Welcome to the first episode of the Ireland's Bathroom Trade Awards Podcast, a new series where we'll be sitting down with some of the people that have shaped and are continuing to shape the bathroom industry across the North and South Ireland. As we count down to this year's Ireland's Bathroom Trade Awards, we’ll be shining a spotlight on the people and businesses to learn about the expertise and innovation that make this industry so special.For our first episode, I'm delighted to be joined by Richard Sloan, CEO of SONAS Bathrooms. Richard has played a key role in its continued growth and success. Over the decades, SONAS has evolved alongside the industry, making Richard the perfect person to help us explore how the bathroom sector has changed and where it's heading next. We discuss how the industry has evolved in recent years, what it’s like in today’s climate, its strengths and what to expect when entering the business. —This series is proudly sponsored by SONAS Bathrooms!With nearly 50 years' experience, SONAS is a leading brand in bathroom design, trusted by homeowners and the trade across Ireland and the UK. SONAS believe bathrooms should work beautifully and look good doing it – because bathrooms are a big part of your daily wellbeing. That's why the company focuses on comfort, quality and style in every product. Whether you're planning a full renovation or a simple update, SONAS makes it easy to create a bathroom that suits how you live.Website: https://www.sonasbathrooms.com/en Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sonasbathrooms/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/sonas-bathroomsFaceBook: https://www.facebook.com/sonasbathrooms/# YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCjFKyiSPT_OTVA4y-cgkZ-A Email: [email protected] Tel: +353 1 817 9755— If you are a bathroom business, don’t forget to enter and get your tickets for the Ireland’s Bathroom Trade Awards!Happening this November in The Johnstown Estate & Spa in Co, Meath, the awards is a night where we celebrate the people and businesses raising standards across the industry. From product innovation and showroom excellence to standout projects and customer experience, the awards recognise achievement across every part of the bathroom trade.Who Can Enter? The awards are open to bathroom retailers, suppliers, manufacturers, designers and sector specialists across the island of Ireland. Entries are welcome from businesses of all sizes, with judging carried out independently and fairly, taking into account the context and resources of each entrant.How Are the Awards Judged? Our awards are judged independently by an experienced panel of industry professionals, ensuring every entry is considered fairly and on its own merits. This impartial approach helps maintain the integrity and reputation of the awards year after year.For more information, click here - https://www.ibtg.ie/awards/ —Keep up with us! Ireland’s Homes Interiors & Living is an all-Ireland home design magazine that offers a comprehensive glimpse into the world of interior design, home decor, and lifestyle trends. Website: www.ihil.net/Instagram: www.instagram.com/ihilmagazine/Subscribe to Ireland’s Homes Interiors & Living for more exclusive content and interviews.

When Sasha Steward was in the process of building her home, she had a specific image in mind for the exterior but with nobody in the country that could do it for her, she knew exactly what she had to do - do it herself. After falling in love, and obsession, Sasha started Toasted Wood specialising in beautiful burnt wood cladding. In this episode, we discover her story and journey from turning an interest into a business and what exactly the Japanese art of Yakisugi entails.

With a deep understanding of colour and how to navigate finding your own interior style, Charlotte Cropper discusses everything from a day in her life living in Milan and the Milan Design Week to common mistakes people make when first dabbling in colour and how to avoid them. Fascinated by the power of colour to elevate the everyday, Charlotte is a designer and colour consultant who aims is to create positive change in communities, interior spaces and people, by exploring the psychology and interaction of colour and its impact on human behaviour. In 2023, Charlotte launched her own colour studio, extending her expertise not only to homeowners, but to designers and decorators alike, coaching colour in interior design. Charlotte has spent the last seven years living in Italy, where her love for handmade homeware and craftsmanship began.

In this episode of Ireland’s Homes Interiors & Living podcast, we are joined by co-founder of Meet Margo, Claire Towe. On a mission to break down the barriers women face in homeownership, Claire and podcast host Sara chat about the origins of the app (your go-to location that offers free tailored mortgage and protection advice), the difficulties women can face when getting on the property ladder, and the gender housing gap. Claire started this journey with her husband, Matt, after they saw a lack of tailored support helping women overcome challenges of owning a home, so they rolled up their sleeves and built a five star brokerage from their kitchen table. Interviewed by Sara Austin. Video by Adam Walker. —Discover more with meet Margo! Website: https://meetmargo.uk/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/meet.margo/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/meet-margo/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@meetmargoDownload on the App Store: https://apps.apple.com/gb/app/meet-margo-mortgage-adviser/id1673692235 Download on Google Play: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.meetmargo.meetmargo&hl=en_US&pli=1 Keep up with Sara Austin! Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/itssaraaustin/

HIL interviews Hannah Mackay, co-owner of A Broader Picture found on the promenade of Portstewart on Ireland’s beautiful North Coast. 

Established in 1998 as a small craft shop, over the years A Broader Picture has evolved into a contemporary lifestyle shop with an interesting selection of furniture, textiles, lighting and homeware sourced both close to home and from farther afield.

Listen to discover the history of the store, from Hannah’s parents opening it as a frame shop to what’s next for them. 

Laurence Llewelyn-Bowen has been adorning our homes and screens from 30 years and in this episode of IHIL, we chat to him about his continued search to discover Northern Ireland’s next House Of The Year. In this BBC six-part series, 15 homes are competing for one of five places in the grand final where they could be crowned House of Year. Find out some behind-the-scene details of filming this year’s series, his very strong opinion on Pantone’s Colour of The Year: Cloud Dancer, his love for erotica and the impact that social media has had in home design. House Of The Year starts Monday 5 January at 8PM on BBC One Northern Ireland and BBC iPlayer. The first five episodes are available to watch on BBC iPlayer after episode one airs on Monday 5 January. The grand final will broadcast Monday 9 February on BBC One Northern Ireland and BBC iPlayer.

In this week’s episode, our interior stylist Sara Austin interviews Fearghal McAdam, the founder of Neptune Belfast, as he shared the story behind the brand, his passion for sustainability and how it reflects throughout the store. In addition, Neptune Belfast will be giving away a luxury gift hamper worth over £500/€550 to one lucky subscriber!

Keep up with Neptune! Inside the historic Ormeau Bakery, Neptune Belfast has been reimagined as a welcoming kitchen showroom and interiors destination. You’ll find its full kitchen collection alongside handcrafted furniture, lighting, and accessories, all displayed in carefully styled room settings to inspire your own home. The brand also has Kitchen and Home Design Services to guide you through choosing the perfect paint palette and style for your home. Website: www.neptune.com Instagram: www.instagram.com/neptunehomeofficial/Pinterest: uk.pinterest.com/neptunehome/FaceBook: www.facebook.com/NeptuneHome/ Email: [email protected]

Joanne Mooney invites the IHIL team into her colourful Dublin home. In this episode, our host Sara Austin interviews the lifestyle creator on how she transformed her 2014 new build to one of the quirkiest homes to pop up onto our feed, how you can corporate colour into your own home, punch-needling her husband’s face, what her job means to her, and so much more!

IHIL interviews Tracy McAllister, owner of BTS, on their journey from starting as an online shop to an on-location concept store beside-the-sea of Portrush, the relationship between Nordic design and the North Coast, and what to do when styling your own home. Founded in 2014, BTS is an interiors and lifestyle store based on the beautiful causeway coast in Northern Ireland. Celebrating the muted tones and natural textures of the coast, Tracy likes to keep things simple, offering a carefully curated range of furniture, lighting, and homeware from around the world to help you make your house a home.

In this episode of Ireland’s Homes Interior & Living, we are joined by former journalist and content creator Elle Hervin as she talks us through the transformation her home has had, from a decades long untouched 1930s semi-detached property to a well-loved beautiful family home. As well as her new book, The Home Bird: Creating Joyful Interiors Where Old Meets New, where you can discover the positive power of 'dopamine decor.' Available now!