Love Your Home Magazine Belfast 2023

Welcome to the Love Your Home show, Belfast 2023. If you are looking for advice, information and inspiration for your home then you are in the right place.

Whether you are planning a big extension or just giving one room or piece of furniture a new lease of life, Love Your Home has gathered the best companies to help you turn your dreams into reality. Thinking about garden and outdoor living? Want to carry out an energy upgrade? We’ve got you covered too. All under the one roof.

Whatever your project, bring your ideas, bring your plans, bring your photographs, and speak to the experts! The show is hosting free 1-2-1 garden, interior design and architectural clinics. Just come along and have a chat. The clinics are running throughout the weekend and are first come, first serve.

Check out the Love Your Home Theatre for a range of live demos and informative talks. And at the Sustainable Home Theatre in association with Phoenix Energy, you’ll get to learn more about how to save the planet and save on your utility bills, from energy-efficient design to intelligent waste management systems.

In the Artist and Maker Village, craftsmanship, skill and creativity abound. With a range of materials and styles, there are pieces of art to suit all tastes. Meet the makers to discuss what inspires them and what techniques they use to create unique pieces from ceramic, wood, glass, textiles and various painting methods. All products are available to buy to add something special to your home or to give as a unique gift. And don’t miss the Furniture Rescue Challenge area where you’ll get to immerse yourself in live upcycling on all three days of the show. Four furniture artists, painters and upcyclers from across Northern Ireland are joining us for the first time at Love Your Home.

Sourced from our charity partner, ReStore by Habitat for Humanity, the upcyclers will showcase how to breathe new life into unloved pieces of furniture. If you want to get your hands on one of the finished pieces, keep an eye on our socials where they will be auctioned after the event, all proceeds going to Habitat for Humanity. You can also vote for your favourite furniture artist and see the winner here in 2024 in their own stand showcasing more of their fantastic creations. Don’t forget there are lots of show special offers to avail of and competitions to enter to help you bring your project to life.

Enjoy the show!

Editor Contributors

Astrid Madsen

Astrid Madsen is the editor of SelfBuild & Improve Your Home magazine. She previously held the same role in an Irish trade publication, before that she worked at the National Standards Authority of Ireland. She graduated with a BA in Urban Studies from Columbia University in New York and holds an MBA from the Instituto de Estudios Bursatiles in Madrid. France of origin, she now lives in Portarlington, County Laois, where she’s taken on the task of renovating a listed building!

Email: astrid.madsen@selfbuild.ie

Vivenne Hanna

Vivienne has been repurposing furniture for over 34 years. Last year she started her own business Vivienne Hanna, Furniture & Home. She specialises in refurbishing all types of furniture, lamps and home accessories, making for cost effective interior solutions. @vivienne_hanna_

Heather McGarrigle

Heather McGarrigle is a qualified journalist and marketer with over 17 years’ experience in content and communications. She began her career as a magazine features writer and has worked as a newspaper reporter, freelance journalist, copywriter, book editor, digital marketer and social media manager. She also runs The Patchwork Quill blog, celebrating culture, craft and creativity in Northern Ireland. heather@quillincni.com

Claire Savage

Claire Savage is a copywriter/editor based near the Giant’s Causeway, with more than 14 years’ experience working in the media. She has written for various newspapers and magazines, including the Belfast Telegraph and Culture NI, and set up her copywriting and editing business, CS Editorial, in 2014. Also the author of three novels and co-editor of an anthology, Claire has been the recipient of various awards from the Arts Council NI to support her work. She also hosts the Giant’s Causeway Book Club for the National Trust. claire@cseditorial.co.uk

Follow Love Your Home here

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Love Your Home

Theatre

Be inspired by top experts.

This year hear advice and ideas from some of Northern Ireland’s top interior experts. What’s new in kitchen trends, how to elevate your outdoor space, the best interior tips and tricks and much much more. Meet the experts and be inspired.

Cher Simpson Watt Cher Simpson Watt Interiors

George McStravick GMS Intelligent Systems

Harvey Moffatt Co-Design Interiors

Mervyn McNeill McNeill Architectural Consultancy

Neil Elliott Future Renewables

Andrea Graham Born Interiors

Stephen Blakely Blakely Interiors

Friday Saturday Sunday

10.45

Future Proof Your Home

George McStravick GMS Intelligent Systems Ltd

11.30

Beautiful Interiors - When To Hire A Professional

Cher Simpson Watt Cher Simpson Watt Interiors

12.15

Comprehensive Seminar On Extensions, Conversions & Remodelling

Mervyn McNeill McNeill Architectural Consultancy

12.45 Lunch

13.15

See Your Home In Perfect Virtual Reality

Andrea Graham Born Interiors

14.00

Future Renewables

Neil Elliott Future Renewables

14.45

9 Interior Design Secrets

Stephen Blakely Blakely Interiors

15.30

Design Your Perfect Kitchen

Harvey Moffatt Co-Design Interiors

10.45

9 Interior Design Secrets

Stephen Blakely Blakely Interiors

11.30

Design Your Perfect Kitchen

Harvey Moffatt Co-Design Interiors

12.15

Beautiful Interiors - When To Hire A Professional

Cher Simpson Watt Cher Simpson Watt Interiors

12.45 Lunch

13.15

Future Proof Your Home

George McStravick GMS Intelligent Systems Ltd

14.00

Comprehensive Seminar On Extensions, Conversions & Remodelling

Mervyn McNeill McNeill Architectural Consultancy

14.45

See Your Home In Perfect Virtual Reality

Andrea Graham Born Interiors

15.30

Future Renewables

Neil Elliott Future Renewables

10.45

See Your Home In Perfect Virtual Reality

Andrea Graham Born Interiors

11.30

Future Renewables

Neil Elliott Future Renewables

12.15

Future Proof Your Home

George McStravick GMS Intelligent Systems Ltd

12.45 Lunch

13.15

9 Interior Design Secrets

Stephen Blakely Blakely Interiors

14.00

Design Your Perfect Kitchen

Harvey Moffatt Co-Design Interiors

14.45

Comprehensive Seminar On Extensions, Conversions & Remodelling

Mervyn McNeill McNeill Architectural Consultancy

15.30

Beautiful Interiors - When To Hire A Professional

Cher Simpson Watt Cher Simpson Watt Interiors

Sustainable Home

Theatre

in association with

From energy-efficient design to intelligent waste management systems, our homes redefine green living. Embrace a lifestyle that minimizes your carbon footprint while maximizing your well-being. Take a seat and join us on this transformative journey towards a sustainable future and listen to the experts.

Iain Hoy Phoenix Energy

Jonathan Martindale Phoenix Energy

Mark O’Neill Roof Window Specialist

Neil McCracken Phoenix Energy

Sean Kinane myenergi Ireland

Helena Kearns Gink Design

Sissy Borchert The Conservation Volunteers

Robert Clements Northern Ireland Housing Executive

Friday Saturday Sunday

11.15

Your Health & Your Safety With A Difference

Mark O’Neill Roof Window Specialists

12.00

The Power To Save Is At Your Fingertips

Robert Clements

Northern Ireland Housing Executive

12.45

Journey to Net Zero

Jonathan Martindale Phoenix Energy

13.30 Lunch

11.15

The Future of Electric Vehicle

Charging & Solar Panels

Sean Kinane myenergi ireland

12.00

Revive and Reuse: Unleashing The Potential Of Recycled Household Items

Helena Kearns Gink Design

12.45

Journey to Net Zero

Neil McCracken Phoenix Energy

13.30 Lunch

14.15

Revive and Reuse: Unleashing The Potential Of Recycled Household Items

Helena Kearns Gink Design

15.00

The Future of Electric Vehicle

Charging & Solar Panels

Sean Kinane myenergi ireland

11.15

Revive and Reuse: Unleashing The Potential Of Recycled Household Items

Helena Kearns Gink Design

12.00

Your Health & Your Safety With A Difference

Mark O’Neill Roof Window Specialists

12.45

Journey to Net Zero

Iain Hoy Phoenix Energy

13.30 Lunch

14.15

Local Trees For Local Gardens

Sissy Borchert The Conservation Volunteers

15.00

The Power To Save Is At Your Fingertips

Robert Clements

Northern Ireland Housing Executive

15.45

Your Health & Your Safety With A Difference

Mark O’Neill Roof Window Specialists

14.15

The Power To Save Is At Your Fingertips

Robert Clements Northern Ireland Housing Executive

15.00

The Future of Electric Vehicle

Charging & Solar Panels

Sean Kinane myenergi ireland

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For The Love Of Furniture

Vivienne Hanna is a restorer who sells furniture and home accessories. Here she shares how she did up her own home room by room.

Words: Vivienne Hanna

My unique style of restoration blends old and new. Be it in a room where I mix and match pieces to work together, or in an individually curated piece. These items aren’t available to buy on the high street and more often than not, refurbished pieces become the highlight of a room, sitting proudly in their environment, each piece usually has a find story and a repair story, for which, goes to make great conversation.

There are people who have recognised the value in furniture and accessories for years. They are known as dealers. The brown furniture and art they sell we tend to call antiques.

I am no antiques dealer, but I really do see potential in furniture at the local charity shop, sale, neighbour’s house or auction. Need a new sofa? You won’t get one on the high street as good as the older ones unless you are paying many thousands of pounds. The old sofas are much

heavier and longer lasting than what is being produced today.

It’s important for the sake of the planet that we reset our mindset and reevaluate the quality of the items around us. Save pieces from the skip. Donate to charity. Give to a friend. Pass down to the younger generation in your family.

It’s a win win. You get the gift of gifting, and the recipient gets something for nothing. A charity can even make a few bob when it sells your item. Saving the planet one piece of furniture at a time, make do and mend. We need to curate our pieces and treat them as if they were really special, because they are. And this is where I can step in. I can help you visualise where they can work and how.

I have a shed full of furniture and my husband can’t see its potential. But I can I know exactly what I will do with each piece. Here’s how I’ve been doing it in my home:

EACH PIECE USUALLY HAS A FIND STORY AND A REPAIR STORY, FOR WHICH, GOES TO MAKE GREAT CONVERSATION.

Lounge

I have two older sofas, one a M&S (Abbey) £30 and the other an Alston sofa, retrieved last minute before being dumped. Although different shapes, I got both recovered in the same fabric about six years ago. I chose grey to keep things simple as the rest of the room wasn’t anywhere nearly ready.

The crochet blue check blanket was from a charity shop in Ballymena. It’s beautiful and so heavy. Great for winter evenings. Cushions on the sofa are all preloved or made with remnants. The mirror behind the sofa came from a renovation and clear out at a local hotel and cost £25.

The Vintage Nathan Rosewood Sideboard, of the Caspian Range, was made in the United Kingdom, circa 1960s. It has one central drinks cabinet and two side cupboards. I found this on Facebook Marketplace about five years ago, it had been for sale for weeks, so I thought something was wrong with it. Eventually I contacted the owner

and drove 60 miles each way to pick it up. I do love it.

The pictures above the sideboard are both Paul Henry prints, which I found in a charity shop in Antrim. I then had them reframed. They are a matching set from Connemara. Particularly difficult to get, so I was delighted.

The lamp base came from a charity shop in Belfast and the lamp shade is one that I made myself from a broken Ikea shade. I love the mix and match.

The silver plated copper tray on the sideboard that came from a charity shop in Ballymoney. On it are some ceramic spheres, each one bought separately over the years. I have a thing about blue and white ceramics. More recently I found this ginger jar in a charity shop in Ballyclare, which was part of an enormous collection, from China, when the owner moved back home to Northern Ireland.

Beside the sofa the fern sits on an Oka Fontana side table, it currently retails at £895. I got it from a local auction house, for a fraction of that price.

THE LAMP BASE CAME FROM A CHARITY SHOP IN BELFAST AND THE LAMP SHADE IS ONE THAT I MADE MYSELF FROM A BROKEN IKEA SHADE. I LOVE THE MIX AND MATCH.

Kitchen

Chiffioner Dresser, I bought this over 10 years ago off the lovely Craig Morrison at Used Unique Boutique, Newtownards.

I overhauled it in Farrow & Ball Old White, removed the brass handles and gave it a whitewashed top. In December 2022, I updated it again, in Benjamin Moore Old Navy. It’s a real statement piece. I just need a pair of tall matching lamps to complete the look. In time, they will come…

IT’S A REAL STATEMENT PIECE. I JUST NEED A PAIR OF TALL MATCHING LAMPS TO COMPLETE THE LOOK. IN TIME, THEY WILL COME…

EXAMPLES OF COMMISSIONED WORK

THE CHAIR IS VINTAGE CINTIQUE, CIRCA 1960S. I STRIPPED IT BACK FROM DARK MAHOGANY AND RECOVERED IN COMMERCIAL GREY VELVET.

according to the season.

The footstool was a gift but was tired. I recently recovered it using a remnant of Designer Guild Navy Herringbone and trimmed it with pom poms. Totally unique. Love doing these.

The light fitting is from an old hotel in Jordanstown and cost £25. When we moved in it was installed immediately and was very grand for an empty unpainted room for a time. The bulbs and shades cost a lot more than the fitting itself.

In the corner is a chest of drawers which came from the restaurant Made in Belfast. I took the sparkly knobs off. I still haven’t found the right set to finish it, so am using string for the moment. Sitting on it is a Retro Mahogany Window Mirror circa 1970s which came from a friend’s auntie when she was downsizing.

TV Room

I have painted a Selva Display Cabinet, turned bookcase, bought privately in Holywood off Gumtree for £125. It was locked and I had to break it to get it open. It was cherrywood and had brass fittings. I painted it about seven years ago in Farrow & Ball Mole’s Breath and added pewter handles and knob.

The chair is Vintage Cintique, circa 1960s. I stripped it back from dark mahogany and recovered in commercial grey velvet. I just add different cushions to update the look

Finally, the beam above my hearth was reclaimed from Cambium Tree Care and the unpolished slate hearth was reclaimed from an old snooker table. The basket underneath was hand woven to fit the space by the very talented Clive Lyttle of Welig Heritage Craft. He used old cot spindles for the corners of the basket.

Vivenne can source furniture on your behalf and work with you on determining a colour and style to suit your home; she also hand paints customer pieces and brings them to life for a more purposeful use. You can find her on Facebook at Vivienne Hanna, Furniture & Home, on Instagram @ Vivienne_hanna_ and for oneoff rare finds got to etsy.com/ uk/shop/RetsyViv

Artist & Maker

Village

Craftsmanship, skill and creativity will be on display in the Artist & Maker Village. Covering a range of materials and styles there will be pieces of art to suit all tastes. All products are available to buy to add something special to your home.

Duffy

Willow Moon Ireland

Scenic Woodcraft www.scenicwoodcraft.co.uk

Keith Drury Art

Miriam Dowling

Miriam Fitzgerald Juskova www.mimmafj.com

Turner Framing www.turnerframing.co.uk

Jin Yong Art

Reuben’s Rural Crafts

Ciara Gilmore Art

Living Spaces

Create an effortlessly stylish look for your living room with this luxurious corner sofa, part of the Cloud Granite Fabric Four-piece Modular Corner Group. Combining comfortable seating with contemporary design, the Cloud Corner Sofa has lots of room for family and friends, including premium fibre seat and back cushions for the ultimate relaxing experience. Meanwhile, its four-piece design means you can style the sofa to suit your space, arranging each individual piece for more flexible seating arrangements. Supported by a frame composed of both durable hard and softwood, this versatile modular corner sofa comes in a neutral cloud granite shade which will complement any colour scheme. Those neutral tones can be continued throughout the room with a warm sand or ivory colour palette, perhaps on the walls, or in carpets, cushions and other accessories. Alternatively, pops of colour could also be incorporated into the space to create a bolder contrast, for example, adding cushions with different patterns, tones and textures – such as a chestnut faux-leather cushion or one with a geometric design. The curved lines of the sofa make this piece of furniture pleasingly streamlined and easy to fit within a range of living room spaces. There’s also the option of adding a matching footstool, as you prefer. Whether you’re redecorating your room or are simply updating your furniture, the Cloud Corner Sofa is an inspired choice.

Velvet 2.5 Seater Sofa Now Only £1299 (or £43.32* per month APR 0%)

Perfect for family meals, catching up with friends or just enjoying a relaxing coffee by yourself, the Austin 2m Dining Table and Bench adds instant charisma to any space. Rendered in the finest oak timber and oak veneer, this beautiful piece exudes style, combining premium design with practicality to create a dining table set which invites you to take a seat.

The natural grain of the oak gives each table a unique look, while its rich tones add warmth and the comforting sense of home. Further features include the eye-catching starburst leg design of both the dining table and accompanying bench, which adds character and gives the furniture a distinctly contemporary vibe. Embodying clean lines and reinforcing the sturdy, durable aesthetic of both table and seating – also evoked by the solid oak from which they are made – the starburst effect creates an elegant appearance.

Seating six to eight people, the Austin 2m Dining Table and Bench is an inspired choice of tableware and can be complemented by adding additional seating such as fabric dining chairs in contrasting tones.

For those who enjoy the circular aesthetic when it comes to dining, the Austin Round Dining Table is ideal. Capable of seating four to six people, this is another premium piece of furniture made from quality oak and polished oak veneer and is a great choice if you want to introduce warmer, earthier tones to your dining space.

The rounded design of the table-top is supported by four sturdy legs which carry on across the floor underneath, intersecting with one another in a cross shape to provide enhanced stability and durability. This design also adds character and style to the table, creating a more distinctive look.

The table further carries a natural wood grain, giving each piece of furniture a slightly different and therefore more individual appearance, while the thick edge border balances out the overall design. Once again, the Austin Round Dining Table can be matched with a range of Albany Dining Chairs, thanks to the versatility of its design. Curved-back chairs can complement the rounded look of the table and create a pleasing aesthetic, while seating tones which contrast with the oak or continue the earthy colour palette will look great, regardless of which you choose.

NURSERY RETAILER - STOCKING MANY MAJOR BRANDS INCLUDING:

SILVER CROSS | BUGABOO | VENICCI |

MAMAS & PAPAS | SNUZ | BABYLO |

BIBS | BABYJOGGER & MANY MORE

A CONCESSION @ HOMESTYLE FURNISHINGS

STORES IN COOKSTOWN | DUNGANNON | MOY

Exhibitors

Beam Vacuum & Ventilation E20

Chris O Hara Art G30

Aaron Dickson Photography B47

Aaron Kearney Design B30

Adrienne M Finnerty Abstract Artist D35

Alderwood Studios C41

Amira Paints D46

Autolawns H26

AXA Insurance DAC H29

A B

Belfast Candle Co C32

Blakely Interiors Advice Clinic

Born Interiors E26

Budget Energy

Ciara Gilmore Art D45

Clover Energy Systems F22

Co-Design Interiors Advice Clinic

Creative Gardens B5 & Outside

Butternut Box

Cesame Interiors H32

Cher Simpson Watt Interiors F13

Crown Paints F32

C D E

Desie O’Reilly Contemporary Landscapes A24

Don’t forget the Dog B44

Earth Fires G43 & Outside

East Down Building ltd A12

Eden Garden Equipment A2

Electric Ireland in NI C10

Elwira Bernaciak Artist D44

Energy Wipe B6

Euro Garden and Home G33

EZ Living Interiors (NI) E35 & E36

Fix My Crown D37

Francis McCrory Art C43

Future Renewables Energy Systems Ltd D6

HHabitat for Humanity B29

Harrison Art A35

Heather Byrne Art B45

GGillian Boyd Art C40

Gink Design Furniture Rescue

Glacier Water Systems Ltd F31

GMS Intelligent Systems B10

Hizero H30

Hoddmimir’s Wood Craft D36 Homestyle

Furnishings and Nursery G27

House Proud Furnishings D27

FFabric World Home and Garden H33

Fernhill Stone Ltd H16

Figment Ceramics C39

firmus Energy G42

Graf Ireland

Environmental Ltd D25

Graham Crichton - Pet Photographer A14

Gráinne Hughes Art B34

GYLO F20

Howdens E40

JJin Yong Art B40

Jude Fenton Artist B46

Kangen Water Better Living E3 Karcher Belfast C15

Kate Whiteman Art A37

Keith Drury Art Ltd A40

Killymoon Bespoke Living D18

Kukoon Belfast Ltd D1

LaserSmith Ltd G2

Laurie Mac Interiors F47

Leo & Lyn Candles C31

K L M

Mango Crafts E53

McNeill Architectural Consultancy Advice Clinic

Mint Mortgages and Protection F9

Miriam Dowling Art C35

Miriam Fitzgerald Juskova D41

Miriam Smithers Art D49

Mocca Baby Ltd G27

Morag McCafferty Artist C37

Mud Ireland B37

Murphy & Bailey F4 My Townland D40

myenergi Ireland

F33

Natural Stone Industries Ltd

G40

NI Energy Advice Service G50

NI Refinishing Services

F29

Nicola Gilmore Lunn Fine Art

D42 NuGroup NI

G7

One Step Insulation Ltd

F2

Patio Pro F47

Patricia Logue Fine Art B43

Peter Thomas Photography B35 Phoenix Energy H45

Precise Protect A23 Pro Splash G27

Rachel Julca Design B33

Rainbow Ireland H19

René Innovations A19

René Innovations A8

Rescued and Restored Furniture Rescue

Reuben’s Rural Crafts D38

Rickydrewapiccy B42

RNLI H42

Roisin Duffy Artist D43

Ruth Osborne Art A25

S&S Garden Furniture G27

Sam Allen Art A32

Scenic Woodcraft A27

Scented Home Biz A21

Scorched Earth Designs D48

Serenity Candles

C42

Pearl Redesigns Ltd Furniture Rescue

Serenity Hot Tubs NI D26

Sheldon Galleries A39

Solar Power NI F36

Spectrum Mortgages & Protection C1

Starview Hot Tubs

B2 & Outside

Stira Folding Attic Stairs Ltd E6

Storm Hall Ltd A17

Studio McBurney F24

Sureseal Window & Door Specialists F16

Surge Renewables

H6 & Outside

Tesla B19

The Bearded Candle Makers B39

The Garden Design Shop C14

The Lampshade Jungle C33

The Roof Window Specialist

F8 & Outside

Thistlewaite House and Home A10 & H3

Tony Dalton Photography B41

Turner Framing & Gallery C30

V WUpainted Furniture Rescue Village Blinds & Shutters F47

Warmflow Engineering Co Ltd E1

Whiterocks A9

William O’Kane C29

Willow Moon Ireland D39

Wilson Handcrafts C17

Wirefree Cameras E22

Tandem Photography B36

T U

twospoons C34

X

Xpress Lifts E14

Teemore Engineering D10

Ulster Wildlife C20

Furniture Rescue Challenge

Four furniture artists from across Northern Ireland join us at Love

Your Home to showcase what can be done to breathe new life into previously unloved furniture.

Meet the furniture artists

Upainted

I’m Jennifer, the furniture artist behind Upainted. I’ve always loved the quality and quirky design of vintage furniture, and after 20 plus years of painting as a hobby my house is full of it. Creating something beautiful and unique is a form of mindfulness for me. When I left my nursing career following depression it was the best therapy. So much so, I took a leap of faith and launched my own business doing what I love. When not in my workshop I can be found 2 days a week in Stone Row Artisans, Coleraine, where I’ve a retail unit.

www.upainted.co.uk

Rescued & Restored

I’m Karla and I love all things DIY. I started my house account @old_victorian_home 2 years ago, documenting my progress from sanding floors to panelling walls. I have recently started up my own business @rescued_and_restored_ finding old, unwanted pieces of furniture and reviving them for people to enjoy. I love doing this because of the benefits it brings to the environment and the opportunities it gives me to be creative.

facebook.com/rescuedandrestoredfurniture

Gink Design

I am an award winning furniture artist from Co. Armagh. I started upcyling with my 3 children during the first covid lockdown as they all have autism their support networks, school and the autism services were stopped. This creative outlet helped cope with the stress of the pandemic. I have started a social enterprise in Portadown, upcycling furniture with young adults who have autism. I specialise in mixed media with a passion for colour and texture. I love vintage furniture and I want to save as many pieces as I can from landfill and firewood by giving them a place in a modern home.

www.ginkdesign.co.uk

Pearl Re Designs

It’s been almost 30 years since I painted my first piece of furniture. It was NY. My first home was decorated with quality, salvaged pre-loved pieces and I painted a small dresser for my new baby girl. Over the years I continued to flip homes and decorate with sustainable, budget friendly schemes. I studied interior design in NY and set up Pearl Redesigns upon my return to Northern Ireland. We create timeless interiors that mix vintage or antique pieces with modern styles, a collected style with everything you love, that lasts for years to come. I am a member of the House of Upcycling andThe Interiors Association of Ireland. I run workshops to teach upcycling, source furniture for commissions and offer consultations on how to paint kitchens and furniture.

www.pearlredesigns.com

How will our furniture artists transform these pieces?

Watch live at the event and see the finished items on our socials after the event.

If you want to get your hands on one of the finished pieces, keep an eye on our socials where all completed pieces will be auctioned after the event, all proceeds going to Habitat for Humanity. You can also vote for your favourite furniture artist and see the winner here in 2024 in their own stand showcasing more of their fantastic creations.

SMART HOME AUTOMATION & AUDIO VISUAL SOLUTIONS

by

GMS Intelligent Systems specialise in the management and integration of intelligent home solutions, via a structured cabling system to future-proof your home. Alternatively we can retrofit depending on your requirements. Enabling incorporation of smart lighting, audio visual solutions, networking, WiFi, security systems, heating control, curtains/blinds/awnings and

We have been installing the ELAN System for 15 years now. Our system integrates seamlessly with your smart home, CCTV and Alarm systems, giving you complete peace of mind wherever you are in the world. It allows you to control your lighting, heating and smart home in a very user friendly manner from a variety of interfaces such as remotes, touch

Whether you are building your dream home or renovating your existing home, speak to us, the experts. Check us out on LinkedIn for written recommendations on our service. We can demonstrate our own Smart Home system to you. Many of our clients have found this visit beneficial in helping them to make the right smart home decisions.

We are proud to be affiliated with the Industry Standards body set by CEDIA, of which we are a certified member.

Your KitchenBut Better

We use our kitchens every day –for cooking, eating, daily chores and cleaning, and household storage. With the continued popularity of kitchen-diners and open plan living, the kitchen is often the social hub of the home – in properties of all types and sizes.

A good kitchen should stand the test of time – but what if you fancy a change? Here are a few ideas for refreshing your kitchen rather than ripping it out.

Switch up the seating

The design and size of your kitchen will have been determined during the early stages of its design. So, you have limited scope for major reconfiguration, such as changing the basic location of your seating/dining area. But you can still get creative. Replacing or upcycling chairs could change the look of your kitchen – try reupholstering in a bold fabric,

REPLACING OR UPCYCLING CHAIRS COULD CHANGE THE LOOK OF YOUR KITCHEN.

or re-painting wooden chairs in a bold colour.

As with all aspects of design, consider how much time you actually spend here and how you will use it going forward. Do you still need a big family dining table, or would comfy social seating be a better use of the space? Your lifestyle and family dynamics may have evolved since you designed the kitchen.

Create impact with colour

Never underestimate the sense of change and freshness paint can give. A change of colour can make you feel like you have a completely new space. Repainting cabinets can give the feel of a brand new kitchen at a fraction of the cost.

Green and blue kitchens are on trend at the moment, but any colour can work alongside wellchosen neutrals to complement. White kitchens still offer timeless

elegance that’s easy to maintain. If yours is already white, why not try coloured handles and knobs for a pop of colour?

Grey remains a popular modern neutral for the home, and

it works beautifully in the kitchen. Try paler tones for a change that’s not too dramatic, or be a little braver with shades of slate or charcoal. Darker kitchens can be tempered by including accent

colours in lighter tones (think accessories, floor coverings, curtains, etc), which also makes the deeper colour pop and stand out.

Try new textures and play with pattern

Wooden floors add warmth and softness underfoot. In a hightraffic kitchen, laminates that look like wood offer stain and scratch resistance. Flooring can be another opportunity to accentuate, complement, or deliberately clash with your existing kitchen colours. Black and white patterned floor tiles

combine an injection of visual interest with a timeless colour palette. Alternatively, a bold coloured tile on the floor could bring a style statement to a white/neutral kitchen.

Kitchen rugs can help absorb kitchen noise and protect floors from wear and tear, as well as just feeling cosy underfoot. It can change along with your tastes, so why not take the chance to be bold in your choice of style or colour?

Historically, kitchen splashbacks have been painted or tiled. In more recent times,

worktop surfaces, stone upstands and glass have taken centre stage in this area. Whilst more expensive than the traditional materials, this could be affordable to upgrade an existing kitchen. It may sound counter-intuitive for a kitchen, but good quality wallpaper will withstand a bit of moisture, as long as it’s not constantly exposed to splashes. It’s a great way to add character and change as often as your mood dictates. There are some stunning wallpaper designs on the market at the minute; maximalist tropical, floral and botanical prints, large-scale

1970s-style geometrics, and wild, wavy designs are all on trend right now.

Panelling is also enjoying a moment, on trend for most areas of the house, be it the hall, bedroom or lounge. In the kitchen it will add a similar timeless feel. It just needs to be coated with suitable paint if near a heat or water source. This is an affordable, durable and easilyadaptable design feature to add to your kitchen.

A CHANGE OF COLOUR CAN MAKE YOU FEEL LIKE YOU HAVE A COMPLETELY NEW SPACE.

FLOORING CAN BE ANOTHER OPPORTUNITY TO ACCENTUATE, COMPLEMENT, OR DELIBERATELY CLASH WITH YOUR EXISTING KITCHEN COLOURS.

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Draw focus to a feature

Adding a Belfast sink to your kitchen instantly adds timeless charm and elegance. The stainand scratch-resistant Belfast sink is very popular for new build kitchens at the minute. It could be a fantastic focal point for the room, giving that ‘new kitchen’ feeling - no refurb required.

Open shelving when done right, can add a touch of attractive minimalism, which sounds crazy, considering you are exposing your plates and cups rather than shoving them in and closing the door!

This look works best with matching – or at least

complementary – crockery items. If you store little-used items in open shelving, remember to clean or dust them regularly. For regularly used pieces, do your research to find an attractive display option that’s also accessible.

Knife magnets and hooks for your most used kitchen utensils will not only come in handy when you’re cooking, they can add a bit of warmth and character to an otherwise simple finish.

An exposed brick wall can be added on as wallpaper, as cut stone or be the actual wall make up. Make sure you apply a water-resistant coating to protect masonry.

See it in a whole new light

Your kitchen lighting scheme can help set the mood for eating, cooking and entertaining. Planned lighting can create the sense of more space, making the room feel larger than it actually is.

Natural lighting is also a factor to consider. Before dishwashers became commonplace, the sink was traditionally placed under a window looking out onto the garden or back yard. The practical reason for that was light and being able to watch the children at the same time as tidying up.

These days, the area beside a window is arguably too precious to be wasted on a sink and, with modern plumbing and lighting, you don’t have to keep to the old way. Sinks can now be sited on islands or hidden away.

Window seats are also becoming increasingly popular in open plan configurations and could be a charming way to update your kitchen with a new space for socialising or just chilling.

ADDING A BELFAST SINK TO YOUR KITCHEN INSTANTLY ADDS TIMELESS CHARM AND ELEGANCE.

YOUR KITCHEN LIGHTING SCHEME CAN HELP SET THE MOOD FOR EATING, COOKING AND ENTERTAINING.

1-2-1 Advice Clinics

If you’re planning a home renovation or redesign, visiting a kitchen company, architect or interior designer for a one to one consultation at Love Your Home Show in Belfast can be incredibly valuable.

These professionals have the expertise and knowledge to help you make the most of your space, whether you’re looking to update your kitchen, redesign your living room or create a whole new look for your home.

Co-Design

McNeill Architectural Consultancy

Mervyn McNeill trained in McCutcheon & Wilkinson’s Chartered Architects and Civil Engineers, Ballymena. He later joined Robert Moore, Chartered Architect & Landscape Consultant as an Associate / Partner. He then joined the Northern Ireland Health Service where he became Assistant Director for Estates Services. Mervyn established his part-time private architectural practice in 1980. His wife Carole join him in 1992. Mervyn retired from the Health Service in June 2017 to concentrate on developing and growing his own part-time practice as a family business.

www.macdesign.info

The Garden Design Shop

We are dedicated to the creation of beautiful garden spaces. From the smallest city terrace to the largest commercial property, our design service is flexible enough to cater to any requirement, at any budget. Twice awarded Gold at Garden Show Ireland, our work stands amongst the best in its class.

www.gdsni.co.uk

Blakely Interiors

Stephen Blakely is the Creative Director at Blakely Interiors with over 25 years experience in residential and commercial interior design. Recently featured as one of Northern Ireland’s top Interior design Companies on the BBC NI Beautiful Interiors, Stephen at his team are working on projects, large and small all over Ireland and the UK.

www.blakelyinteriors.co.uk

Everyone needs a safe place to call home

One in four people in our world live in poor housing. Families are forced to live in places that are cold and damp, overcrowded or do not have a door that locks. Simple homes save lives. Families are healthier, children do better in school and parents have a chance to earn a stable income.

Every day, Habitat for Humanity works beside families to build, renovate or repair their home in 70 countries around the world. Habitat advocates to improve access to affordable shelter and support funding models that enable families with limited resources make vital improvements to their homes.

Donate today

to make a difference to support Habitat’s work here at home and around the world: habitatireland.org/donate

House to Home

Today, Habitat works with other charities and communities to improve the quality of housing and community buildings for vulnerable groups.

The ‘House to Home’ programme supports vulnerable people who have been homeless or at risk of homelessness, to sustain tenancies by helping them to make a house a home. The project makes a house ‘a home’ for people who need a fresh start, and are already among the most vulnerable in our community.

Volunteers help to deliver a dramatic impact, both physically and socially. Get involved today: habitatireland.org

LOVEYOURHOME.SHOW

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