Quirky and wonderful shops to visit over the holidays

Carol O’Callaghan offers a handful of good shops for design heads.

Who remembers when Cork’s MacCurtain Street was a hub of design retailers, galleries, floral artists and antique shops?

What a pleasure it was to shop and stroll, ideally with a take-away coffee in hand from Cork Coffee Roasters (still thriving thankfully).

It was enough to satisfy any design-hungry soul until recession shoved all of these shops out of the city centre and some out of existence altogether.

A few years on and with the popularity of on-line shopping, it might seem there’s nowhere to browse those special products with some human interaction in the process, but not so.

Scattered amongst quiet roads off our main streets, and in country towns there’s a peppering of this type of shop, not just emerging but thriving.

Cork Flower Studio

One of Cork city’s best kept secrets is run by the enterprising Looney sisters Justine and Eavan.

Located on Douglas Street, Cork, which is developing a lovely village feel, it’s frequented by design lovers who have since become flower customers, and flower lovers who have become design customers.

Products: 80% of stock is Irish made, including greeting cards, reversible tray tables on legs in birch ply and formica by Martin Horgan, and Irish linen tea-towels by Carmel Creaner. Prices: €3.50 - €178

Added value: Pop in for a bunch of flowers and you’ll probably go back for a home interior product or a take-away cup of very decent coffee and a snack from their artisan food offering.

Verdict: They sell a bit of everything for the home, but it’s curated with discernment and taste.

The Anchor Art & Design Boutique

Walkers and beach bunnies frequenting the west Waterford area will know the location, a beauty spot in Ardmore with its steep path to the cliff-top which is also worth climbing for the shopping experience at The Anchor.

Products: Stock includes personal and home interior products including candles, pottery, ceramics, paintings, sculpture, textiles, lighting and prints.

Prices from €5.95 for bathroom hooks, ceramics from €35 and original paintings from €65.

Added value: Paintings by owner Gillian Dwyer are for sale and there’s a little area outside to sit and enjoy beautiful sea views while contemplating a purchase.

Verdict: Less than an hour’s drive from Cork and Waterford with products that are often exclusive but at affordable prices.

Nest

Anyone in the market for a mix of Irish and European design might like a jaunt across the mountains to check out Nest in Kenmare, Co Kerry, owned and run by Katherine Murphy.

Products: Eclectic, high-end product ranges from brands like the witty and clever Alessi of Italy, textiles from the Scandinavian trio of Klippan, Linum and Marimekko, and kitchen and tabletop wares from Normann Copenhagen. Prices from €5.50 for an old fashioned bicycle bell.

Added value: Names instantly recognisable to design fans include brands like Alessi and more, which aren’t very widely available off-line since recession.

Verdict: The shop exterior’s display of fishing nets, waterproof jackets and postcards belies a treasure cave of home interior products inside.

The Old Mill Stores

Describing itself as a general home store, The Old Mill Stores, Leap, Co Cork sells a mix of common-sense items for the home, although beautifully finished, plus fun wares and gifts.

Products: Traditional wooden and natural fibre brushes and feather dusters sit alongside wooden tongs for fishing trapped items out of the toaster, and vibrant, colourful and outsize Dutch porcelain vases with Ming-inspired patterning.

Prices: €5 - €250.

Added value: Dutch brand Kitsch Kitchens oil table cloth is on offer with some eclectic patterns. Ovne antique solid fuel stoves are sold here too and featured in the Harry Potter films.

Verdict: It’s a surprise to find this shop located roadside on the N71 between Clonakilty and Skibbereen but it’s become a destination shop that’s led to a new outlet in Clonakilty town.

Objekt

Objekt in Newcastlewest, Co Limerick, is something of a head turner for anyone travelling the main Dublin to Kerry road. Chic and contemporary, it stocks cool European brands like Kartell, Missoni Home and La Bougie.

Products: Fun designs like the Cico egg cup depicting a little figure holding a spoon sits alongside more high brow offerings including cushions by Christian Lacroix. Prices: €17.95 - €1,950.

Added value: A wide range of products from table top items to lighting and furniture from European super brands are under one roof.

Verdict: At a time when pattern, colour, vintage and cosy are de rigueur, Objekt is heaven on earth for modernist products, which can also be bought at a small branch in Adare.

Next week: We look at living outdoors