Irish interior designers' ultimate wish list for their homes this Christmas

Seeking inspiration for your festive gift-shopping list? We discover what Ireland’s leading interior designers would like to find under the Christmas tree

Fri, 14 Nov, 2025 - 07:05

Carol O’Callaghan

You're never too old to write a letter to Santa Claus. As a grown-up, it’s still magical when you find he’s delivered exactly what you wanted under that tree on Christmas morning.

If money were no object and your imagination lost the run of itself, what would you love for your home?

Peter Irvine

Peter Irvine, stylist and interior designer on Virgin Media’s The Salvage Squad, is looking for Santa to be generous this year. “I’d love an extension,” he says. “Our neighbours recently got one and it’s making me jealous.

"We have such a huge garden, it’s easily done. We would extend the kitchen to get rid of the dated umbrella conservatory, but more than that, I would love to use the roof as a balcony off our bedroom. It’s so quiet where we live. I have this romanticised vision of having a cup of tea in the morning up there. Is that too much to ask Santa?

“In my stocking I’d love to see some new cutlery, new linen bedding and vouchers for a cleaner. Who wouldn’t want to lighten their daily chores list?”

Natasha Rocca Devine

His fellow interior designer on The Salvage Squad, Natasha Rocca Devine, has experienced the joys of designing and building her house, but as anyone in the trade will tell you, there’s always something to be added.

“More art and photography,” she says. “Artwork takes time to curate, and we had a busy move-in turnaround, so I recently invested in pieces by Aisling Hennessy and Mary Fallon.

Natasha Rocca Devine: 'Some cookbooks from Irish chefs would be perfect.'

"For photography, I am especially drawn to black and white prints. I want to add some of these pieces, including our own photos, to personalise our home and give it real character. I admire pieces with a sense of history or story behind them, things that feel meaningful and connect our home to a place, story or a time in history.”

Red is synonymous with the festive season and something practical like a throw will add a sense of occasion; €55, Penneys.

What’s Natasha hoping for in her stocking? “Well, it depends on how big the stocking is,” says the author of The Step by Step Guide to Designing and Styling Your Home. “I would love some Paul Costelloe candles, a Head Plan diary for my office, as I love writing and planning.

“Some cookbooks from Irish chefs would be perfect. There is so much talent here, and being busy, any tips are really appreciated.”

David O'Brien

It’s easy to think people in the biz have their interiors sorted, but like everyone else, they have their aspirations. Interior designer and RTÉ Home of the Year finalist David O’Brien, whose Instagram-famous The Black House is only a few years old, is starting to think about change.

“I’d love Santa to bring me beautiful new kitchen counter worktops,” he says. “Perhaps in a luxurious natural stone or a sleek Dekton finish. They can completely transform and refresh a space and add that touch of timeless sophistication.”

The Austin seven-piece candleholder; €49, Meadows & Byrne.

He also has hopes of a well-curated Christmas stocking. “I’d love to find some good-quality Irish scented candles from La Bougie, Rathbornes, or Sómas Studio; something woody or smoky for winter and maybe a few handmade local ceramic mugs for those slow morning coffees; something from Lisa Wilson Ceramics in Kinsale or Stephen Pierce Pottery in Shanagarry.”

Helen James

Dunnes Stores creative director Helen James is appealing to Father Christmas for some sustainably stylish choices. “Santa, please be good to me and wrap a Superfolk print of The Tree of Leaves in bog oak black, which was made for the recent celebration of The Garden shop in Powerscourt Townhouse,” she says.

“I have followed Superfolk since they began and have the utmost admiration for everything they do and the way that they do it.”

Helen James: 'I’ll also take some Hadji Bey’s Turkish Delight, please, always my fave.'

Followers of Home of the Year will remember Helen judging in the first series alongside architects Hugh Wallace and Declan O’Donnell. She went on to write her housekeeping book, A Sense of Home, so it’s not surprising she’d like some written material in her stocking.

“I would like a subscription to ‘Faire’ magazine,” she says. “Ruth Ribeaucourt has bravely begun a magazine, and it’s so beautiful and champions small and independent creatives; and a subscription to Roasted Brown coffee, my favourite roasters who kept me going through the pandemic and continue to do so.