Wish List: Eight fabulous finds for your home this February 

Esther N McCarthy finds local success stories, colourful artwork, and retro rugs

SCENTS OF SUCCESS

We love local success stories and Kinsale start-up Wizard & Grace Essential Oil Candles is going from strength to strength. The company was founded in October 2022 by Paula McGovern whose mission was to create a unique range of 100% natural essential oil intention candles designed to not only smell beautiful but also actively support wellbeing.

The brand has been nominated for two awards due to be announced in coming weeks — the West Cork Start-up of the Year and a Best in Cork award. The Wizard & Grace range of essential oil candles and Celtic goddess journals are inspired by Irish language, landscape and life, and stocked in 20 retailers across Cork and Ireland and through Wizardandgrace.

ART'S THE WAY TO DO IT

Tereza ‘Tyda’ Sterbova is a self-taught, Cork-based abstract artist. She describes her work as expressive, energetic and bold. ‘I’m always pushing my boundaries and exploring new techniques, using mainly acrylics, acrylic inks and oil pastels to create vibrant art on canvas,’ she says. This painting is titled ‘My Own Way’, it’s 80 x 80 cm, acrylics and mixed media on canvas. 

Tereza says: ‘This painting is high on happy vibes and a cool statement piece to brighten up your everyday life.’ I think we could all do with a little bit of that this month! Framed, it’s yours for €820, and available from Tydaart or directly from her studio in Douglas.

WHITE MAGIC

Winter white is an interior colour trend we’re delighted to see continuing into 2024. According to Helen O’Dwyer Coughlan of Meadows & Byrne, ‘Some call it cream, some call it winter white, winter whites do give a room a sumptuous luxurious feel. 

'Winter whites definitely need textured fabric to soften the look. Go all out for a white-out look, or combine with other colours in the room allowing them to pop. They are great for small spaces, as they don’t over-dominate.’ 

Order online or pop into one of Meadows & Byrne’s 12 stores nationwide for one of its winter white pieces; see Meadowsandbyrne.

MUCKROSS TIPPLE

Independently-owned Muckross Wild Irish Gin is expanding its availability across Ireland with its uniquely Irish flavours. The gin company based in Killarney, Co Kerry, is the brainchild of couple Andrea Kissane and Martin Wray.

The luxury gin is flavoured with botanicals that can be found in Muckross National Park, with notes of grapefruit and distinctive bitter orange adding a citrus back-note to the London Dry style spirit. 

Muckross Wild Irish Gin is available directly from the brand, WineOnline.ie, Celtic Irish Whiskey Shop, and a range of independent retailers, hotels and restaurants across Ireland. Available in a 700ml bottle which retails at €49; Muckrossirishgin.

SOMETHING TO SMILE ABOUT

A new launch caught our eye for this month — the Spotlight Oral Care range exclusively for kids. Made by dentists and mothers to meet the unique needs of children’s oral health, the collection includes the Kids Monster and Cheetah Electric Toothbrushes, €19.95, Monster and Cheetah Toothpaste, €5.95, and toothbrush replacement heads are €6.95. We like that it features a two-minute timer with a 30-second zone change reminder and grip handle for little hands. The new range launches on February 7, and is available from Spotlightoralcare and selected stores nationwide.

GET LIT

You can’t beat a good candle, and West Cork’s La Bougie is about as good as they get. A new fragrance to Lucy Hagerty’s range is this Blackcurrant Leaf candle. With notes of Cassis, Jasmine Sambac, and Musk, this has a 50-hour burn time and is €30, available in stockists nationwide and Labougie.

UNDERFOOT

Jazz up your interiors for February, straight from the loom to your room, with Kukoon. One of the trends they predict this year is the return of big, bold geometric styles. If you feel it’s time to embrace the 80s, check out Kukoon’s Milan range. With washable, liquid repellent and anti-slip choices, there’s something for everyone, with free delivery on Irish orders.

See Kukoonrugs for more.

FIVE-STAR AND FABULOUS

To celebrate its 25th anniversary in 2022, the five-star Merrion Hotel commissioned a young Irish artist, Ellie Dunne, to design a limited-edition blanket to mark the special occasion.

We’re thrilled to hear the blankets are now for sale. Ellie has Down Syndrome and is a student of Fine Art at the National College of Art and Design in Dublin. Cushendale Woollen Mills in County Kilkenny wove the blanket from Irish-grown wool that comes from the fleece of the protected ‘Galway’ sheep. The Merrion blanket is available from Elliedunneart, priced at €395 including shipping anywhere in the world. 10% of the sale proceeds will be donated to the Together Academy.