Inside Out: Eight savvy ideas for super spaces at home

Home Editor Eve Kelliher seeks inspiration for fun options for our rooms from the worlds of art and design

Mon, 19 Aug, 2024 - 18:20

Eve Kelliher

House in the woods

Perched amongst the treetops, The Woodland Suite Experience at Cork urban resort The Montenotte follows an investment of €7.5 million at the hotel. Nine new outdoor suites and a clubhouse, designed with nature at its very core, merge new and pre-existing architectural elements with the surrounding landscape.

Five woodland suites nestled deep within the trees, and four river suites that cantilever out from the landscape.

Curated by owners Frankie and Jo Whelehan, with Henry J Lyons and Roisin Lafferty, the luxury suites offer breathtaking views of the woodlands or over Cork City and the River Lee below.

For every stay, a tree will be planted as a contribution from the guests.

See www.themontenottehotel.com

Take a seat

Did you know that two of what Ikea regards as its “most Swedish designs” were made by a Japanese designer?

Noboru Nakamura (1938–2023) was educated in Sweden. He joined Ikea in 1975 and collaborated with Lars Engman to produce Ikea’s Poäng low-back armchair, pictured, €95, and Klippan sofa.

Almost half a century after its debut, the bentwood Poäng’s timeless look and smooth swing, thanks to its cantilever design, are as popular are ever. Nakamura emerged from retirement to redesign a trimmed-down version — perfect for socialising and collaborating at work.

With one dramatic cut, the headrest was gone and with a slightly lower seat, the chair is smaller, offering “a more active sitting position”, says Ikea.

And the new-look version costs even less than when the Poäng first launched.

See ikea.ie

It's playtime

We want the summer holiday vibe to last into autumn. So, even when dark days loom, keep it bright with vibrant colours, contrasting patterns and tactile fabrics. The Sophie Robinson collection from DFS brings maximalism and fun eccentricity into any space.

Go bright with colours, big on accessories and bold on patterns. See the set-up above — the sofa is €1,879, accent chair, €1,429, footstool, €749, square footstool, €779, and cushions, €55 each.

See dfs.ie

Seal the deal

Up to 25% of heat in our home is lost through the roof. Cork company Passive House Systems’ PHS loft stairs insulation kit combines high thermal insulation with tech to reduce heat loss through the loft stairs, sealing the area and making the home more energy efficient.

It insulates the loft stairs door, while maintaining easy access to the attic. The kit, €85, is available from builders merchants, hardware and homeware stores.

Desk job

The Abbetved desk, €139 at Jysk, reminds me of the one I sat at when I had homework of my own to do for primary school — many, many moons ago. (Let’s just say I’m in the club of those who find the theme tune to Glenroe more terrifying than the opening notes of Jaws movie soundtrack.)

Available in oak or white, it offers storage and a sturdy structure to keep a home office organised. Now is the perfect time to zhuzh up any workspace and Jysk is a one-stop shop for those on the lookout for furniture for a home office.

See www.jysk.ie

In the zone

Obsessed with this blissfully chill look from Roche-Bobois. Designed by Franco-Chinese artist Jiang Qiong Er, the Bamboo Mood theme is a modern interpretation of the traditional Chinese lounge.

Graceful lines and the soothing harmony of celadon and coral — iconic colours in the Asian decorative arts — prompt a state of meditative bliss. It’s from the French design house’s autumn/winter 2024 collection.

See www.roche-bobois.com

Table talk

Artist and designer Lana Dullaghan was inspired by the Irish language when naming her sustainable linen collection, with napkins featuring the words “spraoi”, “abhaile” and “blasta” — the words for “fun”, “home” and “tasty”, respectively. The linen is sourced from Irish mills; from €95 for a set of four.