Irish homes are often designed around comfort, practicality and community, according to designers Niamh McKenna and Julianne Kelly. They say those priorities reflect the country’s cold, damp and changeable climate, as well as the need for smaller rooms to serve everyday life. Their ideas include seven details that can bring an Irish-inspired warmth to interiors.
One is to preserve Georgian features such as high ceilings, decorative cornicing, sash windows, fireplaces and paneled doors. Kelly says these architectural elements lend rooms a sense of history and permanence. Dublin’s Merrion Square is among the places where visitors can see examples, including its painted Georgian doors.
Another approach is to bring natural materials and colors indoors. Kelly draws on the Irish landscape with greenery, stone, timber, wool and linen, along with shades inspired by the outdoors. She says these materials add warmth and character without making a space feel overly polished or new.
Designers also recommend making the fireplace a room’s focal point. Kelly describes it as a traditional center of the Irish home, while McKenna suggests arranging seating around the hearth rather than centering the room on a television. The idea, she says, is to make gathering and conversation central to the space.
A mix of old and new can make rooms feel more personal. Kelly says clients often have sentimental belongings they want to keep, and she incorporates them into eclectic interiors that combine vintage pieces with modern design.
Practical rooms such as kitchens and bathrooms can also receive the same attention as living spaces. McKenna recommends natural materials, earthy colors and organic textures to connect these hardworking areas with the outdoors while keeping them functional.
The architecture itself offers another source of inspiration. Traditional Irish homes often have thick walls, deep window reveals and smaller windows, McKenna says. When oriented to make use of outside light, these features can contribute to a cozy feel in winter and a cooler interior in summer, while adding depth and texture.
Finally, comfort can come from layering textiles. McKenna highlights window treatments, tactile rugs, cushions and blankets as ways to make a home feel inviting and lived-in, even when the overall decorating style is minimal.
Sources: House Beautiful.