Shoparound: If it's soft furnishings and home accessories you're after, boutique furniture and homeware stores in the suburbs can throw up some wonderful delights.
Two new shops, which have recently opened in south county Dublin - Belle Maison in Sandycove and La Maison in Dalkey - have a wide range of home and giftware products.
Importing Swedish, Belgian and French lines along with some UK designs, La Maison in Dalkey has all you'd want to deck your home out in the contemporary-country look.
A big seller at the moment, according to Christina Clarke, is the Linum range - a line of stylish, high-quality textiles and soft furnishings for the home.
The palette includes fresh pinks, oranges and turquoise as well as pastel colours and a host of patterns. Serviettes cost €19.95 for a set of four, tablecloths are €55.55 and cushions are priced at €39.95.
The shop also has a range of antique-style furniture from France and Sweden. An ivory kitchen dresser costs €2,500 and a crisp white oak coffee table is priced at €495.
Up the road in Sandycove is Belle Maison, located above Miss E's boutique. Owners Emma Martin and Yvonne Giblon have a range of accessories on offer in their first floor shop, from pretty floral prints, vintage-inspired home accessories and giftware.
The summery floral design of Cath Kidston china is proving particularly popular at the moment, according to Emma. Teapots cost €45 and matching cups and saucers are €13. Also on offer is the more subdued country-style Burleigh pottery range. A gorgeous butter dish costs €34.
The shop also stocks Louise Love's range of pretty oilcloths and fabrics, exclusive to Belle Maison in Ireland.
La Maison, 42 Castle Street, Dalkey, 01 2751630
Belle Maison, 57a Glasthule Road, Sandycove, 01 2303083
