Whether you’re still on the clock or heading for holiday heat somewhere, it’s time to dial it down a notch or two and take inspiration from some of the nation’s favourite overseas spots. Channel this summer’s version of Denmark’s cosy winter wellbeing in holiday hygge – the kind of relaxed respite you only ever get when you are abroad. Have your breakfast in the Tuscan hills with a scene from Sostrene Grene’s stylish stoneware which includes a coffee mug, €3.60; a 15cm wide bowl, €3.78; water jug (in five colours) €9.76; and a small handle-less milk jug, €3.16; with covered butter dish, €6.16, to keep the flies away. The potted vase comes in two sizes; small, pictured, €6.98 and a larger size, €12.38. The candle holder also shown is €2.98, while the 240cm by 140cm tablecloth, seen in soft mink, but also available in red, costs about €24.50. The director’s chair in cool cotton canvas costs €69.90.
Sounds like Love Island
If a mid-morning dip poolside inspired by the Mallorcan location of Love Island is your thing, take this Sony SRS-XB12 portable and waterproof Bluetooth speaker, €49.99, from Currys with you to play tunes. It comes in a range of hot sunshine colours including azure blue, shown, sunny yellow and sunset red.
Curl up, hang out
Inspired by chill-out sessions on Ibiza, you can hang out in this macrame-woven hanging chair, The Nittedal, €69.99, from JYSK: it’s the perfect place to curl up and read your blockbuster.
Fringe benefits, beachside
If you seek shade while shored up on a beach in Greece, then consider this rather fetching fringed parasol in either navy pinstripe or off-white options, €384, that is part of a range by The White Company and Business & Pleasure.
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Stretch out on Tommy, a rather fetching reclining striped canvas and hardwood deckchair, €345, which has large zipped back pockets for books and sun cream. The low-set seat also folds into a backpack style with padded straps for portability so you can easily transport it to any remote spot. The striped cotton seat pads also seen are €39 each.
Shady character
If throwing shade is more your thing, then consider this Balinese-inspired decorative cotton design which features gold metal ornaments. It comes in emerald green, ruby red or saffron yellow colour options and costs €215 from Celbridge-based The Orchard. theorchard.ie
Game on
Flex your grey matter with play and breathe a contemporary look into the classic games of chess, backgammon and Yatzy, designed for Hay by Clara von Zweigbergk. Price €35 from Inreda.inredadesignshop.com
Trending... delightful summer whites
Irish paint company Colourtrend has just launched a new colour edit of shades that can be used together or separately as you see fit. It includes two gorgeous greens; Palm House, an olive, and Four Arches, a deep forest tone; Pink Chocolate, a muddy terracotta, Parson’s Stone, a pigment-intense taupe, and Shell Cove, a warm white that feels like the sun on your back and will give you an all-white holiday feeling all year round. Emulsion costs from €32.50 for one litre to €110 for five litres. colourtrend.ie
