Several big-brand retailers are poised to breathe new life into Cork’s St Patrick’s Street and help it shake off its tag as the street with the highest vacancy rate in Ireland.

A turnaround in the fortunes and occupancy levels of Cork city’s premier retail boulevard Patrick Street is predicted in the next year, with significant national international brand names set to arrive and take significant floor space.

Each week, Esther N McCarthy scouts around for interesting bits for your home. This week, she gets passionate about purple lamps and gets a boost from a bright baby chair.