Wish List: Eight buys to ensure our homes are fun and fabulous
Concept Coastline Right, Seater Casserole Bo Ceramics, Left, Dish Annadale Three Brickworks Right, Below Top Sofa,
Quiet luxury has been drip-feeding onto our social media feeds and mood boards for some time now. It’s the Shiv Roy of interiors — an effortless sophistication that’s not quite perfect and doesn’t try to be.
The Resting Against the Void rug, €2800, from Wexford-based weavers Ceadogán Rugmakers and designed by Maree Hensey is exquisitely made with hand-tufted pure Irish wool. An intriguing statement piece, this rug introduces accents of colour without overpowering. Catch Ceadogán Rugmakers at Ballymaloe Grainstore August 9-25; ceadogan.ie.
From an out-of-work engineer’s shed came one of the most iconic designs in the lighting world, the Anglepoise lamp. Steeped in history, the cutting-edge design has hardly strayed from its original in the 1930s.
The Type 75 floor lamp, €365, is the ideal reading light with flexibility and clean lines. If only everything in our house were this malleable. See anglepoise.com.
Picture the scene. You’ve scheduled an evening with your partner. The kids are fast asleep. Romance is looming, then you whip out some safety matches to light a candle. Avoid any mood-killer moments with this stack of Matilda Goad & Co engraved brass matchbox sleeves, €62.95 each. How impressed will your significant other be with a personalised clover embossed case or a serpent cast in gilt?
Choose their initials or a memorable date to mark a special occasion. And oh, don’t forget to invite us to the christening. See eu.matildagoad.com.
Futureproof your sitting room space by investing in a high-quality sofa. As far as upholstery, wear and tear, stuffing and legs go, Bo Concept consistently scores top marks in consumer reviews. The cornerstone of any living room, chances are your sofa will stay in the family for a long time, even when the younger ones have flown the nest.
The minimalist style and impeccable finish of this Bo Concept three-seater, price on request, subtly whispers old-money aesthetic whilst never verging on the obnoxious. Any Saltburn references are entirely coincidental. Cue Murder on the Dancefloor; boconcept.com.
Craft fairs and vintage markets can produce the most incredible finds but what to do with those antique curios and objets d’art? The Sven natural oak curved shelving system from Interiosity in St Patrick's Woollen Mills, €1035, provides an eye-catching home for your display ornaments, candles, or even coffee table tomes.
Against a neutral furniture palette, this is a real opportunity to infuse some personality into your room. Skulls, sculpture, ceramics, this shelving unit is a bona fide real conversation starter. Plus, when turned on its axis, it serves as a TV unit or a low console. A power move worthy of any of the Succession siblings.
You’ve binge-watched The Bear, downloaded every series of The Great British Bakeoff, now it’s time to get creative in the kitchen. If we’ve learned anything from our television habits (thanks, Gordon) it’s that form should always follow function when it comes to your cookware.
This casserole dish from Annadale Brickworks, €75 at the Irish Design Shop and Ardmore Pottery seamlessly blends the two. Crafted from stoneware clay, the one-pot dish can withstand high and low temperatures and it’s good to throw in the dishwasher. Winning!
For those whose heart is never far from the sea, the Coastline ceramic cups, €24 each from Ola Ceramics conjure sea swims and salt water without ever having to go outside. The cups are identical in size and easily stackable, making them ideal for those who live in small spaces or apartment living.
Reminiscent of the tide ebbing and flowing onto a sandy beach, the plates are almost too good to eat from. We said almost. Another opportunity to name-drop our wild sea swimming habit? We’re sold. Available from the Irish Design Shop.
Take it from someone who does not own a pair of curtains, curtains are necessary. Nobody does pared-back minimalism like the Scandinavians and we’re ordering these wool rose curtains, from €380, at Nordic Knots.
The dusty antique rose keeps the room bright while the mid-weight fabric will keep the sunshine at bay. This pair is customisable and comes in a variety of lengths. Made in Italy, the perfect pleats add character, texture, depth to the room. The brand offers free samples in 30cm x 30cm so you can try before you buy. Shop at nordicknots.com.