Interior designer and Fleetwood Paints Colour Consultant, Aodhain Scallan, shares how she designed a “Scandi-meets-Hamptons” beach home in Co Wexford
What was the concept you had in mind when designing this home?
Cool, calm and collected. This project was all about the stunning views across the beauty that is Curracloe beach in Co Wexford. It was such an honour to design this beautiful summer home. It’s open plan areas cater for large family gatherings, yet its cosy areas are zoned to enjoy comfort on winter evenings – all the while overlooking the ever-changing landscape.
Did you incorporate any specific design trends or styles?
The style we chose was Scandi-meets-Hamptons. It’s defined by lime-wash, bright interiors with a sophisticated, minimalistic aesthetic. Both styles of interiors favour natural materials and fabrics for furniture and homewares, and focus on texture in the home itself, such as timber and stone. We incorporated unique pieces made from timber, leather, linen, cotton and wool. I always favour linens in whites and neutral tones, stripes, and layering natural textures.
Did the homeowners make any specific requests or preferences?
Practicality and low maintenance but warm and inviting. That was my brief!
How did you choose the colour palette and what influenced your decisions?
Whites, neutrals, lime-wash and blue are all common colours to both Scandinavian and Hamptons style interiors. We paired warm neutral shades with coastal blues, layering various shades of blue, from navy through to baby blue. We added black accents in some bathroom fitting, lighting and furnishings, with accents of bronze and white also, paired with natural materials for warmth.
Tell us a little more about the specific Fleetwood shades you opted for?
When we were creating our mood boards for this project, we looked at white as a potential overall colour, but white isn’t always right when it comes to painting the walls of your home. Depending on the aspect of your home and the amount of natural light your home receives throughout the day, some whites may not be so easy on the eyes. So, we decided to warm up the tone by using subtle neutral colours in place of white. We then paired it with bright white in areas such as custom headboards, wardrobes and wall panelling to create a dramatic contrast.
We used Fleetwood shades ‘Snowbound’ and ‘Hidden Green’. In the games room, which was located in the basement and has a north facing aspect, we chose a deep warm grey, Fleetwood’s ‘Dawn Grey’. Lastly, we got a bit bold with the cinema room. We wanted to create quite a dramatic intimate feel for this room and again, it was mainly getting cooler north facing light.
We introduced colour drenching to create a wonderfully calm space, perfect for adding a dose of peace. By painting everything in the same shade, the walls, woodwork, ceiling and even radiators or furniture, you avoid creating any strong contrasts or harsh lines. Instead, your eye simply drifts across the room, for a gentle, tranquil feel. Fleetwood shade ‘Strandhill View’ was used here.
How do you balance functionality and aesthetics when designing a space?
First and foremost, we prioritise usability, efficiency, and user friendliness. We then consider the overall visual appeal, form, and proportions. Using the principles of balance, contrast, harmony, and simplicity we select materials that enhance the aesthetics while ensuring durability and functionality. Balancing style and functionality in interior design is essential to creating visually appealing, practical, and comfortable spaces. Not an easy feat.
In your opinion, what’s the most important aspect in interior design to create a harmonious living space?
It’s hard to narrow this down to just one single component but colour harmony would have to be one of the most important aspects. Colours evoke emotions and set the tone. The use of complementary colours is key to creating pleasing combinations and visual flow to guide the viewer’s eye. After that, balance and alignment are both essential in order to create a harmonious space. Balance is key to distributing visual weight evenly across your design elements.
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