Bringing it all back home — generations of love for the garden

Thu, Mar 26, 2009

There is an old Irish saying “Briseann an dúchas trí shúile an chait,” which, loosely translated, means you can‘t deny your roots. When the Cunningham brothers were looking back through some old family photographs recently, they came across a picture of their maternal grandmother Else, taken about 1890 in Helsinki when she was a young girl. In the photograph she is in her garden posing with her trusty watering can. Over a century later her descendants are still in the garden. Her picture can be seen in the weekly advertisement for Dangan House Nurseries. Paddy and Peter Cunningham have been partners in business since the mid-1970s, initially selling their produce in the Saturday market before opening the gardens of their home to the public in the early 1980s.

Expand your home with a conservatory

Thu, Mar 19, 2009

Here are some tips to decorate this new addition to your home. A conservatory is an extension of both your house and garden, so decorate it accordingly.

Your conservatory just needs a little life and something of your personality added to it to make it the welcoming space you desire! Any conventional freestanding conservatory furniture is going to be too bulky to squeeze in, so look to more compact solutions. Most people go down the wicker furniture route, which really add a more exotic and relaxing feel to the room and make a good transition to the garden.

Remembering a ‘mum in a million’

Thu, Mar 19, 2009

When Mary Sweeney died in March 2006 her daughter’s greatest fear was that as time passed she would forget little things about her.

At home With La Maison Chic

Thu, Mar 05, 2009

Light is key to the way we function day to day. It affects our mood, it tells us when to wake and when to go to bed, it is an external clock that automatically triggers our minds. It defines an ambience, it highlights, makes plants grow, and can create an atmosphere of warmth. Lighting says a lot — it can make guests feel welcome and heighten a romantic interlude. It sets the stage for entertainment and has the ability to direct your attention. It provides security and a sense of piece and calm. People may fear the dark, but no one fears the light.

La Maison Chic refurbishes Galway landmark

Thu, Mar 05, 2009

Imagine relaxing on your sofa in your own piece of history. Formerly a Church of Ireland chapel in Kiltullagh near Loughrea, this famous local landmark was built in 1808 and 200 years later it was given a new lease of life. It was deconsecrated in 1920 and had been used as an Irish Army billet, dancehall, sports hall, and workshop. The one of a kind renovation project has been picked by The Sunday Times home edition and Upstairs Downstairs magazine for their covers. This is a massive achievement for La Maison Chic.

Mirror, mirror on the wall

Thu, Feb 26, 2009

Mirrors are the perfect complement to natural and artificial lights in a home and a skilfully picked up mirror can refresh even the most boring interior, giving to it a special, unique, style. It can be an imperceptible detail, and can set the fashion for the whole interior. The mirror is able to generate various spatial and light illusions, to hide lacks of the lay-out and to do many other things.

Mirrors are magical when it comes to interior design. Yes, mirrors are great for fixing up your hair, but mirrors can also give a room an illusion of depth as well as make up beautiful wall decor. Mirrors do not just belong in the bathroom and bedroom. Mirrors can be excellent additions to any space, especially smaller spaces. The way in which mirrors reflect light and the rest of the room can really give your room a larger feel to it. And there are so many interesting mirrors out there with beautiful and unique frames that you are sure to find some to match your current home decor.

Happy anniversary The Red Barn

Thu, Feb 26, 2009

The Red Barn wishes to thank all its customers who have supported the company throughout its nine years in business and its first year at its new premises. The company will offer 20 per cent off all items on the weekend of March 6 to celebrate its anniversary.

Trendy neutral colours

Thu, Feb 19, 2009

Neutral usually means without colour. Neutral colours such as beige, ivory, taupe, black, grey, and white appear to be without colour, yet they often have undertones of colour. Be aware of these undertones as you match colours or choose paint. For example, beige might have an undertone of pink, tan, or gold. White might be slightly ivory, yellow, bluish, or peachy.

A natural, glam, and ethnic 2009

Thu, Feb 12, 2009

If we believe the weather forecasts, this summer will be one the hottest in the century so this year’s trends are bang on with weather predictions — the colours and patterns in fabrics and wallpapers will be bright, bold, and floral. The second set of trends will be a return to classicism and period looks.

Get a natural night’s sleep with Coco-Mat

Thu, Feb 12, 2009

Galwegian Eric Brennan has returned to his hometown with his wife Sabien and baby daughter Orla to bring 100% natural and hypoallergenic sleep and furniture products to Galway. It was while living in Amsterdam for the last seven years that Eric first came into contact with Coco-Mat. Gripped by the company’s philosophy towards nature, the environment, and sustainability, he decided to acquire the licence for Ireland.

How to redecorate your home without breaking the bank

Thu, Feb 05, 2009

Ever flip through home design magazines and catalogues and dog-eared pages with the looks you like? Do you wish you could achieve that look in your own home without breaking the bank? If you are looking to redecorate your home without spending a fortune, here are some smart tips on how to get the look you want for less.

Great discounts at The Door Depot this weekend

Thu, Feb 05, 2009

The Door Depot will celebrate its first birthday in Galway tomorrow (Friday). As part of the Carroll group which has been in business for over 40 years, the company now employs in excess of 200 people nationwide, with locations in Dublin, Cork, Kells, Co Meath, Galway, Kilkenny, and Enniskillen.

Use trees to wrap your house in beauty, interest, and warmth

Thu, Jan 29, 2009

Trees bring a beauty and interest that changes through the seasons. They have a particular beauty at the moment when silhouetted against a bright winter sky, or when they glisten with frost on a cold winter morning. Watch them through spring as their buds develop, their new leaves emerge, and many break into flower. See their fruits grow through late summer and enjoy watching the birds feed on them. Many show a vibrant riot of colour in autumn, then one day the branches will be bare again as they sleep through winter.

Cotton Box completes fit-out of apartment development

Thu, Jan 29, 2009

Clarinbridge based interior design company, Cotton Box Design Group, has just completed the interior fit-out of the Cearnóg Nua development, Moycullen, which has been built and developed by Rhatigan Developments Ltd.

Outlook for furniture retail is positive

Thu, Jan 29, 2009

Ikea is the most recent company to announce the opening of a new store in 2009. The Ikea store is set to open on Monday July 27 in Ballymun in Dublin. In late December EZ Living at Terryland Retail Park opened up in a new location on the Tipperary road in Limerick.

Domestic Bliss

Thu, Jan 22, 2009

Help is at hand for sleep-deprived parents struggling to cope with their child's sleep problems.

Sleep or the lack of it often dominates the conversations of parents with young children, which is hardly surprising considering that up to 35 per cent of preschool children can have a persistent sleep problem. If you are feeling bleary-eyed from yet another night of interrupted sleep, you may be interested to know that a new sleep clinic, based in Kinvara, has been set up to help parents find a solution to their child's sleep problem.

Rollercoaster

Thu, Jan 22, 2009

The role grandparents play in a child's life is a very special one. With a lifetime of experience behind them, they can offer their grandchildren the gifts of wisdom, love, patience, and time.

The degree to which grandparents are involved in their grandchildren's lives can vary enormously depending on the family — some are very involved, particularly if they are relied upon for childcare, whereas for others contact may be more infrequent.

Grab some Denby at Anthony Ryan’s

Thu, Jan 22, 2009

Anthony Ryan’s homeware site www.shopcookware.ie is currently offering massive reductions on selected Denby ranges.

Massive reductions on kitchens at Surreal Designs showroom

Thu, Jan 22, 2009

Kitchen design company Surreal Designs has reduced to clear its last remaining showroom display kitchens prior to its new showroom renovation which is scheduled to be completed by the end of February.

How to choose a sofa

Thu, Jan 08, 2009

While it is important to get a sofa in just the right colour, it is just as important to get one that will last. Inexpensive furniture can break, pop springs, and look out of shape after a year of constant use. Quality construction will offer years of enjoyment and has enough good “bones” to allow you to recover it periodically.

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