Wish List: Eight ideas to put spring in our spaces this month

Mary Cate Smith reads between the lines of new bookcase trends and is dazzled by light that imitates art

The Filippa dining table.

Brass tacks

Your home may not be a showroom, but if you’re investing time and money into creating a space with intention, why let the finishing touches fall short? This Madam Stoltz hand-forged iron hook transcends trends and will blend seamlessly into any aesthetic from rustic living to mid-century modern. 

A weighty brass piece, it nods to the Victorian era. You can tell your kids it’s a family heirloom from the days you walked to school with bare feet. Hang your favourite coat on a single hook or line them up in a feature corner for muddy coats, designer bags, the good tea towel — it won’t discriminate. Buy at Abroaderpicture.com for €14.95.

Food for the soul

When Griolladh came to Cork, it changed my entire view on ham and cheese toasties. I found myself slipping out to the Marina Market at lunchtime just to chase that cheesy feeling of salt-drizzled bread and molten-hot cheddar. When I heard Blasta Books is releasing a toasties-themed book this July, I jumped for joy. 

Until then, I can’t wait to dip into Ali Honour’s Beans, a “legume-laden manifesto” of flavoursome, inventive recipes with beans, reimagined in a healthy, cost-friendly way. Beautifully illustrated with unpretentious recipes, this book is ideal for anyone looking to reduce their meat intake or make economical, environmentally-friendly meals. 

Both books are just €17 and published by Blasta Books. Available to buy on Blastabooks.com.

Nature table

Last year, I visited Buffalo, New York, and visited a butterfly sanctuary. As I stood there marvelling at nature, I watched their wings catch the light, and they flitted about, sometimes perching on my shoulder. 

The Butterfly table from CA Design mimics the structure of butterfly wings; it takes me right back to that wonderful moment in time. 

Expanding on the design made famous by Sori Yanagi and blending Eastern and Western design principles, this piece doubles as a stool and is available to buy at Cadesign.ie.

High lights

Part space age, part op art, the &Tradition Flowerpot VP1 pendant light is a masterclass in 60s psychedelic counter culture. The 60s were the era of sexual revolution, political protest and the Space Race, and this is reflected in the undulating, geometric print on the light fixture. 

Bold, almost hypnotising, this monochrome light fixture is the ultimate signature piece to spice up a space. &Tradition flowerpot pendant, €592.95, is available from Wearemaven.ie.

Table manners

Having grown up in a household with a round kitchen table, rectangular dining always gives me conference vibes. Hosting a dinner party is no fun when you’re so far away that you have to communicate in Morse code to the person at the other end. What I love about the Filippa dining table, €1250 from The Wilds, is its versatility. 

Its round shape is ideal for small, narrow spaces, but can be extended to 165cm with an enclosed insert. The brown lacquered oak from sustainable wood is modern without the coldness of minimalism. 

My favourite detail? Take a look at those legs! Strong, straight and sturdy. Weight lifting by day, yoga by night. It’s available at Thewilds.ie.   

Shelf support

Is fast furniture finally having its reckoning? According to Coillte, beds, sofas and other household furniture are one of the top four most illegally dumped items in Ireland. 

Eschewing mass-produced furniture and adopting a more long-term approach when it comes to decorating is better for your home and for the environment. Horizon Furniture's Fergal O'Leary creates exquisite sculptural pieces with natural materials that serve the dual purpose of decorative objects. 

Standing tall, the Tree shelving system draws the eye directly to its solid oak upright spines, making it a focal point of any room. Branching out from the heart are shelves handcrafted from natural wood, coloured solid beech and selected veneers, giving warmth and presence to any space. Check out Horizonfurniture.ie, and speak to Fergal about your specifications.

Make tea-time great again

If you’ve tirelessly found yourself emailing trite phrases like 'I hope this finds you well' while internally screaming from burnout, it might be time to book some annual leave. We love a tongue-in-cheek nod to the banal automatic email reply 'out of office', and that’s why this cup is our next payday purchase. 

The characteristic irreverence from Siobhan Lam’s April and The Bear’s speaks to me in ways she’ll never know (unless she reads this, of course — hey, girl)! Sometimes, we have to hustle; sometimes the boundaries between work and life are blurred, but we can always sit back, binge a Korean cooking show and chuckle to ourselves, sipping our favourite tea from this cute mug. 

Each one is wholly unique due to its hand-crafted finish and is dishwasher, food and microwave safe. Put away the Marigolds, stat. It’s available at Aprilandthebear.com.

Reflections on life

Where are all the mirrors when you need them? Never on the dinner table after spinach-based or spinach-adjacent cuisine, that’s for sure. 

New Works has solved all your tooth-trap dilemmas with the Aura table mirror. Reflecting its surroundings, whether it's the leafy greens of your plate or the tabletop blooms, this is a mirror that works hard for its money. Curved, weighty and sleek, it’s a smart investment at only €66 from Rockhillinteriors.com.