Colour Splash

A riot of vibrant hues and brave design choices rule in Roisin andConor’s period property home, all surrounded by lush planting.

- Claudia Baillie

Fresh out of design college, back in 2010, Roisin Lafferty took on what seemed to be an overwhelming and challenging project. Little did she know that the historic Georgian property she signed up to renovate (along with her then business partner Susanna Kingston) would one day become home to her and boyfriend Conor O’Riain.

The house, which belongs to Conor’s parents, had been rented out for 20 years before they decided they wanted to tidy up the space and add a simple extension. ‘It was built in 1817, so was brimming with history and I felt it had so much more potential,’ says Roisin. ‘Before Susanna and I knew it, things really escalated and suddenly, despite our lack of experience, we were managing what turned out to be a massive job,’ adds Roisin, who was armed with degrees covering interior architecture, furniture, product and spatial design.

‘The biggest challenge of the project was the structural aspect,’ admits Roisin, ‘and then I felt very much out of my depth.’ The engineer pointed out that the centre of the house was sinking, so it had to be propped and raised, which opened up a can of worms. ‘As the house is in a conservation area, there were countless restrictions and planning applications to deal with,’ she says.