When Pamela, an accountant and her partner Tom, a farmer, built this house in 2010, near Fethard, Co. Tipperary, it was very much designed for them as a couple. Over the past 12 years and three beautiful girls later, Sadie, nine, April, seven, and Heidi, five, the couple realised that the layout that suited the two of them was not so perfect for their growing family.
The layout of the kitchen was no longer working for us, it's an open-plan kitchen living room, so we looked at the option of building another room as a den and just having one large space for the kitchen.
I really wanted a larger, more functional kitchen, a space where the children could do their homework and we could sit and do arts and crafts, without always having to move items to set the table for dinner,' explains Pamela.
After watching many interior programs Pamela came to the realisation that she didn't need any extra floor space, she just needed to improve on the layout of the existing kitchen living area. My brief was a 'Studio McGee' makeover - along with most of Ireland, I had been glued to the transformation interiors show 'Dream Home Makeover'! I turned to Emma O' Sullivan of EK Design, who I had been following for some time on Instagram, to help me realise my dream,' says Pamela.
After a lot of discussions and FaceTime tours due to the Covid restrictions, Emma and Pamela knew they were working from the same hymn sheet, they both dismissed the idea of any expensive building work and concentrated on the reconfiguration of the existing space. 'Our style was very similar, we both share a love of New England style interiors, shiplap and bright airy spaces, so I knew the finished look would be exactly what I wanted,' says Pamela. Her brief to Emma was to incorporate as much storage as possible, 'I wanted the day-to-day items to be easily accessible,' explains Pamela.
This story is from the September 2022 edition of Ireland's Homes Interiors & Living Magazine.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the September 2022 edition of Ireland's Homes Interiors & Living Magazine.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
Look up!
This issue our gardening expert Conrad McCormick focuses on climbing plants.
#madeinireland
Support local and add a little artistry and originality into your home with this month's pick of Irish brands and makers.
My Home: Dundalk
Ceramicist Sarah McKenna tells us more about the place she calls home.
Ciao Sicily
This month Marty O'Neill takes us to the historic and picturesque island of Sicily.
Contemporary Class
This Belfast home needed a contemporary kitchen scheme that was functional, durable and made best use of the existing space.
Total Transformation
A complete renovation of this period-style home in Co. Down allowed the owners to create the kitchen they had always wanted.
A Family Connection
Embracing biophilic design combined with bold colour gives this home a unique look that’s easy on the eye and functions perfectly for a busy family of four.
AWARD WINNING KITCHENS
Direct Wholesale Kitchens has just been named as Kitchen Supplier of the Year at the Midlands 103 Customer Service Awards for the fourth year running. We take a closer look at the company’s winning ways and discover the key to its success.
Meeting The Brief
This large home in Holywood, Co. Down was given the all-star treatment thanks to design expert Kunal Trehan.
Lakeside Retreat
Mairead and John’s summer home on Lake Winnipesaukee, New Hampshire draws inspiration from its stunning unspoilt surroundings, with natural materials and textures enhancing its effortlessly cool New England vibe.
