Cottage-Style Yuletide Charm

When Ciara and her husband Gerard first stepped inside their 1933 double-fronted terraced house in Navan, they knew it had potential.

- EDITORIAL BY EMMA DEIGHAN. PHOTOGRAPHY BY PHILIP LAUTERBACH.

We actually got the keys on Christmas Eve 2013. It felt like fate considering how much I adore decorating for the festive season,' Ciara begins. The house began life as a classic 'two up, two down' property, but in 2017 the couple started a six-month renovation. They gutted the interior, added an extension that doubled the size, and created a bright, spacious three-bedroom home. Today, the heart of the house is the open-plan kitchen, living, and dining space, while the older rooms retain the cottage-like warmth of the original build. 'We were very conscious about preserving the character. I wanted the new spaces to feel modern and open, but still connected to the charm of the 1930s,' she continues.

Ciara describes her style as 'classic and enduring, with a cosy, welcoming feel.' Inspired by brands such as McGee & Co. and Neptune, she layers textures, mixes vintage and modern pieces, and adapts ideas to suit her family's lifestyle. 'Christmas is my absolute favourite time to decorate. I adore layering garlands, baubles, twinkling lights, and sentimental decorations. Hallmark Christmas movies in July are a definite inspiration!'

The home's red front door makes a striking first impression. 'It was intentional. It pays homage to the age of the property and also feels like a nod to my childhood, since I grew up with a red door too. It's cheerful, welcoming, and has become one of my favourite features,' Ciara reveals.