Style Stories with EZ Living Interiors

Renovating a historic home often feels like a constant battle against unexpected structural decay and extremely limited budgets. Achieving a space that is both functional and beautiful requires more than a Pinterest board. It demands patience, resourcefulness, and the courage to manage the process without a professional crew.
We explore how to maintain the integrity of period features while transforming a tiny footprint into a functional sanctuary. We discuss the reality of budget constraints and the essential mindset needed to survive the process.

Joining the platform is Kelly Warburton, creator of Little Victorian Terrace Cork, who restored her own 136-year-old property entirely through personal grit and resourcefulness.

THINGS WE SPOKE ABOUT

Renovating Victorian terraces on a restricted budget
Managing the physical and emotional toll of renovation
Uncovering and preserving original period features
Designing functional spaces for small footprints
Navigating renovation fatigue and decision making

GUEST DETAILS

Kelly Warburton is the creator behind Little Victorian Terrace Cork. She is an expert in DIY home restoration, known for sharing the detailed progress of transforming her 136-year-old home. Kelly is celebrated for her approachable style, which has inspired a community of over 85,000 followers to tackle their own ambitious projects.

Connect with Kelly:

Instagram: instagram.com/little_victorian_terrace_cork

QUOTES

Do I have space for it? Do I really need it? Do I really want it? Will it add something to the room or to the space that I'm in? - Kelly Warburton

Taking on a renovation is not for the weak of heart. It is a lot. - Kelly Warburton

My number one piece of advice is to make it a place that you feel good in. - Kelly Warburton

MORE INFORMATION

EZ Living Interiors is a family-owned home furnishing retailer which sets the standards for quality, style, and design in the industry. We advise on how individuals and families should furnish their living spaces to create homes that are both beautiful and functional. 

Our mission is to inspire and elevate the art of interior design through the promotion of high standards of product sourcing, craftsmanship, and customer service. We achieve this by providing innovative and thoughtful design solutions for our customers to support them to create stylish and comfortable living spaces.
Visit EZLivingInteriors.ie to learn more.

This podcast is produced by dustpod.io for EZ Living Interiors

KEYWORDS 

#VictorianHomeRenovation#PeriodPropertyTips#SmallSpaceDesign#DIYBudgetReno

Creating a truly unique and calming home feels out of reach for many renovators and builders. This week, we explore the process behind a light-filled Cork bungalow that has mastered intentional design, proving that textured finishes and thoughtful architectural decisions can transform a living space into a safe haven.

Host Laura O'Keeffe sits down with Anna Bougharbel, the creator behind the celebrated Iaorana House and founder of Maison Anna B. 
Anna shares her journey of building a home around natural light and the Irish landscape, detailing her passion for applying finishes like micro cement and lime wash herself. 

If you dream of a home that is entirely your own and designed to evolve with your family, this conversation is essential listening.

THINGS WE SPOKE ABOUT

Site location influenced by sun and views
Learning to apply textured wall finishes
Finding home's name in Tahitian culture
Letting your home evolve over time
Investing in quality long-lasting materials

GUEST DETAILS

Anna Bougharbel is the founder of Maison Anna B and the creator behind the beautifully designed Iaorana House in Cork. Trained by French craftswomen, her expertise lies in applying textured wall finishes such as micro cement and lime paint.

Anna is highly respected for sharing her knowledge on designing intentional homes and was recently featured in House and Home magazine.

Connect with Anna:

Website: https://www.maisonannab.com

QUOTES

Whatever the others are saying, if this is what you want for your own house, go for it. - Anna Bougharbel

Make less choices, and that would help big time with the decision fatigue that you feel at one stage. - Anna Bougharbel

Surround yourself with people who understand what you want, really, and don't hesitate to actually push. - Anna Bougharbel

MORE INFORMATION

EZ Living Interiors is a family-owned home furnishing retailer which sets the standards for quality, style, and design in the industry. We advise on how individuals and families should furnish their living spaces to create homes that are both beautiful and functional. 

Our mission is to inspire and elevate the art of interior design through the promotion of high standards of product sourcing, craftsmanship, and customer service. We achieve this by providing innovative and thoughtful design solutions for our customers to support them to create stylish and comfortable living spaces.

Visit EZLivingInteriors.ie to learn more.

This podcast is produced by dustpod.io for EZ Living Interiors.

KEYWORDS #InteriorDesign #HomeBuilding #LimeWash #MicroCement #HomeRenovation

Balancing a demanding, high-profile media career with a significant home renovation and the chaos of new motherhood presents a unique challenge to personal space. For Irish broadcaster Doireann Garrihy, life is currently a chaotic but embraced mix of nationwide tours and family focus.

This episode explores how she navigates this high-octane life. Doireann shares her strategy for furnishing her Dublin fixer-upper, finding balance between career fulfilment and a fulfilling family life, and creating a truly intimate environment on stage and at home. Get her essential advice for anyone making a change to their home or lifestyle.

Our guest is Doireann Garrihy, an award-winning Irish broadcaster, comedian, and host of the hugely successful podcast The Laughs of Your Life. Known for her work on RTÉ radio and co-hosting Dancing with the Stars.

THINGS WE SPOKE ABOUT

Logistics of touring with a baby
Creating intimacy on a live stage
How to invest in home key pieces
Importance of living in the space
Balancing work and new motherhood

GUEST DETAILS

Doireann Garrihy is an award-winning Irish Broadcaster and Podcast Host. She is known for presenting on RTÉ radio and co-hosting Dancing with the Stars. Doireann hosts the chart-topping podcast, The Laughs of Your Life, and is celebrated for her comedy and strong on-air presence.

Connect with Doireann:

Website: www.doireanngarrihy.com

QUOTES

So if the person is physically comfortable, they're going to be emotionally comfortable, mentally comfortable. - Doireann Garrihy

He's like, not everything has to match.- Doireann Garrihy

You have to be in the space. And you have to go, Okay, I actually do sit in that corner a lot, so I'm going to give that corner some love. - Doireann Garrihy

MORE INFORMATION

EZ Living Interiors is a family-owned home furnishing retailer which sets the standards for quality, style, and design in the industry. We advise on how individuals and families should furnish their living spaces to create homes that are both beautiful and functional. 

Our mission is to inspire and elevate the art of interior design through the promotion of high standards of product sourcing, craftsmanship, and customer service. We achieve this by providing innovative and thoughtful design solutions for our customers to support them to create stylish and comfortable living spaces.

Visit EZLivingInteriors.ie to learn more.

This podcast is produced by dustpod.io for EZ Living Interiors

KEYWORDS #HomeRenovation #InteriorDesign #KeyPieces #LiveInTheSpace #CosyHome 

Ireland's natural environment is in a frighteningly degraded position, with minimal native woodland cover and vital ecosystems under threat. This critical challenge requires collective action, innovative financing, and a renewed human connection to the land.

In this Earth Day special, discover the surprising reality of Ireland's temperate rainforests, learn how even a tiny houseplant can spark change, and explore the path to large-scale ecological restoration.

Host Laura O'Keeffe sits down with Matt Smith, the most senior person at Hometree, EZ Living Interiors' sustainability partner, an organisation dedicated to restoring woodlands and connecting people to nature in Ireland.

THINGS WE SPOKE ABOUT

Hometree's nature restoration work
Impact of business partnerships
Connecting to nature at home
Rarity of Irish temperate rainforests
Financing the large ecological challenge

GUEST DETAILS

Matt Smith is the CEO at Hometree, driven by a deep passion for ecological biodiversity and regeneration. He has a unique background, having founded and successfully led two major Irish environmental organisations. 

Connect with Matt:

Linkedin: linkedin.com/in/matthew-smith-enviro

QUOTES

People leave having the microbiome of the soil, having their hands in the ground, but also kind of knowing each other a little bit more, which is quite sweet. - Matt Smith

A tree in the garden is a fascinating experience. - Matt Smith

if you've got tiny garden, plant the trees or cut them down, you know, after a few years, if they're too big or you don't like them, and, you know, love them in a bush... - Matt Smith

MORE INFORMATION

EZ Living Interiors is a family-owned home furnishing retailer which sets the standards for quality, style, and design in the industry. We advise on how individuals and families should furnish their living spaces to create homes that are both beautiful and functional. 

Our mission is to inspire and elevate the art of interior design through the promotion of high standards of product sourcing, craftsmanship, and customer service. We achieve this by providing innovative and thoughtful design solutions for our customers to support them to create stylish and comfortable living spaces.

Visit EZLivingInteriors.ie to learn more.

This podcast is produced by dustpod.io for EZ Living Interiors

KEYWORDS  #NatureRestoration #WoodlandCover #IrishRainforest #RuralBuyIn #SmallAction

Many people struggle to find outdoor furniture that offers true comfort and style without compromise. They often feel they have to choose between a durable piece or a beautiful one.

Discover how the brand new ‘Brendan Courtney Home and Garden Collection’ bridges the gap between indoor luxury and outdoor durability. This episode explores the inspiration behind the collection, from a home renovation in Wicklow to choosing waterproof, wipe-clean fabrics. We discuss valuing your living space and why comfort must never be overlooked in design.

Joining the podcast is presenter and designer Brendan Courtney. Known for his passion for renovation and his instinctive approach to interiors, Brendan shares his move into furniture design and how to create a home that feels safe, considered and entirely your own.

He is currently hosting The Great House Revival, having stepped in for the remainder of the season following the passing of his close friend, Hugh Wallace.

THINGS WE SPOKE ABOUT

- Wicklow renovation sparked furniture collection
- Creating comfortable indoor-outdoor spaces
- Why design comfort is vital
- The joy of pottering at home
- How home should feel safe

GUEST DETAILS

Brendan Courtney is a renowned presenter and fashion designer with a long creative industry career. He currently hosts The Great House Revival. Brendan is a passionate renovator and house developer, having explored hard surfaces, tiles, and finishes for over a decade. He uses his creative experience to channel his passion for design into his new furniture collection with EZ Living Interiors.

Connect with Brendan:
 https://www.brendancourtney.com/contact

QUOTES

- I felt that what I wanted in terms of indoor, outdoor furniture, I didn't see anything I loved, and I suppose that's where the inspiration for this collection came from. - Brendan Courtney 

- First of all, the choice of wood, the acacia wood, you know, it has the FSE cert. It's completely sustainable, which is really important. It's also highly durable. - Brendan Courtney

- I always had this idea of a set of furniture that could move between the two spaces if you wanted to. You could just put it outside in summer or keep it inside if you wanted to. - Brendan Courtney

MORE INFORMATION

EZ Living Interiors is a family-owned home furnishing retailer which sets the standards for quality, style, and design in the industry. We advise on how individuals and families should furnish their living spaces to create homes that are both beautiful and functional. 

Our mission is to inspire and elevate the art of interior design through the promotion of high standards of product sourcing, craftsmanship, and customer service. We achieve this by providing innovative and thoughtful design solutions for our customers to support them to create stylish and comfortable living spaces.
Visit EZLivingInteriors.ie to learn more.

This podcast is produced by dustpod.io for EZ Living Interiors

KEYWORDS 
#OutdoorLiving #InteriorDesignTips #BrendanCourtney #HomeAndGarden #StyleStories

Tackling a period property renovation project often feels like an impossible feat when facing massive costs, unexpected structural issues, and the need to preserve history. It requires more than design skill; it demands grit and perseverance.

This episode reveals the grit and creativity needed to transform a derelict 170-year-old Cork house into a modern family home. Rob shares how he stretched a tight budget with DIY labour, blended original Georgian features with contemporary style, and pushed through relentless construction challenges. We discuss uncovering hidden history, finding invaluable mentorship, and the ultimate reward of building a space you fought for.

Joining Laura O’Keeffe is Rob Hennessy, a restorer and educator who gained national recognition for his work on RTÉ’s The Great House Revival. Rob is an advocate for restoring Ireland's vacant housing stock, demonstrating that passion and a strong DIY spirit can bypass the traditional housing market.

THINGS WE SPOKE ABOUT

High ceilings dictated the house purchase.
Hugh Wallace advised keeping original layout.
How living on-site saved the budget.
Overcoming wet rot and structural setbacks.
Trust your ability and hire experts

GUEST DETAILS

Rob Hennessy is a restorer and educator currently working as a school teacher in Cork. He is best known for his high-profile Victorian home renovation project in Passage West, Co. Cork. Rob gained national recognition after appearing on RTÉ’s The Great House Revival. He is a leading voice in the Irish restoration community, demonstrating how a strong DIY spirit can bring life back to vacant housing stock. 
Hear the complete conversation on Style Stories with EZ Living Interiors Podcast available on all podcast apps now

Connect with Rob:

QUOTES

I knew the minute I walked to the front door I wanted it. I knew I wanted the house. - Rob Hennessy

I wanted to respect the history of the house and try and look after as much of the original features as I possibly could on the opposite side.
Then I was conscious, I'm not living in the museum either, right? I wanted to kind of put my own stamp on things.. - Rob Hennessy

I was also very conscious of, you know, not going super cheap on finishings or orange like that, because I wanted a nice finish. - . - Rob Hennessy

MORE INFORMATION

EZ Living Interiors is a family-owned home furnishing retailer which sets the standards for quality, style, and design in the industry. We advise on how individuals and families should furnish their living spaces to create homes that are both beautiful and functional. 

Our mission is to inspire and elevate the art of interior design through the promotion of high standards of product sourcing, craftsmanship, and customer service. 

We achieve this by providing innovative and thoughtful design solutions for our customers to support them to create stylish and comfortable living spaces.

Visit EZLivingInteriors.ie to learn more.

This podcast is produced by dustpod.io for EZ Living Interiors

KEYWORDS #PeriodRenovation #DIYBudget #PeriodProperty #HughWallace #RestorationAdvice

Most of us overlook the bedroom when designing our homes, giving more thought to living and dining spaces, despite spending a third of our lives asleep. This misplaced priority severely impacts our mood, energy, and overall health the following day, leading to poor lifestyle choices and reduced productivity.

The key to unlocking quality rest is understanding the sleep surface beneath you and making small, informed changes to your routine and environment. This episode breaks down mattress myths, explains how to choose a mattress for back pain and different sleep positions, and reveals simple, actionable habits for deep, restorative sleep.
Our guest is Conor Stapleton, Marketing Officer at King Koil, Ireland's number one luxury bedding brand. Conor shares his expert insight into King Koil's handcrafted, durable mattresses, which are designed with long-term comfort and healthy back support in mind

THINGS WE SPOKE ABOUT

Keeping cool improves sleep quality simply.
Choose mattress that adapts to back curvature.
Side sleepers require contouring for shoulder pressure.
Pocket springs minimise partners' movement disruption.
Cool bedroom and regularity are key habits.

GUEST DETAILS

Conor Stapleton is the Marketing Officer at King Koil, Ireland’s number one luxury bedding brand. King Koil mattresses are known for their healthy back support, durability, and hand-crafted construction. The brand is also Ireland's largest furniture maker and deeply committed to community and sustainability. Conor is our guest on the podcast.

Hear the complete conversation on Style Stories with EZ Living Interiors Podcast available on all podcast apps now

Connect with Conor:

https://kingkoil.ie/contact-us/

QUOTES

What you're looking for is a mattress that will retain its shape, firstly and secondly, adapt to the curvature of your back. – Conor Stapleton.

Look for something that has centre third support underneath the lower back, because that is going to ensure that your back and your lower spine does not dip overly in the mattress at night." – Conor Stapleton 

If you're a side liar, you have more prominent hips, you have more prominent shoulders, and the problem is going to be, if the mattress is too firm, you're going to get excess pressure on the hips and the shoulders. – Conor Stapleton

MORE INFORMATION

This podcast is produced by dustpod.io for EZ Living Interiors

EZ Living Interiors is a family-owned home furnishing retailer which sets the standards for quality, style, and design in the industry. We advise on how individuals and families should furnish their living spaces to create homes that are both beautiful and functional. Our mission is to inspire and elevate the art of interior design through the promotion of high standards of product sourcing, craftsmanship, and customer service. We achieve this by providing innovative and thoughtful design solutions for our customers to support them to create stylish and comfortable living spaces.

Visit EZLivingInteriors.ie to learn more.

KEYWORDS #SleepHealth #MattressBuyingGuide #BackSupport #KingKoil #SleepHabits

The journey to finding a home is often fraught with uncertainty and moments where confidence can drop, long before the keys are officially in your hand. This search phase can feel emotional and overwhelming in a challenging property market. 

This episode tackles building confidence, developing resilience, and setting realistic expectations. We discuss knowing when to hold your ground, when to expand your search options, and how having professional support can completely change how the home buying process feels.

Joining us is Liz O'Kane, a highly respected Buyer's Agent and TV host of Help Me Buy A Home. Liz works exclusively on the purchaser side, advocating, advising, and guiding people through every complex step.

THINGS WE SPOKE ABOUT

Buyer's agent exclusively represents the purchaser.
The slow, antiquated Irish property process.
Bidding strategically and leveraging relationships.
Expand home thinking; consider extension options.
Advice for buying during uncertain market times.

GUEST DETAILS

Liz O'Kane is a Buyer's Agent who runs her business, Get-Sorted. She is also known as the TV host of Help Me Buy A Home. Liz pioneered the service of acting exclusively for the purchaser in Ireland to source and negotiate their new home. She is known for her firm, no-nonsense approach in providing sound advice to clients. Additionally, she hosted House Hunters and House Hunters in the Sun for seven seasons.

Connect with Liz:

Website: lizokane.ie
Media: storied.ie
Instagram: lizokanebuyersagent

QUOTES

If you want to engage with a buyer's agent, for them to take your hand and lead you from A to Z successfully, you have to have complete faith in that individual. - Liz O'Kane
My job is to know everybody involved in the property industry on this island, and if they don't answer the phone when they see my name coming up, I'm doing my job wrong. - Liz O'Kane
It's knowing how to bid strategically. And the average punter who's out there in the bidding market doesn't really know how to bid on a property. - Liz O'Kane

MORE INFORMATION

This podcast is produced by dustpod.io for EZ Living Interiors
EZ Living Interiors is a family-owned home furnishing retailer which sets the standards for quality, style, and design in the industry. We advise on how individuals and families should furnish their living spaces to create homes that are both beautiful and functional. Our mission is to inspire and elevate the art of interior design through the promotion of high standards of product sourcing, craftsmanship, and customer service. We achieve this by providing innovative and thoughtful design solutions for our customers to support them to create stylish and comfortable living spaces.

Visit EZLivingInteriors.ie to learn more.

KEYWORDS #IrishPropertyMarket #BuyersAgent #HomeBuyingAdvice #StrategicBidding #PropertyIreland

Starting a simple home refresh often leads to unforeseen complications and a complete overhaul of your original plan. Many homeowners enter the renovation process underestimating the hidden problems, especially in period properties, which can quickly turn a quick paint job into a full ground-up restoration.
This episode dives into the brutal honesty of the renovation learning curve: discovering wood rot, damp, and losing original features. We talk about developing confidence in your decisions, designing a compact 65 square metre space, and how thrift shopping and personal style choices can keep you motivated when the budget is swallowed by unglamorous foundational work.

We are joined by Gráinne Gillett, a content creator who meticulously documented the transformation of her small red-brick cottage on Instagram. Gráinne shares her expertise in combining vintage finds and colour, along with her practical, honest approach to compact living

THINGS WE SPOKE ABOUT

Always budget for emotional contingency
Demolition grows your renovation confidence
Focus on foundations before furniture
Design a small space for yourself
Build style from objects you love

GUEST DETAILS

Gráinne Gillett is a content creator who documented the renovation of her period cottage from start to finish on her Instagram account, @grainnegillett. She is skilled in developing a clear and confident interior style, combining colour and vintage finds, and finding practical solutions for compact living spaces.

Connect with Gráinne:
Website: https://www.grainnegillett.com
Instagram: @grainnegillett
TikTok: @grainnegillett

QUOTES

You don't really know until you start uncovering things. So just to have a contingency, an emotional contingency, and a financial one as well. - Gráinne Gillett
I spent like, a few days there, just like, walking around the different streets, going to the cafes, and just got a real good sense of the place. - Gráinne Gillett
If you take the wallpaper down, you uncover everything. - Gráinne Gillett

MORE INFORMATION

This podcast is produced by dustpod.io for EZ Living Interiors
EZ Living Interiors is a family-owned home furnishing retailer which sets the standards for quality, style, and design in the industry. We advise on how individuals and families should furnish their living spaces to create homes that are both beautiful and functional. Our mission is to inspire and elevate the art of interior design through the promotion of high standards of product sourcing, craftsmanship, and customer service. We achieve this by providing innovative and thoughtful design solutions for our customers to support them to create stylish and comfortable living spaces.

Visit EZLivingInteriors.ie to learn more.

KEYWORDS

#PeriodPropertyRenovation #DublinCottage #SmallSpaceDesign #InteriorDIY #VintageFinds

Are you tired of seeing flawless, highly-stylised homes that feel more like a show-house than a sanctuary? Many people are feeling weary of the 'perfect' life presented on social media, leading to a shift in how we approach our living spaces. The perfect-looking home often comes at the cost of feeling truly relaxed.

This episode explores how homes are becoming warmer, softer, and more personal cocoons against the outside world. We dive into the colour trends set for 2026—from dark, moody shades to terracotta and green—and discuss how to confidently incorporate textures, antiques, and art. Listen for essential tips on finding your own style, from the right paint finish to incorporating global design influences.

Our guest is Penny McCormick, the Contributing Editor at The Gloss. Penny is a respected tastemaker with a unique perspective on interiors, drawing from her extensive travels and work shaping conversations around what is truly relevant and enduring in design.

THINGS WE SPOKE ABOUT

Imperfection and personalisation are key
Dark, moody colours replace stark white
Comfort, colour, print are future essentials
Reclaiming home spaces from work clutter
Mixing vintage pieces with modern design

GUEST DETAILS

Penny McCormick is the Contributing Editor at The Gloss. Her primary specialties are interiors, luxury women's fashion, and international travel, and she is known for securing exclusive interviews with high-profile figures.

Connect with Penny:

linkedin.com/in/penny-mccormick

QUOTES

I think art is something that is very personal, and you should never pick piece of art to match your sofa. - Penny McCormick
I think homes are becoming a cocoon and sanctuary, and that is shown in lots of different ways. - Penny McCormick 
You can't beat investing in comfortable chairs and a sofa. - Penny McCormick

MORE INFORMATION

This podcast is produced by dustpod.io for EZ Living Interiors
EZ Living Interiors is a family-owned home furnishing retailer which sets the standards for quality, style, and design in the industry. We advise on how individuals and families should furnish their living spaces to create homes that are both beautiful and functional. 

Our mission is to inspire and elevate the art of interior design through the promotion of high standards of product sourcing, craftsmanship, and customer service. We achieve this by providing innovative and thoughtful design solutions for our customers to support them to create stylish and comfortable living spaces.

Visit EZLivingInteriors.ie to learn more.

KEYWORDS

#InteriorDesignTrends #HomeDecorating #ColourInInteriors #InteriorStyling #HomeSanctuary