Style counsel: Making space for interior design

Years ago, hiring an interior designer was considered a luxury. Today, it’s as commonplace as calling in a painter or decorator. More and more people are turning to interior designers to bring their creative vision to life, especially when they’re unsure of where to start.

Here in Ireland, one of those interior designers is Alison Dunne, based in Clough, Co Laois.

Living on a drystock farm with her husband Liam and their three sons, Alison knows first-hand the joys and challenges of renovating a rural home, having done up their own farmhouse 30 years ago.

She had always had a passion for interiors but it wasn’t until after the birth of her second son, Cillian, that Alison decided to pursue it professionally.

“I always loved interior design, so I decided to go back to college when Cillian was a baby. I remember putting him to bed, studying and then getting up again at night to tend to my small baby. I trained at the Limperts Academy of Design where I went on to lecture,” she says.

“It all paid off. My business grew and grew over the years and having your own business is really suitable for family life and kids.”

“I’m now doing this for nearly 20 years, and it’s an amazing job. I get to design my clients’ homes into a stylish and practical space that reflects their personality,” says Alison. “It’s like an art. I get my mood boards and my sample boards together.”

Alison’s speciality is old country homes.

“I’ve renovated a lot of old country homes in the midlands – I love it. I’ve done homes that look like castles. I do contemporary homes as well, but I get a lot of period properties.

“Renovating old country homes is not for the fainthearted,” she explains.

“There can be a lot of structural and prep work to be done before you even add a paintbrush to the walls. It depends on the condition.

“With old country houses, a lot can have damp problems and the insulation probably needs to be upgraded. Windows and doors need to be repaired and replaced.”

If you are lucky enough to be renovating an old country home, Alison recommends retaining as many of the original features as possible.

“Old fireplaces, cornices and wooden floorboards – owners should try and retain as many of these as possible, and you can add your own little contemporary twist. It’s amazing what you can do once you get the structure right. It’s like an artist and a canvas. You’ve got to get the canvas right before you can apply the paint on top.”

Spending wisely

It is here – the foundations and structure of the house – where Alison says that the budget should mostly go.

“In terms of managing a budget for home renovation, future-proofing your property is essential.

“Prioritise upgrading insulation, repairing corners and mouldings, and installing proper flooring,” says Alison, who also recommends installing a deep-stained engineered timber flooring in sitting and reception rooms to create a country vibe.

“The next big spend is the kitchen. You have to take that into consideration in your budget. I see a lot of young couples and they’re doing a house for the first time with a €100,000 budget and what they forget is that the kitchen could be €30,000 or €40,000.”

“For many, the kitchen is the most important room in the house,” says Alison. “Get the colour of your kitchen and your flooring right and all the other rooms will flow from there.

“If you’re scrimping and scraping on flooring and your kitchen, it’s an even bigger spend later to go back and redo it. Obviously, your bathrooms is another key area. If you can get your bathrooms, your kitchen, and all your flooring done properly, you’re kind of already there.”

Trends to follow

In recent years, Alison says there has been some exciting trends emerging in the world of interior design.

“I think wall panelling is definitely very welcome in our country homes. There are acoustic slat wall panels [specially designed panels made from sound-absorbing materials], tongue and groove [a method of fitting similar objects together, edge-to-edge, used mainly with wood], and wainscoting, which is probably the most popular style. Wainscoting is a decorative mould applied in a square or rectangle frame to make a design on your wall.”

Wall panelling adds character and sophistication to your home, according to Alison.

“Colour drenching is also still on trend,” she says. “This is where you paint everything the same shade – walls, the woodwork, ceilings, radiators, built-in furniture.

“When people colour drench, they mostly do deep colours – this can work really well in country homes where you’ve really high ceilings. A dark green or a navy adds style and sophistication and makes the room cosy and warm.

“These dark colours can be contrasted then with exuberant chandeliers and accessories like lamps.”

If you can get your bathrooms, your kitchen, and all your flooring done properly, you’re kind of there

Window seats are another feature that Alison loves.

“Nothing says country home like a warm plaid window seat. Country homes are blessed with high ceilings and deep walls, which are a great idea for window seats.

“One of the advantages is its ability to provide extra seating and storage without taking up floor space. You can dress up the windows seat down with plaid fabric and add cushions,” she says.

Often for country homes – which sit in beautiful, natural settings – bridging the connection between the indoors and the outdoors is key.

“You don’t want to bring the farm in,” jokes Alison, “but ours is a farmhouse. The kitchen is to the front of the house and we put in massive windows. So now, our garden is literally in our kitchen. We built on an extension about 10 years ago, and the difference it makes is unbelievable. We can see the lads out playing hurling, it’s lovely.

“What are really popular now are pergolas [an outdoor garden feature that serves as a sitting area],” says Alison. “It connects the house with the outside. At home, when I open my patio doors, I walk straight out to the pergola. I have garden furniture, so I can sit out in the rain.”

When it comes to home renovation, it is clear that every detail matters. Although many people have a strong eye for colour and fabric, Alison explains that a professional interior designer can help to draw out the smaller details which enhance the overall style and function of the property.

“If you had dry rot or if you had a damp room in your house, you get a professional in. Do it, as it really makes such a difference. You can always tell when an interior designer has worked in a house. It’s our job.”

Most interior designers do two-hour consultations where they come out to the home and talk to clients about what colours, lighting and fabrics suit their home. Alison explains that these in-home design consultations are a good place to start on a project.

“Most designers offer this service, and the insight you gain into your space is absolutely invaluable. It’s unbelievable what you can learn in just that time.”

See alisondunneinteriordesign.ie