Phoebe Edmondson: 'When I walked up to the front door, it was what you see in all the movies'

But the deciding factor for Phoebe was the abundance of outdoor space — for play, leisure, and entertaining. “We were looking for an open-plan living space that would suit us as a family with two boys," she adds. 

 "We like to host parties and have lots of friends around. We wanted a playroom for the kids and space outside for the boys to play and ride their bikes. Being off the main road was very important to us.” 

Coming with a checklist of non-negotiables and dealbreakers, Phoebe wasn’t willing to compromise on certain things and space was one of them. “We wanted a guest bedroom because we have family coming in from Ireland and when they come in we want them to be comfortable and have their own en suite.” 

A 30-minute drive from the ocean, surrounded by horseback and cycling trails, Phoebe and her husband Nick made an offer on the house soon after the viewing.

Having previously gut-renovated a 1920s Tudor home in New Jersey, Phoebe’s uncomplicated DIY interior design tips had amassed 132k followers on her Instagram account @whiteberryhome.

It’s hard to imagine that Phoebe’s last house was situated in the Franklin Lakes, home to the infamous Housewives of New Jersey.

Not known for their subtlety, the houses on the show were maximalist to the core but don’t let the opulence fool you. Statement pieces were clearly chosen for their utilitarian virtues. Think infinity pools to throw one’s husband in, gilded stove hoods to cleanse the room’s juju and marble tables, perfect for flipping.

Despite living in close proximity to the affluent homes of reality TV’s royalty, its influence is nowhere to be found in Phoebe’s unassuming ‘quiet luxury’ home. “Overall, I'd say my style is classic and refined, but with layers of texture and personal touches to make the spaces feel warm and inviting," says Phoebe. "The goal is a timeless, uncomplicated look that's tailored to my family's needs.” 

While the interior design trend cycle never ceases to spin, Phoebe eschews trends and fads for pieces with longevity and she sticks to that principle when decorating for Christmas. “I always start with a mood board," she says. "I like to decorate for Christmas in a calm, intentional way. I decided this year’s theme would be navy and blue.” 

The pièce de résistance in Phoebe’s dining room is the Belarte Studio wallpaper landscape mural that perfectly complements her greyish blue paint — and she cleverly picks up on the colour scheme to match her Christmas decor. “This year, bows and ribbons are a strong feature of my holiday decor, with natural tones and winter whites," she adds. 

"Bows are huge here, ribbon garlands, ribbon bow tree toppers.” Syncing the holiday decor with the overall clean aesthetic looks seamless for Phoebe who believes tradition trumps off-brand tinsel and multicoloured lights. “I strongly believe in a cohesive design," says Phoebe. 

"It’s important that as you move from one room to another, you still feel part of the home. I then add colour, pattern, and personality through textiles like throw pillows, blankets, and rugs.” The focal point of most homes during the holiday season and Phoebe's attention to detail are second to none.

The sterling check pattern of Phoebe’s MacKenzie-Childs tree makes a statement without overpowering and complements the colour palette of the room.

Bright blooms and unassuming house plants pop up throughout the house but for the main Christmas tree, Phoebe chose an artificial, pre-lit tree from King of Christmas: “I've also gone with a faux-flocked tree for the first time this year. I’m in love, it’s gorgeous. Depending on the height, it comes in three or four pieces. The minute you click them together, the lights come on. It was so easy and quick to assemble.” 

Rattan orbs with navy velvet bows add texture and colour that contrasts beautifully with the white snowy effect. “I love these. Cailíní Coastal is a woman-owned business in Connecticut that reached out to me and we had a discussion to use the word cailíní which I thought was so cute," says Phoebe. "She had natural wicker circles, bells, stars and embroidered ornaments, all beautiful pieces. I added the mini-boxwood wreath.” 

While Christmas can get messy, Phoebe has it covered and she coats her furniture with a protective spray. “All of our sofas are family-friendly with stain-resistant removable covers. Our rugs are washable. I spray protect any extra textiles.” 

Still in elementary school, William and Archie already appreciate good design and they love having their rooms decorated for the holiday season. “They have their little mini-Christmas trees and their socks. I always try to have a little bit of something [festive] even if it’s just a little wreath. I’d probably get away with more if they were girls," says Phoebe. 

The bow motif pops up in the boys' bedrooms but blink and you’ll miss it. In William’s room, a couple of tiny faux trees sit on his bedside locker and a navy taffeta bow is subtly placed on one of his three vintage tennis rackets.

Whiteberry Home may be a profitable business but Phoebe urges her followers to spend money on good quality items that can be used all year round instead of changing soft furnishings for every calendar holiday. “Living here, the holidays and the decor just go from fall to Thanksgiving to Christmas," says Phoebe. "People put out their fall throws, pillows, wreaths, and then all of that changes for Christmas. I say spend your money on quality items that suit your home. 

“If you have a throw or you see one that's cute, bring it out for a little bit of comfort or nostalgia. But I personally would not spend money on those items, because I've already spent my money designing each room for living in all year round.” 

Invest in materials that will stand the test of time and increase resale value, says Phoebe, a huge fan of brass finishings.  “Nickel can make a space seem cooler in the space. Brass is more timeless. Our kitchen is predominately white as well and I switched out the hardware for brass. I love how it adds such warmth.” 

Rattan deer perched atop the tabletop in the cosy kitchen nook pay homage to Phoebe’s buy of the season — the Sunwashed Riviera rattan counter stools from Serena and Lily. “I had wanted these stools for so long. The minute we purchased the house, I bought them.” 

Having lived in the US for eight years now, Phoebe has noticed some differences between Irish and American homes, namely the inclusion of a powder room, mud room and a basement. “I believe in an all-white bathroom. For me, when you walk in, a bathroom should be clean and luxurious. A powder room is a totally different thing. It’s such a great space for guests to ‘get’ and understand you.

“You can go full-on in a powder room with design, have fun and really bring your personality across. It’s a small space so it doesn't feel overpowering towards the rest of the home.” 

The space is unrecognisable from its former iteration of dated purple paint and lace curtains — you have to see it to believe it. 

"The wallpaper just adds that wow factor and it’s such a good way of transforming a room. We also did a fun wavy brass mirror. We have a vintage vanity and added in a lovely sconce with pleated lamp shapes.” 

There’s one Christmas ornament that holds a special place in Phoebe’s heart and 20 years on, she still has it. “Do you know that stand in City Square [in Waterford] where they do those decorations and they write on them ‘first Christmas’?" she says. “I met my husband in 1999 and when we first moved in together, my mum bought us one of those decorations that said 'Phoebe and Nick'. That was 2004.”