Ulster Life Magazine. Issue 7 2017 by UL Magazine

ULSTER LIFE MAGAZINE SOUTH BELFAST EDITION OCTOBER 2017

We believe in a different perspective.

Matilda armchair, ÂŁ770 Brompton lamp, ÂŁ140.

Neptune Belfast, 315 Ormeau Road, Belfast, BT7 3GB 028 9691 9988, info@neptunebelfast.com neptune.com/adifferentperspective

ENTERTAINMENT FOR EVERYONE NEW SEASON ON SALE!

goh.co.uk

#WCCSTYLESQUAD Follow us on Insta

@WestCoastCoolerNI

www.belfastfashionweek.com

Tickets on Sale Now www.belfastfashionweek.com

UL To advertise or feature in Ulster Life Magazine or myulsterlife.com ULSTER LIFE MAGAZINE SOUTH BELFAST EDITION OCTOBER 2017

Contact: T: 028 9600 9247 E: pr@myulsterlife.co.uk FB: MyUlsterLifeCom T: _ULMag

Contributors: Laura Dunlop: Interiors Editor Trevor Wilson: Beaufort Interiors Wayne Lyons: Soaks Bathrooms Design: Stylografik

Publisher: Ulster Life Group

Front Cover: Carlanto www.carlanto.com 028 9023 0433

DONNELLY HONDA

59 Moy Road Dungannon. Call 028 8744 0497 8 Boucher Road, Belfast. Call 028 9590 7889

Ulster Life Group has taken all reasonable care to ensure that the information contained in this publication and all website links is accurate on the stated date of publication or last modification. It is possible that the information may be out of date, incomplete or the opinion of the author. It is advisable that you verify any information from this publication before relying on it. Ulster Life Group accepts no responsibility for the consequences of error or for any loss or damage suffered by users or any of the information or material in this publication or any site you may access through this publication. Materials contained in this publication are subject to copyright and other proprietary rights.

DONNELLY & TAGGART HONDA

122 Antrim Road, Ballymena. Call 028 2544 0633 Campsie Ind. Est., Eglinton, Co. L/Derry. Call 028 7122 9377

or visit www.donnellygroup.co.uk/honda

Beautifully Handmade Furniture MULLACOR | EMYVALE CO.MONAGHAN | H18CX59 | IRELAND Tel: 00353 86 4161815 Email: monobespoke@gmail.com www.monofurniture.ie

UL at the launch of Belfast FAHSIONWEEK Page 8

Laura Dunlop chats to Fearghal McAdam from Neptune Interiors Page 44

Contents

Autumn Interior Trends with Laura Dunlop Page 32

Tadas Zilys talks about his new Interior Design company, Grayson House Page 60

THE NEW RANGE ROVER VELAR

NO HEADLINE REQUIRED

One look at the New Range Rover Velar says it all. The exterior silhouette and continuous waistline are the perfect blend of elegance, simplicity, sophistication and glamour. Even the attention to detail has been given careful attention to detail. These few words canâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t really do this stunning vehicle justice. Perhaps itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s wiser just to take another good long look. Now available for test drive, contact us to find out more. Donnelly Land Rover 59 Moy Road, Dungannon, BT71 7DT 028 8772 2887 www.donnelly.dungannon.landrover.co.uk

Official Fuel Consumption Figures for the Range Rover Velar range in mpg (I/100km): Urban 22.2-45.6 (12.7-6.2); Extra Urban 37.7-57.7 (7.5-4.9); Combined 30.152.5 (9.4-5.4). CO2 Emissions 214-142 g/km. Drive responsibly on and off-road.

The Only Guaranteed Way To Bring Your Tiles Back To Their Original State Even the most beautiful homes can be marred by the appearance of tiles suffering from stains built up on the porous tile surfaces. In the past, options for effectively cleaning tiles were disappointing. You could spend hours scrubbing your tiles and grout on your hands and knees. Or, you could rip out the tiles and replace them with new ones and a high cost to both your pocket and your life Thankfully, a breakthrough in hard floor surface cleaning technology now makes it possible to achieve truly sparkling tile floors without backbreaking effort. C & M Cleaning Services use a revolutionary clean and capture system to restore tiles to their original shine and beauty. With one pass, stained and tired tiles are transformed into a floor that sparkles with its original vibrant colours. “you mean the grout is actually cream?” After the cleaning process has been completed. They almost don’t believe it.” Joyce Thompson from Belfast uses C & M Cleaning Services every year to clean her kitchen tiles. She Said. “The comments from my neighbours and friends when C & M finish cleaning is fantastic. I would recommend C & M to anyone who is looking for anything that needs cleaned. You wouldn’t even know they are there, but you’ll certainly know they have been.” To truly appreciate how this amazing clean and capture system renews tile and grout lines you need to see it in action. Quite simply, the difference is night and day. Call C & M today to arrange a FREE no obligation demonstration and quote ULMAG for a 10% discount. T: 028 90388336 M: 07738719101 E: mark@cm-cleaningservices.com

Please call to arrange a free demonstrations (free demonstration only available within 10 mile radius of Belfast)

By using the latest technology & equipment, its the only proven way to restore and clean your surfaces to a quality that you never thought was possible.

Quote quote UT0917 ULMAG and receive & receive 10% discount OFF!

10%

www.cm-cleaningservices.com 7 Phone: 028 9038 8336

UL The twenty fourth season of West Coast Cooler FASHIONWEEK happens this October. From the 26th-29th at its new home, St Anne’s Cathedral. UL was at the launch and the style didn’t disappoint! For full details of the show schedule and ticket info via www.belfastfashionweek.com

EMILY HANCOCK

CLAUDIA BROWN

FIONA ANDERSON

KATIE LARMOUR

MONET HAIR

LIFE ISN’T PERFECT BUT YOUR HAIR CAN BE 8

028 9068 2323 | info@monethair.co.uk | 388 Lisburn Road

KIM CONSTABLE & TIFFANY BRIEN

KIM CONSTABLE BY STEPHEN MCCRACKEN

LOUISE VANCE

LUCY WATSON

MELISSA RIDDELL

MONET HAIR

LIFE ISNâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;T PERFECT BUT YOUR HAIR CAN BE 10

028 9068 2323 | info@monethair.co.uk | 388 Lisburn Road

only at Soaks Bathrooms

Exclusive Italian Design Visit our showroom today to view the latest collections from the high end Italian brand Mastella. Mastella products never fail to create an impact with quality of design and finish. Mastella isn’t just bathroom furniture, it’s fashion for your bathroom. MON - SAT: 9.30AM - 5PM, THURS: 9.30AM - 8PM | 5 - 7 APOLLO RD, BELFAST BT12 6HP | WWW.SOAKSBATHROOMS.COM | TEL: (028) 9068 1121 FIND US ON FACEBOOK

NIAMH CUNNINGHAM

ROSIE KIRK

SIOBHAN MURPHY

TIFFANY BRIEN

MONET HAIR

LIFE ISNâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;T PERFECT BUT YOUR HAIR CAN BE 12

028 9068 2323 | info@monethair.co.uk | 388 Lisburn Road

SAT 18 NOV - SAT 23 DEC BELFAST CITY HALL OPENS SAT 18 NOV Mon - Wed: 10am - 8pm Thurs - Sat: 10am - 10pm Sun: 12noon - 6pm Closing on the Sat 23 Dec at 6pm

www.marketplaceeurope.co.uk

The Doyen

The Doyen officially opened its doors, revealing a vibrant and inviting new look to the former King’s Head premises on the Lisburn Road. The 15,000-square foot entertainment and dining complex received a £4.2 million investment from Wine Inns who purchased the premises in 2016 and has created 80 new jobs in the local hospitality industry. Trazanne Norwood and Mariam Koczarian

DeniseMcAllister Watson and Claire Browne Penny

Donna McCabe Danny and Louise O’Reilly

Paul Lynch and Maria Moore

Ashley and Ciara Daly

MONET HAIR Denise Watson

LIFE ISN’T PERFECT BUT YOUR HAIR CAN BE 028 9068 2323 | info@monethair.co.uk | 388 Lisburn Road

The Doyen

Ciara De Carteret and Katie Williamson Ryan Hamill and India Lee Reed

Denise Watson

Donna McCabe

Denise Watson Kathryn McMahon and Chloe Henning

Paula Graffin and Catriona Channing

Yasmin Robinson and Rachael Leitch

Naimh O’Connor and Danica Marjamovic

MONET HAIR

LIFE ISN’T PERFECT BUT YOUR HAIR CAN BE 16

028 9068 2323 | info@monethair.co.uk | 388 Lisburn Road

Supply & Fit Service

More Individuality. Tel: 028 9077 0044

www.sykesbathrooms.com

Showroom 38 Duncrue Crescent Belfast BT3 9BW

Open Monday-Friday: 9am-5pm Saturday: 9am-12.30pm

The Doyen

Ryan Hamill and Emily Hancock Denise Watson

Niall Foster and Rebecca Maguire

Denise Watson

Jenna and Carl Hill

Donna McCabe

Rebecca Maguire

MONET HAIR

LIFE ISNâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;T PERFECT BUT YOUR HAIR CAN BE 18

028 9068 2323 | info@monethair.co.uk | 388 Lisburn Road

Fashionweek is back: season 24 It’s a double dozen this October as West Coast Cooler FASHIONWEEK reaches its twenty fourth season. The now iconic event, which is firmly fixed in the social calendar, will see four days of fantastic fashion from 26-29 October with the main runway shows taking place at a new home in St. Anne’s Cathedral – meaning longer catwalks, more space and lots of interesting backdrops for photos – both of the fashion on the runway and of the guests in their stylish looks.

Schedule of Shows & Events: THURSDAY 26 October, 8.00PM – DESIGNER BOUTIQUES AND LOCAL DESIGNERS. Tickets priced at £20 or £30 for FROW available from 028 9024 6609 or via links on www.belfastfashionweek.com

FRIDAY 27 October, 8.00PM – HIGH STREET. Tickets priced at £20 or £30 for FROW available from 028 9024 6609 or via links on www.belfastfashionweek.com SATURDAY 28 October, 10am-midday The F Words – Fashion, Fitness & Food Brunch with Tiffany Brien, Kim Constable, Maria Rafferty ‘The Hormone Health Coach’ and ‘Gluten Free Fi’. Price = £29pp SATURDAY 28 October, 2.00-5.00pm – SUSHI SATURDAY “The Director’s Cut” at ZEN. Generous Asian afternoon tea with West Coast Cooler cocktails on arrival. To book, call 02890421509 Price = £35pp. SUNDAY 29 October, 2.00-5.00pm – STYLE SUNDAY in support of Action Cancer at James Street South. To book call 028 90421509 Price = £45pp

UL Radiance Beauty & Day Spa Launches New Signature Skincare Range Alongside the expansion of its Upper Lisburn Road premises, the salon is launching its own signature skincare product range. Radiance is a results driven skin care collection, which has been carefully formulated using clinically proven, highly active ingredients. These products are paraben free, contain no animal by-products and are not tested on animals. The collection has been designed, developed and produced by a Angela Bell team of dermatologists, scientists and pharmacists to ensure it is among the best in its field. The 11 products target the different skin concerns commonly experienced by men and women, with products tailored to suit all skin types. Christine Mackin, proprietor of Radiance Beauty & Day Spa said: “As a busy business owner and working mum, I am continuously multitasking, which leaves me with very little time to look after my skin. Good skin health is important to me but I need something which is quick, and fits in with my busy working life. 22

“As a qualified therapist working in the beauty industry, an educator and clinic owner, I found most skincare brands involved the laborious application of multiple products, involving long rituals. This led me to create and develop Radiance skincare, a clinically proven range of products with multiple active ingredients, tailor made for different skin types. “I put my products through their paces so they can provide multiple benefits, while working hard all day long, like I do. Just five minutes in the morning, and five minutes in the evening is all it takes to keep me looking and feeling my best.” Radiance Beauty & Day Spa chosen charity outlet is the Northern Ireland Hospice and has made the decision to donate 5% of all future profits from the Radiance skincare line to them. For more information on Radiance Beauty & Day Spa, visit www.radiancedayspa.co.uk

imagine a fireplace . . .

. . . as a stunning centrepiece for your home, creating an exclusive atmosphere, in harmony with today’s lifestyle.

Only the finest materials used, marble, granite, limestone, slate and quartz etc View our range of fireplaces individually designed and manufactured by Mourne Fires ‘ The Fireplace Design Centre’ and hand crafted to the highest standards. Also view our wide range of woodburning and multi-fuel stoves, gas fires, electric fires and accessories, many which are under fire and exclusive to Mourne Fires. Why not call and visit our extensive range in our 12,000 sq ft showroom.

CARRYDUFF BUSINESS PARK, COMBER ROAD, CARRYDUFF, BELFAST TEL: 028 9081 5115 FAX: 028 9081 4596 EMAIL: info@mourneﬁres.com

THE FIREPLACE DESIGN CENTRE

Mourne Fires

www.mourneﬁres.com OPENING HOURS

Mon - Wed 9am – 5pm, Thurs 9am – 8pm Friday 9am – 5pm Saturday 9am – 1pm

Celebrating 15 years in Business Fraser Nolan Shutters Ltd based on the Lisburn Rd, is in 2017, celebrating 15 years in business. Business partners Fraser and Derrie have unrivalled experience in the design and fit of shutters to the local market. They have built up an impressive list of clients and beautiful homes, where shutters are the first choice for windows. Working with many of Northern Irelandâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s leading Interior designers and architects, shutters have been installed not only in private homes, but also in hotels restaurants, dental and beauty salons, and offices. Shutters are custom made to the Shane Hannaway millimetre. Any shape of window can be treated with shutters, arched, apex or round. They really lend the room the â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Wowâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; factor. Styles include full height, tier on tier, cafe style, tracking, or specialist shapes. Solid panelled traditional shutters are also available and being requested more and more frequently. There is a standard range of paint finishes 24

available, also a custom colour option at a slight premium. However, the most popular shutter installation is in a white painted finish. White reflects the light, and it is important in a climate such as ours, which can often be dull, to bring as much light as possible in to the room, replicating what they do in Scandinavia. Although shutters are still relatively uncommon, they are becoming increasingly popular as a very practical and timeless alternative to window dressing. They bring a lovely fresh look to the room, while allowing for the control of heat, light and privacy at the same time. Shutters are practically maintenance free, and require only a bit of light dusting or a wipe with a damp cloth. They do not peel, fade or require repainting, so if you are looking

for something low maintenance, affordable, stylish and with a timeless permanence, then shutters are for you. In our busy showroom, based on the Lisburn Road, our range of shutters can be viewed and we can offer a full no obligation advice/ design service. We also carry out site visits to measure and survey for a quotation. For more information, a brochure or a quotation, please contact us by email, from the website or call in in person to our showroom. 184 Lisburn Road Belfast BT9 6AL Tel: 028 90874244 Email: info@frasernolan.co.uk Website: www.frasernolan.co.uk 25

Porcellana Porcellana is Belfast’s most exclusive Tile Studio, housed in the impressive ‘listed’ Carnegie Building on the Donegall Road. Established in June 2012, Mandy Little and Cathy Fay, owners of Porcellana, provide their clients with comfortable surroundings in which to select their tile choices. The Studio has retained all the original features of the building with high ceilings, pillars and the original windows which flood the studio with natural light, creating a space which is the epitome of style and elegance. Mandy and Cathy source all their products personally and are keen to bring the best Italian designs to Belfast, many of which are exclusive to Porcellana. The team at Porcellana work closely with their clients, including Interior Designers and Architects, and pride themselves in providing an excellent customer experience adding that personal touch, from initial consultation, through coffee, discussion and design to completion of a project. The Studio is laid out in a unique way as Mandy and Cathy prefer to create bespoke schemes for their Clients and will select tiles from their 26

‘mood’ shelves having taken the time to speak with their Clients to ascertain their likes and dislikes. Porcellana has a comfortable relaxed atmosphere and offers an amazing range of products from fabulous large format porcelains and stone through to gorgeous brick-size tiles and luxurious mosaics. The girls are constantly updating their ranges so their Clients have access to the latest designs and products. Porcellana has dedicated parking so calling into the Studio is easy – telephone for an appointment or just call in. Opening Hours Monday – Friday 9.30am -5.00pm Saturdays 10am-1pm Porcellana Tile Studio Studio B The Carnegie Building 121 Donegall Road BELFAST BT12 5JL Ph: 028 9024 0040 E: studio@porcellanatilestudio.com www.porcellanatilestudio.com

IMAGINE • INSPIRE • CREATE

Studio B, The Carnegie Building, 121 Donegall Road, Belfast. Call us on 028 9024 0040 or ﬁnd us online at porcellanatilestudio.com

VIRTUALOSO Become an expert in flexible working with the full service backing and address of Belfastâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s finest business centre.

S U P E R I O R S E RV I C E D A N D V I RT U A L O F F I C E S A D J A C E N T T O B E L FA S T C I T Y H A L L

028 9091 8200 | scottishprovidentbuilding.co.uk 28

CARLANTO T I L E • S T O N E • B AT H R O O M S

The Personal Touch

5-7 Glenmachan Place, Boucher Road, Belfast, Co. Antrim, BT12 6QH Tel: 028 9023 0433 | www.carlanto.com

FOOD & FUN

FOR ALL THE FAMILY! JOIN US FOR OUR FAMILY FUN SUNDAY LUNCH WITH BOUNCY CASTLE, FACE PAINTING AND 4 COURSE LUNCH ADULTS £20, KIDS £7

TO BOOK NOW, OR FOR MORE INFORMATION ON OUR FAMILY FUN SUNDAY LUNCH CALL +44 (0) 2890 388000 OR VISIT malonelodgehotelbelfast.com 30

UL 50 Years of Happy Customers at Seymour Dugan For nearly 50 years we have supplied a wide range of carpet and furniture at excellent prices throughout Northern Ireland including Belfast, Lisburn, Portadown, Lurgan and counties Antrim, Down and Armagh. With carpets, rugs, living room & dining room furniture, bedroom furniture, vinyls, wood flooring, pictures, mirrors, and made to measure sliding door wardrobes in a large range of styles and colours to suit your requirements and fitted by our own expert tradesmen and with free design consultation, you are sure to

We are stockists of Abingdon Carpets, Adam Carpets, Alternative Flooring, Associated Weavers, Brockway Carpets, Cavalier Carpets, Crucial Trading, Distinctive Flooring, Gaskell Wool Rich Carpets, Hugh Mackay Carpets, Mr Tomkinson, Ulster Carpets, Victoria Carpets, Whitestone Weavers, Buoyant Upholstery, Balmoral, Cavendish Upholstery, Silentsleep Beds, Rauch, Redrose Upholstery, Sleepeezee, Steens Furniture, Ultra Furniture, Wellemobel, Yeoman Upholstery and many more. Visit www.seymourdugan.co.uk

â&#x20AC;&#x153;SEE MORE OF WHAT YOU LIKE AT PRICES YOU WILL LOVE AT SEYMOUR DUGAN INTERIORS.â&#x20AC;?

Ulster Life Home

Let’s peek through the keyhole of some of this season’s hottest interior trends along with the inside scoop on where to track down your favourites locally...

Ode To Autumn Possibly my favourite season colour-wise so let’s recite an ode to autumn with reds, browns, yellows and greens...

Autumnal-inspired crockery from Smyth Patterson, Lisburn. Phone: (028) 9266 2707 (smythpatterson.co.uk

Rupert footstool in Isla Fox with warming russet and teal tones, £345; duck feather-filled cushions, from £68, and a Fleming round mirror, prices from £125. Available from Neptune Belfast, Ormeau Road. Phone: (028) 9691 9988 (neptune.com)

Ode To Autumn

Poliform Dama coffee table. Available from Beaufort Interiors, Moira. Phone (028) 9261 9508 (beaufortinteriors.co.uk)

Quirky burnt orange chair. Available from Beaufort Interiors, Moira. Phone (30) 9261 9508 (beaufortinteriors.co.uk)

Le Creuset Signature cast iron round casserole dish. Available from Smyth Patterson, Lisburn. Phone: (028) 9266 2707 (smythpatterson.co.uk)

Striking suspended fire. Available from Mourne Fires, Carryduff. Phone: (028) 9081 5115 (mournefires.com)

Gold velvet footstool. Available from Beaufort Interiors, Moira. Phone (30) 9261 9508 (beaufortinteriors.co.uk)

Ulster Life Home

Hooray For Grey

Now, before you scoff, this isnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t on account of the latest 50 Shades of Grey offering, the colour grey has literally taken over the world and its rise in popularity has been unprecedented with the colour palette potentially dominating every room in the house...

Grey-inspired Drench Frame Fixed Panel. Available from Soaks Bathrooms, Belfast. Phone: (028) 9068 1121 (soaksbathrooms.com)

Luxurious grey sofa. Available from Beaufort Interiors, Moira. Phone (30) 9261 9508 (beaufortinteriors.co.uk)

UL Hooray For Grey

Grey crockery from the Jet range. Available from Smyth Patterson, Lisburn. Phone: (028) 9266 2707 (smythpatterson.co.uk)

Clarus grey nest of tables. Available from Smyth Patterson, Lisburn. Phone: (028) 9266 2707 (smythpatterson.co.uk)

Ulster Life Home

Hooray For Grey

Shoreditch corner sofa in Elliot soft teal, £4,930; Rupert footstool in russet velvet Isla Fox, £345; Keswick square coffee table, £455 and duck feather-filled cushions from £50. Available from Neptune Belfast, Ormeau Road. Phone: (028) 9691 9988 (neptune.com)

Grey Ottoman bed. Available from Beaufort Interiors, Moira. Phone (30) 9261 9508 (beaufortinteriors.co.uk)

Enlight Curtains. Available from Grayson House Interiors, Dungannon, 07720 857 060

Ulster Life Home

Fruits of the Forest With enchanting forest designs making an appearance on everything from fabric, crockery and bedding, this season offers the perfect platform to bring the beauty of the forest indoors with shades of green and creature comforts...

Forest Mural Wallpaper, ÂŁ45, Available from wilko.com

Foot stool. Available from Beaufort Interiors, Moira. Phone (30) 9261 9508 (beaufortinteriors.co.uk)

Fruits of the Forest

Freestanding bath and forest-inspired roller blind. Available from Soaks Bathrooms, Belfast. Phone (028) 9068 1121 (soaksbathrooms.com)

Brabantia Moss Green pedal bin. Available from Smyth Patterson, Lisburn. Phone: (028) 9266 2707 (smythpatterson.co.uk)

Fruits of the Forest Crockery. Available from Smyth Patterson, Lisburn. Phone: (028) 9266 2707 (smythpatterson.co.uk)

Lunns

Email: classicblinds@btconnect.com Website: www.classicblindsbelfast.co.uk

Specialist in Santa Fe Shutters Katie Andrews

ULSTER LIFE MAGAZINE SOUTH BELFAST EDITION AUGUST 2017

Glenhill Merchants Glenhill Introduces Virtual Worldsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; 4D Showroom software allowing perspective buyers to walk around the proposed room in a real work environment Glenhill Merchants is a locally owned family business which has been in business for over 30 years. Supplying generations of customers in and around the local area and across NI.

10,000 flushes whilst taps are used around 100,000 times before they need replacing. This means providing a quality product is essential for long-term customer satisfaction.

We now supply throughout Ireland and specialise in supplying quality Bathrooms, Fireplaces and Gas appliances at competitive prices.

Too many times we come across consumers browsing the marketplace, choosing cheap alternatives and neglecting the bigger picture. Unfortunately, these poorly made products arenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t sustainable, and often people end up spending more money than they bargained for when it comes to replacing them.

Since the very beginning, our core value of providing quality to customers has been the very essence of our business. We believe staying true to this ethos has been paramount in building our longterm success, and as we continue to grow, we never lose sight of it. Unbeknown to many people, the typical lifespan of a toilet is around 42

At Glenhill, we have created a culture of quality for a reason. Since the general business consensus is that 80% of a companyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s business comes from

20% of its customers, we want our customers to return to us because of the experience we provide. Currently in our Bathroom Showroom we have three dedicated design specialists to work through all your needs to design your perfect bathroom. We offer a free in-house design service for all your bespoke requirements. We use the latest 4D Computer Aided Design software to model your Bathroom design to scale. We have a multitude of bathrooms on display and dedicated staff team waiting on your call. In our Fireplace and gas showroom we the largest display of fireplaces and live displays in Belfast. We stock only the best brand names in the industry, bringing you the best models they

have to offer. This ranges from cutting edge wall mounted designs, to rustic wood burning stoves, and everything in between. Whatever you are looking forward, we can assure you that youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll find it here, and for less than you expect! Why not call 02890 669444 and get started today. Or visit www.glenhill.co.uk 43

Catherine and Fearghal McAdam

Homing in on Neptune Belfast With a famous name behind them and a legendary Belfast building, Fergal McAdam tells Laura Dunlop why Neptune Belfast is sure to reach cosmic heights...

in none other than the old Ormo Bakery building on Belfast’s Ormeau Road – a building steeped in culture, history and representative of the robust fabric of our capital city.

Neptune is not only famous as the most far away planet, oh no, the name Neptune is famous across the UK for visualising, designing and materialising first-class interiors and finally the brand has come to Belfast.

Q. The planets are now in alignment Fergal, so what do you want to say about Neptune Belfast? A. “I guess I just want to say that we offer a fresh perspective on interiors in an inspirational store setting. We show people what they can do in their own home and it’s an attainable showcase for real homes and real people. We have kitted the showroom out with clever and stylish kitchen, living and bathroom areas and you can get an

After opening the first NI branch in Fermanagh a few years ago, husband and wife duo Fergal and Catherine McAdam officially opened their exciting new Belfast franchise on September 7 44

idea of how every house truly is. “Although we’re big, we’re still family orientated and we’re accessible and realistic. There are a lot of interior design companies that do high end interiors but they look like the lobby of a hotel. People want to relax in somewhere that looks like a normal, family home; we design stuff that complements this. What really sets us apart, though, is that in our showroom, families and couples will casually bump into each other and they’ll sit down on one of the sofas and chat away and they look completely normal and at home. That’s what I love about this and I am lucky enough to see this every day.” Q. And it’s not just furniture? A. “No; we make all our own paint in-house; we sell the flooring on the ground, the lights on the ceiling and everything in between. What sets us apart is that we offer quality products in an inspirational setting. What we have and where we have it is really cool.” Q. Why NI? A. “When I moved home from London after 20 years, I was trying to find nice furniture at a normal price and I really struggled so I decided to set up a furniture store in Fermanagh.

I originally had about 15 great suppliers but Neptune was by far the best so I removed the other suppliers and the NI franchise of Neptune was born. “I come from a town called Red Hills in Cavan and my granny who started a company called Malone and Smith in 1906. This was unheard of in those days, but my granny was forward thinking and bought three stores, including a post office. Her post office was in charge of delivering the correspondence from the House of Lords to the Lords in Fermanagh so there is a rich, regal heritage that I admire. She was clearly an entrepreneurial person and so was my mum, who carried on the business until she passed. Hopefully I’ve got their genes.” Q. You’ve said Neptune has ‘the best professionals in the country’; these are bold claims to make - can you back them up? A. “There are six people in our NI team but we are also lucky to have amazing support and resources from head office as we are a franchise. The Neptune head office team is made up of the best professionals in the country and our visual merchandising team is very well known nationwide. “Our range of products is carefully curated by our head office team and the owner of Neptune John Sims-Hilditch is married to Emma Sims-Hilditch who is our Director of Design. Emma is a famous interior designer in England and together John and Emma have built 45

lt an incredible family business. Their daughter Daisy is the artist who creates all of our art and their other daughter Betty is our photographer and does all the photography we sell in-store too.” Q. You were born and bred in Ireland so how does it feel to set up shop in one of NI’s most iconic buildings? A. “When we opened in Fermanagh we started getting a lot of demand from Belfast customers at that time. The opportunity then came up to set up a truly amazing Belfast store in a truly amazing location. If I asked head office what would be their idea of the perfect location for a store like this, they would say it would need to be in an iconic building, connected to the main arterial roads with a park beside it – we have all of that and more with our Belfast store. We’ve all grown up eating Ormo bread so we love the brand and the building 46

speaks for itself in terms of beauty so we were sure to remain complimentary and sympathetic to the original aesthetics.” Q. What kind of a team do you and wife Catherine make? A. “A great one. My wife is a professional accountant and is a great person to have in business. She worked at very high industry level in England so to have to her to bounce ideas off is wonderful. She’s an asset.” Q. What floats your interior boat? A. “For me, a relaxed feel is important; you shouldn’t be too precious about your home. I like a relaxed, contemporary look and with three boys at home, you have to be accommodating. “We have a curved bathroom cabinet in the store and it is still one of my

favourite pieces. It’s an example of a contemporary and really beautiful design that’s classic but has brilliant functionality. I’m certain that Emma must’ve had an input in the design because of the way the doors are made. They have double height inside for the likes of tall, hairspray bottles, etc. This cabinet is not just aesthetically pleasing; it’s the functionality that I love.” Q. Will Neptune be homing in on anymore NI locations? A. “We’ve a number of concepts in planning right now so watch this space!” Be sure to visit Neptune Belfast at the site of the old, iconic Ormo Bakery on Belfast’s Ormeau Road. Phone: (028) 9691 9988 (neptune.com/our-stores/uk/Belfast) 47

UL Per f 7+ yect for ear s

They Called Her Vivaldi 30 – 31 Oct, 11am, 5pm & 6pm Child £7 / Adult £18 - £12.50 A captivating comedy adventure, full of imagination, music and thrills for the whole family this Halloween at the MAC.

Book now at themaclive.com 48

FROM WINDSWEPT LINKS AND WILD SEA WALKS... ...TO SUMPTUOUS EATS AND SOOTHING SPA TREATS... ✳

...FIND YOUR WILD THIS AUTUMN AT THE ICE HOUSE. Experience the ‘Wild Atlantic Way’ your way with a stay at the Ice House. Enjoy fantastic food, our award winning spa, spacious rooms with panoramic views over the River Moy and sensational service from the moment your arrive. Explore the Ceide Fields, Foxford Woollen Mills and all the raw natural beauty, culture and heritage that’s here on your doorstep.

To book, call 096 23500 or visit theicehouse.ie

T H E I C E H O U S E, T H E Q U AY, B A L L I N A, CO. M AYO

Tour & Toast the City of Belfast Sample the sights and sounds of Belfast this October whilst enjoying a bit of the local ‘craic’ along the way. Wee Toast Tours offers a unique pedal powered city tour experience. Ideal for a work night out, birthday celebration or an alternative sightseeing experience or, you can enjoy a group cycling tour around the buzzing streets of Belfast City stopping off at famous landmarks and even a couple pubs along the way. There’s also a keg on the front of the

bike and cupholders at each seat, so you can have a ‘wee toast’ with your friends as you travel! The bike runs purely on pedal power with a minimum of eight people and a max of fifteen. This October you can find the bike at the Oktoberfest, Custom House Square from19th – 28 October. www.weetoasttours.com

Hey! Stop! Wait! There is no Sale! There are no gimmiks!

Here at Oloo Kitchens, we have structured our business to give you the best quality units and appliances at fantastic prices, all of the time! This allows us to beat every other company’s price on a like for like quote. Just check this out for value:  10 unit Zola kitchen in a Lacquered Gloss or Matte door (Available in Gloss: Ivory, Porcelain, White, Light Grey, Dust Grey, Graphite or Cashmere or Matte light grey, Porcelain, Graphite, Dust Grey & White)  1 length of worktop  1.5 bowl sink and tap  Sharp Integrated Frost free Fridge Freezer  Indesit Integrated Dishwasher  Sharp Single Oven and Hob  Angled Black Glass Extractor Fan  18mm Carcases & Colour-Match Edging  Blum Soft-Close hinges and drawers (lifetime guarantee)

ALL FOR ONLY

£2764.54

At this price, you can still book that last minute holiday!

Email us at info@oloo.co or Phone us on 028 93344899 www.oloo.co

Property of the Month in association with CPS Property

No. 2 Sprucefield Close. Lisburn

This stunning semi-detached home is the perfect family home. Located beside the popular Sprucefield Retail Park and convenient to Lisburn Town Centre, Belfast and Hillsborough as well as the M1 and A1 this property is ideal for commuting.

Accommodation is bright and airy throughout with accommodation extending to 2,540 sq.ft, comprising lounge, kitchen diner, guest WC, utility

Property of the Month in association with CPS Property

room, sunroom, family bathroom and four bedrooms (two with en-suite). The property has been finished to an exceptionally high standard throughout with neutral dĂŠcor, ready for immediate occupation. Rarely do properties of this size and quality come to the market in such a popular area, therefore we expect strong interest. 55

Property of the Month in association with CPS Property

Please contact CPS today to arrange a viewing. For full spec and further images please visit www. cps-property.com or www. myulsterlife.com and search 2 Sprucefield Close or call 028 9095 8888 for more info or to arrange a viewing.

Responsive Web Design

to receive

Web Hosting & Social Media Administration

Email Marketing & Lead Aggregation

Ulster Life Talks to Tadas Zilys Founder of Grayson House Interiors Angela Bell

From a young age Tadas always tried to see things from a different perspective, not for what it was but what it could be. From moving furniture around or getting creative with materials and making new cushions for his home, this was the start of his passion for design. Tadas points out that he’s never been afraid to be different and doesn’t hide or suppress his creative spirit. “In school I would sometimes skip maths class and would go to art classes instead, I am very glad that I had great teachers who pushed me to try new things and and be true to myself”.

From moving to Northern Ireland, Tadas found himself working alongside experienced soft furnishing manufacturers, creative interior designers and skilled tradesmen – He knew that’s where he belonged. “The past couple of years have tought me so much, in everyday life and in the world of design, this is what pushed me to leave my 9-5 job in a furniture store and open my own Interior design studio.” UL interiors gets to know a little more about Tadas and his new venture, Grayson House interiors. >> 59

What makes Grayson House Interiors different? What makes Grayson House Interiors unique is the structure of how it operates. It was created with an ethos to be more than just an interior design studio with the largest product offering and the most extensive fabric library. Instead, to create living spaces designed by a clients lifestyle regardless of labels and price tags. This changes the concept of interior design from a 9-5 business to a personalised service. How do you get your ideas for a new project / What inspires you? No matter who you are, or what you do, you have a style and you own that style. As an interior designer it is my job to pick up on that style and design around it, so in a way my ideas and inspiration come from the client. Any interior designer can pick an on trend 60

object and design around it, but it takes a good designer to bond with the client and create something together. What has been your favourite project to date? That is a tough one because there are so many. What makes a project a favourite for me is not just working with the client or designing a space, but seeing the hard work and passion that goes into everything from behind the scenes. From watching a trim being delicately sewn onto a roman blind or the final plump of a cushion, this creates excitement and anticipation waiting for the clients reaction. Thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s what makes a favourite. Where do you start when decorating a home? The best way I find to start a project is to meet the client in the space they

wish to transform. No samples, no fabric books or sketches. This gives the best opportunity for the client to project their ideas and style without any initial influence from me. Creating this building block is paramount to designing a home that reflects the clients taste. What is your own personal style, in your own home? I feel the design and decor of my home is timeless. I have created an easy living environment in an ever-changing design world by using muted tones, clean lines and a hint of luxury.

up with the Joneses, as soon as you catch up, theyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re onto the next best thing! The best trends to look out for are the ones that arenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t at the forefront of design but the craftsmanship behind the design. To buy a sofa dexterously made bespoke to last, or choosing that perfect linen manufactured locally is a growing trend worth keeping an eye on. Follow Grayson House on Facebook or Call 07720 857060

What trends should we look out for this Autumn? To follow seasonal trends is like keeping 61

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Tidy up and help make a tidy sum for Action Cancer Reduce clutter and create space, donate to Action Cancer! Every year your donations allow Action Cancer to carry out over 2000, therapeutic support services to people affected by cancer in Northern Ireland. Help us to continue this by donating your preloved clothes, shoes and furniture into one of our stores across Northern Ireland. Turn your preloved into reloved! Don’t forget to gift aid it. FIND YOUR LOCAL ARUM CANCER STORE: ANDERSONSTOWN 131a & 133c Andersonstown Road Belfast BT11 9BU

CARRICKFERGUS: 9 Market Place, Carrickfergus BT38 7AW

ORMEAU BOUTIQUE: 181 Ormeau Road, Belfast BT7 1SQ

L’DERRY/DERRY: 21 Little James Street, L‚derry/Derry BT4B 7BG

ORMEAU ROAD: 455 Ormeau Road, Belfast. BT7 3GQ

BALLYCLARE: 54 The Square, Ballyclare BT39 9BB

COLERAINE: 20a Railway Road, Coleraine BT52 1PE

ENNISKILLEN: 5 Cross Street, Enniskillen BT47 7DX

LURGAN: 34b Market Street, Lurgan. BT66 6AH

SOMETHING DIFFERENT: 16B Lisburn Road, Belfast. BT9 6LA

BANGOR 6/8 & 7/9 Market Street, Bangor BT20 4SP

COOKSTOWN: 23 James Street, Cookstown, BT8O 8AA

LISBURN: 6/51 Market Square, Lisburn, BT2B 1AG

NEWRY: 6 Hill Street, Newry, BT34 2BW

FOR LARGER COLLECTIONS: E: retail@actioncancer.org P: 028 908O 3344

We believe in a different perspective.

MAGNOFFICENT

S U P E R I O R S E RV I C E D A N D V I RT U A L O F F I C E S A D J A C E N T T O B E L FA S T C I T Y H A L L Matilda armchair, ÂŁ770 Brompton lamp, ÂŁ140.

028 9091 8200 | scottishprovidentbuilding.co.uk Neptune Belfast, 315 Ormeau Road, Belfast, BT7 3GB 028 9691 9988, info@neptunebelfast.com neptune.com/adifferentperspective

We believe in a different perspective.

Matilda armchair, ÂŁ770 Brompton lamp, ÂŁ140.

Neptune Belfast, 315 Ormeau Road, Belfast, BT7 3GB 028 9691 9988, info@neptunebelfast.com neptune.com/adifferentperspective