The kitchen at 48 Leinster Avenue is compact, which works in this small terraced house.
The owner, a former interior decorator, oversaw the design, which is built from MDF and has a wood "butcher block" counter top that she has stained a glossy ebony.
The units are painted a soft dove grey which adds a splash of contemporary chic without overwhelming the house's Victorian origins. The drawers are deep, to accommodate all manner of kitchen paraphernalia, and the fronts of the units are kept super simple.
Recessed handles form the only visible detail and the unit doors are handle-free. Todd Gfeller of Gfeller (048 71 342 402) makes well finished custom furniture and cabinetry. He did an office-fit out for Sylvester Stallone when he was still based in LA.
He's been in Derry for years and has also fitted a kitchen for John Hume. Expect to pay in the region of €7,500 for the design and build of something similar.
The epoxy resin sink was bought from Habitat some years back (they no longer do kitchen sinks in resin). Try Simmons Mouldings in the UK (0044 24 7663 7028) which offers a wide range of colour and shape options.
THElivingroom of 21 Clonfadda Wood is full of gilty (sic) pleasures. The Italian glass-topped coffee table is a stellar piece that wouldn't look out of place in a palazzo.
This gilt, hand-carved wood base takes over five months to deliver and was designed and sourced for the owner by Rita Burke Keane of Naas-based Ski Design (045 874970).
Prices start from €2,900 upwards depending on the size of table ordered.
Rita's design input is also seen in the rich silk curtains and their goblet pleating. Pearl drops along the leading edge of the curtain, gilt curtain poles and rings add extra luxe to this living space. This style of curtain costs from €2,000-plus and is from Ski Interiors.
The diningroom's antique pieces include a fine mahogany and glass cabinet that the owner bought at Mullen's auction rooms in Laurel Park, Bray, Co Dublin (01-282 6107).
Its next furniture auction takes place on December 2nd at 1pm and includes an Edwardian mahogany and satinwood bow-fronted cabinet which is guiding between €5,000 and €6,000.
The built-in units in the family room were designed and installed by Richmond Furniture Design (01 8271777) who are so in demand that you may have to wait 12 months to avail of theirservices.
THElounge of these Baggot Street apartments is a study in understated chic. It's soft yet modern, thanks in part to the feature wall of shelving that is painted in Colortrend's Estate George.
The interior is by Nula Roberts of Creative Art (01-639 4836) and it's her lightness of hand that lifts the look.
The day bed is from the Sofa Factory and the lime green tub chair came from the interior design company. The Amino glass and acrylic leg lamp tables add a fresh feel. These cost €600 each from Creative Art.
The adjoining white gloss kitchen has quartz countertops in white which help further lighten the mood of the open-plan space. The acrylic handles add an ultra-modern aspect that is surprisingly pocket-friendly. The design is by Country Kitchens (045-864 169) which recently opened a second showroom in Blackrock that trades as Blackrock Kitchens (01-210 8005).
Expect to pay from €13,000 for something similar. Elsewhere the smoked glass wall between the main bedroom and en suite offers an additional light source. When bathing just remember to suck in your tummy so that the shadow you cast is as svelte as can be!
THEREare several compelling features in the Bramley showhouse in Oranmore, Co Galway. The interior doors are oak veneer and have a walnut inlay which elevates the house from the ordinary. Bespoke interior doors is a growing trend in high-end homes where buyers want a sense of luxe in every element.
The hall staircase - in concrete clad in white oak - was also made to measure and adds oomph to the wow factor. The stair posts and rail handle are solid walnut. Something similar in scale will cost between €8,000 and €9,000. Expect to pay in the region of €250 per door.
Both these wood features soften the mood of the interior and were created and installed by Matt Lohan and Sons (091-752 411).
The rest of the interior is by Top Drawer's creative director, Brenda Mulvihill-Kelly (01-201 1822, head office 091 773804).
The diningroom in particular merits a mention. The waxed oak rectangular Charlotte table, which is extendible, is well-priced at €1,200. The Jennifer chairs with chocolate brown leather seating cost €300 each.
