INSDEOUT

YOUR COMPLETE GUIDE TO HOME IMPROVEMENTFROM FRONT DOOR TO BACK GARDEN!

n Top Interior Tipsn Gorgeous Gardensn DIY Made Easyn Going Greenn Renovations with

Dermot Bannon

See inside for your Spring ideas from

the value of your property then anextension is a good starting place as theprice you sell per square foot is usuallymore than the extension costs to buildor refurbish. For many homeowners,space restrictions mean that extendingupwards is their only option but by cre-ating a useable space, this extension canprove very profitable. Ensure that yourrenovations are of good quality, aspotential buyers may view a poor quali-ty installation as a problem and possiblyan added and unnecessary expense.

Today, having a green home meanshaving a better value home and themore environmentally friendly yourhome is the better chance it has in theproperty market. Eco-friendly fittingslike solar panels, green-building materi-als, underground heating systems andwood-pellet burners will add some extravalue to your house.

As a seller, it is important to under-stand the property market and knowwhom you’re selling to. If you knowwhat specifications your target marketwill require, then you can fit your houseto suit their needs, which will save youwasting money.

Finally, always remember to plan yourbudget and manage it well. When itcomes to renovations and extensions,many people overspend which meansthat they may end up losing moneywhen they try to sell their property inthis difficult market.

PREPARINGYOUR HOME FOR THE PROPERTY

In the current economic climateand with a saturated propertymarket, it is more importantthan ever to go that extra mile

when you are planning to sell yourhome. Not only will this ensure thatyour home stands out from other houseson the market, it can also add someextra value to the selling price of theproperty.

A neatly kept front garden will imme-diately create a good first impression,while also appealing to families. If youhave a nice green area at the front ofyour home, why not use some of thisspace to lay nice paving and make a lit-tle driveway. This car parking space is agreat way of adding value to your prop-erty, especially if you are living in anurban area.

The interior of a property is veryimportant in adding to its overall value.Stick to neutral colours that will blendin with all furnishings while still creat-ing a stylish design.

The most important rooms in thehome are arguably the kitchen andbathroom and you should aim to go theextra mile with the fixtures and fittingsin these rooms. A contemporary kitchenand designer bathroom can really addvalue to your property – they are hugelyattractive to potential buyers and willundoubtedly be a big selling point inyour home.

If you are looking to further increase

INSIDEOUT02

A BeCreative Editorial Productionwww.becreative.ie

EditorNuala Ryannuala@becreative.ie

Editorial AssistantTara Leigh

ContributorsCollette Devlin, Ben Murnane,Katie Corkery

DesignINM Design Studiostudio@production.ie048 3751 6005

Original Photography Nic Mac Innes nicmac@eircom.net

Barbara Corsico barbaracorsicophoto@gmail.com

Cover Image Project by ODOS architectswww.odosarchitects.com

Photography by Barbara Corsicowww.barbaracorsico.com

Advertising Neil Butlerneilbutler@independent.ie(01) 7055423

ReproIndependent Newspapers (Ireland) Ltd, 27-32 Talbot St,Dublin 1

02Adding Value To Your PropertyNuala Ryan gives some key tipsas to how to make the most ofyour property in the current cli-mate

04Around the HouseCollette Devlin meets with SineadKelly, interior designer for theIdeal Homes showhouse

06Doing it Your WayFreshen up your home in an easyand inexpensive way with DIY

08Making a SpaceBen Murnane chats to DermotBannon of RTÉ’s Room toImprove about renovation options

12Know your BERKatie Corkery looks at the manybenefits of the Building EnergyRating scheme

14How does your Garden Grow?Award-winning garden designerPaul Martin gives Collette Delvinsome top tips for getting yourgarden in shape

16Cream of the CropNuala Ryan profiles some theleading designers in Irish interiordesign

18NewsAll the latest renovations andinterior design news

When it comes to selling your home, a few key additions to your housecan help add some extra value to your property

MARKET

CONTENTS

Annual Herbs1. Basil: Usually sown in March/April in pots indoors and moved

outdoors when all danger of frost has passed. The leaves areready for picking about six weeks after planting.

2. Chervil: Can be sown in pots or in the open ground. The parsleylike leaves are ready for harvesting just before buds break.

3. Coriander: Usually sown in pots. Both leaves and seeds areedible.

4. Dill: Can be sown in the ground in March/April. The fern greenlike leaves are ready for picking just before the flowers open.

5. Marjoram: Can be sown indoors or outdoors in small pots ordirect into the ground. The leaves are usually picked atflowering time.

6. Parsley: Parsley can also be sown in pots or in the openground. It is usually very slow to germinate and can be used in a mixture of dishes using fresh or dried leaves.

Perennial Herbs

TomatoesTomatoes are where most veg gardeners start their veg growing journey. Plant date: Late May. Harvest date: August – October. Location: Outdoor space; Garden. Container: Growbag; Pot; Soil.

CarrotsRegularly sow suitable varieties for a constant supply of fresh carrots. Although best when freshly picked, they can be left in the ground for storage purposes and lifted as required. Sowing can begin in February under cloches or fleece and outdoors from Aprilto early July. Sow thinly, 1cm deep in rows 15cm apart and thin the resultant seedlings to 2.5cm apart. To stop carrot fly from attackingcover the crop with fleece and leave it on until around midSept. Alternatively it’s easy enough to keep small plots pest free by surrounding the area with a 60cm high wall of clear plastic. The carrot fly isn’t a strong flier andwill not be able to scale these heights.

Crops to GrowGrowing Herbs

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SUPERB VALUE

1. Chives: These can be sown indoorsor outdoors in small pots or directly in the ground. The grass likeleaves are cut close to the basebefore flowering.

2. Fennel: Again very successful in theopen ground or in pots. Gooddrainage and plenty of sunlight arevery important.

3. Mint: Mint is very fast growing andideally should be grown in pots or inpots plunged in the open groundSeed germination is usually veryslow from outdoor sown seed.

4. Oregano: It is very similar tomarjoram and raised easily fromindoor or outdoor sown seed.

5. Sage: Sage is a bushy plant withwoody stems, green grey leavesand purple flowers. It is

easily grown from seed andthe leaves are usuallypicked before or atflowering time.

6. Tarragon: The herb ispropagated from seed sown in pots in April under protection. It isbest managed when transplantedinto a container and overwinteredindoors. The plant is very stragglyand can grow up to 1metre.

7. Thyme: One of the very popularherbs. The seed is usually sown inApril in pots or in the open groundwhere plants are thinned out to15cm apart. Golden leafed andvariegated kinds are available withwhole stems picked beforeor at flowering time.

1. Fill a seed tray or pot container(having made drainage holesin the base) with compost, firmit down and sprinkle the seedsparingly across the surface. Cover the seed with 3-4mm ofcompost and then with glass or polythene to conserve moisture and paper to provide darkness which aids germination. Youryoung tomato plants willnormally emerge in just 8-12days. You can buy tomato plantsif you can’t wait!

2.Plant 3 plants equally spaced in agrowbag and water them.

3.Tie the plants to stakes if theyneed support as they grow.4.Once flowers start to form, take

a good look at the plants. Youwill see little sideshoots that arenot carrying flowers coming outat the points where main leavesare attached to the stem. Youshould pinch these off to giveyour tomatoes the best chance ofripening. Alternative methods:you can grow tomatoes in 12inch pots (one plant in each pot ordirectly in the soil in your garden(18 inches apart).

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(Seeds and compost not included)

Stewart Electric Propagator(39 x 24 x19.5cm) 1040926• Economical long life 8watt heater – uses less power thanan ordinary light bulb.• Humidity and air temperature controlledvia adjustable ventilators.

Gardman ‘Grow It’8cm (3”) Round Fibre Pots (48 Pots)

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Gardman ‘Grow It’24 Cell Insert(5 Pack) 861138

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INSIDEOUT03

INSIDEOUT04

AROUND THE

Want to revamp your home but have no ideawhere to start and you’re on a tight budget?Help is at hand. Collette Devlin meets Sinead Kelly, interior designer for the IdealHomes Showhouse and Dulux DesignConsultant for Ireland

HOUSE

stairs in cream or an off white colour.It might also be worth changing yourcarpet (perhaps it’s an outdated emer-ald or royal blue) to a nice light toffeecolour and painting your stairs incream.” Sinead suggests that you mayalso want to update your walls: “Youcould paint them in a crispy brightcolour and wallpaper the feature wallgoing up the stairs in a strong print.”However, if you are wallpapering allover Sinead recommends going for aclassic paper in neutral or earthycolours like khaki or a crispy toffee.

LIVING ROOM

“A great way to update your livingroom is to change the flooring,” saysSinead. “If you have a rich-colouredcarpet that might have been fantastic10 years ago it may need to be

changed. Luckily, carpets are very inex-pensive, so go with a neutral colouredcarpet, with a nice texture to it whichwill update your room immediately. Ifyou happen to have very strong-coloured sofas that may be a very datedcolour like gold or burgundy you cancover them with trendy throws ormake some covers instead of replacingyour furniture.”

If you do intend to buy new furni-ture, corner sofas and two- and three-seaters are very popular for smallerspaces. As usual Sinead suggests optingfor neutral colours such as caramel orchocolate brown that won’t date andare easier to keep clean than cream.Armchairs are usually only purchasednow for spacious houses where peoplewant to make a style statement; if thisis the case with your house, go for abold floral that will compliment yourneutral furniture.

“I recommend that walls are not theusual bland magnolia, instead go witha much nicer toffee colour that willmatch the caramel of your sofa – simi-lar colour palates will make your roomfeel bigger and brighter.”

Sinead advises clients to stick toplain curtains that are not going todate and will add a cosier feel to theroom. Keep patterns on your armchairor your cushions and possibly a rug ifyou have a wooden floor. She also saysto always try and incorporate somecolourful wallpaper into a living room,whether it’s a chimney breast or thealcove or possibly the wall behind the

sofa which looks really well.“You can afford to go nice and bright,

maybe a flock with a turquoise blue ifyou have turquoise blue on your cush-ions. Because it’s one wall, if you dodecide to change it in five years’ time,it will be very inexpensive. You canchange the look of your room simplyby changing your cushions and yourwallpaper.”

TV/PLAY ROOM

Sinead continues: “I’m finding mostpeople are looking for a TV unit thatwill fit a flat screen and has storageunderneath (for a DVD player, gamesconsoles, cable TV box) that also keepseverything out of view. Dedicate onewall to your entertainment system andthen rather than having your coffeetable, it’s better to have a soft ottomanso you can put your feet up or put atray on it. It doubles up as more seat-ing if you do have children around fora game of something on the TV andthey all want to sit right in front of it.If you need darkness in the room it’sbest to have lined curtains or black-outblinds so that you can dim the light inthat room for most effect for watchingyour movies.”

KITCHEN/DINING ROOM

Very few people have dining roomsanymore as most people are extendingtheir kitchen into their dining area,thus creating a more open plan area.Sinead recommends tiling the area,incorporating the two rooms, creating

INTERIORS

Sinead Kelly

HALL

The entrance to your home isthe first place that visitors willsee and straight away it givesan impression about the rest of

the house, so it stands to reason thatupdating your hallway can instantlytransform your home.

“Most people want a nice hallwayand it’s the one concern that creeps upa lot when I do colour consultations,”says Sinead. People are concerned thattheir hallway is dark because manyhouses have limited light coming intotheir hallway. So Sinead recommends acomplete transformation that is verycost effective – painting your stairs.“Most people have teak or pine stairsand it’s quite a dark wood, or they havegone quite orange over time. Paint your

INSIDEOUT05

INTERIORS

a good flow between them.A very inexpensive way to update

your kitchen is to create a feature wall,with wallpaper on the wall behind thetable adding life to this big space.“Paint the other walls a strong coloursuch as greens, yellows or bluesbecause they are appetising coloursand they are fresh and bright and ener-gising,” advises Sinead.

If you have the budget to replaceyour kitchen and want to stay on trendthen opt for a high-gloss, ultra-modernkitchen – these are at the top of every-one’s list. If you prefer a more tradi-tional option go for a cream paintedcountry style kitchen.

Work surfaces are very importantand a great way of modernising yourkitchen. Sinead recommends stayingaway from the easy choice – blackgranite – and opting instead for creamor cappuccino quartz. Quartz is likegranite but manmade. It’s easier tokeep, still has a high gloss finish andcomes in a great range of colours.

However, if you are in a positionwhere you can’t afford to just rip outthe kitchen and start again and youhave wooden or even melamine MDFunits, you can simply paint these.“Dulux specialise in paints for kitchensand tiles – so you could just changeyour work surfaces and paint yourkitchen units and tiles.”

ADULT BEDROOM

“A big trend at the moment is head-

boards with a featured floral wallbehind teamed with coordinating cur-tains and cushions,” explains Sinead.“Aubergine is great and still very popu-lar, but the latest trend at the momentis definitely grey – shades of greyteamed with different shades of yellow.Sometimes the grey can turn mousey,so it’s a brown type grey which is areally nice colour combination.”

Modern contemporary chandelierslook great in a bedroom but make surethey’re not overly large, because youdon’t want to overpower the room. Youcan never have enough storage butremember to keep your wardrobe awayfrom the bed and keep it the samecolour as the walls. If you wanted toupdate your bedroom and make morespace, put in sliding doors and havethem built in right up to the ceiling,creating floor to ceiling units. You canalso incorporate mirrors to make theroom feel bigger than it is. “Always gofor carpet (a simple, quality 80-20twist) in a bedroom because of thenoise factor and also for comfort andwarmth,” says Sinead.

KIDS’ BEDROOM

Storage and colour are the key words.“I would definitely recommend gettingas much into the room in terms ofstorage as possible because childrenneed to keep floor space for playing.There are fantastic companies outthere that are offering built-in bed-rooms for children and they incorpo-rate steps, desks, bunk beds, lighting,and storage all in the one unit.”

You can afford to go brighter in thekids’ room, but bear in mind childrentend to grow out of things fairly quick-ly. “If your girl wants pink then go forthe timeless shades of pink such assoft shell pink instead of Barbie pink,”advises Sinead. Never go with red –there are so many kids these days thathave red football bedrooms; it’s not agood colour to have in a child’s bed-room because it’s over-stimulating.“With boys if you stay neutral withdenim curtains or a denim blind and anice shade of beige on the wall, thenyou can throw in colourful aspectssuch as cushions on the bed.”

If kids are playing in the room alaminated floor is perfect – you canjust put the mop over it. Carpets reallyaren’t recommended in children’srooms, unless they are older, and theyare at the stage where they can actual-ly look after their own room.

BATHROOM

If you have the luxury of choosing anew bathroom always opt for a whitebathroom suite rather than an avocadoor a pink, which are old-fashioned.Travertine tiles never go out of fashion;they are classic and neutral, timelessand contemporary-looking. If you arelaying new tiles, go with a larger sizedtile (60cm by 40cm) which will mod-ernises your bathroom instantly. Andwith taps go with more sleek taps, andone single mixer as opposed to twotaps.

“Again you can simply update yourwalls by painting them a nice bright

colour but make sure you get a bath-room paint as opposed to a regularpaint as it will withstand more humidi-ty and moisture. Dulux Paints have abathroom range what will be muchmore durable on your wall. I recom-mend ‘Linen’,” says Sinead. Becausebathrooms tend to be small rooms, addmirrored units to increase the feeling

of space. Perhaps the simplest and least expensive way to update yourbathroom is by adding nice accessorieswhich will glam it up – try black andmirrored candles sitting on your win-dow or nice grape-coloured towels.

For more ideas check out Sinead Kelly’swebsite: www.sineadkellyinteriors.com

TOP 5 TIPS FOR PRICE-SAVVY INTERIOR REDECORATION1. Paint your woodwork such as

doors, stairs, skirting boards anddoor frames. Pine and Red Dealtends to go very orange anddated so by eliminating thesefrom your room and replacingwith fresh, bright paint such asDulux Jasmine White, you willsee an immediate transformation

2. Repaint rooms in strong neutralcolours with shades of taupe, yellow, khaki and grey. Forgetpeachy magnolia! Subtle, relaxingcolours are an instant quick fix.Great colours currently on themarket are Dulux Muddy Puddle and Mellow Mocha,Perfectly Taupe and Muted Stone. Forget expensive designerpaints, Dulux and Crown have

all you need in colours.3. Wallpaper a feature wall in a

striking print that you love look-ing at. Forget trendy floral andflocks, go for a wallpaper that isakin to a piece of art that youlove to look at and that you know you will still love in fiveyears’ time

4. Take up the dated carpet andreplace with wooden floors. Ifyour budget won’t stretch tosolids, go for the Balterio rangeavailable nationwide at superbprices.

5. Change bedlinen – go for crispwhite or ivory rather than a pat-terned duvet cover. Coordinatethe throw and cushions with your curtains.

entire mattress andleave for a few hoursto adsorb any badodours. Voila, a brand new bedroom!

Finally, storage space is amajor issue in most house-holds and it is simply impossi-ble to keep a house looking tidywithout adequate storage space.But there are ways of remedyingthis problem. Ready-made shelves cre-ate extra storage and can be installed inalmost every room. Or why not unlockvaluable storage space by opening upenclosed staircases?

If your hallway is wide enough, shelves or shallow storage units will helpyou take bulky and awkward items offthe floor. Not only does this create extraspace, it also ensures that your homelooks neat and tidy. And with the flatpack providing an incredible variety offurnishings in every conceivable style, ithas never been easier to revamp yourhome without spending a fortune.

Your home should reflect yoursense of style and personalityand a great way of achieving this, without spending your life’s

savings, is through DIY.The easiest way to brighten up your

home is by giving it a fresh coat of paint.And why stop at the walls? Tiles andwood cabinets and cupboards can alsoreally benefit from a freshening-up.

Most ceramic tiles can be painted,which saves you a huge expense in

pulling down and replacing tiles.You can also often tile over

tiles, leaving your kitchen or bathroom lookingspanking new.

Continue your kitchenrevamp by paint-

ing thekitchencupboardsand press-

es. Not only willthis stop the wood

from looking aged,

it will give your kitchen a contemporarylook and feel. Neutral colours tend to bemost popular; however, you can put your own unique style on these fittingsby using contrasting bright colours or stencils.

Why not make a splash with brightlycoloured cabinets contrasted against aclean, white backdrop? Or perhaps paintyour cabinets in a glossy white and letan intense colour on the walls make areal impression?

Upstairs in the bedroom, it is impor-tant to remember that this room shouldrepresent an area of peace and tranquili-ty, so avoid harsh colours that leave itfeeling unwelcoming. You can retain thisserene scene by adding key accessoriesto the room. By covering the originalheadboard of your bed with your choiceof fabric, you can create an elegant andbespoke finish that creates a definite airof opulence.

To really freshen up your bedroom,why not spring clean your mattress?Simply sprinkle baking soda over the

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DOING IT YOUR WAYDIY

Even if your budget doesn’t extend to a full home makeover, you can stillgive your home a fresh, new look by following a few simple DIY tips,writes Nuala Ryan

CREATE A FRESHOPTIMISTIC LOOKFOR YOUR HOMETHIS SPRINGSinead Kelly, Dulux Colour Consultant, gives her toptips on this Spring’s big colours

Fresh and zesty shades are big newsthis spring with a deep yellow coloursuch as Spring Breeze by Dulux beingvery prominent in interiors. It’s a ver-

satile colour that can be used in differenttones and with a variety of other colours tocreate very diverse looks. It’s uplifting, fizzyand crispy, whether you want to achieve asharp architectural look with blocks of colouron feature walls, or a soft, serene space witha wrap-around pale shade.

Strong and fresh yellow shades were promi-nent on the fashion catwalk shows in 2008,with Dries Van Noten, Anya Hindmarch,Lanvin and Dior all using its optimistic power.It then went on to reach the high street andprovided a welcome addition to ourwardrobes, lifting our spirits in 2009 and nowinterior trends in 2010 are seeing this brightoptimistic yellow feature strongly.

I love the rich egg yolky, slightly dirty yel-lows currently featuring everywhere at theinterior shows and indeed in the high streetfashion stores. They are unfailingly seductivewhen combined with caramel and white, andstrikingly architectural when teamed with softgreys, taupes and corals.

We tend to think of yellow as an exclusivelymodern colour, but Chrome Yellow was firstmanufactured early in the 19th century andused by neoclassical architects. Indeed,Florence Broadhurst, the famous 1950’sAustralian wallpaper and fabric designerloved bright zesty yellow patterns that todate still sell worldwide to top interiordesigners. Have a look at Florence’s HomeCollection of fabrics by going to www.signa-tureprints.com.au.

If you have a period property that needsinspiration then try combining Spring Breeze3 with Steel Symphony 1 to create a confi-dent, surprisingly relaxed look, which show-cases rather than fights with period features.

For a stunning contemporary look in the liv-ing room that is wonderfully easy to live with,and will still look superb in five years time,use Dulux Spring Breeze 2 on the wall behinda sofa in a neutral ivory or light grey colour.Use Dulux Grey Steel 1 or Steel Symphony 2 onyour chimneybreast and Clouded Pearl 1 on allother walls. When looking for cushions tobring pattern and further colour to yourroom, you’ll find that so many colourswill compliment this scheme. BoConcept has a fantastic selec-tion of patterned cushions thatwork extremely well with the

Yellow bedroom wall inDulux Spring Breeze 3 in

Vinyl Matt

Grey wall in Dulux Steel Symphony 1 in flat

matt emulsion

Floor in Dulux GreySteel 4 and Steel

Symphony 1 inSatinwood

Small cupboard inSpring Breeze 2 in Gloss

Sinead Kelly

DULUX AT HOME

above combination of yellow, greys andcreams. Check out www.boconcept.ie to seethese fun cushions and you will also notice alot of modern yellow colours featured in theirwonderful chairs and sofas.

One very important tool for successful inte-rior decoration when painting rooms in yel-lows, greys and taupes is your choice of wood-work colour. Woodwork needs to be light incolour and a contrast to the above strongshades. Oak and pine wood on skirtingboards, doors and door frames already havestrong yellow tones so you must paint these inoff-white colours such as Dulux’s JasmineWhite, Clouded Pearl 3 and Chiffon White. Anovel and inspiring way to see this for your-self in the safety of the virtual world is to clickonto www.dulux.ie and use the Mouse Paintertool to paint a room. Simply click the mouseand see the room change with your choice ofcolour, no need to buy testers and patchworkyour walls with a vast array of paints!

Keep flooring light when working with con-temporary schemes. Painting floor boards inSteel Symphony 6 or Jasmine White is a won-derfully uplifting trick in interior design andwill brighten dark rooms. Walnut flooring willalso work with the yellow scheme but again,avoid yellow and orange tones such as pine,maple and yellow oak. Large porcelain tileswith grey undertones will do wonders for your room too.

The Ideal Homes Show is taking place at theRDS from the 16th - 18th of April. The Dulux

Interior Design Advice Centre, in associationwith the Institute of Designers in Ireland

(www.idi-design.ie) will be on handthroughout the show, with interior designers

and architects offering free advice to visi-tors. For more information on this great

event, visit www.idealhome.ie/show/dulux-interior-design-advice-centre.

INSIDEOUT07

If you’re thinking about renovating – there’snever been a better time. Ben Murnanespoke to architect Dermot Bannon, of RTE’sRoom to Improve, to get his top tipsthe sewing room could become oneroom and then you have an extra roomto make part of the living space.”

Sometimes, people find half theirhouse is dark while the other half facesthe light; for example, the kitchen andliving area might be dull and drearywhile the bedrooms are nice andbright. In this case, Dermot would rec-ommend flipping the house around:putting the bedrooms where thekitchen is and the kitchen where thebedrooms are. After all, you only useyour bedrooms at night – it doesn’tmatter so much if they’re dark!

“If you are adding an extension,think about how much extra space youneed. Again, an architect can gothrough that with you.”

Another thing to consider is the ageof the building. “There’s a huge differ-ence between doing work on a housethat’s 10 years old and on one that’s 110years old,” continues Dermot. “Be con-scious of the condition of everything in

your house: heating, plumbing,electrics. And then for older houses,the general condition of the build.” Allof this will affect renovation.

Despite the economic situation, thisis a good time to renovate, according toDermot – because builders’ prices havedropped, and there are many sales andbargains on offer. There are also a fewbasic things you can do to reduce yourcosts.

“If you’re able to do the legwork,source materials and plan things your-self in the initial stages, you can save alot of money. I’ve noticed that a lot onRoom to Improve this year – clientshave gone out and done the legwork,shopped around and saved themselvesa fortune.”

Particularly if your house is an olderbuilding, you can make huge savingsover the long term by upgrading yourBuilding Energy Rating as you reno-vate. “If you’re going to be rippingapart your kitchen, you may as well

insulate it, and maybe get that newboiler. It’s a good time to do it.” All thisis good for reducing your carbon foot-print – but you will also see the savingsin your own pocket when your home ismore energy efficient.

Finally – what can we expect fromthe fourth series of Room to Improve,beginning next month?

“It’s a very different series this year,”Dermot enthuses. “All the develop-ments we worked on before wereexempt from planning permission –but this year we’ve had longer to workon the series so we’ve gone for plan-ning permission. It’s really opened upthe possibilities for what we can do.I’m very excited about it!”

The new series of Room to Improvebegins on RTE One in April.For more information on DermotBannon Architects visit www.dermotbannonarchitects.com

INSIDEOUT08

RENOVATE

MAKING A

SPACE“Try and link

an outside spacewith an inside

space – that’s thecheapest and most

efficient way to create a feeling of

bigger space”

Home improvement, says Dermot Bannon, “is a bit like acupuncture – a smallinterjection somewhere can

have a huge effect”. The architect and star of RTE One’s

renovation series Room to Improve iscurrently filming the fourth series ofthe popular show, which will reach ourscreens in April. He’s taken time outfrom his hectic schedule to chat aboutways to add space, warmth and light toyour home.

The first thing to do, Dermot tellsme, is analyse what you have and whatyou need. If you’d like to add a feelingof more space, often an extension isnot necessary.

“The first thing that will increase theappearance of size and the generalambience of your home is light,” saysDermot. “Even just knocking out a walland putting in some glass will give theperception of increased space, andmake a much brighter room. Try andlink an outside space with an insidespace – that’s probably the cheapestand most efficient way to create a feel-ing of bigger space.

“I’m a big fan of skylights – they’re agreat way of bringing in light. If youlive in a house with high boundarywalls around it, sometimes the onlyway to get extra light in is through theroof. Skylights are perfect for that.They can really throw light into themiddle of a room. I’ve got rooflights inmy own house and I wouldn’t be with-out them.”

You should also look at whetheryou’re using all your rooms to their fullpotential.

“You might be under-using half ofyour house. An architect can gothrough your needs with you, examinehow you use the different spaces. Canyou double up some of the functions?Do you have an office and a sewingroom, for example – and they’re neverused at the same time? The office and

The need to go green is nowmore relevant than ever –by making some changes toyour home you could behelping the planet and yourwallet. Katie Corkerylooks at the many benefitsof the Building EnergyRating (BER) scheme

ly €2,150 per annum based on averagesfor space and water heating, and decid-ed to install solar panels. Solar panelscan account for 70 per cent of yourwater heating, which is typically 30-40per cent of your overall spend, thusresulting in a reduction of approxi-mately €600 per annum.

Installation of the solar panels wasalso relatively painless. “It took threedays. The only disruption was with thebathrooms because there was no hotwater, but they did reconfigure it everyevening when they left.”

After the installation of the solarpanels and the upgrades to the insula-

tion were completed the BER results ofHutton’s home went from C3 to a B1,which means a 50 per cent reductionon his home’s carbon footprint.

Hutton also availed of Home EnergySaving (HES) which equated to nearlya third of the total cost of purchasingand fitting the solar panels. The HES,which is administered by SustainableEnergy Ireland, is a scheme designedto provide grants to homeowners whowish to improve the energy efficiencyof their home while reducing costs andgreenhouse gas emissions.

There are a number of differenthome upgrades currently eligible under

this scheme including wall insulation,roof insulation and heating systemupgrades. Home owners can also availof the grant if they choose to get a BERassessment before or after the work iscompleted.

This scheme offers grants of up to 40per cent of the typical cost of energyefficiency upgrade measures, varyingdepending on the measure concerned.

For more information on BER and the HES grant contact SustainableEnergy Ireland on 1850 927000 orhes@sei.ie.

For more information on BER and the HES grant contact SustainableEnergy Ireland on 1850 927000 or hes@sei.ie.

KNOW YOUR BER

Building Energy Rating or BERhas become a vital part of theproperty industry. Similar tothe energy labels visible on all

new household electrical appliances, aBER measures the efficiency of howenergy is used throughout a building. Itrates the energy performance of a homeon a scale from A1 (meaning extremelyefficient) to G (least efficient) by takinginto account the annual consumption ofenergy for water heating, space heating,ventilation lighting and associated fansand pumps.

A BER certificate is now a statutoryrequirement for all buildings offered forsale or rent. If you are buying or rent-ing a house or apartment now, you areentitled to a BER so do ask theseller/landlord or their agent for it.Having a BER cert available from theoutset allows prospective buyers or ten-ants to make a more informed decisionabout the property in question.

Not only that, but alongside the BERcertificate you receive an AdvisoryReport which provides homeownerswith an insight into how efficient theirhouse is and highlights areas wherethey could make substantial savings.

The home is one of the largest usersof energy in Ireland, accounting for onethird of the country’s total energyusage. Much of this energy is wastedthrough poor insulation and water leak-age. One Dublin resident, Jon Hutton,recognised the need to go green andmade steps to improving his carbonfootprint by conducting a BER surveyon his four-bedroom detached home.

“I suppose as you are getting olderyou become more aware of green issuesand there was also the long-termaspect to it, that in 10 years’ time, with

fuel costs rising, it will save youmoney,” explained Hutton.

One thing that was high-lighted after the BER was

conducted was the fami-ly’s dependency on gas.

Hutton wanted toreduce the high cost

of using gas, whichwas approximate-

INSIDEOUT12

ECO HOMES

INSIDEOUT13

HEAT YOURHOME FOR LESS!

The recent spell of cold weather created asurge of interest in the home heating market.People are now deciding to upgrade theirheating systems in order to improve their effi-ciency and reduce their bills in time for thenext cold snap. By examining overall energyusage and making minor modifications, it isusually possible to drastically cut the energyconsumption of a home.

STOVESInstalling a

stove in place ofan open fire isone of the sim-plest and mosteffective ways ofreducing fuelconsumption.An open fire is

only 20 per centefficient as most of

the heat is lost upthe chimney. In comparison, aStanley stove can be up to 80 percent efficient, which simply meansthat it uses much less fuel whilegiving more heat. This fuel efficiency is just an added bonusto the cosy warmth generated bya Stanley stove.

Combining heating systems isanother way of reducing heating

bills. If you already have gas or oil firedcentral heating, you can cut your costsby installing a dual heating system;that is, having your current centralheating system run in conjunction witha boiler model Stanley stove. Whenthe stove is lighting it will not onlyheat the room, it will also heat radia-tors and water so there is no need tohave the oil or gas boiler running atthe same time.

CAST-IRON RANGESInefficient boilers aremajor offenderswhen it comes tohigh fuel consump-tion. Replacing a boil-er that is more than15 years old with anew one can reduceheating costs by upto a quarter. A

Stanley cast-iron range cooker is anefficient and beautiful way to providecooking, heating and hot water func-tions to your home. The boilers inStanley range cookers have efficien-cies of up to 85 per cent, the BERbenchmark for cast-iron range cook-ers. Oil and gas models provide inde-pendent control of heating, hot waterand cooking and compatibility withzone control heating allows for greaterfuel efficiency.

Apart from functionality a range

For more information on how you can save on your fuel bills with Stanleystoves log on to www.stanleystoves.com

cooker is a signature piece in anykitchen. The heat it radiates creates awonderfully warm and welcoming envi-ronment - making it the heart of home.

Are you renovating your home, interestedin upgrading your heating system orbuilding a new house? Waterford Stanleyoffers a Home Heating Consultancy serv-ice to help make the process easier, withno extra cost to you. Call 1850 302 502or log onto www.waterfordstanley.com forfurther details.

WATERFORD STANLEY

Stanley Stoves WAS VAT FREE

Erin Boiler Enamel €2299 €1899

Erin Non Boiler Enamel €2055 €1699

Brandon Range Cookers WAS VAT FREE

Brandon 100k €7675 €6343

Brandon 80k €7465 €6169

Brandon 60k €7065 €5839

0000_JS_21%-WS AD_Layout 1 04/03/2010 15:15 Page 1

Collette Devlindons her gardeninggloves as award-win-ning garden designer PaulMartin takes her on a tourof one of his gorgeous gar-dens and gives her some tipson keeping her fingers green

INSIDEOUT14

GARDENING

The garden has become an evermore important part of our liv-ing space. Modern gardens arewell kept and have strong

contemporary design elements encom-passing furniture and lighting. You canspruce-up your garden just like you dec-orate your home. Fabulous furnitureand abstract accessories such as woodengazebos, fire pits, barbecues, prettylights and hammocks can enhance anygarden so that it becomes a place torelax, soak up the sun, dine al fresco, entertain friends or simply sit back and enjoy the outdoorswhen the weather does eventually get warm.

You’ve come through the cold Irishwinter of snow and rain, spring has offi-cially started and the days are gettingwarmer – what better time to find thosediscarded gardening gloves and get backinto your garden?

“Gardening is probably one of the fewhobbies that everyone can get involvedwith despite age or fitness. It’s also agreat way to get kids out into the freshair and with ‘The Food Dudes’ healthyeating programme in primary schools(www.fooddudes.ie), it’s a good idea tocontinue the gardening from school toback home,” says Martin.

GREEN FINGERS ON A BUDGETLike most things nowadays, people areconscious of expenditure when it comesto the garden. However, according toMartin, it is possible to have a beautifuland productive garden without spend-ing lots of money. If you are on a tightbudget you first have a specific purposefor what you want the garden to be usedfor. Always start with getting the soilright by digging some well-rottedmanure or organic material into the soilto help everything grow. This will be thebiggest investment. “Keep up-to-datewith seasonal planting by looking inmagazines and newspapers, for exam-ple, if you’re planting trees or newhedges during the dormant season, thecosts will be lower. The local gardencentre will also be a great source ofhelp.”

PLANTINGWe have a very mild climate and mostplants do very well. According toMartin, the most important thing to getright when getting started on your gar-

HOW DOES YOUR GARDEN

GROW?den is the soil. The healthier the soil,the better the plants will do. Add plentyof organic matter; if it’s very heavy soiladd grit and mix well.

In certain situations some plantsrequire either acidic or alkaline soil – aph testing kit from your local gardencentre should tell you which you haveand what plants are suited. If you havespace for a tree, then decide what sortof tree you would like or you have roomfor. Martin recommends the colourfulAmelanchier Canadensis tree, whichblossoms white flowers in spring anddark berries in the autumn. A great ideais to visit the Botanic Gardens in Dublinfor inspiration for your garden.

“As you get into the swing of yournew green-fingered hobby you will slow-ly start to find the type of plants thatyou like, take notes and watch how theyare planted in conjunction with otherplants,” says Martin. “A cottage gardenfeel for example would mix old Englishroses with nepeta, alchemilla mollis andspring bulbs. A more contemporary feel-ing garden would contain more orna-mental grasses, festuca, miscanthus andbamboos.

PATIOS AND DECKINGBefore creating your ‘outdoor room’observe the different aspects of yourgarden. Look where the sun is at differ-ent parts of the day and think aboutwhen you will be using the garden. Forexample, if the only time you spend in

the garden is in the evenings, you maynotice that the sun is in the back cornerof the garden. This is where you shouldput your hard standing or your deck.

“I have always found when designinga garden, those that work well from apractical and usage point of view, arethose where there is easy access fromthe terrace or deck area back to theengine room of the house – the kitchen,”explains Martin.

Regardless of the surface of the ter-race, access and a good flow in and outmake it work. Get away from centre-pieces; you don’t want one thing in themiddle of the garden, your eyes shouldalways be travelling around. A patio orterrace can be a great focal point but ifit doesn’t feel cosy it’s not practical.When it’s beside the kitchen you caneasily pop back inside the house if youforget something.

Raised walls about seat height with acushion added for comfort can makeroom for an extra guest. Planting scent-ed plants like lavender and rosemaryare not only helpful whilst cooking butare also great for helping to keepmidges and flies away. Low growingherbs placed close to where guestsmight rest, such as lemon scentedthyme or Corsican mint, give a magnifi-cent scent when touched. This gives youthe perfect opportunity to start a con-versation about your horticultural andculinary skills.

There are a number of materials on

the market now for your terrace orpatio, ranging from granite to sand-stone, limestone to paving bricks. Usinga bigger size of slab in a small spacegives the illusion of more space and abrick edge frame or border can add thatextra something.

“Always get a sample to check how itlooks during daylight and night time,you will be surprised the difference itcan make – for example, a lightercoloured slab or brick will bounce morelight at night whether moonlight orelectrical,” advises Martin.

“Decking has its place but must be

INSIDEOUT15

GARDENING

flavour is still the best, but if youhave a balcony three stories up in anapartment block, a small gas barbe-cue is more practical and slightlycleaner. Additions of oak and hickoryflavoured wood chips can be addedto the gas version to give that coun-try aroma. When using your barbe-cue for the first time this yearremember to heat it up well inadvance to clear away any unwantedbugs. Disposable barbecues are veryhandy indeed and quite inexpensive,but only use them on a solid or heat-proof surface like an old pavingslab or sand and not on a new deck,for example.

Adding a few sprigs of your home-grown rosemary on the charcoal justbefore the chicken or meat goes onwill add so much flavour that every-one will think you’ve hired a chef todo the catering!

When summer finally arrives, it’s timeto dust down the barbecue and getbusy in your new kitchen – the greatoutdoors! It only takes the aroma of

chargrilled steaks to haveyou on the phone to allyour friends invitingthem round for a greatevening of outdoor din-ing and to show off yourfabulous garden!Barbecues now come in awhole range of sizes,styles and price cate-gories, from charcoal togas, disposable to ultra

high-tech.There is nodoubtthat theoriginal

charcoal

BBQ DELIGHTS

ble have a focal point in a far corner, asthis will trick the eye into thinking thegarden is bigger than it is – perhapsclad an old wall in trellis or timber.Remember, only use a few materials in a small garden as many will clutterit up.”

“When it comes to lighting a garden,underuse is better. Light the steps, adistant feature, perhaps up-light one ortwo trees. If highlighting the terrace,use warm light colours such as warmwhite. New LED fittings on the marketwill give the same light as a 50 wattbulb from a 7 watt.

When designing a small garden,every aspect of the practicalities of thehouse, garden and its inhabitants haveto be taken into considera-tion: privacy, lighting, stor-age, play areas, vegetablepatches, dining areas, etc.Make a wish list of whatyou like, need and want!

Paul Martin has designedgardens in Ireland,America and Europe, winning medals from the Chelsea Flower Show,Hampton Court,Tatton Park,GardenHeavenandBloom in the Park. www.paulmartindesigns.com

more light at night whether moonlightor electrical,” advises Martin.

“Decking has its place but must beinstalled correctly. Bear in mind thatour Irish climate is a damper one thanin America, where it’s very popular,”says Martin. “Always allow the air toaccess under and out of the deck, aslight gap between the boards, and afall away from the house, so they candry off quite fast. Air access at thesides of the deck should have a metal screen to protect againstunwanted pests.”

There are three types of deckingavailable: hardwood, softwood andcomposite. The latter is a mix of wooddust and manmade materials and isavailable in different colours.Hardwoods are generally more expen-sive than their softwood counterpartsbut if treated well they’ll weather beautifully and last a lifetime.However, well-treated softwood canlast for up to 25 years and look just asgood – make sure that you choose pressure-treated softwood to preventrotting.

“One great thing about decking incomparison to a stone or brick terrace is its warmth, and it’s safer for children.”

DESIGNING YOUR DREAM GARDEN“Consider how you will look at the gar-den from inside,” advises Martin. “Afterall, for a lot of the time that’s whereyou will be viewing it from. If it’s possi-

With an incredibly high standard ofinterior design thinking in Irelandtoday, Nuala Ryan recognisessome of the great home grown talents and gets their top tips onhome renovations

Interior designer Maria MacVeightypifies the incredible level ofexcellent design thinking in Irishdesign today. Having been short-

listed, highly commended and winner atlast year’s Institute of Designers inIreland (IDI) awards for her work onthree separate projects, Maria is a forceto be reckoned with in national andinternational interior design.

Maria qualified with a degree inInterior Design from DIT before movingto Barcelona immediately after qualify-ing to work. Having spent 13 yearsabroad, she returned to Ireland six yearsago to set up her own practice.

Maria undertakes both commercialand domestic work, and approacheseach project with a firm understandingof her client’s requirements. She takestime to meet with each prospectiveclient, showing them her incredible bodyof work and explaining how the practiceworks. These discussions determinewhether the practice will be suitable forthe client’s needs and, if so, the projectcan begin to move forward with founda-tions laid for a successful venture.

To date, Maria has worked on such

commercial projects as the redesigningof top chef Ross Lewis’s Chapter Onerestaurant and Chefs Table in Dublin, aproject that she particularly enjoyed, andthat was shortlisted for an IDI award.

According to Maria, each project hasits own narrative.

“Nearly all the work that I do is in therefurbishment of old or existing build-ings and all projects offer various oppor-tunities for redevelopment. Finding outwhat this is can be as much a surprisefor me as for my clients, but I reallyenjoy this process of understanding theexisting building in order to bring it to anew stage in its life.”

Most of Maria’s projects have requiredan extension of the existing space, whichshe has also designed. She works closelywith engineer David Maher, developingand detailing the finished project toensure that a thorough service is deliv-ered to the client.

So, what advice would Maria give toanyone thinking of renovating his or herhome?

“Appointing the professional mostsuitable for the job is the beginning andend of a good project. Search throughmagazines and the IDI’s website(www.idi-design.ie) for listings of design-ers. And remember that professionalsare very happy to meet you and showyou what they do in order to help youmake an informed judgment.”

Maria’s recent work on a Mews house inDublin won her a 2009 IDI award. Herwork on the restoration and renovationof an Edwardian house in Sandycovewas highly commended at this sameaward ceremony. Visit www.mariamacveigh.com for further details.

Former art and design teacherMaria Fenlon started up her inte-rior design business in 2002, spe-cialising in creating functional,

comfortable and stylish homes that per-fectly suit the owner’s lifestyle andneeds. By helping clients to focus ontheir preferred style, Maria designs aliving space that will best suit this style.

According to Maria, design is allabout newness, innovation and creativ-ity. Research and product sourcing area very important part of this processand Maria spends a lot of time abroadresearching new designs. However,even though new trends are an excit-ing part of the business, Maria is afirm believer in the timeless quality ofclassic designs that will always retaintheir elegance and beauty.

At the end of the day, however, it isthe client’s home and so it is importantto listen to the client’s needs and ideasbefore offering expert advice.

“Even improving storage space in thehome can make a huge difference topeople’s lives. We cater for their needs,help them to identify their preferredstyle and work to create a unique andseamless finished interior.

“Seeing how my designs impact on

my client’s quality of life is definitely oneof the most rewarding parts of the job.”

For anyone thinking of renovatingtheir home, Maria recommends you startout by looking at the structure and spaceof the room and list all the needs for thespace. “See if the space is being fullyutilised,” Maria advises. “It’s amazinghow many rooms in people’s homes canlook like separate spaces. You shouldthink about how to link the room to therest of the house and best use the spaceand the light.”

Maria recommends you next considerwhat storage space is required, as well asyour living needs, and how you plan toaccommodate these. Think about thestyle of the room and how you mightcarry this style throughout the house. Ifyou can achieve a unified look through-out your home, you can make it feel big-ger and more organised.

Using her background in sculptureand model making, Maria provides herclients with a 3D model-making facility.This has proven to be a very useful toolin helping clients and builders to visu-alise the space they are working with,which in turn saves time and preventspeople from making expensive designmistakes.

Maria was recently commended at theIDI awards for her work on The MillHouse in Carlow, a magnificent and tra-ditional thatched structure with work-ing wheel on the banks of the RiverSlaney. Visit www.mariafenlon.com forfurther information on her work andprojects.

HOME GROWN TALENTS

THE CREAM OF THE

CROPMARIA

MacVEIGH

DESIGN

MARIA FENLONINTERIOR

DESIGN

Project by Maria MacVeigh, photography by Barbara Corsico

INSIDEOUT16

ODKM Architects and Designers isa newly formed practice locatedin the heart of Terenure.Promoting an open door policy,

ODKM are with you from the beginningto end of every project, offering an initialfree appraisal and inspection of yourhome, as well as sharing ideas as to thepotential direction that the property ren-ovations and design could take.

Partners Declan O’ Donnell, BarryKane and Ciarán Cole are undoubtedly atalented bunch. In fact, Declan washeadhunted from college to work withone of the leading architectural firms inthe world, Norman Foster and Partnersin London. Having spent some timeabroad, Declan returned home andtogether with Barry and Ciarán set upODKM. Since then, and with the help ofDeclan’s incredible design training andexperience, the practice has been layinga solid foundation in the architecturaldesign market.

According to Barry, the current marketis a lot different than it was a few yearsago. Today, it is almost inconceivable tospend 200-250 thousand euro on exten-sions and renovation work, as many haddone during the boom time. But, asBarry points out, now is the right time tobe developing your home as labour ischeaper than ever and building costs are down.

“People’s lives have changed over thepast 10 years and the vast majority ofjobs that we work on are home renova-tions. Most people want to create anopen plan kitchen, dining and familyarea, as this is where they spend themost time. And by investing in thesewell-used areas of your home you willsee the most benefits and get the bestvalue for money.”

For many people, renovation workcan be a huge undertaking, both finan-cially and emotionally. Barry offers hisexpert advice on how to make the mostof this investment.

“We would advise people to have anoverall plan or idea of what they wouldlike to achieve at the end of their reno-vation work. We recommend that peo-ple who are getting work done nowshould ensure that this work will nothave to be undone later or affect theoverall plan.

“If you are serious about gettingwork done then get an architect toreview your home,” Barry advises,“This way they can take into accountwhat you are looking for and what isthe best way to reach your end goal.”

For more information on ODKMArchitects and Designers, why notcall into their office in Terenure orvisit www.odkmarchitects.com.

Ann-Marie McCarthy is a deter-mined young designer. Not will-ing to let the economic down-turn affect her career, she set up

her own interior design practice andhasn’t looked back since.

Having left Griffith College with a BAHonours degree in Interior Architecture,Ann-Marie was working with a practicein Cork before being let go due to therecession. Not content to sit on the side-lines, Ann-Marie decided to set up herown company and has been luckyenough to be busy ever since, makingsure that her clients are looked after 110per cent.

Having felt the impact of the recessionfirst hand, Ann-Marie noticed a lot ofdifference between then and now.

“Back in the boom times, people didn’treally invest in anything; when the want-ed something they just bought it. Now,people are thinking long term instead ofshort term. Not only do they want to getgood value for money, they want some-thing that will stand the test of time.”

According to Ann-Marie, there aremany ways to freshen up a room with-out it becoming an expensive process.

“Most people have lovely homes withlovely furnishings but sometimes theyjust have things in the wrong places. Youcan change the look of a room by simplymoving a few things around, and thiswon’t cost you any money!”

“Also, I find a lot of people are nothappy with the tiles they have in theirbathrooms or kitchen. What a lot of peo-ple don’t realise, however, is that, as longas the tile is suitable, they can tile overtiles. This saves the mess of having topull down tiles and is a great way of giv-ing a room a fresh, new look.”

Ann-Marie also offers her clients ashopping service. Having put in all thegroundwork beforehand, she brings herclients around to all the shops to pickout all the key ingredients needed to puttheir room together.

If you are starting out by renovating asingle room in your house, Ann-Marieadvises you to consider the overall styleof your home and to make sure that thisnew design is in keeping with this over-all style. She always reminds her clientsthat it is their design and is ultimatelytheir choice – her job is to make thisdesign real and to make sure that theclient loves it.

If you would like more information on Ann-Marie’s work, visit www.macinteriors.ie

ODKM ARCHITECTSAND DESIGNERS

ANN-MARIEMcCARTHY

Mac INTERIORS

HOME GROWN TALENTS

THE IDI DESIGN AWARDSEstablished in 1997, the Institute ofDesigners in Ireland Awards is anoccasion to celebrate the excellentstandard of design achieved bydesigners on the island of Irelandand to promote this creative talentto a commercial audience. It is theonly ‘all-Ireland’ design competition,covering all design sectors andjudged by a distinguished panel ofinternational jurors. Judging is con-ducted in a round table discussionformat and entrants vie for the cov-eted ‘IDI Eye’. For more informationof the IDI and the work that theydo, visit www.idi-design.ie.

INSIDEOUT17

INSIDEOUT18

Create an even sweeterscent with Jo Malone and Farrow & Ball

This is the year to invest in a Stanley multi-fuelstove. One of the most talked about reasons forchoosing a stove over an open fire is that stovesare 3-4 times more efficient. Simply put, you will

use less fuel in your stove and obtain more heat from it.Waterford Stanley are offering readers the chance to win an Oisin stove worth €499. For details on how to enter log on to www.stanleystoves.com.

MAKING LIGHT OF COOKINGWITH KENWOOD

With the help of the KenwoodCooking Chef, you can makelight work of tricky dishes – eventhe most pedestrian of cooks will

be able to churn out perfect choux pastry,creamy risottos and Italian meringues.Available from Brown Thomas stores inDublin and Cork for €1,200 RRP.

The Handmade Furniture Company design and craft afull range of living room, dining room, bedroom,children’s and nursery furniture as well as custom-made pieces, supplied exclusively to their unique

shop in Waterford City. With an eco-friendly profile and greenphilosophy, they purchase all their raw materials and woodfrom government-controlled renewable sources and handcrafta large range of solid hardwood furniture using traditionalmethods of construction. Each piece of furniture is a labour oflove, passionately designed and then crafted with great care

and skill so that there are never any two pieces exactlyalike. The Handmade Furniture Company is definitelyworth a trip to Waterford, or you can shop online at www.handmadefurnitureco.com.

Colour mebeautiful

Choosing a colour for the out-side of your home is a riskyjob, with so many factors toconsider. The Dulux

Weathershield colour card offers thelargest range of ready-mix colourson the Irish market, as well as excel-lent hints and tips to help youchoose. Colours of the seasoninclude Wattle, Innisfail andClaystone, muted shades perfect forour sometimes dull and grey Irishlighting. For more information visitwww.dulux.ie.

Epoch’s outdoor rattan and cast-aluminum garden furniture

Epoch’s new range of outdoor rattan garden furnitureadds a contemporary feel to their garden furniturerange. Manufactured from fully weatherproof PVC rattan and hand-woven over a rust-resistant frame,

this MAINTENANCE FREE product can be left outdoors allyear round. Any dust or dirt can be easily washed off with ahosepipe or power washer. It is also UV light resistant toensure that the coloured rattan does not fade in the sunlight.

Epoch’s cast-aluminum range is also proving to be verypopular due to its MAINTENANCE FREE character, whilethe timeless traditional designs look amazing in any size garden. Go to www.epoch.ie for more details.

Unique and hand-crafted furniture

NEWS

LET THE LIGHTSHINE IN WITHLUXAFLEX

Today, more and more peopleare becoming aware of thedramatic impact that upgrad-ing window blinds can have

on a space. Ranging from traditionalRoller and Venetian Blinds to ExclusiveSilhouette and Duette shades, theLuxaflex collection can provide the solu-tion for all window scenarios, whilstadding an eye-catching element to one’sroom. Most importantly, there are prod-uct ranges to suit all budgets! To findyour local dealer, call 1850 360 860 or logon to www.luxaflex.ie.

Jo Malone and Farrow & Ballhave recently joined forces tolaunch their first ever collectionof coloured candles. Farrow &

Ball have used their expertise in inte-riors to match each of the Jo Maloneiconic fragrances to a colour intrinsi-cally linked to the unique inspirationbehind each scent. The candles comein five limited edition fragrances –Lime Basil & Mandarin, Wild Fig &Cassis, Grapefruit, Pomegranate Noirand Blue Agava & Cacao.

For your nearest stockist go towww.jomalone.com.

Sony redefines how you watch television

The new Sony BRAVIA collection is set tochange the way you watch TV forever. Thenew BRAVIA NX800 Sony duet InternetProtocol Television (IPTV) gives you the

power to connect to the Internet via Wi-Fi and explorea huge choice of content and services from your livingroom. Also now with the new BRAVIA range you canwatch full High Definition 3D movies from the comfortof your own home.

Win a stoveworth €499!

Revamp yourhome withMarble andGranite

Importing marble and granite from quarries all over theworld, Irish-owned Marble and Granite Supplies Ltd boasta wide range of products including fireplaces, graniteworktops, quartz worktops, vanity units, breakfast bars,

marble and limestone tiles and a large range of garden paving.Improve the value of your home with a visit to Ireland’s

largest stone superstore and view the extended showrooms inMalahide Industrial Park. Current special offers include newworktops from €1,500 and marble fireplaces from €950. Visitwww.marblegranite.ie for more details.