After years of crafting spaces for others, interior designer and Fleetwood Paints Colour Consultant, Aodhain Scallan, shares her most personal project yet: her own home in Co Wexford
Words Niamh Devereux Photography Claire Nash
Your dream home has been a long time coming. Tell us a little more about your renovation journey?
It really has. I’d been designing homes for others for years, so when the opportunity finally came to create my own, I knew I wanted to take my time and get it right. The house itself had so much character; it wasn’t perfect, but I saw the potential instantly. Original features like the stone walls, deep windowsills, and the old beams were what drew me in. The renovation journey was gradual and very intentional. I lived in the space as it was for a while, just to understand the light, the flow, and what it needed to feel like home. Every decision, from layout to materials, was grounded in that sense of patience and purpose. It was important to me that the renovation honoured the bones of the house, while still feeling modern and comfortable.
What was it like, seeing your vision come to life?
Designing my own space was both exciting and incredibly personal. In client work, I’m always interpreting someone else’s story, their lifestyle, their needs. But with my own home, it was an opportunity to express my pure design instincts; what I’m drawn to, what comforts me, what feels like home on a deeper level. That said, it was also more challenging in some ways. With endless options, the hardest part was editing myself – not over-designing. I wanted it to feel real and grounded, not like a showroom. For me, it was about layering natural textures, creating calm with a muted palette, and letting the space evolve slowly. I sourced a lot from Irish makers; things like hand-thrown ceramics, wool throws, and sisal carpets that carry a sense of place. Seeing it all come together was emotional, honestly. It felt like a true reflection of who I am, not just as a designer, but as a person.
Was there a particular feeling or inspiration that guided you when creating the house?
I wanted the house to feel like a deep exhale, the kind of place where you walk in and instantly feel grounded and at peace. Life can be chaotic, especially when you’re juggling creative work and everyday demands, so I really wanted this space to be a calm, nurturing backdrop. Nature was a big inspiration. I drew from the soft, muted tones of the Irish landscape: warm greys, mossy greens, and earthy neutrals. It was about creating a connection between indoors and out, using natural materials, layered textures, and soft lighting to make it feel cocooning but not heavy.
Colour plays a pivotal role in each room. How did you go about creating the palette?
For me, colour always starts with emotion. I asked myself: how do I want to feel in each room? That became the starting point for the palette. I didn’t want anything too bold or trend-led, I was more drawn to subtle, earthy tones that feel timeless and connected to the landscape around the house. The palette is largely made up of warm neutrals, soft greys, gentle greens, and natural textures –tones that shift beautifully with the light throughout the day. In the main areas, I kept things soft and layered to create a sense of calm and warmth, while in the snug, I brought in slightly deeper, grounding tones to anchor the space. I also let the materials guide the colour; things like aged wood, stone, and linen informed the direction naturally. The goal was for the colours to feel cohesive but not overly matched, like they belonged together without being too deliberate.
You used Fleetwood Paints throughout – can you share your favourite shades?
Yes, I’ve always loved working with Fleetwood Paints. The quality and depth of their colours is beautiful, and their Irish roots made it feel like the right fit for this home. One of my favourite shades we used was Fleetwood Snowbound; it’s this perfect warm neutral that shifts beautifully in different light. We used it in the living spaces and it brings such a soft, enveloping feel without being flat or cold.
In the bedrooms, I went for Fleetwood First Star on the walls with a deeper shade of Fleetwood On the Rocks for the wardrobes, which has a really calming, almost nostalgic tone to it. It pairs so well with natural linens and aged wood; it creates that quiet, restful atmosphere I wanted in those spaces. I also love Fleetwood Green Street, which we used in the snug. It brings just enough colour to feel fresh and connected to the outdoors, without overwhelming the space. It brings such a beautiful depth and mood to the space; rich, earthy, and cocooning without feeling too dark. It instantly made the room feel warm, like a quiet little escape within the house.
Overall, I wanted the palette to feel grounded, timeless, and tonal. Fleetwood had that perfect balance of softness and richness, and the finish is always flawless.
Fleetwood, which marks its 75th anniversary this year, has launched of its most refined paint collection to date: Prestige by Fleetwood. Developed in collaboration with leading designers Róisín Lafferty and Arlene McIntyre, Prestige is a luxury paint range that combines deep, lasting colour with professional quality results. View it here.
