Home and Away
Quirky and colourful design choices in this Limerick home make for a playful family interior with the focus on indoor/outdoor living inspired by the couple’s former home in Australia, writes Orla Neligan.
The Limerick suburbs may not match the breezy, beach vibes of Brisbane but when Amy Martin and her husband Eoin moved home with their two sons after fourteen years living in the Queensland capital they were determined to take a slice of Aussie living with them.
Their small estate in Castletroy, Limerick was much like many in the city with shoulder-to-shoulder semi-ds – comfortable family homes albeit with some in need of love. There were all the hallmarks of family living in the 250 sq m home, including a well-tended mature garden, ‘it just needed some updating,’ says Amy.
The similarity to their Brisbane home and the design potential was what convinced the couple this was the right move; there was scope to create a home that worked for a growing family of four, one they could get their design chops around and one that allowed everyone that bit of space while creating communal family areas at the same time.
It also had nods to their former home in Australia: a double garage, large front room and a balcony which overlooked the huge garden.
“We spent 14 years adventuring outdoors in Australia,” explains Amy, “so we wanted to feel that connection here.”
A few images that didn't make the cut, and a few from the feature below.
For a peek inside, grab our latest issue and get lots more inspiration from this colourful space.
HOMEOWNER AMY'S TOP TIPS FOR STYLING YOUR HOME:
- When planning a project of any size use one notebook and bring it everywhere – measure everything including rooms, wall, nooks, windows and bring it when you’re shopping for curtains, sanitaryware kitchens, furniture – everything! That way you have all of your relevant info at hand.
- Cut out magazine pictures, articles, brochures that catch your eye and stick in a scrapbook, make notes, jot down your ideas, scribble little pictures – document your ideas.
- Be consistent with flooring – running the same flooring throughout creates a seamless flow.
- Placing plants around your home creates a calming environment and brings the outdoors in; a single plant can change the entire atmosphere of a room.
- Frame and display holiday mementos and family photos that make you smile.
- Incorporate storage where you can, plan it well i.e. ask yourself what you need to store and how best to store it.
- Consider what makes you happy and calm or however you want to feel in your home.
- Surround yourself with what you love: colours, textures, plants, artwork, photos and go for it, it's your home!
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