Home isn’t just a space or a place. It’s a feeling. For TV presenter and radio broadcaster Kathryn Thomas, the summer home her grandfather built in Wexford for his family represents her true “happy place”.
“It’s the place of my childhood and it couldn’t be more special,” she says. The story of a house, she says, is all-important. “My grandfather built it from the ground up, 70 years ago. It was unpretentious in design and construction, a simple home – no central heating, no double glazing, just four basic rooms. But it was a place of magic for his four kids, the 13 grandchildren who came afterwards and now the next generation, including my own girls, Ellie (6) and Grace (2). As a kid, it felt like such an adventure to be here. It was wild and very free. It meant hanging out with masses of cousins and running around with no shoes on; hopping in and out of the sea; jostling for space in the sets of bunk beds at night and annoying our very patient grandmother all day for continuous treats. You know how people say that in their childhood holiday memories the sun is always shining? Well, I know that can’t be true but it felt like it,” she says, laughing.
“I feel this house was definitely my grandfather’s legacy, and we’re so grateful to him. Two summers ago 54 family members gathered on what would have been his 100th birthday to celebrate him and our luck in having such a place of comfort, a retreat with heart and soul,” adds Thomas. As owner of pureresults.ie, which offers wellness retreats in Ireland and Portugal, she’s particularly versed in the importance of a joyful meaningful escape from the demands of life. “In all my time travelling to exotic destinations for holidays and for work (with No Frontiers) and getting to stay in fancy hotels and one-of-a-kind resorts, nothing has ever made me happier than coming to stay in this house in Wexford,” she says. “Even now, my kids notice that I arrive here like an excitable pup, desperate to just get out and run.”
The pared-back styling throughout the house reflects a back-to basic look that honours a time when a home was a place to nest, to feel serene in. Natural textiles, neutral colours and feel-good fabrics deliver a relaxed, laid-back vibe. And nothing is too precious. “My grandparents were practical people so functionality was the most important thing in the house,” says Thomas. “Their philosophy was that a house wasn’t meant to be perfect so if there are a few scuffs and spills, then no matter. What mattered to them was that everything the family accumulated had a story and calmness to it, so we are surrounded now by good memories. To this day we don’t replace or upgrade anything unless it’s actually broken. We’ve never considered building on, or getting decking done or anything like that.”
A fire that swept through the house 15 years ago offered opportunity for the family to refurb but nobody wanted to stray too far from the original layout and design. “We agreed to put in double glazing, but there’s still no central heating. We do have wifi now but no phone signal. And we did put storage heaters in the bedrooms so we can now go there in the winter time. There’s still no fancy designer furniture or statement art. There’s just no need. For us, the setting steals the show,” she says.
So what prompted the livingroom refresh? “I’ve got so much love from this house over the years,” says Thomas, “that I wanted to give back in the form of a makeover to enhance that space.” How did you choose the colour? “Firstly, I had to think of everybody’s opinions and I had to make sure I kept the vibe true to the essence of the room. I know coastal settings usually call for blue, but what I see from the livingroom is more green than blue – green grass, blue-green gorse and the green-grey hue of the sea. Of course, the colours in the landscape change throughout the seasons but there’s always this beautiful sense of calm and of peace. I really wanted connectivity to the outside, to pick earthy tones that would reconnect us with the elements of verdant land, clean air and natural light for a greater sense of wellbeing.”
Many family members gather in the house so a durable paint such as the Dulux Heritage range was vital when doing up the room.
The soothing restful shade that Thomas chose to use on the walls is Green Earth, part of the Dulux Heritage range – a timeless, luxury colour palette of fittingly classic hues with a modern twist. For contrast she went for Waxed Khaki on the chimney breast, which she’s particularly thrilled with. “It feels like a light breeze in the summer and a warm hug on a stormy winter’s day with the fire on,” enthuses Thomas.
The result is a happy mix of cosy homeliness that harmonises with the textural, tactile comfort of the soft furnishings – the khaki linen curtains, the neutral rattan rug and the lived-in sofa. There’s a calming feel that envelops this aesthetic. “There’s just a lovely energy,” she says. “It’s been so satisfying to see that a little tweak of the right paint made our special space even more special. Even more compelling is the knowledge that using tones found in nature will create an interior we can live with for a very long time.”
This makeover has also ignited the family’s next project. “Everybody has been asked to find their favourite summer childhood photos and we’ve got 60 fabulous ones so far. We’re going to get them framed and hang them this summer, and in this way we’re putting our memories on the walls. If ever I’m feeling miserable, all I have to do is think of this house,” she adds. “No matter where I am, I feel happy. It brings everything back into perspective.”
Discover the Dulux Heritage Range. See Duluxheritage.ie for a list of stockists
