Five things I’d do differently in my Irish home renovation if I had my time over again
Storage in the bedroom of Jen Sheahan's home in Rathmines. Picture: Moya Nolan
People love asking me if there are things I want to change about my house. I’d change absolutely nothing and I never want to leave, is my usual answer. I love living in a small house. It’s easier to clean and I need less stuff to fill it. I put a huge amount of thought and effort into designing it and it’s just how I like it. I would like a swimming pool, if I’m honest, but I’ll make do with the local gym until I win the lotto.
Nothing is ever perfect though, is it. We wouldn’t be human if we were happy with everything all the time. So of course there are some things I would tweak if I had my time back again. Some of these I only realised after living in my house for a while, and some I just didn’t know about or didn’t exist a few years ago when I was renovating. Some I might go ahead and do when funds allow. These are the five that I would design into my home if I could go back and do it all again.
Staying cool in our homes did not seem like something we needed to worry about in Ireland in 2020. We had some sunny days, the odd heat wave, but nothing a portable fan couldn’t sort out. Things have changed since then. I enjoyed this summer for the most part but I melted in my home in the evenings and it was hard to sleep. That’s because I have lots of glazing in the back of my home, which is west-facing. Especially in my upstairs bedroom. As a well-insulated dormer extension, this means it gets way too hot on very sunny days.
If I had my time again I would add external shutters to that upstairs window. I close the curtains on sunny days, but blocking the light externally would be more effective. I would also look into a heat-pump system that allowed for both heating and cooling. The technology for this doesn’t seem quite perfect for the Irish climate yet, but it is getting there.
I didn’t properly plan the laundry space when I was designing this home. It’s something I do first for clients now, because it’s really annoying having clothes horses and drying racks taking up space or sitting out in plain view when visitors come over. I have a system of sorts - I have a hot press under the eaves of my attic, where the boiler and pump are. I installed wire shelves and a pull-out Brabantia drying rack and it is great, but it’s a tight space and it really only holds one small load of laundry. It doesn’t fit sheets or larger items.
That said, I’m still not sure where I’d put said laundry area. I just don’t really have room for it. I’d probably better design the space I’m using for wardrobes currently and add a socket for a de-humidifier. I do have a very good washer-dryer which has an excellent energy efficiency rating, but I still prefer to air-dry for the most part.
I designed coat hooks and a lovely mirror in my hallway, and I have a vertical shoe rack which holds five pairs of shoes. I was pleased with my entranceway initially, but I underestimated just how many pairs of shoes end up living by the front door. And I am someone who does not have very many pairs of shoes. We live in a changeable climate, and between boots and runners and slip-ons and sandals and guests coming over there always ends up being more than five pairs between us by the door.
What I would do differently had I my time again here is build the shoe storage into my stairs, which is right by my front door. My stairs wraps around my downstairs loo so I can’t access the side of the staircase to put in storage there, but I could have used the steps themselves. I could have installed drawers into the risers and used those for shoes, bags, dog leads, etc. I still might do it, but I would have to cut into my lovely stair runner, and I’m scared of ruining it.
I do have a robot vacuum, and it fits neatly under my couch where I have sockets, and that was all fine the first couple of years I lived here. Then self-emptying robot vacuums came out and now I want one of those. But the dock needs a bit of space for the tank it empties into, and that would not fit under my couch. It’s not a big deal, but I do find myself emptying the robot vacuum a lot, and my lazy streak would prefer if it were even more convenient.
I could build this into the storage area under my dining banquette, but I stupidly did not add sockets to that area. That was a mistake - I could be using it to charge both my robot vacuum and the hand-held one I use for the stairs. Next time!
I’m very happy with my walls, overall. My paint colours are only fabulous and I’m still obsessed with my wallpaper choices. I have panelling in a few rooms and I love that too. But I didn’t really know about plaster wall finishes before I renovated, and I can’t get enough of them now. Tadelakt, lime plaster, venetian plaster, clay plaster, marmorino, even microcement - there’s a whole world out there beyond paint and wallpaper and it is a wonderland.
Plaster wall finishes are more expensive and they look it. They feel premium, they are exceptionally durable, and they add an element of depth and texture to your home that is unparalleled. It can be hard to get specialists to do the work in Ireland, but if you find someone I feel it’s worth the investment.
Exactly where I’d put it, I’m not sure. It’s Sophie’s choice, as I’d have to sacrifice something and I love everything I have. I would probably opt for tadelakt or microcement in my upstairs bathroom for a seamless finish, and potentially venetian plaster in my bedroom. Plus in my hallway, and actually also in my kitchen and living area.
I really must go play the lotto…
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