The Interiors Podcast

From floors to ceilings, curtains to cushions, architects to interior designers. What a first year for the Interiors Podcast. We have reached the end of season 1, and it has been so amazing to hear from the most inspirational homeowners and industry experts with years of experience and knowledge. We have spoken about building and renovating, choosing paint, deciding when to invest in professional support, the ups and downs of all aspects of renovations and everything in between. 

In this episode I recap on all the highlights of our first season together. If you would like to listen back to any of those episodes you can easily find them via the link below, there are some invaluable episodes in there if you are ready to take on a home renovation, build your own home or are simply looking for ways to refresh and elevate your current home.

LISTEN BACK TO THE INTERIORS PODCAST

Make sure you are following us over on Instagram so that you don't miss another episode, you can find us @theinteriorspodcast.

We are very excited for season 2, packed full of more advice, hints and tips. Bringing you homeowners who have walked this path before you and industry experts imparting their years of knowledge, all in one place.  This is the ultimate podcast for the home diy’er, the renovator, or anybody who is thinking about building their own dream space

We are looking for guests for season 2, so if you know anybody who our listeners would love to hear about their story, please let us know, you can DM us directly. 

Thank you for listening to our wonderful podcast.  See you in Season 2.

Resources

Listen back to any episodes - CLICK HERE

Instagram - @theinteriordspodcast

Website - www.tanyaneufeld.com

Ireland's best kept secret

In today's episode, Harry Maharaj from Kilkenny Architectural Salvage talks us through the misconceptions people have around salvage yards and how there are some hidden gems to be found.

Salvage yards are an eclectic mix of items. And as Ireland's largest salvage yard, sitting on 90,000 sq feet, Kilkenny Architectural Salvage is the ultimate of eclectic mixes. From old pub signs, to stone water features, sash windows to solid timber floors. An hour spent wandering around here could send you home with such unique pieces and treasures to add to your home.

Kilkenny Architectural Salvage is a family run business which is located on the north side of Kilkenny, it was once an old woolen mills built in the 1800's. The yard is run by Harry, his two brothers and their dad. Harry's Dad, Robin, set up the business over 20 years ago after returning from the UK and seeing that there was a need for salvage and repurposing items in Ireland. The Yard provides a happy hunting ground for anybody who is looking to undertake a home renovation, building a new property or simply looking to find that unique gift for somebody special.

We speak about sustainability and how now more than ever this is so important. The salvage yard will allow you to acquire a stunning piece while doing your bit for the environment.

If you are renovating your home, thinking of making some changes, building your dream home or anywhere between this episode is full of ideas, and tips on how you can make your money go even further whilst achieving that high quality look. Even if you are not planning any work at home, it is an enjoyable way to spend an afternoon in Kilkenny.

Resources

You can find them on Instagram: @kilkennyarchitecturalsalvage

Website: https://www.eurosalve.com/

In this episode, I have the pleasure of speaking with Eilish Rickard. Eilish, of Eilish Rickard Interiors, is a much sought after interior designer for those seeking to elevate their homes with her classic-meets-contemporary style.

We speak about the importance of cohesion within your home, from your floors to your walls. One wonderful and insightful tip from Eilish for anybody looking to change the look and feel of their home, is that the paint colour doesn't have to be the first decision made, it can be almost one of the last. Eilish tells us how using a piece of art that you already own, or a rug that you treasure can begin the design journey.

Eilish imparts so many excellent ideas in this episode for styling your home. The importance of creating a feeling in a room, looking at your surroundings, experiencing colour in different light.

This episode was brought to you by Dwell by Eilish Rickard, in this beautifully curated shop you will find interiors styling & decorative objects for the casual classic home.

Shop our Black Friday sale from Friday November 25th to Monday November 28th 

https://dwellbyeilishrickard.com/

You can find Eilish on Instagram @eilishrickardinteriors or visit her website

https://www.eilishrickardinteriors.com/

In this week's episode we speak with homeowner Mary Rose Simpson, who took on a big scale renovation of old family home.

Mary Rose's beautiful home came to our attention when she appeared on The Great House Revival on RTÉ.

Mary Rose moved home to Stradbally, Co Laois in 2019 and then inherited her grandmothers home. This home had so much emotion and so many memories attached to it, she tells us the story about how the renovation started and the journey she embarked on to have the beautiful home she lives in today.

Mary tells us about what a difficult journey renovation can be. But how rewarding it is when you reach the end, how you will then have a home that brings you so much joy.

We speak about her vision for the home, the professional services that she engaged with, the ideas she had for her home, the emotional connection to this family home and everything in between.

This episode is perfect for anyone contemplating this journey, or for anybody who is interested in understanding what taking on a renovation can be like. Mary gives us some wonderful insight into the highs and lows of renovation in this very honest episode.

There is so much detail in this episode, we would suggest you pop over and check out Mary Rose on Instagram @maryrosesimpson, so that you can visualize everything while listening.

This episode with Ciara and Richie is full of hints and tips for anybody who is on the renovation journey or considering renovation as the way for them to achieve the home they dream of. 

Ciara and Richie tell us how it's so important to understand your checklist of not only where you want to live, but also understanding what is important to you in terms of inside space and outside space.

They bought their house and moved in, they lived there whilst preparing all their plans for their renovation and figuring out what style they wanted, what was important for them and their lifestyle and where their money would be best spent. 

As with other renovation & self build episodes here on the Interiors Podcast, both Ciara and Richie emphasise the importance of investing in good and trustworthy architects and other professionals. They tell us how their Architect (Courtney McDonnell Studio) was more than just a designer for them, she took the role of project manager. She helped them work through this mammoth process, liaising with tradespeople, and supporting them with decisions that needed to be made and sometimes needed to be made quickly.

Check out all the resources mentioned in this episode below, also check out Ciara & Richie's Instagram page @howstellagotherhouseback for so many more resources and inspiration for anybody embarking on this journey.

Resources

Stella, Ciara and Richie's Instagram: @howstellagotherhouseback

Architect: Courtney McDonnell Studio @courtneymcdonnell_studio

Pink Door: Door: @vindrvswindowsanddoors / Colour: @farrowandball - Calamine

In this episode of The Interiors Podcast, I chat with Ciara O'Halloran. Ciara is a Interior stylist and freelance creative director.

Ciara has always been immersed in a creative world, growing up she was surrounded by music. At 18 when decisions had to be made about her next step, interiors wasn’t yet a huge interest, so music won out and she undertook her masters.

Fast forward 10 years and through her experience planning and organising her wedding, Ciara fell in love with the story telling side of design. Also, working with her wedding photographer led her to other opportunities, which brought her into the editorial world of styling where she still sits today.

Ciara believes that styling is essentially the art of arranging spaces or things beautifully. Ciara believes it is a skillset anyone can learn and can have a huge impact on a space when used effectively and authentically. 

Ciara speaks about her move back to Cork, when herself and her family purchased a renovated Georgian building which had been converted into apartments. We speak about how she brought all her styling experience into this new blank canvas, allowing her families personalities to shine through. 

Ciara explains the difference between interior styling and interior design. 

If you would like some amazing hints and tips on styling your home then this is the episode for you, Ciara talks us through how styling can elevate your everyday spaces.

Resources

If you would like to reach Ciara you can find her on Instagram @ciara.o.halloran

In this week's episode I had the absolute pleasure of speaking with Sarah Duggan. Sarah's home was featured on RTE Home of the Year 2022.

Sarah tells us all about their house search, how the time they spent looking at the market allowed them to figure out what they didn't want in a home as much as what they did want.  She tells us about how a chance viewing found them this 74sq m house in Portobello, Dublin.

They have made the most from this small space, while knowing that it probably wouldn't be their forever home, but it was their now home. This is a wonderful episode for anybody looking to get on the property ladder and anybody looking for inspiration of what to do if the space isn't exactly their first choice.

After purchasing the house they had to do a full renovation, rewiring, plumbing, insulation, the works with hard decisions along the way about extender or adapted the space they had.  

In this episode Sarah shares some valuable tips from her experience of undertaking this massive project, for you to learn from and take on board if this is something that you would consider

We also speak about the importance of using an architect on any renovations, but especially when space is limited, for them this has meant that every inch has been utilized.  Also working closely with other experts such as joiners has meant that they have cleverly created solutions in this small space. 

You can find Sarah on Instagram Sarah Duggan @portobellorenovation

Resources

1. EMMET DUGGAN - architect

2. Chartlon Construction

3. Ben Kerrigan / Kerwood Design (kitchens/joinery)

4. Clara Joinery

5. Dublin Mouldings

6. Antique Fireplace Restorations

7. Gaff Interiors (vintage and thrifted furniture)

8. CADesign.ie (midcentury replica furniture)

9. Made.com (mid-range contemporary furniture)

10. House and Home article 

Today I have the pleasure of talking with Dublin-based architect Graham O’Sullivan.

With over 15 years’ experience, Graham’s career has brought him from his beginnings in Galway looking after residential and commercial developments, to London where he had to opportunity to work on larger architectural projects. In London, Graham and his interior designer wife Stephanie kept their eyes open for the next up and coming areas to get onto the property ladder. In this episode, Graham walks us through how they identify sound investments and approach the projects they undertook as their lives evolved with children and busy careers.

After two successful renovation projects, Graham, Stephanie and their children moved back to Ireland where they had to get creative in finding a site for their forever home, which ended up being a former warehouse they demolished to build the award-nominated Coal Lane House in Cabra, Dublin 7. Tune in to hear how two industry experts get strategic about buying, selling, renovating and settling down.

Resources:

Coal Lane House: @coallanehouse

Henry J Lyons, Architects: https://henryjlyons.com/

In today's episode I have the pleasure of talking with homeowner and renovator Tereseanne O'Reilly, based in Tramore, Co Waterford. Self-employed couple Tereseanne and her husband Declan, owner of Evoke Kitchens, spontaneously bought this second property in 2019, just weeks before their wedding, with a view to renovating it pretty shortly after moving in. Since the pandemic hit, they only started their reno in the last few months. They are turning a 1990s 3 bed bungalow into a modern two-story. The house sits on an acre of land overlooking Tramore Bay in Co. Waterford, with views of Tramore itself, the beach and sand dunes and the Comeragh Mountains in the distance. Tune in to hear how industry pros approach and manage a renovation, and how you might be able to DIY parts of your project to save money and take control of your dream home.

Bio: Tereseanne O'Reilly is a homeowner and one half of @ourhouseandthesunset with her husband Declan, who also owns @evokekitchens. Professionally, Tereseanne is the Managing Director of a web design and brand strategy company called The Forest and a presenter, formerly a full-time radio DJ.

Resources & Professionals

Kitchen: Declan Furlong - https://www.evokekitchens.ie/

Architect: David Merrigan, MDP & Partners, Waterford - https://mdpandpartners.ie/david-merrigan/

Key moments & stats:

"[My husband Declan's] background is in building and construction, he has an engineering degree from DIT...it was the reason we could do it as whimsically as we did...he had the vision, the forethought, the skills to [take on the project]." - Tereseanne O'Reilly

"We were in a fortunate position with the market and having equity in our first house that had gone up in value, which I had bought by myself as a PAYE employee in a previous career." - Tereseanne O'Reilly

"Very slow process buying a house in the middle of the summer, by the way!" - Tereseanne O'Reilly

"We were sale agreed in June [2019], moved in in October. Our plan was to live in through the winter and then start the renovation process. And then the pandemic hit." - Tereseanne O'Reilly

"It was going to be [profit from selling the first house] and savings along the way that were going to fund the renovation...and the caution we took early on [because of the uncertainty of the pandemic with Declan being self-employed] allowed us to live in the house for longer than we anticipated and get to know the house through different seasons, and how we lived and flowed through the house." - Tereseanne O'Reilly

"We didn't know if we were going to add a second storey or not until we lived in it for a while. We didn't have a plan, really." - Tereseanne O'Reilly

"We worked with David of MDP & Partners who was great...we applied for planning permission and had no objections...David was familiar with the region so well, he guided us on what he thought would work and be accepted." - Tereseanne O'Reilly

"The first thing we did was we built our garage - it was a functional space we needed to facilitate us to move out of our [first] house." - Tereseanne O'Reilly

"Space wasn't a dictating factor [in the final design]. We went by each space and how we wanted to use them." - Tereseanne O'Reilly

"We have four dogs - and the house had to accommodate for them." - Tereseanne O'Reilly

"I was just thinking - how do I work? How do I live, how do I operate? What are my habits? And how do I design my living space to accommodate those good habits and try and get rid of the bad habits." - Tereseanne O'Reilly

"The renovation cost stayed on budget because we worked with the facilities that were already provided [by the existing bungalow], like positioning bathrooms to existing plumbing, it's surprising how much that can save. Being clever like that." - Tereseanne O'Reilly

"Even with the size of windows we originally wanted...custom sizes were going to cost so much more...so we went back to standard sizing and opening mechanisms to save." - Tereseanne O'Reilly

"You know what we did? We went big then we scaled it right back to still work with the premade standard size materials - we don't have anything custom - we wanted to be creative to still have a luxurious feel without going custom." - Tereseanne O'Reilly

"People have unrealistic expectations of 'custom' design. You can still have a premium and beautiful home without everything being made entirely from scratch for you - because the price difference is often not 50% more, but 10x more - simply because of economies of scale." - Tanya Neufeld

"Start big and then ask: what is it that you really need? What is it that you can really afford? And what are the luxuries - should things stretch - what are the first priority luxuries we want to add? And what the first luxuries we'd be willing to give up?" - Tereseanne O'Reilly

"We would've paid double - €200K more probably - if we hadn't done the labour ourselves." - Tereseanne O'Reilly

"You get home from a day of work and you'll be working [on your renovation project] until you go to bed, working out every thing that can be done, researching, getting in touch with suppliers...if the only thing you can give your project is time, you will save a lot." - Tereseanne O'Reilly

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Welcome to episode 6 of the Interiors Podcast.  Our guest industry expert in this episode is Charlotte Cropper, an International Colour Consultant at Lick Paint with a background in textile, homeware and graphic design.

We speak about the steps required to understand your style and colour needs and how to create the perfect palette for your home.

Key moments & stats:

"Ask yourself the question - what mood do you want to create in that space? How do you want to feel? Write down a list of key words of how you want to feel. Next, write down the things you do that help you feel that way. This is very individual. When do you use the space you're in? What time of day? Where is the room in your house? What direction does the room face in? What else is going on in that room? Look at paint holistically with the furniture, flooring and lighting that's going to go in a room." - Charlotte Cropper

"One of the biggest misconceptions is around the world colour - black, white, beige and grey are all colours. It doesn't mean we're going to paint your house in a rainbow. You have to define your particular style - someone's minimal is different to my minimal." - Charlotte Cropper

"We find white just as interesting as any other colour." - Charlotte Cropper

"What is it about an inspiration picture that you really like? Is it the combination of certain items, a mood, a colour, a texture?" - Charlotte Cropper

"I wait 6 months before committing to a colour. I might start small and buy some accessories in the colour and live with it to make sure it's not just a trend drawing me to it." - Charlotte Cropper

"Take samples shopping with you. And don't skip the moodboard." - Charlotte Cropper

"In a north-facing room, cooler colours will feel even colder, so consider warmer undertones. In south-facing rooms, the opposite applies, but rules are made to be broken. Small,

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Resources & Professionals

Paint: Lick Paint, https://www.lick.com/eu