North Coast of Ireland Home Refurbishment
It has been a great joy to participate in the renovation of a family holiday home on the North Coast of Ireland.
Anyone who has travelled here knows we have one of the most beautiful coastlands in the world and this has has an unhindered view right out to the ever changing ocean scape.
I won't divulge how long it is it is since we first decorated this home - suffice to say that I remember negotiating the rather steep driveway just before one of our 2 boys was born.
This year, we were back to help with a complete refurbishment!
Some of the services needed to be attended too and a new kitchen was planned, so I set about considering sample selections ahead of a first meeting with our client. Of course it helped very much that we already had worked together before and I had some understanding of style preference and how the original decoration looked.
We were to move away from the blues we had used before. The palette this time was to be pinks, greens and cool beige. Our style would be classic coastal...with personality!
If we start at the front door, and head into the hallway ... an open tread staircase would suit a plain boucle carpet but given extra zest with a bound edging in charcoal. The effect was stunning and so was the cashmere toned wall covering and 'blanket' style curtain. It feels like a summer hug as you walk through that doorway.
The lounge with its large picture window, looking directly onto the ocean, should offer screening and also privacy, therefore, a linen woven sheer layered with a beautiful heavy dusky pink linen curtain, interlined and trimmed with a gorgeous embroidered braid.
Another small window would feature an embroidered fabric with a floral pattern.
Layering the scheme from that point involved choosing a textured wall covering, boucle fabrics for cushions, a chunky knitted rug on the wooden floor.
The details are always important in adding the personality. Enter a large footstool, wooden cabinet, quirky lamp and cobbler's bookends to name a few.
The kitchen where the colour palette began - green and pink toned cupboards. We chose a quirky Lewis and Wood fabric for the blind and added a checked border, a circular rug for a circular table, some cute cushions in a variety of remnant fabrics (love doing that!) and another of the best textured wall coverings available.
So much more to be told about this home, but if I was to speak of my favourite items, then I'd mention the oversized studding on the headboards, the 'wriggle' beside lamps with raffia shades, the gorgeous panelled curtains in the master bedroom and the wooden horse on the hall table.
Such a renovation is always a huge upheaval, but an amazing transformation was achieved. I wish these home-owners every blessing in the years ahead and trust they will enjoy the interior space we created together!
