RTÉ Guide Homes & Interiors Spring 2021

Home

&

INTERIORS SPRING 2021

Beautiful botanics

Beautiful plants, beautiful home

Sell your gaff

How to prepare your home for sale

Suzie Mc Adam Meet the new design judge on Home of the Year

Spring in Scandinavia

New temptations online

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03/02/2021 12:51

COOKS PROFESSIONAL 34-LITRE MINI OVEN WITH TWO HOT PLATES

RTE4731

€105.90

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6-IN-1 MODULAR MUSIC SYSTEM This multi format 6-in-1 Modular Music System plays and records everything from 33/45/78 vinyl records, cassettes, CDs, USB MP3 and FM Stereo radio.

With its three cooking functions you can toast and heat food, roast and steam, and you can also bake delicious cakes.

It has a cool-touch front panel, a timer countdown, power light indicator and crumb tray. Wire rack, roasting tray and a detachable metal handle include.

Size: L51 x W39 x H33cm, weight: 8kg, 1500w.

12 month guarantee

STARRY NIGHT HEATED BLANKETS RTE

0054

€56.90

Wrap up in luxury with these soft-touch throws made from soft fleece.

With a choice of three heat settings on the simple to use control, the perfect temperature is easy to achieve and maintain. There is an automatic switch off after three hours use to prevent overheating. The mains power cord can also be detached and the throw can be simply used as a plush, cosy throw.

€4

€399.9

This brilliant 34-litre mini oven with hot plates has four cooking functions you can use as a hob, as an oven or use both at the same time.

Includes a cool-touch front panel, a timer countdown, a power light indicator and has a built-in crumb tray.

Accessories include a wire rack, a roasting tray and a detachable metal handle for safe removal of your food.

Size: L51 x W39 x H33cm, weighs 8kg, 1500W – 12 month guarantee

COOKS PROFESSIONAL 34-LITRE MINI OVEN

859 RTE8 90 6.

RTE170

HEATED CUSHION WITH HAND POCKETS

Perfect for relaxing in the evening, the luxurious soft plush fleece cushion has built-in pockets to warm your cold hands and feet;. Just plug into the nearest socket and choose between the two thermostatically controlled heat settings via the useful remote control. The cushion cover is washable. Cushion inner: polyester.

Cushion cover: polar fleece.

Measures L36 x W36 x H13cm.

Available in Cream, Brown, Grey

HEATED VIBRATION MASSAGE CUSHION Ultra-soft cushion that pairs gentle warmth with soothing vibration Cordless, rechargeable design for use anywhere Heat and vibration lasts for up to 2 hours Removable, machine washable cover RTE1145 Ideal for keeping warm on the go or relaxing at home

RTE180

€34.90 0

All formats record directly onto a blank CD by pressing one button. No computers, no fiddling, no hassle. You can also record to cassette

RTE4742

€129.90

Twin CD drawers, it is finished in a smart black/silver and measures H15”xW12.5”xD13”.

HOME & INTERIORS RTE188

€94.908

2000W QUARTZ PATIO HEATER RTE

420

€84.9009

Free Standing or Wall Mounted Offering a choice of 3 heat settings, this heater lets you easily find and select your preferred heat level, and its quartz heating element helps maintain your desired temperature for longer. It has a 45-degree tilt function and a generous 1.8 metre power cord. A 5000-hour lamp life lets you enjoy the warmth for longer and it has safety overheat protection.

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RTE00

0

€89.9

REFLEX PILLOW Helps your cervical spine maintain improved alignment during the night to prevent stress and strain on your neck and shoulder muscles.

The pillow positions your head so that your air passages are in a naturally open position improving oxygen intake.

Helpful for people who have neck & shoulder pain, morning pain & teeth grinding, snoring & insomnia.

DAYLIGHT LED TOUCH DESK LAMP

This daylight lamp has very bright 1700 lumen LED’s. The touch sensitive on/off with dimming option makes this lamp ideal for any daily activity requiring extra light, such as reading, sewing, crochet, jigsaw puzzles and much more.

Fully adjustable in a sleek modern design in white and aluminium

AMPLIFIED CORDLESS AND RTEDECT2 €109 95 CORDED TELEPHONE .90 Big button amplified corded desk phone with cordless handset and integrated answering machine.

Hearing aid compatible, receiving volume of up to 30dB, four memory buttons. It has a speakerphone option with redial function and Caller ID. Both phones offer large, backlit display screens for easy viewing

CALL: 01 296 2333 quoting the product code(s) above. ORDER ONLINE: www.markettown.ie/rteguide POST TO: RTE Guide Health Offers, Markettown, Unit 18, Churchtown Business Park, Dublin 14 (Cheques/PO’s payable to Markettown, please include a contact phone number for delivery)

Home

& INTERIORS Spring 2021

6

4 NEWS 6 PAINTED DAYS

What are the trends we will be seeing this spring?

E ach season has new paint shades to create atmosphere and emotion

8 SUZIE Mc ADAM

T he new interior design judge on Home of the Year tells Claire O’Mahony about what inspires her

10 SCANDINAVIAN SPRING

I KEA has become a home delivery giant in the Irish market, so what can we expect from them this season?

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BOOK LEARNING T here are many books with designs on how your home

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looks. Donal O’Donoghue takes a look at some arriving this spring

14 GET READY TO SELL

I f you are going to sell, there are a few simple things you can do to make your property much more attractive to potential buyers

PLANT!

16 JUST

Some recommendations for showy, easy houseplants that you can have delivered right to your door, with Hopeless Botanics’ Erin Thomas

18 HERBAL INFUSIONS 20 INSPIRED BY NATURE

10 18

20

Create your own herb garden this spring

se the shapes and forms of the natural world to enrich U your home environment

NECESSARY ROOM

22 THE

A downstairs toilet may well be the smallest of rooms, but it can still be a space to love

Managing editor: Catherine Lee Editor: Stephen Meyler Design: Niamh Hughes Pre-press: David Mahon Advertising sales: Karen Foster (contact 01-208 2880) © Published by RTÉ Commercial Enterprises DAC 2021

Cover image: Luminosa velvet four-seater sofa in Teal, DFS, dfs.ie

22 Home & Interiors

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03/02/2021 12:22

Home & Interiors

News

Watch it!

Interior Design Masters with Alan Carr, Tuesday, BBC Two EL Dining chair, JONSTRUP, asphalt oak, €54.99

Artificial flower, LAVRITS, €5.99

EL Throw, NATTLILJA, €10 EL Dining table, TERSLEV, 80x140, €169 & Dining chair, JONSTRUP, asphalt oak, €54.99

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JYSK in 2021 The Danish home store had some big ideas to share with its Irish customers at a webinar to introduce 2021

big trend is bedrooms that act as restorative sanctuaries. In order to create immersive bedtime environments, every element needs to work, from the curtains, lighting and sound, to choosing the right pillow and mattress. At JYSK’s webinar, interior designer and author, Reena Simon, discussed how Scandinavian design nurtures wellbeing and contentment.

Reena spoke about five key elements for creating a home you never want to leave: Colour palette – neutral tones.

Lighting – keep it bright and layer lighting.

Texture – include a mix of textures.

Materials – natural materials are best; think wicker, rattan and wood.

Finishing touches – accessorise, keep it clean and simple, but layering can add many dimensions.

Table-scaping, a trend that has been around for years, is taking centre stage this year, as we all enjoy dining at home even more. People are taking pleasure in setting the table for dinner, thinking about colour schemes, styling details and investing in accessories such as napkins, candles and vases.

Vase, ROY,€4

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Bowl, TORSTEN, €4

Kate O’ Dowd, from Love and Gatherings, offered her top tips for the perfect tablescape: Choose a collapsible table, like JYSK’s garden trestle, to maximise space. Multi-functional seating is a winner too – think a bench that can live in your spare room and can be taken out as a seat for two. Don’t worry about having a matching set.

When deciding on the theme, take inspiration from your own space to ensure the table-scape will feel natural in its environment. Look at items in your home in a new way to use on the table-scape.

A luxurious table can be as much about where you hold back, as what you add. Key star pieces include JYSK’s large metallic vase and Art Deco style candlesticks. Natural, rough textured linens in muted tones and unevenly shaped earthenware plates, mean that nothing on the table is fighting for attention – first you see the big shiny statements... and then you notice the quieter, but equally beautiful parts.

For centrepieces, incorporate different heights in both candles and florals, which makes Candlestick, for the best aesthetic, but also allows for ERVIN, €5.99 the most cross-table chat. Put the tallest vases and candlesticks either right in the centre, or at both ends, with the rest below eyeline. A good option for low centrepieces is to use a plant pot, with a floral frog inside.

Shop JYSK online at jysk.ie.

Northern light

The second series of the interior design series kicked off at the start of February. There is some Northern Ireland interest in the shape of Belfast shop manager, Paul Moneypenny.

Paul says why he wanted to go on the show: “I wanted a challenge. Often, I don’t ever step out of my comfort zone, so I thought this was the perfect opportunity. The thought of being wrapped up in the interior design world for whatever period of time it may be was exciting and for the opportunities it may bring my way in the future.”

Asked about his designer inspirations, Paul says: “I don’t think I try to replicate any designer in particular, I often find inspiration from an object or a piece of furniture and build my scheme around something that I love, and I also find lots of inspiration from social media.”

Paul reveal that his biggest challenge on the show has been sourcing materials in lockdown: “Though I enjoyed the travelling, the time constraints with sourcing products here in Northern Ireland and having them shipped back to England was tough, as we have less of a variety of homeware stores here.

The fear of ordering products online without seeing them prior to installing was always difficult as colours and quality can appear different on screen to how they look in reality.”

Home & Interiors

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03/02/2021 12:14

Home & Interiors

In the pink Show your interiors a bit of love this Valentine’s Day with DFS’ top picks…

Enchanted four-seater sofa in Blush velvet, €899. (€1,029 after February 24)

Retro accent chair in Pink velvet, €359 (€389 after February 24)

Ivy velvet swivel stool in Blush Combination, €439 (€479 after February 24)

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Enchanted cuddler sofa in Blush velvet, €629 (€699, after February 24)

Aida two-seater sofa in Pink velvet, €619 (€649 after February 24)

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ofa specialists DFS have launched some new pieces in shades of pink, from dusky blushes to bold magenta tones. Perfect for creating a warm and inviting atmosphere and even better, they have some serious discounts to celebrate St Valentine’s Day! All available at dfs.ie for safe home delivery.

Enchanted accent chair in Blush velvet, €349 (€379 after February 24)

Trending

hile we have to stay indoors a lot more now, some of us are focusing on some DIY jobs around the house to keep sane. Of course, it also improves the décor. If you’re a fan of scrolling through home inspo on Instagram, you can’t have missed that DIY panelling has become a big trend and one that is also quite easy to do once you have the right tools. Here’s a brief rundown of how you can try board and batten style panelling at home – check with your local hardware for full advice and information.

Firstly, browse Pinterest and you’ll see just how many different ways you can panel a wall. The board and batten style seems to be the easiest to do; modern, clean-looking and simple (no angles other than right angles). Also check out some Youtube tutorials to watch how other people applied theirs.

The first step, and quite possibly the hardest, is the measurements.

Work out how high you want your panelling to be, put a small mark and then measured the height (up to the mark) and length of the wall.

You then need to work out the size of the panels and get an even space between the wall and the gap between each panel. Always good to ask for a bit of help with this bit!

Then draw it all out, either on a piece of paper or on the wall. Mark where the panels will be with the correct widths, and measured the exact spacing to make sure you like how it looks. If you take care doing this, you’ll have a really easy and accurate template in place when you stick your panelling on.

You can buy simple MDF or planed wood for this and some stores will cut it to size for you. Check with your local timber or DIY store for pricing. You can also get a length of decorative moulding to go across the top panel, to finish it off a bit more ornately or to make a shelf.

Other than that, you just need the following: Decorator’s caulk No nails glue And whatever paint colour you’re going to use (and a primer if needed) Sticking it on – you’ll need to use your No Nails glue for this. Stick measured MDF onto the wall using the template you drew on earlier as your guide. Hold it tightly in place for a few seconds while it sticks, and work your way along the length making sure it’s firmly stuck to the wall. If your wall isn’t dead straight and you’re finding one end pings off, you might need to drive a few pins into the wood to keep it in place.

Sink the pins deeply into the wood so you can fill over the top of the hole afterwards and hide the nail. Use a spirit level to check it’s perfectly straight.

Once it has all dried properly, fill over any joins and then sand it down finely when it is dry to make really neat, seamless joins. If you have any large gaps, just pad this out with filler and neatly sand it down. Apply caulk to all of your edges to neaten it all off, and you’re done - all you need to do now is prime and paint! Don’t forget to always get expert advice first if you’re unsure of how to attempt this!

Home & Interiors

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03/02/2021 12:15

Home & Interiors Unveiled

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s the curtain falls on a dark winter, we welcome a fresh start and blank canvas for the year ahead. Soft beiges, earthy browns and dusty greys naturally find their footing in interiors this season as we transition from the dark nights to brighter evenings. The experts at Colourtrend guide us through the colours to watch out for this year.

The focus on colour in 2021 will continue to shift towards a softer neutral palette. As our homes have evolved into multifunctional spaces, colour is used as an essential tool in achieving balance to our interiors and evoking a sense of calm.

Create space to allow a renewed focus for the year ahead by incorporating lightweight shades in cream, grey and brown but allow bold colours to do the talking throughout with soft furnishings.

Reinvent

The

in colour year

Neutrals, earthy and blush tones: these are the paint colours you’ll want to know for 2021

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This season we look to modern and fresh neutrals such as Lowland, Reinvent, Iced Float, Unveiled, Anu and Mallow Stem. These soft, traditionally feminine hues offer solace and comfort when used in a scheme.

Reinvent and Wild Mink are the perfect example of a modern take on the trend of neutrals. While understated and subdued in its composition, Reinvent does not fit the stereotype that greys can be cold and uninviting in a home setting. In fact, a neutral grey with tones of brown does quite the opposite. Introduce this shade as a feature wall or cocoon in a living room with a backdrop of Reinvent, to bring some serenity to your home. Wild Mink is another beautiful earthy pigment that will blend beautifully into any landscape, urban or rural. Heather hues make up this natural brown colour, creating a distinctive warmth and unique ambience in the space it is used.

A blush neutral tone is another trend that will continue into 2021. It can be a perfectly feminine and sophisticated neutral that will add depth and complement natural toned accessories, flooring or furniture, making it a popular choice for bedrooms or featured on an accent wall in a living room.

Chestnut Pink from Colourtrend’s new Contemporary Collection has become a popular shade for the bedroom, where it can be used on the walls, ceiling, skirting and architrave. This, along with a splash scheme of jewel hued bedding, creates a cocooning effect. This adds a lot of warmth, comfort and tranquillity to the space.

Home & Interiors

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03/02/2021 12:24

Home & Interiors Chestnut Pink

Dark River (shed); Polished (fence)

Focus on outdoors Making the most of our outdoor space is going to be a big thing again this year, so we may feel the urge to re-design the garden, patio or balcony and become even more accustomed to outdoor living.

Mallow Stem

Embracing the natural elements is a go-to first step when considering what shade of paint to use – green and grey shades are often the most popular contrasting colours to incorporate into the garden and transform an entrance or outdoor space. However, if you’re a fan of big and bold colours, there is no better way to transform a garden than by making a statement with colour, even a small feature wall or painted shed in a rich shade can totally transform and rejuvenate a space.

Maintain a fresh finish on your home’s exterior, no matter the weather, with an exterior paint range like Colourtrend’s Weather Collection. A pure acrylic paint, this range is specally formulated to meet the demands of Irish weather, from summer heatwaves (if we’re lucky) to wind and rain. The practicality of this collection allows for protection against wind and rain while keeping your façade neat and polished with the paint’s glossy finish. The collection is mould and mildew resistant, providing excellent coverage, as well as being washable and wipeable for any splashes or hand marks left behind.

Labaster White

Iced Float

Lowland

Colourtrend experts advise that the temperatures are not quite right for painting outside just yet. Temperatures must be above 10°C and you should also ensure the surface is clean and dry before painting.

Colourtrend’s Wood Coat finish is perfect for redesigning your outdoor space. From your shed and fences to garden furniture and trellis – they can all be given a refresh with Woodcoat. Some examples of shades that work in harmony with the Irish landscape include: Dark River, Polished, Skipper, Spring Tide, Solstice, Raglan Road and Wheaten.

Wild Mink

Home & Interiors

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03/02/2021 12:25

Home & Interiors

Designs

for

life

Watch it!

Home of the Year, Tuesday, February 16, RTÉ One

The popular Home of the Year show has a new interior design expert this year. Suzie Mc Adam talks to Claire O’Mahony about judging people’s houses and working through these hard times

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uzie Mc Adam originally planned on a career in architecture but at college, she quickly realised it wasn’t for her. “I transferred over to interior design and I think that ended up being the best decision I ever made,” says Mc Adam, who set up her successful design company in 2011, focusing on luxury residential interior refurbishments. She’s made quite an impact on the Irish interior design world, winning Interior Designer of the Year at the Image Interiors & Living Design Awards in 2019 and this month, she joins the seventh series of RTÉ’s Home of the Year as one of the new judges. “I’d been a huge fan of the show and watched it since it first aired and I always loved it. It is a thrill to be involved with it all,” she says.

The Suzie Mc Adam look seamlessly fuses the contemporary and the

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traditional. “I really like to blend different eras and for each home to be unique,” she explains. “I like to work closely with the client, whether they might love art or music or antiques, and find out what their home means to them and what aspects they love and then drawing on those to elevate to something a little bit more special.”

As a judge on the show, one of the things that she’s looking for is how people take a trend and make it their own. “I use social media a lot and I’m very familiar with all this imagery that I see people have access to. What I’ve been judging is how people have brought that into their homes and essentially put their own stamp on it, not just repeating it.

That’s been really important to me because you can see trends emerging but you don’t want someone to just carbon-copy them. It’s how they bring their own interpretation to it.”

She believes that Irish tastes in décor have evolved over the last two decades. “I think we’ve come on hugely as a nation and I think that’s really visible in Home of the Year, to see the style and almost outward looking-ness of people’s approaches to their interiors. Maybe going back 10, 15 years ago, there were a lot of crimes committed to interior design during the Celtic Tiger and I think we’ve become a lot more tasteful and understanding of what works best in our climate and our environment.

In the past, maybe we loved more shiny glamorous things and now we’re picking things that suit the homes they are going to be placed in.”

The pandemic has seen her concept showroom, The Design Seeker in Monkstown, Dublin, temporarily close but her design team continues to work remotely and the business is seeing strong demand. “Maybe beforehand people would have gone away for the summer or they travel a lot but being at home has made people really look at their homes and realise what’s working for them and also how important it is,” she explains.

Some of the trends she’s seen develop over the last year have been about creating multifunctional spaces, where the nice guest bedroom can also be a home office, as well as multitasking furniture. “I think in the past, people would have gotten very basic pieces but now they realise that, actually, I’m going to be sitting at this desk every day so I want it to have a nice finish of wood, and I want a really nice leather chair and a good table lamp. People are looking to invest in pieces that they’re going to use a lot and that have importance to them.”

There’s also been a move towards more tactile, cosy, welcoming materials such as wool as opposed to grey linens and leathers. Suzie

Home & Interiors

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03/02/2021 12:37

Home & Interiors

Suzie McAdam’s five easy interior design fixes

1

Change your artwork

“Sometimes artwork can become invisible in your home,” says McAdam. “A simple thing to do is to literally rearrange all your existing art work and experiment with it. I often say, take everything off the walls and start afresh.”

2

Embrace the power of cushions

Mc Adam is a big fan of using soft furnishings to experiment with a new palette without fully committing to it. “If you want to introduce a new colour to your living room but you’re a bit afraid to paint the walls, get either cushions or throws in that tone and test how that works in the room.”

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Become wallpaper savvy

“There’s the fear that it’s hugely expensive, which it can be but you can also find end-of-the-line, things that are going out of print and that’s a great way to get a designer wallpaper at a lower cost. If you look out for on Instagram especially, a lot of big brands now do warehouse clear outs,” she says.

has also observed how colour is proving to be a cheerful interiors antidote to the difficulties of the last year. “There’s been so much grimness and grey and it’s been all so sad that I kind of see this joyful trend emerging, where people want yellows and bright tones and to just infuse a bit of playfulness and joy in their homes.”.

She finds inspiration for her work from various sources. “I love film.

I like to watch for the set design and I find that hugely inspirational: like a lot of Wes Anderson movies or Sofia Coppola, so films from a specific era or with a specific look or particular colour palette,” she says.

“I’m a bit of a design book addict too, so I like to buy design books from the 60s and 70s that I find, ones that might not be in print any more but feature really interesting homes.” She also loves Cabana, the biannual interiors and design publication that features unique houses around the world. “I like to find references that aren’t hugely out there, something that’s a little bit hidden. I always like to have something that a client hasn’t seen before and an image that’s almost concealed from the world of Pinterest.”

Mc Adam recently finished renovating her own home, a process that has taken nearly three years. “It’s a Victorian house and it needed a lot of work,” she says. “It gave me a lot of empathy for the people who have taken on their own projects because I understand how tough and gruelling it can be. For me, it was a bit of an experiment in that so much of my work obviously is for clients so it’s meeting their needs and their aesthetic. It was fun for me to be able to explore different ideas and wallpapers that I had seen that maybe I wouldn’t impose on a client but that I could use myself.” She’s happy with the results, but also adds, “I had a baby in the first lockdown in April so he’s nearly a year now. I designed all of the house pre-children so it might evolve a little bit.”

In terms of what her dream projects might be, the designer has two. The first is to design a yacht interior, ideally one that is in the Caribbean. The second reflects her obsession with Paris and her love of French design. “I’d love to do an apartment in Paris. A grand salon kind of style would be amazing, like in the Haussmann buildings that they have there. I was kind of inspired by that for my home. I just love the proportions and how they blend different styles and eras with their approach.”

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Consider reupholstering

According to Mc Adam, reupholstering existing furniture is a lot cheaper than replacing big items like sofas. “Don’t be afraid to mix different fabrics,” she says. “People think it needs to be the exact same fabric but you can play around and do the cushions in one and the base in another and it makes it a little bit more individual and bespoke.”

5

Get bidding

Auction houses have gone virtual and the interior designer says they can be wonderful places to nab a bargain, if you have the time and energy to invest looking online. “You’ll always get a piece that’s going for way under what it’s actually valued at,” she says. “You just have to be a little bit patient but you can get some fantastic pieces that way.”

See examples of Suzie’s work at suziemcadam.com Home & Interiors

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03/02/2021 12:38

looks forward

Home & Interiors

IKEA

The Scandi favourite is having a bit of a moment, with people looking to jazz up their homes while staying in them: the Swedish furniture giant is busier than ever with their home delivery services. They have released three transitional collections for the coming seasons, focusing on three key areas of the home that will take centre stage during the spring and summer.

INBJUDEN hanging decoration €10 FÖRTÄRING drinking straws, €4

INBJUDEN paper napkins, €1.25 IVRIG glasses, €5

KVITTERA serving stand, €10

Everyday celebrations

Everyday Celebrations focuses on enjoying the simple pleasures in life, living in the present and appreciating the beautiful moments in the here and now. From cooking and eating to resting and playing, it’s time to embrace playfulness, our need for relaxation and desire to spend time with loved ones.

IVRIG glasses, €5 VARDAGEN jar with tap, €15

MEDLEM side plate, €3.00

VARDAGEN jar with tap, €15

TORPARÖ table, €75

BLANDA MATT serving bowl, €18

MITTBIT place mat, €2.50

KLASEN trolley, €70

SOARÉ place mat, €3.75

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Home & Interiors

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TORPARÖ table, €75 KALAS plate, €1.75

GRILLSKÄR kitchen with charcoal bbq, €379

03/02/2021 12:40

Home & Interiors

Home sanctuary

IVAR shelving unit with doors, €76

SALONG vase, €7

Home Sanctuary caters to our desire to set up a haven and sense of harmony in our homes. Taking inspiration from ‘Japandi’, it focuses on simplicity, functionality and fluidity, with storage for our most treasured belongings, sculptural and sleek shapes and decorative touches celebrating texture and asymmetry.

VARIERA box with handle, €9

HAUGA glass door cabinet, €129

MÅNSARP display shelf with hooks, €20

PURRPINGLA storage basket, €4

KUGGIS storage box with lid, €4

LOKALT basket, €TBC

RÅDFRÅGA decoration set, €10

RUDSTA glass door cabinet, €85

IDANÄS open wardrobe, €129

LISTERBY coffee table, €150

FREDÖN hammock, €45

SOLVINDEN LED lighting chain, €19 SÖTHOLMEN cushion cover, €15

FUNKÖN cushion, €9

Outdoor escapism

Our need to reconnect with nature has never been more important, with Outdoor Escapism addressing our desire to establish and enjoy our own personal slice of outdoor paradise, no matter how big or small. Since lockdown, our outdoor spaces have become an extension of our homes, with the long summer days, nights and ongoing uncertainty around travel beckoning us to rekindle and strengthen this connection.

PE710867

HYLLIS shelving unit, €12

FNITTRIG plant pot, €3

ALTAPPEN floor decking, €10

HÖGÖN parasol, €40, ALTAPPEN floor decking, €10

ÄPPLARÖ reclining chair, €50

GAMLEHULT footstool with storage, €70

ALOE VERA potted plant, €3 KRYDDPEPPAR plant stand, €22 FEJKA artificial potted plant, €39

Home & Interiors

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03/02/2021 12:41

Home & Interiors

By the book

These days, our home is our castle, among many other things: office, play area, school and the rest. Donal O’Donoghue looks at some new and imminent interior design titles that promise to make that space unique

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ike many these days, I work from home. My ‘office’ is in the back bedroom (with panoramic view of the estate) while my wife’s ‘office’ is in the front bedroom (panoramic view of our nomadic cat looking out from a neighbour’s window). Courier packages arrive daily. Many of these manila emvelopes contain the latest books. Last week, Stuff Happens by Emma Gleeson (see below) was one of the new arrivals to the tower of books on the desk. I had a look inside and it got me thinking: spring cleaning has an even more urgent meaning this lockdown February. If we cannot change our life, maybe we can change our home? But before you reach for the paintbrush or refuse sacks or glass of Pinot Noir, maybe you should arm yourself with knowledge first. Here are the latest books that promise to help us make our house less cluttered, our homes more beautiful and give our head some peace.

Stuff Happens!

by Emma Gleeson (published by Penguin Ireland on February 25) The late, great comedian, George Carlin, had a classic stand-up routine called ‘A Place for My Stuff’ (also the title of his ninth album).

“All you need in life is a little place for your stuff,” he says. “That’s all your house is, a place to keep your stuff. If you didn’t have so much stuff, you wouldn’t need a house. You could just walk around all the time.” And on it goes, a wonderful and wise comic riff on the meaning of stuff and thus the meaning of life, because Carlin knew, better than most, that in life, stuff happens.

So does Emma Gleeson. Emma is a professional de-clutterer. Is that an actual profession now? Must be. Anyway, as someone who has called her business Give Up Yer Auld Tings, I’ll forgive her lots. And Gleeson’s debut book is timely and thought-provoking, and not just in getting your house clean as a whistle but also by de-cluttering your house, you will also de-clutter your head.

Gleeson strips it back to first principles. Rather than ordering a skip, arming yourself with a geansaí-load of refuse sacks and going at it like a dervish, she suggests you ask yourself why are you so intent on de-cluttering in the first place? In other words, are you just tackling the symptoms and not really getting to the heart of the matter, as in why are you collecting so much stuff in the first place (or as the book’s sub-title has it: ‘Manage your clutter, clear your head & discover what’s really important.’

Gleeson gets down to brass tacks (and by the way, do you really need those brass tacks?) with practical, no-nonsense advice on what to keep, what to lose and how to organise your place, regardless of how big or small it is. But the big picture is where it is really at: why do we buy so much ‘stuff’ in the first place and how can we once and for all escape the tractor beam of the material world? Ultimately, at the end of it all, the principle is this: try not to have anything in your home that is neither functional or beautiful (both would be the ideal).

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A Place Called Home

by Cath Kidston (photographs by Christopher Simon Sykes, published by Pavilion on April 2) Until this book, I thought Cath Kidston was a brand name or an outsized gaily coloured tea-cup.

Not for a moment did I think it was an actual living person. Silly me.

This is the story of the self-styled Queen of Prints, (personally I prefer Princess of Prints) home in the Cotswolds (where else would the Queen of vintage accessorised homeware live?), a rambling manor she transformed into her dream home.

If you too wanted a home like Cath Kidston – and not just a kitchen filled with her colourful cups and saucers – then this is the book for you. The book, we are told, focuses on spaces. In Cath’s case, these spaces include entrance hall (is that the same as hall?), sitting room, study, dining room, office (is that the same as bedroom?), kitchen, dressing room (is that the same as bedroom?), attic, greenhouse and summer house.

Of course, we can’t all live in a manor like Cath Kidston. So this, like those glossy magazines that keep you distracted from the drilling noises as you wait in the dentist’s surgery, is all about the kind of home you could live in if you had the time, the money, the imagination and not so much goddam stuff. It is shiny with photographs and purple with prose as we wander through such whimsically themed rooms as the Castle Bedroom and the Fish Bathroom (no real fish were harmed in its creation).

However, it’s not just all whimsy and ‘what ifs’ as Cath does reveal some of the tips and tricks of the trade. So dear reader, you will discover how “simple tricks make stimulating spaces, from using vintage-inspired prints to transform a quiet corner into an art gallery, to how the right rug can tie a room together and create a cosy, congenial atmosphere.” Billed as an interiors-meets-memoir book, this is also touted to help you turn your boring old gaff into something magical – or at least very flowery. For now, I will make do with the outsized cups and saucers.

Home & Interiors

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Home & Interiors Everything: A Maximalist Style Guide

by Abigail Ahern (published by Pavilion) So much for de-cluttering and the minimalist approach of less being more. With her latest tome, Abigail Ahern is unapologetically blowing the trumpet for more is more, or as it’s known in the business, maximalism. Or as others like to put it ‘go big or go home’ (and if you’re home already, well then that’s even better). Maximalism, we are told, is the next big thing in interiors, a defiant riposte to the stripped-back Scandi-style that was all the rage yesterday. But this is now and why live in a hermit-like home when you can wallow in excess?

In Everything (the clue is in the title), Ahern guides us through the sea change in the world of interiors as the pendulum swings away from minimalism, over to our increasing desire for self-expression and optimism. Here is a woman on a mission to instil everyone with the confidence to be fearless when decorating, to create a space you’d never want to leave. She shows how to experiment with colour, pattern, texture, lighting and accessories, with vintage finds and modern pieces working together.

The book is illustrated throughout with inspirational maximalist interiors alongside peeks into Abigail’s own home. In other words, there’s just about everything in here for those who want to go big, bold and brash.

The New Mindful Home: and how to make it yours

by Joanna Thornhill (published by Laurence King on April 15) If you live in a house that is more mind-how-you-go (and watch out for that…) than mindful, then this could be the book you’ve been waiting for all your life. Or maybe not. I’m still grappling with the concept of a mindful house. Is that like some sort of haunted house but one that is very careful not to disturb or upset the atmosphere in any way?

Maybe I should let the author make her case:“This book aims to demystify the links between body, mind and soul to explain how we can harness the power of mindfulness to help our homes become machines to support our well-being as individuals and that of the planet as a whole. It will help you look beyond fads, trends or shopping ‘must-haves’ influenced by the ‘anxiety economy’, and instead consider making slow, gentle lifestyle shifts towards a kinder, more considered way to decorate, curate, clean and manage your home.”

And how can one attain this domestic bliss? Well, first buy this book obviously and then you can read its simple practical projects for customising your home. Mind how you go now.

Cut & Dry: The Modern Guide to Drying and Styling Flowers

by Carolyn Dunster (published by Laurence King on April 22) Personally, dried flowers invariably evoke memories of funeral parlours and visits to elderly aunts. Of course, that was back in the Dark Ages (aka 1980s Ireland). Since then, the world of dried flowers has gone through many seasons of change and appreciation. Interior stylist Carolyn Dunster’s latest publication is a personal and practical guide to dried flowers at a time that they are enjoying a revival, back in vogue for a number of reasons, not least that they are an ecological and sustainable answer to seasonal flower arranging.

In her book, Carolyn Dunster explores her deep-seated love of growing and working with flowers. “I have been obsessed with flowers for as long as I can remember,” she writes in the introduction. “My earliest memories from childhood revolve around flowers – I loved being outside and filling jam jars with snippets from my parents’ garden. Even then, however, it bothered me that once picked, their beauty was fleeting, so I learnt how to press and dry flowers to make them last.”

With Cut & Dry, Dunster aims to draw the reader’s attention to the cyclical habits of the natural world, encouraging them to look closely at the hidden beauty of plants as they dry. The projects she includes are straightforward and easy to follow (so it says here) including a flat sheaf bouquet, walls and door displays and a flower cloud. Thus, Dunster brings new life into the age-old art of growing, drying and displaying blooms in ways that will bring a stylish, natural feel to any room.

Mad About The House Planner: Your Home, Your Story

by Kate WatsonSmyth (published by Pavilion on March 4).

From the author of Mad About the House comes this planner which promises to give you the A-Z when renovating, from creating a home office to making your home a space to enjoy.

Mad About The House Planner is a mix of journal, diary and little black book, with a focus on sustainability and money-saving tips. Also included in this handy planner are accounts pages to note down what you’re spending money on – and when – as you renovate; an address book for useful contacts and tradesmen; checklists for all the essentials in each room; grid pages for drawing floorplans; and space to jot down favourite shops, inspiration and websites.

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Home & Interiors Left: A messy kitchen is a big no-no; right: clear counter-tops a winner

Getting

your

house

in order Selling your house or apartment can be stressful, but a little prep work before you put the place on the market will help smooth the process. One of the country’s leading estate agents, DNG, shares some advice on getting sale-ready

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T

he initial impression that your home makes is long lasting.

Concentrate on first impressions, as a well-maintained exterior is an important part of showcasing your home. Paint your front door, tidy the garden and make the entrance area as welcoming as possible. If you live in an apartment, do your best to improve the communal areas. If they look unkept, it will appear that the building is not well-maintained, which can obviously affect the willingness of potential buyers to part with their cash. You don’t need to obsess over de-personalising your home, but if rooms are painted bright colours you should consider a quick coat of neutral paint. Keith Lowe, CEO of DNG, says: “Purchasers are trying to picture themselves living in your home so minimise personal possessions and de-clutter to maximise your sales price”.

The first step is to choose an agent who is enthusiastic about selling your property and someone who will sell the positives of your home.

Here are some of the tips we recommend to clients…

Who is your target market?

Who is going to purchase your property? When taking the first step to selling your property quickly and painlessly, it is important to consider your target market. Our agents have details of the buyer profile looking in your area and then we can tailor your space to appeal to this main group without alienating other potential buyers. An example would be if your property suited the profile of a young family, then we would suggest your office/ study could be turned back into a bedroom and make a space for a workstation elsewhere in the house. This will ensure that your house will appeal to the widest section of potential buyers.

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Home & Interiors Keep hallways neat and welcoming

De-clutter and de-personalise

Potential purchasers need to imagine themselves living in your house.

One important aspect when getting your property ready for the market is to showcase as much counter surface space and floor space as possible. Put things you don’t really use on a daily basis in the attic or in storage. Large pieces of furniture should also go into storage; this will make rooms feel more spacious. Key areas to focus on are: the hallway – clear away coats and any additional clutter; the bathroom – hide all your personal products; the kitchen – clear the counter surface of appliances, biscuit tins, pasta jars and remove old tea towels and overflowing bins.

Neutral tones best, bold colours a turn-off

Freshen up

A fresh coat of neutral paint, new tiling or lino can do wonders to smarten up a tiredlooking kitchen or bathroom, and doesn’t have to cost very much. If you can’t stretch to re-tiling the bathroom, regrouting should bring it up as good as new. Check your ceilings for water stains (fix the problem and repaint). To a nervous buyer, a damp stain caused by a minor leak in the past suggests potential problems and can raise alarm bells in your target market.

If you have a garden, it is now seen as an additional room, so be sure to make your garden feel like a great space for entertaining and relaxing. Simple tips like mowing the lawn, keeping flower beds weed-free and adding potted plants can make your outside space stand out from the crowd.

Let there be light!

Your garden is another room to sell

Open curtains and blinds for more light and while you’re at it, make sure windows are washed and curtains and blinds are clean and hung properly. In summer, natural light can create a wonderful atmosphere and give a feeling of freshness and cleanliness. In winter, make sure all the light bulbs are working and have lights switched on for viewings during the day. If you have a fireplace, have the fire lit Windows: keep as it will create a homely ambience to your ‘em clean! potential buyer.

Clean up

If you’d rather not reBanish pets decorate, it is still essential during viewing that your property is clean and smelling fresh before every viewing. You may be used to the grime and old cooking smells of everyday life in your home, but buyers will be experiencing this for the first time. Getting professional cleaners in at the start of your sales campaign can really make the place sparkle and will be money well-spent. A gleaming bathroom and kitchen are essential as buyers rate these as their most important rooms in the house. If you have pets, make sure you air out the property prior to viewings. Use ‘plug-ins’, scented candles or fresh flowers for a clean, light scent.

Preparing for viewings

Sweep up the entrance to your property, and make sure the front garden and entrance hall are tidy and inviting. Leave any pets with a neighbour or friend, and thoroughly clean up any pet hair, as many people are allergic. Air out the house; and try not to smoke or cook spicy food before a viewing. Our agents will arrive early before a viewing to turn on the lights and the heating (if required). If you have a driveway, leave the space free for a potential buyer as this will add to the whole viewing experience. If it is raining or snowing, leave mats to the front and rear doors.

For help selling (or buying) a home see dng.ie

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Home & Interiors

Houseplant Revival

House plants are certainly having a moment and the variety available now has ensured that even novices have a chance of keeping something alive! We found Hopeless Botanics on Instagram and instantly fell in love with their plant offering. They deliver beautiful plants right to your door (currently delivering to Dublin, Kildare, Wicklow and Meath) and they pride themselves on sourcing a range of growers from across Europe who supply the highest quality. Here, owner Erin Thomas guides us through her top house plant picks and provides some advice for growing at this time of year

Chinese evergreen ‘Diamond Bay’ The soft, muted colours of ‘Diamond Bay’ make it one of our favourite Chinese evergreens. They can tolerate lower light more than many plants, and they prefer if the soil dries out 50-70% of the way, in between watering. Perfect if you don’t want to be worrying about your plants if you, by some miracle, have escaped your house for a few weeks. They are popular in offices because they can tolerate such low light and require little maintenance.

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Maranta ‘Fascinator’ This Maranta, originally from Brazil, has deep pink veins running through its beautiful leaves. Also known as a prayer plant, it moves – splaying out during the day and folding upwards as the light disappears. Watch as it shoots out wild arms of unfurling leaves. A shady spot in a bright room is perfect, and while it likes moist soil, make sure it doesn’t get soggy.

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Home & Interiors

Bird of paradise You’ll see ten-foot high bird of paradise plants in beautiful botanical greenhouses, where they are the definition of tropical greenery. If you have a bright space, and want to nurture a plant as a stunning focal point in a room, this is a great choice.

Don’t let the soil dry out, dust the big paddle-shaped leaves every month, and make sure you feed it to keep it thriving.

Pineapple bromeliad Totally silly and over the top fun, this pineapple bromeliad is easy because it likes drought, so prefers to be under rather than over-watered, and it can handle a bit of low light too, surprisingly. The fruit will grow for around four to five months, and then it might get a bit heavy, so snip it off and Our light levels are still very low, so move adorn a homemade your plants closer to windows if possible, cocktail. Keep the plant and dust the leaves every month or so going though, as more as dust-free leaves absorb the light shoots will appear. much better.

Houseplant tip for February

Aspidistra Top tips!

As we move closer to spring, look out for signs of new growth and once you spot them, give your plant the energy boost it needs with a liquid houseplant feed every 3-4 weeks. Don’t water your plants according to a schedule like ‘every Sunday’. It’s a sure path to the brown bin. Find out how much your plant likes to dry out in between a drink (i.e. 20%, 70% etc.) and get into the habit of checking the soil with a chopstick or your finger, or the weight of the pot, before you lash any water in.

Known as the cast iron plant for a reason, this will be the easiest plant you own. They are pretty unkillable, tolerant of shade and are classy, elegant, simple and structural – particularly when they get to a metre tall. The Victorians were mad for them and George Orwell labelled it a symbol of middleclass stuffiness, but we think these ‘old-fashioned’ hard working beauts are more than worthy of a comeback.

Go to hopelessbotanics.ie to see their full range, their helpful blogs or to ask any questions

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Herbs at home

Home & Interiors

They are among the easiest plants to grow, so why not give some culinary herbs a go this spring?

Coriander

Love it or hate it, this herb is central to Asian and Mexican food and is also easy to grow from seed in spring, in both containers and in the ground. Don’t sow it all at once, as individual plants have an in-built urge to start flowering – and therefore stop making leaves you can use – so sow seeds every couple of weeks from spring into summer to guarantee a continuous supply. Discourage your coriander from flowering, or ‘bolting’, by keeping it well watered in dry weather. It prefers a sunny spot with good drainage.

Basil

Dill

Who wouldn’t enjoy the achievement of making pesto from basil they grew themselves? However, unlike the other herbs here, it can be a tricky customer to please in the Irish climate. It loves the sun, but will stop growing if it is too cold, its leaves will burn if it’s too windy and it will just plain keel over if you get the watering wrong.

That said, sow seeds in pots on a sunny windowsill away from draughts and cold and you can soon have a crop of beautifully fragrant, vibrantly green leaves. Remove any flower spikes that appear to keep it making leaves.

It can be grown outside, but it needs a really sheltered sunny spot in good soil to do well.

This is another herb that looks especially decorative in the garden: its feathery green foliage is topped by flat yellow flowers in summer.

Really easy to grow from seed, it is great with fish, soups, cheese and potatoes.

The plants don’t like their roots being disturbed, so sow them where you want them to grow, either in the ground or in a container.

At the end of summer, collect the seeds to use in a whole range of sauces and dishes.

Chives

Related to onions, chives are a pretty herb to grow, with slender, grass leaves and purple-pink pompom flowers in summer. All parts of the plant lend a mild onion flavour to your cooking.

Sow seeds directly in the ground during March and April. Chives grow best in a sunny spot with rich moist soil, so keep the plants watered. For variety look out for garlic chives, which is a larger plant with a garlicky taste.

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Fennel

A long-lived tall plant that is covered in vibrant yellow flowers in summer.

Another herb that works with fish, choose the bronze variety for an extra decorative effect from the feathery leaves. Grow it in sun or partial shade in moist, well-drained soil.

In a windy spot, you may need to support it, as it is tall-growing.

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Home & Interiors

Mint

By far the easiest herb to grow, it can quickly take over a border or mixed container, so best to grow it in a pot of its own. It’s not often grown from seed, as it is so easy to grow from cuttings – a piece will quickly produce roots in a glass if water and can be potted up to romp away in a sunny or shady spot; just remember to keep it watered. Pinch out any flower buds to encourage more leaf growth.

There are lots of varieties with different flavours, from spearmint to peppermint and even ones that smell of pineapple.

Oregano

Rosemary

Unlike many other culinary herbs, rosemary is a bushy perennial that can grow into a quite substantial shrub, so think about growing it along a fence or at the back of a sunny border.

Perfect in Mediterranean-style dishes, it is also very decorative, with silvery green narrow leaves and flowers produced all year round in mild conditions.

To keep it looking full and compact, when the flowers begin to fade, cut back the stems or the plants will become leggy. Grow in full sun in well drained soil – it is also happy in a large pot.

Sage

The characteristic flavour of Italy and Greece, it’s no surprise that oregano needs all the sun you can give it to develop its flavour. Give it sun and light, unfertilised soil and it will thrive. It has nice pink flowers that bees love and makes great ground cover at the front of borders.

Start the seeds off in pots indoors.

When the plants reach 10cm tall, pinch out the growing tips to encourage more bushy plants.

Parsley

Whether curly or flat-leaf, parsley is a great one to try, so give the seeds a head-start by sowing them indoors on a sunny windowsill. You can also sow directly in the ground when the soil warms up, but be patient as it has a reputation for germinating slowly. Speed it up by soaking the seeds in water overnight before planting. Choose a spot with rich, slightly damp soil in full sun or partial shade.

To harvest, cut single stalks low down, and remember, the stems are full of flavour too, so chop them finely and use along with the leaves.

Sage is a great herb for cooking with and easy to grow. All it needs is sunshine and good drainage, so plant it in a sunny spot with fertile, well-drained soil.

Adding grit or even some sand to the planting hole will help with drainage.

There are lots of varieties including purple and variegated ones, which are more decorative in a small space.

Harvest the leaves regularly to encourage more to grow. It is evergreen, so leaves can be picked at any time, but use sparingly as they are a strong flavour.

Thyme

The other stand-by Mediterranean herb is great for growing in pots of well-drained gritty compost on a sunny windowsill outside. It can be grown from seeds sown in spring, but you could also just plonk the supermarket grown-in-a-pot variety outside too. It loves sun, hates being waterlogged and maintenance is as easy as a tidy up with a shears in late spring. In the ground, grow it near a path so you’ll get wafts of fragrance as you step along.

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Home & Interiors Charles Eamesstyle house bird, CADesign, €72

Abbey sculptures, various, WooDesign, from €33.99

Bali sculpture, BoConcept, €70

Inspired

Hayi baby lion head wall decoration for child’s room, La Redoute, €17.39

by nature

Astronauts rug, 160 x 230cm, Rug Vista, €196

With so many of us staying at home we are thinking more about how our space looks – from considering a paint job or kitchen renovations to moving pictures and décor items to new spots. Here, we take some inspiration from nature with a selection of quirky pieces from online sources

Spiderpig in green, Werkwardig at iamify, €210

Oscar adjustable table lamp, FourLine Design, €63

Indoor pillow, teespring.com €12.99

Skeleton money box, Antiques Ireland, €52

Kancona mirror, L84 x H50cm, La Redoute, €110.39 Metalli owl, Fervor and Hue, €12.95 Grey rug, 120 x 80cm, Rug Vista, €257 Signature Key Caps Pulp Orchid, €74 Bowls (4 piece set), Far and Away, €69

Home & Interiors

Belleek vase, Antiques Ireland, €42

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€210

Home & Interiors Canvas print, teespring.com, €12.41

Cute animals flower vase, FourLine Design, €39

Nordic style Morandi ceramic vase, Tiny Porcelain, €32.54

Stone men - Set of 5, Uma Cantil at iamify, €65

Geometry Style Ceramic Art Vase, Tiny Porcelain, €65.17 Raylan Candle Holder, MK Interiors, €99

Botanic bed throw, BoConcept, €149

Bookendelephants, Fervor and Hue, €35

Duck feet picture frame, WooDesign, €39

Dance-til-youcan print, Drool, from €73

The Great Monster Off Kanagawa Art Print, DinoMike at iamify, from €71

eton ey

ques nd,

Elephant candle holder, The Store Room, €25

Checkered balloon dog, FourLine Design, €47

Saloum set of 4 cups, La Redoutee, €17.39

Leopard book ends, The Store Room,€45

eek e, ques nd,

Cast iron flamingos, Antiques Ireland, €275

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Home & Interiors

Small space

Big

impact

Despite being the smallest room in the house, the downstairs toilet is one place where you can really show off your individual style. By incorporating stylish accessories and functional storage, even the smallest of bathrooms can be a unique yet practical space for your guests to explore. Here’s a bit of inspiration!

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VADO Edit mini mono basin mixer, RRP approx €260

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Make a statement with creative tile use

Bathroom wall tile options are endless so there is one to suit every aesthetic. Tiles are an ideal way to create a feature in a small space through a pop of colour, fresh pattern or unconventional shape. If you are planning on keeping your wall décor simple, statement floor tiles are a great way to add some personality to a compact space.

Mosaic tiles create a contemporary and stylish feature in a small bathroom or toilet in need of a splash of colour, perfectly complementing a simple wall-hung basin with space-saving towel storage. There are a host of colours, prints, patterns, shapes and sizes to choose from and anybody looking for something a little bit different will love the hexagon trend.

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VADO Individual range 2-hole wall-mounted single lever basin mixer in brushed gold, €502

Reflect light using mirrors Mirrors are an essential addition to your downstairs toilet décor, to create the illusion of space and light. Line the wall behind your basin with mirrored tiles or add extra storage with a mirrored cabinet. Pair with a simple chrome tap for a sleek modern appearance.

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Maximise space A vanity unit adds functionality while neatly optimising the space you have.

Creating essential storage space, reducing clutter and helping to keep the focus on decorative elements. A floating vanity unit not only improves your storage space, it will also help to make the room appear bigger.

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Home & Interiors

VADO Individual brushed gold flatlay

VADO Level frosted glass soap dish and holder, wall mounted, RRP €31

4

Add a personal touch

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Stand-out accessories

Express your personality and bring the room to life, whether through decorative accessories that reflect your personal style or displaying treasured memories by hanging up family photos.

If you love the sea, then escape to the beach at any time with seaside hues of ocean blue and green, sandy beige, soft pink and white shell colours and motifs. Add natural textures, distressed wood and striped textiles to create a fresh and relaxed nautical look. Personalise with treasures such as postcards and photos and add nautical accessories such as a porthole mirror, pretty glass jars or seashells to conjure happy holiday memories.

Go wild with wallpaper

The bathroom is the perfect place to add some fun into your home. You may have limited space but it’s an ideal area to experiment with bold décor through your choice of pattern, colour and texture. Wallpaper allows you to have some fun with design and transform a functional room into a sophisticated retreat or a statement space. Create a quirky downstairs toilet using colourful bathroom accessories, patterned tiles or statement wallpaper. Any wallpaper can be used in a bathroom, but it is important it doesn’t come into direct contact with water. If you want something durable, there are also splash-proof and anti-bacterial ranges available.

VADO Strata shower column, €620

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VADO Booth and Co. Axbridge towel ring in bright nickel, RRP €68

The addition of decorative accessories can make even the smallest of spaces look completely different.

Complement your bathroom fittings and fixtures with a matching toilet roll holder, toilet brush and soap dish in the same shade and finish as the room.

Complete your design by carefully selecting your hand towels to complement your chosen décor. Match colourful bold patterns and textures with your bathroom tiles or statement wall or add blue and white stripes for a nautical note. Or if you want to keep it simple, an assortment of classic white and neutral shades creates a luxurious feel and timeless setting.

7

Heat your loo in style

Add style and warmth to your luxury cloakroom with a heated towel rack or rail to get warm dry towels on demand.

As a downstairs bathroom is usually quite compact, you may find this will provide sufficient heat.

However if you have the luxury of a larger room, you may want to consider underfloor heating.

The VADO range is available from Earthridge International Ltd., Dowdstown, Maynooth, Co. Kildare, Tel: (01) 628 6845. Browse the full VADO collection at earthridge.ie

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INTERIORS

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