great environment for houseplants, as the warm, humid air is similar to tropical conditions that plants such as ferns and monsteras naturally thrive in.”

Lisa recommends larger plants tucked into empty corners, while hanging planters and floating shelves are an easy way to add more greenery without taking up valuable floor space. Bathroom with living green wall, Darian bathtub and towel rack by Maison Valentina; Maisonvalentina.net

Powerful showers expected Triton

This beautifully redesigned unit will bestow you with great power, rain, hail or shine. Feast your eyes at tritonshowers.ie

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the ceiling, creating a soothing, cocooning effect, Zoewillisdesign.com

big

BATHROOM

Your next renovation project beckons: we’ve made that tricky bathroom update easy with four schemes for all budgets

BY KIRSTIE MCDERMOTT

From €8,000

SHOPPING LIST

THE COMPACT BATHROOM

Many Irish homes have a WC tucked away in a compact space, or a small ensuite addition carved out of an existing bedroom. These bathrooms may be petite, ranging from around 1.1 sq m to 2 sq m, but they can be mighty. Their tidy size also means an upgrade is affordable. Leave the plumbing locations as is to save on labour costs, and add interest with wallpaper, statement tiles, coloured sinks and lighting. “Test your courage,” urges interior designer Zoe Willis. Even if the rest of your home is restrained, she says this little room can reveal an edge of your personality.

Close-coupled WC, €600

Wall-hung concrete basin, €1,956

Wall lights, €350

Vanity unit, €920

Underfloor heating, €450

Designer wallpaper, €1,760

Brass taps, €720

Shower tray, enclosure and concealed shower, €1,755

TOTAL €8,512

1 Eleanor brushed brass IP44 wall light , €85, Luxlighting.ie 2 Shell brass toilet roll holder, €128, Maisonfl aneur.com 3 New Eden Viridis wallpaper, €125 per roll, Grahambrown.com 4 Ashley walnut mirror, €259, Foxford.com 5 Courbe solid concrete washbasin, €980, Etsy.com 6 Freia vanity with integrated sink , €520, Sklum.com

Wall-mounting a WC and vanity in a smaller bathroom is a smart idea: clean and sleek, the lack of clutter gives the appearance of more space in this Roper Rhodes design, Btwsandyford.ie

This clever bathroom storage, featuring Sonas Pulse units, utilises a linear design to pack a lot of functionality into a small space, Sonasbathrooms.com

THE LOOK In Agne Kremenskiene’s guest bathroom scheme, large-format tiles in a warm copper tone combine with matching joinery elements, creating a visually uncluttered result. Akinterior.ie

Colour drench with tiles by extending your shower tiles across the wall. The Villeroy & Boch Verve shower system in matt black, €1,811, looks super-sleek against this tiled backdrop, Idealbathrooms.com , €19.50, Marksandspencer.com 2 Kit wall cupboard in Berry, €249, Mustardmade.com 3 Hay Colour Crate in Blush, mirror in red, €179, Stillorgandecor.ie 5 Mosaic tiles in natural stone, €100 sq m, Mosafi l.ie wall hung WC in Metro Blaze, €515, Sonasbathrooms.com

From €12,000

SHOPPING LIST

Plumber, €3,500

Tiler, €3,900

Underfloor heating, €450

Triton electric shower, €605

Ca’Pietra Zellige tiles, €365

Niko Bathrooms shower screen and tray, €951

Neptune custom colour single vanity, €1,970

Custom colour wall lights, €458

TOTAL, €12,199

THE COLOUR-DRENCHED BATHROOM

Got a bathroom that’s between 4 and 6 sq m? Take the on-trend interiors idea of colour drenching and run with it in your bathroom. Use the same tone throughout or experiment within colour families for added interest. Not only can this work for paint or microcement finishes, but you can also use this idea on tiles, textiles and joinery. Don’t forget to mix your textures too; this creates a layered, visually appealing result that screams design nous. Interior designer Agne Kremenskiene of AK Interior says large-format tiles are a great pick for impact, and bonus: they’re also cheaper to install than smaller formats.

From €20,000

SHOPPING LIST

Labour, €10,000

Wet room upgrade, €2,000

Freestanding bath, €1,625

Wall-hung WC set, €951

Terrazzo floor tiles, €750

Crosswater 2-handle shower, €1,247

Vertical column radiator, €945

Furniture set, €1,621

LED mirror cabinet, €1,165

TOTAL, €20,304

THE FAMILY BATHROOM

Whether it’s a bathroom for the whole family or one dedicated solely to teenagers, this room needs to work hard. The standard family bathroom tends to fall between 4.5 and 7.5 sq m, and those with small children know a bath is a must-have within that footprint. However, you can upgrade to a great walk-in shower if you’re catering to teens. Adding a tileable wet room shower tray gives you even more options for a seamless, flowing design. Don’t forget: a lot of your budget will go on labour costs, including strip-out, plumbing, electrics and tiling. “You can spend €10,000 on a bathroom and not really see it,” confirms Leo+Cici designer Elaine Verdon.

GET THE LOOK

1 Clover flush ceiling fitting, €230, Pooky.com 2 Crosswater Belgravia Crosshead taps, €845, Deluxebathrooms.ie 3 Hale canvas single bathroom vanity, €2,135, Anthropologie.com 4 Glade stool, €48.80, Sostrenegrene.com 5 Carrara marble herringbone mosaic, €120 sq m, Tilestyle.ie 6 Olivia armchair, from €1,950, Neptune.com

This Niko Bathrooms scheme works because it mixes textures and finishes to create a calming, welldesigned feel. Clever integrated lighting elevates things further, Nikobathrooms.ie

Nature-inpired natural stone tiles from Ca’Pietra add a luxe finish and complete a bathroom with a hand-crafted feeling, it’s all all about the details, Willow Green leaf tiles, Capietra,com

THE HANDCRAFTED BATHROOM

The luxury of space is the key signifier in creating a bathroom that doesn’t feel sterile or perfunctory in its function. Achieve the look by transforming a spare bedroom into a sanctuary. If the space has high ceilings, elegant proportions and period features such as a fireplace or a statement cornice, all the better. Offset these with antiques, natural stone, a perfect painting, and beautifully proportioned standalone joinery elements. Expensive-looking results are in the details: create tiled partitions for showers and WCs, use limewash or texture on walls and always mitre your tiles for the best finish.

From €35,000

SHOPPING LIST

Labour costs, €17,300

Steam shower, €3,500

Microcement fi nish, €5,000

Slab of quartz, €2,000

Vanity unit and stone top, €4,000

Marble top painted bath, €6,756

Towel radiator, €1,512

Roman blind, €400

TOTAL, €40,486

OPEN AIR

Room to breathe

Your garden has more to give than you think. Treat it as another room: turn a patch into the mostused room in the house, no extension required

RUTH O’CONNOR

TAKE IT OUTSIDE Fire up the barbecue, slow-roast something over coals, or toast marshmallows as the evening cools. Give yourself a proper place to cook and a table to linger at, and whole afternoons will disappear out here - weather permitting, of course. And if you don’t want to cook, you can carry the everyday kitchen ritual outside, with a coffee in hand and a quiet moment in the open air. Nardi Tevere extendable outdoor dining set, available in two sizes, from €1,599, Brackeninteriors.ie.

OUTDOOR DINING

GRILL SEEKERS Style and substance, in a barbecue that looks as good as it cooks. The Orchard stocks a range of brands including Traeger, Solo Stove, Pit Boss and Ninja. We love this Weber Master Touch C-5755 in Burnt Orange, €349, Theorchard.ie

FINER SPREAD The Shaker-inspired Broadway outdoor kitchen lends itself well to traditional countryside gardens and is painted in a timeless green to blend in with nature. Traditional timber and ceramic stone worktops work well in period properties. The Broadway outdoor kitchen, from €14,000, Neptune.com

“With an

outdoor kitchen,

look

for

exterior-grade paint finishes, hinges and catches, and small details like water drainage holes and durable UV-resistant worktops.”

FRED HORLOCK, Design Director, Neptune

BISTRO COOL Add some Parisian chic to your outdoor set-up with this bistro chair, €298, set of two, Meadowsandbyrne.com.

BUILD YOUR OWN The Vlaze Adapt is the outdoor kitchen that plays by your rules: choose a colour, then add a Big Green Egg, sink, gas barbecue or fridge to suit how you cook and use your outdoor space. Elements, from €1,650, Caraghnurseries.ie

OUTDOOR SAUNA

FEEL THE HEAT The garden sauna has shaken off its spa-day reputation to become a serious contender for outdoor rooms. Compact barrel designs and clean-lined cube units are both having a moment in Ireland. They’re also easy to instal, quick to heat and perfect for a contemporary garden. Pictured is the black CUBUS Premium at Gardenhouse24.ie

Note: assembly, heating unit and lighting cost extra. From €9,120, Gardenhouse24.ie

Olive Irish linen towel, €135, StableofIreland.com; Kolo bucket and ladle,€60, Finnishdesignshop.com

THE HOT SEAT Sauna Experts design and build every unit by hand in Ireland, and stock all the extras to match, from stones and ladles to sound systems and mood lighting. The handsome Pluto Glow seats four to six across a roomy 2 x 2.4 metres and takes either an electric or wood-burning stove, wrapping crisp modern lines around a warm, proper switch-off atmosphere made for long, slow evenings. Escape to it, just steps outside. Pluto Glow outdoor sauna, from €11,000, Saunaexperts.ie

“Saunas have gone from being a luxury extra to lifestyle staple in Ireland.”

PAUL MCCAUL Canadian Spa & Leisure

THE BIG CHILL Nothing sharpens a sauna session like a cold plunge afterwards. Tanktribe stock a range of galvanised tanks, from €590, Tanktribe.ie. If you like the traditional Finnish sauna look, try this Tribe Core Ice bath in pine, €1,989, Tossbryan.ie

OUTDOOR SAUNA MAINTENANCE

KEEP DRY Allow the sauna to ventilate fully after each use to prevent moisture build-up and to prolong the lifespan of the timber.

CLEAN REGULARLY Clean out any debris after use and give benches and floors a wipe to ensure that the sauna interior stays fresh and hygienic.

MIND THE BASE The base of your sauna should be on levelled ground, ideally on a concrete foundation. Ensure that drainage around the sauna remains clear to avoid standing water collecting.

Nishtha

Kalra at Gardenhouse24.ie

HEAT WAVE Outdoor saunas, sauna-and-plunge set-ups and home wellness spaces are all on the rise, as homeowners look for ways to relax, recover and socialise without leaving the garden. The Sola Cube, available in two sizes, from around €8,350. Canadianspaireland.com

SUMMER LOUNGING TIPS

“When it comes to neutrals, think depth, texturing and layering,” says Virginia Foley at Meadows & Byrne. “Consider a neutral palette but one that incorporates interesting details and tactile finishes such as travertine, marble, and seagrass. Colours are soft and grounded in nature rather than loud and overly bright: think rich, earthy tones like ochre, mossy greens, clays and warm browns for a sophisticated and subtle look. It’s less about how visitors view your outdoor space and more about how it makes you feel to create a calm and restorative space where you can recalibrate.”

STAY OUTSIDE Lounging weather calls for a bean bag that can take a shower. Icon Beanbags’ striped Nova is water-resistant, so a passing downpour won’t faze it. Nova bean bag, €199.99, Iconbeanbags.ie. Brands like Fatboy.com and Beanbags.ie do similar. As the light fades, a little fire goes a long way. We love the Mesa tabletop fire pit (below), neatly sized for terraces, balconies and smaller gardens. Mesa tabletop fire pit, €99.99, Theorchard.ie

ABOVE We love the Mesa tabletop fire pit, neatly sized for terraces, balconies and smaller gardens, €99.99, The Orchard, OPPOSITE Reinforced glass fibre concrete Deya coffee table, Ferm Living, €999, Aprilandthebear.com

SUMMER LOUNGING

ROAM AND BOARD The Quaruba XL Mobile Outdoor Fireplace is a customisable and robust, cube-shaped wood-burning stove crafted from corten steel. An integrated system ensures the glass remains clear and its four swivel castors means that it can be easily moved around the garden. Quaruba XL Mobile Outdoor Fireplace, €2,290, Croghan.ie

“In a world where we are constantly on and overstimulated, people seem to be craving restorative and calming spaces where they can recalibrate.”

VIRGINIA FOLEY, Meadows & Byrne

CUSHION THE BLOW New outdoor cushions are the easiest way to bring a trend home without overspending. Ticking stripes and checks feel current but never date. Water-repellent gingham covers, €15.99, set of two, Matisadeco.ie

OUTDOOR LIGHTING

SPORTABLE GLOW Cordless, rechargeable and easy to move from table to step to windowsill, the Lille (right) is the kind of light that earns its keep all summer. Crafted from aluminium in two heights, Konstsmide Lille LED rechargeable table lamps, small, €88.89; large, €116.79, Lights.ie

“Reduce

light pollution from your outdoor room by using shielded fi xtures - the right brightness levels, and warm colour temperatures cut down on blue light emissions.”

MONICA DUGGAN, Willie Duggan Lighting

The ‘Austas’ LED solar light by Lindby (below) creates the perfect outdoor ambience. The integrated warm white LED bulb is permanently installed and the light is splash and dust resistant, USB chargeable and dimmable, €123.90, Lights.ie

“A restrained approach will often achieve a more elegant result than over-lighting the space. Smart controls and dimming can also add fl exibility, allowing you to adapt the mood for di erent occasions.”

LEAH BAKER, Hicken Lighting

Cord-free, rechargeable, and portable lamps are the perfect way to give your outdoor room a glow-up. FROM LEFT ‘Luver’ portable lamp, €269, FermLiving.com; sensor-touch Fjara table or hanging lamp, €102, Hickenlighting.ie

OUTDOOR LIGHTING TIPS

WARM WHITE bulbs are often the best choice outdoors as they provide a soft effect around seating areas and patios.

IP RATING Look for the IP (ingress protection) rating: the higher the second figure, the better a fitting copes with rain and damp, which matters most in exposed or coastal spots where salt air speeds up wear.

LIGHT EVERY AREA People often focus on lighting for one particular area that they use, but look to lighting to highlight outdoor seating areas and garden rooms as well as the pathways, planting and water features to draw the eye to each feature you want to show.

Darren McCarra, Mullanlighting.ie

GLOW The Mira pendant (pictured) pairs solid brass with a real sense of craft. Its flared, caged shade takes a crackled, frosted or clear glass diffuser, lending a touch of nautical charm and a soft, welcoming glow. Available in a range of finishes at Mullan Lighting, €430, Mullanlighting.com

SHADE PARADE

Stylish parasols bring colour, cover and character to sunny spaces

LEAN BACK

Stretch out in style with loungers made for slow summer days

GROUND RULES

Outdoor rugs set the tone from the ground up, bringing colour to patios and decks

Kavehome.com

HOME RENOVATION

Room to Grow

A Rathgar family transforms their home with a bold extension, and ends up with a space every member of the family can truly call their own

BY SIVE O’BRIEN PHOTOGRAPHS LORRAINE MAGUIRE

“There’s a space for each of them to do their own thing, and then a space that brings them all back together, which has brought a new energy to the house; it’s joyful, well-used, and unmistakably theirs.”

THE PROJECT

The clients had seen interior designer Suzanne Lynam’s own home and loved it “We essentially did an expanded version of that with their house,” Suzanne says. The brief was clear: design the interiors of the extended rooms so that they flowed cohesively with the existing home, and make them feel like they belonged.

The family of six - four children ranging from 8 to 16 years old - needed spaces that could serve everyone at once: somewhere to play, exercise, and gather. The extension delivered all of it. An open-plan playroom, a sunken living room, a hidden home gym, a boys’ bedroom and a new bathroom. Bespoke joinery runs throughout, threading the spaces together and giving the whole project a considered, finished quality.

THE DESIGN ETHOS

Colour was the starting point. “The clients said they liked green, which was music to my ears,” says Suzanne. They came in knowing what they didn’t want (calm neutrals, a safe interior) and left her considerable room to move. “They wanted colour on the walls and a light-filled space. There are huge windows throughout, and a skylight over the living room’s media wall, so it feels bright, but warmth builds through the scheme in layers: a mustardtoned chair in the playroom echoes through to the coffee table in the living room; ochre tones and timber sit against a tiled floor; red details in the playroom add energy without tipping into noise. The existing house had orange in the hallway, stained glass and a few decorative details, so Suzanne picked that up in the fabric on the new window seat, threading old and new together without forcing the connection.

TOP LEFT Interior designer Suzanne Lynam perches on the Custom U-shaped sofa, designed by Love to Home Design, made by Chair Doctor. Black wall light, by Ferm Living. Marble plinth, by Audo Copenhagen. TOP RIGHT Window seat reupholstered in Yarn Collective fabrics. Reed, the wall light, by Tom Kirk Lighting. BOTTOM LEFT Custom media wall, designed by Love to Home Design, crafted by Oakheart & Co, painted in Slaked Lime Mid by Little Greene. The striped jar is by Bloomingville from Nordic Nest. White ceramic sculpture is from Curated by MRD. The antique bottles were recovered from the clients’ garden.

THE JOINERY

LEFT Green fluted tiles, green subway tiles, white hexagon floor tiles, all from Fossil Stone. Vanity, mirror and sanitaryware, from The Bathroom Boutique. RIGHT Bespoke bathroom joinery with open timber shelving and fluted closed cabinetry, designed by Love to Home Design, crafted by Oakheart & Co, painted in Slaked Lime Mid, by Little Greene. Matcha check towels by HAY from Nordic Nest. BOTTOM LEFT Bespoke stone shelf by M. Roe and Sons.

Bespoke joinery by Oakheart & Co was central to the project from the outset, but the piece that required the most attention was the sofa by Chair Doctor. Made entirely from scratch, it fills the sunken living room in a deep U-shape, large enough for four kids and two adults to pile onto at once. “The bespoke sofa involved a lot of back-and-forth to get the function, proportion, and aesthetics right all at once,” says Suzanne. The clients came into the showroom to pick the foam type and density themselves. “It made it a real journey from concept to finished piece.”

The joinery and the sofa together do the work of linking two rooms that share no connecting wall, only a change in level. The steps and materials carry that visual merge quietly, so the spaces feel designed rather than just decorated.

motif cushion by Elisabeth Dunker, from Fine Little Day. The HAY Nelson Ball Bubble pendant and Mr Watson table lamp, are both from Lampmasters.

THE CHALLENGES

The sheer volume of bespoke elements meant constant problemsolving. The biggest design challenge was creating a coherent scheme across two distinct rooms with no connecting wall between them. The transition zone between the existing kitchen and the new extension was equally complex, requiring the new palette to work with colours already embedded in the existing house.

On the build side, the sunken element meant digging into the ground. At one point, torrential rain caused flooding and significant delays, the whole area had to be resealed and waterproofed before work could continue. For a period, the extension was just a boarded-up wall from their kitchen. They lived with that board for many months. “They were incredibly patient,” says Suzanne. “And I think that made the reveal even more meaningful.”

THE MURAL

The family has a deep connection to Sligo, they visit regularly and can see Benbulbin from a spot they love. While the project was in full swing, Suzanne came across illustrator and artist Emily McKeagney on Instagram. “When the family mentioned they’d just been back from Sligo, I showed them her work and suggested commissioning something personal to them,” she says. “They were immediately on board.”

A custom mural of Benbulbin now anchors the gym. It was Emily’s first commission of this kind. “It’s so meaningful when the art in a home is specific to the people who live there,” says Suzanne. “To see it unfold and then land in the space was a lovely experience for everyone.”

Lynam Love to Home Design Lovetohomedesign.ie

THE LAYOUT

The extension sits to the side of the existing house, connecting directly to the kitchen and opening up a much larger family zone. Each space is distinct in character, but continuous in flow. “The main challenge was the open-plan area running from the existing kitchen through the playroom and down into the sunken living room,” says Suzanne. “It reads as one layout but needed to function as two distinct spaces - one for play, one for living, while feeling cohesive throughout.”

Off the living room, a home gym sits behind a hidden door set flush into the panelled wall. There is no handle on the living room side, by design. Upstairs, the boys’ bedroom was extended and a compact bathroom introduced between two of the bedrooms, a practical gain that makes the layout work considerably harder for a family of six.

THE TAKEAWAY

Two years on from breaking ground, the extension has become the undisputed heart of the home. The two older kids head straight for the gym; the younger two claim the playroom; and then everyone lands on the vast U-shaped sofa in the living room. “There’s a space for each of them to do their own thing, and then a space that brings them all back together, which has brought a new energy to the house; joyful, well-used, and unmistakably theirs,” says Suzanne. “I always say trust the process, and this was a project that really tested that, for all of us. But when you see every piece, detail, material choice come together at the end, it’s just so satisfying.”

SOURCEBOOK

ARCHITECT Dmvf.ie

CONTRACTOR Builderdublin.ie

FURNITURE Aprilandthebear.ie, Boconcept.com, Finnishdesignshop.com, Nordicnest.com

BATHROOM Thebathroomboutique.ie

UPHOLSTERY Chairdoctor.ie

JOINERY Oakheartandco.com, Croftwoodjoinery.com,

PAINTS Benjaminmoore.com, Curatorpaints.com, Littlegreene.com, Paintandpaperlibrary.com

DÉCOR Audocopenhagen.com, Curated.ie, Curatedbymdr.com, Eichholtz.com, Fermliving.com, Finelittleday.com, Finnishdesignshop.com, Flowstatefit.com, Foxford.com, Hay.dk, Ibride-design.com, Nordicnest. com, Woodesign.ie

RUG Nordicelements.com

TILES Fossilstone.ie, Italiantileandstone.ie

FLOORING Floordesign.ie, Hardwoodfloorcompany.ie

LIGHTING Hickenlighting.ie, Lampmasters.ie, Tomkirklighting.co.uk

PLANTS Hopelessbotanics.ie

FABRICS Fschumacher.eu, Yarncollective.com

MURAL Emilymckeagney.com

there’s an app that for

AI can rethink a room in seconds. We rounded up the six worth your screen time and where each one falls flat.

BY SOPHIA ARCEO

AI has reshaped whole industries, and now it’s nudging into interior design. It won’t replace a designer on a complex build, but most of us aren’t renovating to the last square metre. For inspiration, quick fixes, or something to show your designer, these apps earn their place, and even the pros lean on them for quick, imaginative renderings. We’ve rounded up six, from beginner-friendly to nearprofessional, with the pros, cons and hidden costs of each.

VISUALIZE AI

BEST FOR The nervous first-timer, the no-jargon, idea-toimage app for anyone the design world intimidates.

WHAT Apple-only, straight from the App Store. A friendly, straightforward app that reimagines your space for you, from quick fixes like a new colour scheme to bigger jobs like a full renovation.

WE LOVE It’s inviting, with no jargon or architectural terminology, so you can stick to your own vibe-ish words. It asks what you want to fix and takes your design goals into account, so the result feels personal.

PROS If you find design and architecture language intimidating, this app is for you. Built for the design explorer, it turns an idea into something you can see quickly.

CONS Navigation isn’t intuitive once you’re in, and there’s no real free version. You can’t tweak the colour scheme or products. Non-Apple users are directed to alternatives such as Simple Visualise AI instead. With no free trial and just one free coin to start, committing to the cost is a leap.

COST One coin equals one image. Test it free for one week. Two plans: Pro Yearly, €34.99 (500 credits a year) or Pro monthly, €9.99 (150 credits) for short-term projects.

ROOMSGPT

BEST FOR Free, fast inspiration. Its standout is unlimited free renders, so it’s the one to reach for when you just want to look before you spend.

WHAT A no-frills choice that lets the renders do the talking. The layout is grey and minimal. Options range from small decluttering tweaks to full remodels, so there’s flexibility to meet most needs.

WE LOVE It’s specific and intentional, a solid base for gathering inspiration, even for future projects like Christmas decorating, so you can plan ahead.

PROS Beginner-friendly, with designs and designers the everyday user will recognise. The free version gives unlimited renders, ideal for a quick project, leaving more budget for the real thing. It’s on both Google Play and the App Store.

CONS The design range is great, but customisation isn’t. There’s no feedback or fine-tuning, so you can only adjust the input by removing furniture or architectural elements.

COST Test it free for one week. Two plans, both with unlimited renders: Pro yearly, €69.99 or Pro weekly, €6.99.

REMODEL AI

BEST FOR The whole property, inside and out. The only one here that does exteriors too, plus shopping the look, so it earns the “whole house” angle.

WHAT From interiors to exteriors, this app allows you to re-imagine any space, no matter the size or the extent of the project. Features run from a ‘reskin’ option for furniture to a ‘shop’ tool that finds similar products, turning a dream home into something accessible.

WE LOVE Sign up with Google, and you get 8 free generations, a trial of the base features. There’s also ‘virtual staging’ and ‘unstaging’, so you can reimagine rooms with or without furniture.

PROS Thoughtful details and easy uploads: from URLs to sample images, you can use it from anywhere. Each generation gives you three rendered options, not one.

CONS The best bits, like the staging options, sit behind the subscription, so the features that make it stand out come at a price. And there’s no feedback step, so you’re stuck with the three renders you’re sent, with no way to tweak just the chairs or shelves.

COST Three day trial. Pro yearly, €59.99: unlimited generations, no watermarks. Pro weekly, €9.99 with the same pro tools but no trial.

DECAI

BEST FOR Changing one thing. The draw-on-the-photo touch tool makes it the pick for precise, single-area edits rather than whole rooms.

WHAT On Apple, Android and on browser format, handy if you’d rather work on desktop or laptop screen. A hands-on way to redesign a space.

WE LOVE The touch feature that sets it apart: draw over any area of a photo and edit just that part. It’s beginnerfriendly and guided, and you can either describe the change or upload a photo to drop in.

PROS Very straightforward for beginners who want full control over designing a space: This allows users to draw around a specific area, ensuring that only that area is edited. This app also provides its own basic feature, ‘samples’ of furniture to flooring, so you can start exploring in the app without any pressure of real references. Turn to the very organised app layout, where the ‘Explore’ section features numerous interior and exterior inspirations.

CONS The drawing tool is clever but limited: describe the area or replace it with a photo, and the result is a bit of a gamble, so neat outlines matter. This feature is also not to scale and is better suited for inspiration than as a blueprint.

COST Three tiers to match the commitment: lifetime, €99.99, yearly, €44.99, or the most popular weekly, €7.99.

PLANNER 5D

BEST FOR Building a room from scratch in 2D and 3D, then showing it off like a pro.

WHAT On Apple and Android, it greets you with ‘making your home better’. The best-known DIY home design app on the market. Sign-up is just an email, then you set your needs and goals before you start. Far from limited, it spans designing a home from scratch to learning interior design at home.

WE LOVE It turns the structure of interior design and architecture into a kind of cheat sheet, with professional tools for presenting projects to clients. Versatile and user-friendly, it’s as useful to a working designer needing an extra pair of hands as it is to a beginner.

PROS You set its purpose up front, so it’s tailored to you, whatever your background. It’s also properly interactive: enter your real address and build your home from the ground up in 2D and 3D.

CONS You get just one free render, and it tends to overdo things: the style is accurate but heavy-handed, pasted on rather than suggested, so it reads less realistic than you’d want.

COST Seven day free trial. Try for 30 days, €5.99. Yearly plan, €119.99. Backed by strong ratings and a Fast Company Innovation by Design Award.

MAGICPLAN

BEST FOR A render that’s truly yours. Its differentiator is the customisable palettes and styles, so the steer is bespoke/ tailored.

WHAT A more advanced app, but still user-friendly: clear images and simple sections mean you don’t overcomplicate your projects. A few clicks and you’re at the final product.

WE LOVE You can build a space from scratch, and the ‘furniture search’ section lets you upload photos of the pieces you’re after when you can’t track them down.

PROS Plenty of versatile, personal features for a highly customisable render: pick your colour palettes and styles so the result is tailored to you, not generic.

CONS The ‘Furniture search’ is temperamental: you have to clear any clutter and frame just the piece, and even a basic Ikea table wouldn’t register. It’s also subscription-only: the free version won’t generate any renders.

COST Starter plan, access up to two projects for free. Sketch floor plans, €12.99 per month; Pro Flex, €25 monthly, Pro 12, €18 monthly, Pro 24, €140.

I LIVE In a post-war two-bedroom apartment in Brooklyn that works somewhere between home, studio, archive of my life so far and, more recently, a testing ground for parenthood.

WHAT MAKES IT A HOME Is the objects and rituals that build up slowly over time. Books, sketches, the odd piece of artwork, lamps, things picked up while travelling and an ever-growing collection of coffee cups. Homes should feel lived-in and evolving,, developing a kind of personal patina.

MY HOUSE STYLE IS Soft maximalism with a playful edge. I’m drawn to spaces that feel grounded with the odd, unexpected moment.

MY FAVOURITE THING TO DO AT HOME IS Cooking, watching unusual documentaries and drinking far too much coffee.

HOME IS A collection of spaces that reflect your personality, rituals and memories. Somewhere you feel most yourself, surrounded by things that hold meaning over time.

MY HOUSE AND HOME

Sive O’Brien chats to Carlow-born, Brooklynbased designer Alexander Buckeridge of architecture and interior design company Studio Bucky on soft maximalism and the objects that turn a house into a home, fresh from a NYCxDESIGN Award win for his Portals Collection.

MY TOP TIPS FOR MAKING YOUR HOUSE YOUR OWN

1 Don’t rush it, because the best homes evolve slowly.

2 Live in a space before you decide what really needs to change.

3 Focus on atmosphere as much as aesthetics, since lighting, texture and small rituals change how a space feels.

The Atlanta sofa, to order, Oriorfurniture.com; Noguchi Akari lamp, €349, Lampmasters.ie

HOME DECOR I CAN’T GET ENOUGH OF Sculptural lighting, raw materials, playful objects and spaces that mix timeless pieces with more accessible everyday design, a high-low approach. I love interiors that feel atmospheric, tactile and layered, where there’s always something new to notice.

WHAT’S ON MY HOME WISH LIST The Orior Atlanta sofa has been on the wish list for a while. It reminds me of my grandaunt’s couch growing up in Ireland, reimagined for now. You can never have enough accent lighting either, so a Noguchi Akari lamp is high up there on my current hit list. Beyond that, more space for books and the objects I’ve collected while travelling.

MY DESIGN ETHOS I’m interested in contrasts: old and new, soft and hard, primitive and futuristic, playful and restrained. Bringing those layers together makes spaces feel more human and more emotionally connected over time.

ONE TREND I WON’T BE GETTING INTO THIS SUMMER

Homes that feel too trend-driven or overly minimal. People are craving warmth, individuality and a stronger sense of personality again.

Award-winning Portals collection, Studiobucky.com

LINWOOD

Titania Embroidery