{Home Tour: Iris Apfel}

When a 93 year old woman who has dedicated her life to an industry often regarded as superficial and reserved  for the wealthy and fabulous comes out with a little gem like this" Don't get plastic surgery: "I think if women put some more of the time and money they put on their heads in their heads, they'd be better off." I immediately think "she's the kinda chick I want to learn more about". In fact, I've always had a huge amount of admiration for any woman in the creative industry who succeeded in spite of the patriarchal tone of the age. I could easily turn this blog into a dedication to successful women in fashion, film and music, and my fascination with how their talent and passion was enough to get them media attention. Oh, nostalgia!

Instead, I wanted to share with you all a home tour of Iris Apfel's Manhattan apartment, though not for the faint-hearted. As you can guess for her iconic fashion sense, it seems Iris Apfel follows a "more is more" approach. This is a much more blinged-out, floral patterned and Italian-crafted version of your granny's attic; full of all sorts collected over the years. But isn't that what makes it so wonderful and interesting?? No? Just me?

(All images Architectural Digest)

{My Favourite Homeware Hotspots in Dublin}

Just in time for Christmas...

Avoca

My happy place. Granted I want a lot of stuff, but this is one of the only shops I go into where I want EVERYTHING. This chain store started as a woolen mill in 1723 and is now hailed as Dublin's finest treasure trove for Irish-designed clothing, beauty products, food, kitchen equipment, books, homeware and gifts for all ages. With its infamously gorgeous cafe, deli and foodhall as well as it's amazingly creative store design, a visit to Avoca is more like a day trip than a shopping trip.

Artical

Nestled in one of my favourite places in town, the beautiful Powerscourt Town Centre, this little gem really strikes the balance between modern and retro, ornate and simplistic perfectly. It has a slightly Scandinavian vibe (although I've never been anywhere in Scandinavia so that might not be very accurate?) and would be a perfect place to find something for the men (plural. Oh, what a little minx I am!) in your life.

Industry

As you can guess from it's name, this store is a purveyor of the finest of vintage, upcycled and new industrial style furniture. Although this style has become trendy in the mainstream in recent years, a piece from Industry is no fad, it will always be beautiful in its own rustic, edgy way.

Decor Furniture Gallery

If you've walked up Wexford St., you'll probably know this as that store with the giant Buddha statues, old school chairs and flying monkeys on display. And this is why I love it.

Designst

Tourists take note; a handcut, Rob Ryan-esque map of Dublin is going to be a much more loved gift from the Emerald Isle than novelty Guinness memorabilia or overpriced Leprechaun hats. In fact, any of its modern Dublin-inspired art and stylish craftwork would make a gorgeous gift for anyone.

The 3rd Policeman

Dangerously close to my apartment, this is probably my favourite vintage store I've ever been in (and there have been a lot). I don't think I've ever made it 5 yards inside the door without finding at least 20 things I want. Much of their stock is sourced in France, and unlike some vintage stores, is the perfect balance of elegant and dishevelled. A haven for leather luggage, industrial style lighting and old hobby-ware such as cameras and wooden fishing nets as well as an amazing selection of clothing and accessories for both men and women.

DunnesHome

I've written about my love of the Carolyn Donnelly range here, but if that's not your thing, DunnesHome's other designer collaboration with Paul Costello is more classic, simple and just a little bit more masculine and is a real crowd pleaser. DunnesHome's own range has really improved in the last few years, so if you haven't been in a store in a while, you will probably be very pleasantly surprised.

{Emily & Meritt for PBteen}

Despite living in Ireland, I always keep one eye on foreign companies for inspiration, and really, just to see what's out there. As a budding designer I think it's important for me to familiarise myself with what large chains, accessible and affordable, are doing to influence trends in interior decorating. One of my favourites is Williams-Sonoma, Inc. which operates its foodies' dream of a namesake, as well as Williams-Sonoma Home, West Elm, Rejuvenation, Pottery Barn and its subsidiaries Pottery Barn  Bed & Bath and PBteen.  Yes it's a lot, but I regularly website-hop from one to the other, loving what I find.
One of my absolute favourite things happening in the world of design right now are designer-high street collaborations. Not only in fashion, but from Stella McCartney for Addidas to Alice Temperly for Filofax, it's nice to see our old reliables getting that extra special touch. When I heard that Pottery Barn's adolescent-aimed PBteen had teamed up with fashion designers and stylists to the likes of Emma Roberts, Jessica Alba and Vanessa Hudgens, Emily Current and Maritt Elliott I was excited to see what they would come up with. Designing teens' bedrooms can be tricky (probably like everything when it comes to teenagers! Says me, at the wise old age of 23..). They have to be grown-up, without being boring, and fun without being childish, as well as catering for whatever phase, craze or school days are taking precedence. I think this new collection hit the nail right on the head. It's current, without being too trendy, whimsical and just cutesy enough. Most importantly, it's adaptable and will grow with the teen (probably a lot more gracefully that any One Direction polyester duvet cover, to be honest).

The designer duo were recently featured on Elle Decor.com, demonstrating how to add some personality and organization (yes, you can have them both!) to your vanity area, which I loved. I read some of the comments (reading comments on the internet; always an uplifting experience) and a few people felt the feature's look is a little too flea-markety and mismatched. Both of which excite me greatly, so this may be a tad biased.. but surely a livable, usable space for all your different bits and pieces is going to look a little jumbled? This is what a livable space is like for most people, so unless you want to hide everything you have away, organizing and categorizing your stuff into cute containers and trays is crucial for a harmonious space. I like to think of the home as a bit of a "This is Your Life" exhibition, and I love to see some personality in decor. NOTE; "Personality" means favourite old hardbacks, photographs and treasured objects- NOT a mess of trash, dust-covered, forgotten-about products and the last six months worth of supermarket flyers. That's just being messy. And there's a difference.

 

 

{Decor Inspiration; The Cabin}

After watching Free People's latest short film, inspired by their December catalog, I started to remember how much I've always wanted a cosy woodland cabin like in some old American movie. Failing that, a regular Irish house with cabin-inspired décor. It's pretty much the ultimate in homely, welcoming design and has a unique year-round feel. In fact, this look is actually pretty practical as it's inspired by nature, souvenirs and heavy-duty, good old-fashioned comfort. It would be perfect for a living room, or any room you're lucky enough to have a fireplace or stove. And it's also testament to the wonder that is natural material; hardwood flooring, stone, natural-coloured leather and basketry. I've put together a mood-board- shop the look on my Polyvore profile. Now, I'm off to watch On Golden Pond!

 

 

 

{Round Foyer Tables}

The word 'foyer' is a bit fancy alright, but no matter how fancy, big or small your entryway is, you really shouldn't underestimate its impact. It's the first and last part of your home you will see as you go about your day, the first impression guests get of your home and the one room you must constantly pass through several times a day. I recently took a class in feng shui and learnt how it's considered unhealthy for the last step of your staircase to face right onto the front door as the outdoor energy will zoom on up the stairs and bypass the downstairs. Scepticism is okay, but when it comes to your home, family and health isn't is better to, where possible, be on the safe side? For most people, the idea of repositioning your staircase just because you read it on some chick's blog is a bit excessive, so lucky for you I have an alternative idea! Creating a block between your front door and your staircase in the form of a table is a practical, aesthetically pleasing and feng shui approved solution. It's also a perfect place to house some welcoming object like a vase of flowers, coffee table books and a catch-all for your keys and loose change. Check out some examples below.

{The Big Upcycle}

Belated happy Thanksgiving to all of my American readers! And to the non-American, I hope you, too, give thanks where ever you are.

I've always been into upcycling. Ever since I used to watch Linda Barker and her 90's gang used to repaint, resurface and re-imagine people's old furniture within a budget on Changing Rooms, I've been all about breathing new life into old pieces. Why the big obsession, you ask? Why not just buy new stuff? All kinds of reasons; wanting to hold onto a piece for sentimental value but make it work for you, cost, and that's it's usually a lot easier to give an old unit a lick of paint and new hardware  than get your head around flat-pack instruction booklets.  I think the two biggest factors contributing to the new upcycling craze; a) it's fun! It's getting creative and getting use out of the end result. And you know that getting to show off your new-found creative genius in all its uniqueness and splendour  to admiring guests is a major feel-good factor. And b) "They don't make it like they used to". More often than not, your granny's old coffee table is going to be of a much higher quality than your modern alternative- though it might be more attractive. Sooooo... That's where upcylicing to your tastes comes in!

I love going online to check out upcycing inspiration. A quick Image search of your keywords (your item, desired style, colour etc.) is a great place to start. Then, keep an eye out for door knobs (Anthropologie is a real treasure trove for cute door knobs and seem to constantly have a few designs on sale), haberdashery, fabric  and wallpaper remnants (which are perfect, because you'll usually only need a small quantity of materials) and different odds and ends such as broken costume jewellery, found natural objects and unused trinkets. Once you have an idea, and some goodies, choosing a piece of furniture will be a lot less daunting. You or your family will probably have a contender- and some people will be glad to offload an unwanted piece. If not, flea-markets, charity shops and auctions are amazing, though being discerning about the quality and condition is important to remember. Of course you're going to give your chosen piece a fabulous makeover, but the last thing you want is to discover your finished project is riddled with woodworm.

Last week, during the European Week for Waste Reduction, I went to "The Big Upcycle" in The Stillorgan Park Hotel here in south Dublin. It was organised by The Upcycle Movement and Stitches Be Crazy (which wins my imaginary award for the best name of a small company) and played host to craftspeople and upcyclers from all around Ireland, as well as staging demonstrations on furoshiki, decoupage and using the decor cult product Annie Sloan Chalk Paint. It was so amazing to see both the talent and the possibilities out there. Like who would've thought that vintage cigar boxes could make quirky radios? Or gun bullets (those words right there is the most hardcore this blog will ever be) could make dainty earrings? Check out The Upcycle Movement for more inspiration, and to find out about upcoming events. A quick Google search will also direct overseas readers to their local movement. Below are some quick snaps I got of a few of the stalls. Be sure to share any upcycling gems you may have! 

The aforementioned radios made from vintage cigar tins and make-up cases. By Bosca Bosca.

A lamp made from old cassette tapes. By Notebooks by Mary.

Festive button decorations.

"Stitches Be Crazy".

Futuristic-style stuffed toys made from old fabrics. By Roundy Squares.

These hand-painted coasters are created from eggshells. By Hatala Mosaics.

All sorts of lovely things by MisMatched Design.

Well that took a whole lot of newspaper! By Hatala Mosaics.

Notebooks made with vintage book covers. By Notebooks by Mary.

After being very good and exercising some uncharacteristic self-control, I rewarded myself with this! I mean, it was only 5 euro and I love it, and you can never have too many weird hangy things, so y'know.  By Slaty Craft.