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<p>Phalenopsis orchids are surprisingly easy to grow through the winter, says Peter Dowdall. File picture</p>

home and gardens

Peter Dowdall: How to keep your houseplants happy this winter

'Houseplants can be high maintenance, but the good news is not all of them are prima donnas, and some actually love winter — or will at least tolerate it'

<p>'Abstract Composition' by Thorvald Hellesen at Sheppard's, an original and vintage poster of Fellini's Amarcord at Lot 100, 'River Run Poppies' by Kenneth Webb at Sheppard's.</p>

home and gardens

Art by Kenneth Webb, Banksy, Thorvald Hellesen and more at sales in Durrow, Dublin and Lismore

<p>A c1900 enamel, sapphire and rose quartz brooch by Carlo and Arthur Giuliano at O'Reilly's of Francis Street, Dublin.</p>

home and gardens

Antiques: Everything from diamonds and Marvel comics to rugby

Tried and tested: Multicooker that replaces a slow cooker, rice cooker, steamer and hob

home and gardens

Tried and tested: Multicooker that replaces a slow cooker, rice cooker, steamer and hob

Eve Kelliher: Hugh Wallace’s passion for people and place

home and gardens

Eve Kelliher: Hugh Wallace’s passion for people and place

Dog days: Six super ideas for seasonal celebrations with your pet

home and gardens

Dog days: Six super ideas for seasonal celebrations with your pet

How to organise and declutter our homes in time for Christmas

home and gardens

How to organise and declutter our homes in time for Christmas

Close-up of frost on plant leaves in the Fall

home and gardens

Garden Q&A: What's the best way to protect trees and shrubs from frost?

Empty bright christmas room

home and gardens

Jennifer Sheahan: The joy of renting Christmas decorations

I hated leaf blowers, now I love them: A convert's guide

I hated leaf blowers, now I love them: A convert's guide

What you need to know to blast bothersome leaf fall into submission

Sun, 30 Nov, 2025

First autumn frost in the garden. Dahlia flower bed damaged after first killing frost of the season. Frozen dahlia plants, end o

Peter Dowdall: Frost signals season's end for certain plants. Here's how to manage their downtime

The first real cold snap of the season always seems to catch us the same way, no matter how many years we’ve been gardening or how often we reassure ourselves that we’re ready for winter

Fri, 28 Nov, 2025

Jennifer Sheahan: DIY checklist to winter-proof your Irish home

Jennifer Sheahan: DIY checklist to winter-proof your Irish home

Jennifer Sheahan shares her 10 top ways to keep our living spaces cosy once temperatures plummet

Thu, 27 Nov, 2025

Wild Mushrooms On The Forest Floor

Garden Q&A: Mushrooms are popping up in my lawn and flower beds. Why?

Whether you're a gardening beginner or expert, Irish Examiner columnist Peter Dowdall has the answer to your questions

Wed, 26 Nov, 2025

Cutlery to candles: Secrets for a stunning tablescape

Cutlery to candles: Secrets for a stunning tablescape

Creating a winter table without year-round clutter.

Mon, 24 Nov, 2025

Darmera peltata pink flowers with green background

Work with the weather: The dogwoods, willows, and irises that thrive in waterlogged Irish gardens

Some plants are happy in the wet weather

Mon, 24 Nov, 2025

Back to the future: How DIY retrofitting saved a Cork family house

Back to the future: How DIY retrofitting saved a Cork family house

Home Editor Eve Kelliher finds out how Kieran McCarthy and Adam O'Brien gave a 1950s bungalow a new lease of life

Sun, 23 Nov, 2025

Verbena Bonariensis flowers

GARDEN Q&A: Is it okay to cut back perennials

Whether you're a gardening beginner or expert, Irish Examiner columnist Peter Dowdall has the answer to your questions

Sun, 23 Nov, 2025

A man holds a dirty dryer filter. A man collects lint, hair, wool from the filter of drying machine. Red lint on the dryer filte

The hidden tricks that can save your washing machine and dishwasher from rust and residue

Are you neglecting your primary cleaning machines right before Christmas hits? We can fix that

Sat, 22 Nov, 2025

Winter Irish art sales to start in earnest next week

Winter Irish art sales to start in earnest next week

There will be auctions by Morgan O'Driscoll, de Veres, Gormley's, James Adam and Whyte's next week

Sat, 22 Nov, 2025

How we create fab festive tablescapes: Three seasoned stylists share their secrets

How we create fab festive tablescapes: Three seasoned stylists share their secrets

There’s something about laying the Christmas dining table that makes us want to eat, drink and be merry — and show off our artistic skills

Fri, 21 Nov, 2025

Dog Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever holiday

How to keep our pets safe and happy this Christmas

Kya deLongchamps consults the professionals for advice on keeping our canines and cats content in the midst of a family festive season

Sun, 16 Nov, 2025

Snowdrop flowers blooming in winter

Garden Digest: Winter flower demos and gala club events

Check out all the garden club demonstrations, talks, events, campaigns and online resources

Sun, 16 Nov, 2025

Suit of armour to aid time travel at antique fair today and tomorrow

Suit of armour to aid time travel at antique fair today and tomorrow

More than 70 dealers will be at Limerick Racecourse for the event on November 14 and 16, with everything from art to furniture

Sat, 15 Nov, 2025

Our top gadget gift buys this festive season, from €10-€120

Our top gadget gift buys this festive season, from €10-€120

From toolkits and pet protectors to clocks that give get-up-and-glow, don't leave home without this festive shopping list

Fri, 14 Nov, 2025

Camellia flower fallen leaves

Peter Dowdall: Stars of November shine brightly in our gardens

All the fluff and fuss of summer has gone now, and what’s left is structure, scent, and some real top performers

Fri, 14 Nov, 2025

Irish interior designers' ultimate wish list for their homes this Christmas

Irish interior designers' ultimate wish list for their homes this Christmas

Seeking inspiration for your festive gift-shopping list? We discover what Ireland’s leading interior designers would like to find under the Christmas tree

Fri, 14 Nov, 2025

Look inside interior designer Róisín Lafferty's favourite spaces

Look inside interior designer Róisín Lafferty's favourite spaces

Colour is a visual language that helps the award-winning designer share stories, she tells Eve Kelliher

Thu, 13 Nov, 2025

Jennifer Sheahan: I'm a tiny house owner. Here's how I store bulky items, from suitcases to skis

Jennifer Sheahan: I'm a tiny house owner. Here's how I store bulky items, from suitcases to skis

Every now and then, we acquire seasonal, oversized items that we don’t need often but that we do need to keep somewhere

Wed, 12 Nov, 2025

How to create the perfect winter garden

How to create the winter garden of your dreams

From frost-hardy plants to bright-coloured foliage, here's how to grow a winter wonderland outside your own home

Wed, 12 Nov, 2025

Planting spring flowers in the garden

Garden Q&A: Is there still time to plant spring bulbs in November?

Whether you're a gardening beginner or expert, Irish Examiner columnist Peter Dowdall has the answer to your questions

Tue, 11 Nov, 2025

Recyclable and non-recyclable garbage can indoors

In the can: Waste companies to film proof of our sloppy recycling

In-lorry surveillance cameras may be about to take us all to task if we fail to use our bins properly, writes Kya deLongchamps

Mon, 10 Nov, 2025

Daphne bholua 'Jacqueline Postill'

Garden Digest: Winter flower demonstrations and gala events

Check out all the garden demos, tours, talks, events, campaigns and online resources for the room outside

Mon, 10 Nov, 2025

'I came to Kenmare for the weekend and never left'

'I came to Kenmare for the weekend and never left'

Eve Kelliher meets the creatives who are making Kerry a designer destination as Design Kenmare festival members Norman McCloskey, Adrian Duyn, and Eamonn O'Sullivan share their secrets

Sun, 09 Nov, 2025

From busking on Grafton Street to global stardom: Violinist turns spotlight on housing crisis

From busking on Grafton Street to global stardom: Violinist turns spotlight on housing crisis

Eve Kelliher checks out three top must-sees and must-do's this season

Sat, 08 Nov, 2025

Antiques: A Buick, a bear and a breakfast table up for auction

Antiques: A Buick, a bear and a breakfast table up for auction

A turquoise Tourer, rare jade animal ornaments and carved walnut furniture appeal to Des O'Sullivan

Sat, 08 Nov, 2025

Auction is just the ticket for collectors of railway memorabilia

Auction is just the ticket for collectors of railway memorabilia

Bidders make tracks to browse the collection of the Railway Preservation Society of Ireland's former president

Sat, 08 Nov, 2025

Revealed: Super seasonal shopping destinations on your doorstep

Revealed: Super seasonal shopping destinations on your doorstep

From Christmas markets to craft fairs, we've sourced some of the coolest Yule suppliers of unique and super sustainable gifts

Fri, 07 Nov, 2025

Blue spring flowers (Scilla siberica) blooming in fresh soil amidst a garden setting

Peter Dowdall: Get out in the garden and get planting this weekend. Your future self will thank you in spring

If those bags of bulbs are still sitting by the back door, don’t feel guilty. November is the perfect time. The soil is still soft, and the temperatures are cool enough. Bulbs are wonderfully forgiving, and there’s still time for them to settle in

Fri, 07 Nov, 2025

Glass chandeliers are trending. Our top picks will add sparkle to your home

Glass chandeliers are trending. Our top picks will add sparkle to your home

Whether cut-glass, blown, beaded or moulded, crystal chandeliers' glamorous sway gives any interior design scheme a touch of razzle-dazzle

Wed, 05 Nov, 2025

Hemlock Water-dropwort - Oenanthe crocata

Revealed: The deadly plants gardeners and foragers need to know about

From the poisonous yew to beautiful blooms and the garlic lookalikes with lethal powers, here's what you need to look out for

Wed, 05 Nov, 2025

Jennifer Sheahan: How to choose tiles for your home to fit your style and budget

Jennifer Sheahan: How to choose tiles for your home to fit your style and budget

'I have tiles in my hallway, in both bathrooms, my kitchen, and in my garden. They’re practical, and in the case of my hallway, they hide dirt so well that I don’t need a doormat'

Wed, 05 Nov, 2025

Autumn portrait of the little kitten wearing the pink-gray knitted scarf. Cat sitting outdoors on fallen yellow leaves in a gard

Garden Q&A: Should I still cut the grass on my lawn in winter?

Whether you're a gardening beginner or expert, Irish Examiner columnist Peter Dowdall has the answer to your questions

Mon, 03 Nov, 2025

Ditch red and green: The five runway-inspired Christmas looks taking over Irish homes

Ditch red and green: The five runway-inspired Christmas looks taking over Irish homes

If you haven’t started thinking about decorations, we've done your homework for you. Here are all the catwalk-inspired ideas

Sat, 01 Nov, 2025

Kahlo, Klimt and Calder in the frame for New York's November art sales

Kahlo, Klimt and Calder in the frame for New York's November art sales

Big names headline November's New York art sales, writes Des O'Sullivan

Sat, 01 Nov, 2025

A Victorian copper bathtub and a 19th-century Tibetan thangka for auction

A Victorian copper bathtub and a 19th-century Tibetan thangka for auction

Des O'Sullivan checks out a three-day sale in Doneraile, Co Cork, and a Dublin auction

Sat, 01 Nov, 2025

Wish List: Eight Irish gifts that add a dash of sparkle this winter

Wish List: Eight Irish gifts that add a dash of sparkle this winter

Esther McCarthy spots super-sustainable pressies to treat a loved one — or yourself!

Fri, 31 Oct, 2025

Wild Mushrooms On The Forest Floor

Peter Dowdall: Fungus has had bad press. Mushrooms are nature's alchemists

Fungi are quiet workers, the great recyclers of the garden, breaking down what's dead to feed what's living. Without them, we'd be knee-deep in garden debris, and nothing would rot

Fri, 31 Oct, 2025

Home Q&A: How can I get a grant to turn a vacant property into my dream home?

Home Q&A: How can I get a grant to turn a vacant property into my dream home?

Kya deLongchamps answers frequently asked questions about the Vacant Property Refurbishment Grant (VPRG)

Thu, 30 Oct, 2025

Jennifer Sheahan: A versatile spare room is key to tiny house living

Jennifer Sheahan: A versatile spare room is key to tiny house living

Here in the western hemisphere, we can’t seem to help filling our rooms with unnecessary clutter, but maybe we should take inspiration from the Japanese and adopt a pared-back approach

Thu, 30 Oct, 2025

Home Q&A: What's the best way to deep-clean a fabric headboard?

Home Q&A: What's the best way to deep-clean a fabric headboard?

This project is worth doing at least every couple of months to combat the degree of dust — including dead skin — that starts to gather around a headboard

Wed, 29 Oct, 2025

Mattress Topper Being Laid On Top

Sleep easy: Give your bed a makeover with a topper or mattress

Get set to hibernate with the best in toppers and mattresses. Here's how to do it, and we reveal our top picks

Tue, 28 Oct, 2025

Close up of perennial sweet pea flowers

Garden Q&A: Why didn't my perennial sweet pea bloom this year?

Whether you're a gardening beginner or expert, Irish Examiner columnist Peter Dowdall has the answer to your questions

Tue, 28 Oct, 2025

From Palm Beach to Mayo: How an Architectural Digest photographer designed her dream Irish kitchen

From Palm Beach to Mayo: How an Architectural Digest photographer designed her dream Irish kitchen

Jessica Glynn shows her favourite room in her Mayo new build and tells Eve Kelliher why she loves seeing how others live in their dream homes

Mon, 27 Oct, 2025

Save or Splurge? Festive ware for tablescaping and entertaining

Save or Splurge? Festive ware for tablescaping and entertaining

And our two top picks can also be mixed with our regular dishes, win-win!

Sun, 26 Oct, 2025

How to use smart meters to save money on electricity

How to use smart meters to save money on electricity

Smart meters can help you fight those rising electricity bills

Sat, 25 Oct, 2025

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