Creating a home that you love is no easy feat. Whether you’re renting or have just bought a new home the task list for making your home your own can quickly become overwhelming, not to mention expensive.
Over the past year we’ve received lots of queries from our readers, friends of clients and those who follow our social media channels looking for small snippets of wisdom and ideas to solve some of their many design dilemmas.
Here are a few we’ve found to be quite commonly occurring or really good questions, which we hope might help you to solve your own design dilemmas.
Hi KLD Team! I love sourcing antique furniture and salvaged pieces. I traveled a lot and only recently moved back to Ireland so I’m not up on good places to source from. Where would you recommend that has great stuff that isn’t wildly expensive? Thanks, Aoife.
Lauren’s advice:
Hi Aoife,
Before Christmas we picked up some beautiful pieces at the Dublin flee market in The Point Village. These markets take place on the last Sunday of every month in New Market Square, Dublin.
Another spot we recently discovered is Age Action on Camden street. We recently got some stunning vintage pieces here for next to nothing!
Good luck with it! Lauren.
Hi Roisin & team,
I’ve been in my little rental in Galway for what feels like forever! I’ve just signed a lease for another year and I’m keen to put my own stamp on it. I’m pretty restricted as a tenant in what I can do but I wanted to ask for your tips for putting my own personal stamp on the place? Aidan, Galway.
Louise’s advice:
Hi Aidan!
As long as you’re working with a blank canvas of walls painted in a colour you like, there’s plenty of non-permanent things you can do to put a new stamp on an old apartment.
Artwork is a great way to make plain walls more interesting, whether it’s one large piece or a gallery wall of paintings and prints that you love. In terms of furniture and furnishings, update your sofa, armchairs and bed with new soft furnishings like cushions and throws to bring an extra bit of texture to your living or bedroom.
Also, consider lighting to make an impact. A new light shade, bedside lamp or floor lamp with pop or colour or designer edge can really make a statement. Best of all, all these items can call be taken with you to a future home! Happy decorating! Louise
Hi KLD, I’ve seen a few up-cycling projects you’ve done and I’m really in of some of your inspiration! I’ve an old wooden chest of drawers in dire need of a revamp – I wonder can you give me any ideas? Thank you, Una
Becky’s advice:
Hi Una,
When up-cycling furniture the possibilities are endless! Here are some of my current favourites:
Statement pieces – If you would like to go with a block colour or keep the tones more neutral on the exterior, why not go with a pop of colour or a patterned wallpaper for the interior, it’s playful but refined.
High Gloss – An instant way to add extra drama whatever colour you choose is to go gloss! I have a sideboard at home that I would love to paint in a rich green gloss.
Go geometric! – For an instant lift and statement piece in any space go for a geometric print (keep in mind if it’s your first project straight lines are easier than circles)
New handles and legs also give an instant new look if you are steering away from paint, but if you are painting always prep properly. Here is a step by step guide to a sideboard we did before with some more tips!
If you’ve come up against a design dilemma or would like to submit a question to be featured in next months design dilemmas drop us a line with the subject header ‘Ask the Team’.
