Home: Four fab picks to revamp our life and living space

Eve Kelliher finds transformative textiles, slick sculpture and cool cookware

Fri, 16 May, 2025 - 18:41

Eve Kelliher

Well, no one can say this Cork woman is short of choice when it comes to rolling out the red carpet for a celebration.

Delighted smiles spread across commuters' faces as they spotted Rugs.ie MD Phoebe Holland spread dazzling textiles of every description along Cork City's St Patrick's Quay.

The snazzy styles, eye-catching colours and pristine patterns transformed the pavements for a photoshoot organised in honour of the company's 30th anniversary. "We’ve always believed that a rug can really change how a space feels," says Phoebe.

Phoebe Holland on St Patrick's Quay, Cork City.

What started in 1994 as a small family business on Cork’s MacCurtain Street has grown into one of Ireland’s most respected rug specialists, she says.

When they established the company, Phoebe's parents, Dominique and Brendan, had one simple aim: to bring quality rugs and wood flooring to local customers.

Phoebe adds: “My parents started this business with a passion for quality and a desire to make a real difference in people’s homes. Today, we’re still driven by that same passion.”
Rugs.ie also offers a bespoke service.

See Rugs

Retro-standard French Connection Zinc sofa.

Sitting pretty

Who wouldn’t love to curl up in the French Connection Zinc four-seater sofa in chenille denim?

It’s part of a series of looks released by DFS centring on the notion of expressing personality at home via trends revolving around characterful living spaces, from curating colourful interiors to organising a soulful sanctuary in which to rest and reboot.

See Dfs

Shape up

The upwardly mobile Atalena Grande by Giacinto Bosco will be one of many impressive visitors to take up residence on the grounds of Cork’s five-star Castlemartyr Resort this summer.

Art and Soul runs from June 1-29 and features over 350 paintings and sculptures by some of the biggest names in international and Irish art, including Andy Warhol, Damien Hirst, Banksy, Julian Opie, and Salvador Dali.

Clockwise from left, Giacinto Bosco's Atalena Grande, Philip Jackson's The Sentinels, Eamonn Ceannt's Happy Face III, Bob Quinn's Best Night Ever, and Patrick O'Reilly's I Know How You Feel.

The free outdoor exhibition of 90 large sculptures and installations throughout the 220-acre grounds of the 18th-century manor estate will be hosted by Gormleys.

Exhibiting sculptors include Giacinto Bosco, Patrick O’Reilly and Ian Pollock. There will be work by several internationally acclaimed sculptors on display this year that have never been seen before at Art and Soul, such as Michael Ayrton, Philip Jackson, Sophie Ryder and Lorenzo Quinn.

Art and Soul will be open to the public from 11am–7pm; guided tours at 12pm, 3pm and 5pm daily.

See Castlemartyrresort & Gormleys

Compact cookware

A game-changer in compact cooking, the cleverly designed Space range features Joseph Joseph’s patented SwingLock™ handles, folding neatly to save up to 50% more storage than conventional pans.

Cookware reimagined is the idea behind the collection.

Crafted for performance and built to last, each piece is finished in elegant Midnight Blue, with a non-stick ceramic coating and induction-ready base.

Oven-safe to 232C and guaranteed for 20 years, the collection offers everything from griddle pans to stock pots, all masterclasses in function and form. It’s available at Meadows & Byrne.