The award-winning Irish interior designer shares her latest project using Fleetwood Paints
What was the concept you had in mind when designing this home?
The design of Pied-à-Terre was all about creating a sense of Parisienne timeless luxury in the city. This is very much a city pad for the clients when they are in Dublin; it is the backdrop for their Dublin adventures. Parisienne interiors are always so refined, elegant and rich whilst maintaining subtlety, sophistication and calm. The inset marble floors in the hallway and walkways, along with the panelling and inset mirrors takes its influence from that. As well as the palette of materials throughout, soft shades, complimented with stone and brass accents. The result feels luxurious whilst very calm.
How did you create this style?
It was important, given it is an apartment, to have a sense of cohesion blending each space with the next. In terms of colour, there is a soft base accented with gold elements. The only room that stands out is the hidden TV room, awash with full golden upholstery, both on sofa and walls. This was deliberately saturated compared to the other spaces, it lends itself to a cosy cinema room feel. In general, I tend to steer clear of obvious trends because as the name would suggest, they are passing and don’t necessarily last.
Did the homeowners make any specific requests or preferences?
There were lots of requirements in terms of function and practicalities that we embedded within the design. For example, the TV room, which we hid with secret timber clad doors; a separate library reading space, which we designed the bronze mirror portal and door to separate; a hidden dining table – we designed two custom burl console tables that live separately but can come together to form one occasional dining table for four people when required. Lastly, we took part of the sunroom and reconfigured the layout to bring it into the bedroom.
How did you choose the colour palette and what influenced your decisions?
I knew the timeless feeling I was after and I was also seeking Prada green for the hallway (which is very difficult to get right!). I wanted to keep everything soft and have soft green as an unexpected colour lift; it took a while to get the shades right. We had lots of samples made up as it was really important to look at everything in the different light. The result is quiet, understated and calm while still being warm.
Tell us a little more about the specific Fleetwood shades you opted for?
For the hallway, we used a new shade I’m launching in May called ‘Oyster’, part of the Róisín Lafferty Paint Collection that is exclusive to Fleetwood Paints. In the main lounge, we used ‘Kensington Grey’; it’s warm and timeless. For the sunroom, we used ‘Monet Dark’ from the Vogue collection – a soft faded green shade, such a flexible colour.
How do you describe your own personal style?
I prefer to look at my projects as different collections and different concepts. Think of fashion design, although fashion designers may have an overriding defining aesthetic, each collection, each season is different. I don’t like to repeat myself and I like to give different projects a unique identity. There are some overriding principles that I do bring to all of my work, however. Clean lines, drawing the eye through the space, combination of luxury materials with keen focus on junctions, interactions and details, framing views, deliberately framing visual vignettes to add drama to the journey.
Where do you find inspiration for projects such as this one?
Travel and my obsession for design magazines and books. My trips to Paris, to the old buildings and the galleries influenced this a lot.
Which Irish interior shops do you frequent most?
Killian McNulty gallery and Acquired.ie – I love all of his vintage pieces and think there is always a place for them. Two of my main suppliers are Minima and Lost Weekend, a lot of the pieces here are sourced with them. Also, Rug Art is a gorgeous rug shop. Nordic Elements and Ecru Studio is great for styling items too.
Are there Irish makers you like to support when it comes to furniture and décor?
Yes, wherever I can. A few I adore are Niamh Barry, Joseph Walsh, and Modet for sculpture and furniture. In relation to makers, it was Miller Brothers and O’Gorman joinery that brought this place to life so they should be acknowledged.
The Róisín Lafferty Paint Collection is exclusive to Prestige by Fleetwood in selected Fleetwood stockists. Find your nearest stockist on fleetwood.ie
