Sixteen fabulous rooms to get you inspired

By Jimmy Loughran 06-07-2010

We all need a regular bit of interiors eye candy and this selection of fabulous rooms, from the cosiest living rooms to the funkiest kitchens, will beg you to admire and be inspired. Here are 16 rooms to get your creative juices flowing - click on a room to find out how to get the look!

Block appeal

Compliment bold colour blocking and interesting shelving on the walls with retro inspired appliances and accessories.

The details: Walls in Canton emulsion, woodwork in Shirting acrylic eggshell and stool in Baked Cherry acrylic eggshell, All Little Green Paints, Tel: 01 450 7154. Recreate these ‘50s inspired appliances with the Typhoon Red Capsule scales, €44.99 and storage bottles €7.99 available at Quirky Kitchens, Cork, T: 023 32610, and KitchenAid’s 90th Anniversary Limited Edition Stand Mixer available at Web: www.kitchenaid.com.

Heavy metal

A textured metallic feature wall injects a futuristic feel into an existing interior and is perfect for a hallway or landing. Juxtaposed with the period seating and umbrella stand makes the striking optical effect more liveable.

The details: Osborne & Little’s Rombico wallpaper, €91 per roll and Speroni wallpaper, €52 per roll, Web: www.osborneandlittle.com. Head to Dublin’s Antique Quarter on Francis Street and browse the many antique shops for period furniture to suit your home.

Desk duty

Optimise awkward shaped rooms by using these spaces efficiently. This cosy study might lose out on space but benefits from the views. Walls painted in lighter tones stops the space looking too cluttered.

The details: Walls in Stone Dark Cool acrylic matt emulsion, desk in Slakes Lime acrylic eggshell and chair in Felt acrylic eggshell, all Little Green Paints, Tel: 01 450 7154. Head to IKEA, Dublin 11 (Tel: 1890 987 938) for Scandi inspired desk chairs.

Low level living

Align modern table lamps on the floor along side minimalist seating for a relaxed contemporary feel.

The details: Left wall, Crown’s Golden Cream, solo one coat; window frame, Crown’s Mellow Sage solo one coat satin, Web: www.crownpaints.ie. Find an equally eye-catching leather chaise longue at Minima, Dublin 2, Tel: 01 633 7716 and check out O’Hagan, Dublin 4 for a good selection of white plastic lighting (T: 01 219 4040).

Louis Louis

Phillipe Starck hit the nail on the head when combining antique shapes with modern materials with his Louis Ghost armchair for Kartell. Here the clear coloured plastic and reflective lampshades blend seamlessly with the original French inspired furniture. Of course the wide-open windows and white washed floors help keep this space fresh and welcoming.

The details: Natural wooden dining table, Victoria Ghost dining chairs and metallic long ceiling pendant, all available from Web: www.GrahamandGreen.co.uk. Pick up the Black and Blum candelabra, €90, at the Conran Shop, Tel: 01 805 0400

Bonbon bedroom

Make sorbet colours pop by contrasting them with pistachio and oatmeal tones and natural textures. Brightly upholstered seating is the perfect way to achieve this look with minimal effort. The oversized headboard and wall hanging make this bedroom more tactile

The details: Experience this room for one night by staying at The Haymarket Hotel in London’s Piccadilly (Web: www.firmdale.com) or if you’d prefer to stay in the room every night, contact Plush Upholstery (Web: www.plushupholstery.ie) for a specially made headboard

Open plan

Multi functional rooms needn’t mean cluttered and busy. This calming space uses neutral colours and natural materials to create a room that flows from one activity to the next, whether you’re relaxing with a book or working hard at the desk.

The details: Try Crown H2.10.08 emulsion for the walls. Head to TK Maxx (Web: www.tkmaxx.com) for a wide selection of wicker accessories and BoConcept, Dublin 18 (Tel: 01 293 2008) do a similar tripod floor lamp.

Ahoy matey

Make kids bedtime and homework struggles a thing of the past with this innovative stand alone bunk bed and desk duo. Storage is cleverly concealed in steps leading up to the top deck desk area providing optimum usage of space.

The details: This funky Tiramola set from Roche Bobois (Tel: 01 653 1650) includes two bunk beds, a three step platform with storage in two steps, integrated storage area underneath with sliding doors, integrated folding desk and shelving, storage area and chair, all coming to €10,153.

Cosy hues

Dark wall colours can be a risk, but do it right and it will be dark and moody in a good way. Paint your woodwork and fireplace in the same colour for a cocoon-like effect.

The details: Little Green paint’s Sage Green emulsion on the walls, Purple Brown floor paint and Stone Dark acrylic eggshell on the side table and coffee table, all from the Lounge collection. Available from MRCB Paints, Dublin 8, Tel: 01 679 8755. For aselection of cosy wool throws head to the Blue Door in Naas, Tel: 045 901573 to see what Klippan has on offer.

Wall to wall

Emphasis corners with bespoke wall decals to add focus in smaller rooms. Circles take the hard edge off box shaped spaces, while crowding favourite coloured glassware by the window creates added warmth and colour.

The details: If you don’t feel confident enough to sponge your own design on the walls, why not try pre-cut wall stickers, such as the designs at www.wallstickers.ie. For a good selection of hand tufted rugs try Ceadogan, Co Wexford, Tel: 051 561349 or if you would like to commission your own statement rug contact W: www.rugdesigner.co.uk

Flower power

Create a walk in scrap book with old wallpapers for a fetching floral display that will bring the outside in.

The details: Ren double duvet cover, €54, Housewifde pillowcase, €12, pink standard pillow case, €8, Barrel glass vase, €12, all by Linea for House of Fraser, Dublin 16, Tel: 01 299 1400.

Laid back

Sometimes simple is best. This low maintenance room still has tonnes of personality with favourite prints leaning against the wall and a dedicated day bed to soak up the books lining the shelves.

The details: Sandberg’s Esmeralda fabric available at Collette Ward Interiors, Co Wicklow, Tel: 0402 36585. Find similar daybeds at SBA Home Ideas, Athlone, Tel: 090 648 6517 and head to Ligne Roset at Arnotts for a large selection of chic reading lights.

The clash bash

Many homes are a hodge podge of favourite styles developed over the years. Bring them together in a delightfully eclectic manner to show your true personality. Reupholster chairs in contrasting fabrics, paint your floor and remember curtains don’t have to match.

Time out

Who needs distraction when your relaxing in a roll top bath by a light filled window? Keep accessories and your colour palette to a minimum to help wash away the day’s toils and troubles.
The details: J by Jasper Conran large basket, €70 and small basket, €47, wooden towel horse, €78 and towel cupboard, €147, bath sheet, €36 and bath towel, €25, all from Debenhams, Tel: 01 814 7200. Find roll top baths by Heritage Bathrooms available at Original Bathrooms, Cork (Tel: 021 431 0000) and check out Tom Doyle Supplies, Co. Wexford for marble wall tiles (T: 053 9383700, W: www.tomdoylrsupplies.com).

Go green

A strong green wall is made fun and fresh with a complementary crisp white dado rail, mouldings, mirror and fireplace, not to mention the contrasting orange accessories.

The details: Little Green Paint’s Citrine matt emulsion on the walls and Slakes Lime eggshell on the woodwork and mirror, both from the Chic Retreat collection. Available from MRCB Paints, Dublin 8, Tel: 01 679 8755. For similar fabrics see the Yakuri Sweeney designs available exclusively at Garrendenny Lane interiors (Carlow, Tel: 056 44 2310) and pick up some simple folding timber chairs from Woodies DIY (Web: www.woodiesdiy.com) or Atlantic Homecare (Tel: 01 821 5828) and paint a glossy white.

Which is your favourite room?

Let us know which of these rooms is your favourite and why - or do none of these rooms tickle your fancy?!

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