In this episode of the Interiors Podcast, Tanya Neufeld welcomes back Rachel Farrelly of Farrelly & Co.
To catch up on the first episode with this guest, listen to Episode 32, Everything youneed to know about paint.
They discuss the nuances of paint colours, focusing on neutrals and their impact on interior design.
Rachel and Tanya address colour drenching, double-drenching, and interesting ways to paint woodwork in complementary, tonal or contrasting colours depending on the aesthetic you want to achieve.
The conversation covers the evolution of colour trends over the last 20-30 years, the importance of understanding undertones, and how to achieve impact if bold colour just isn't your thing.
The Interiors Podcast is brought to you by Farrelly & Co, Ireland's premium painting company.
To learn more about their full suite of painting services, colour consultations and paint colours, please visit https://farrellyandco.com/pod
Takeaways
In this conversation, host and interior designer Tanya Neufeld Flanagan and Ola Jordan from Irish retailer EZ Living Ola Jordan discuss preparing your home for the Christmas season.
Rather than thinking about cliched tropes such as adding knick knacks to every surface, Tanya and Ola break down a few steps to using the holiday period as an impetus to finish out some spaces you may be holding back on.
They discuss decluttering and getting smart with storage furniture, like footstools and ottoman beds. Next Tanya and Ola discuss how to complete spaces that might be missing an armchair or side table, a properly sized rug or a console, easily sourced via EZ Living Furniture's ample, affordable and in-stock range in a world of long lead times.
Once spaces are decluttered (or least box away the clutter!), and missing furniture added, it's time to explore layering decor items before you unbox all the ornaments. Essential styling items may feel like odd purchases by themselves -- things like bowls, vases and mirrors -- which help spaces from feeling bare. These are the foundations before you add holiday decor.
Tanya and Ola emphasize the value of incorporating everyday pieces into Christmas decor, choosing the right size tree, and mixing different shapes, materials and sizes of ornaments. Additionally, they highlight the benefits of in-person shopping and sentimental and bespoke decorations to enhance the festive spirit.
In the end, it's about getting some motivation to finish out spaces we want to use with friends and family, and taking the stress out of it, and making the holiday decor tie in with your own aesthetic and lifestyle, and having fun with it.
Takeaways
About this episode's sponsor, EZ Living Furniture
EZ Living Furniture was founded in 1998 by the Dilleen brothers from the West of Ireland, driven by a shared desire to make quality furniture accessible to everyone in Ireland. Starting with just one shop in Galway, our unwavering commitment to quality and value quickly set us apart from competitors. Word spread fast, and our reputation grew, attracting customers from near and far who sought out well-crafted furniture and home essentials.
Today, EZ Living Furniture is proudly recognised as Ireland’s largest furniture retailer, with 22 stores nationwide and counting. We also have an award-winning online presence and an extensive catalogue offering everything from stylish living room sofas to elegant dining tables, comfortable mattresses, practical home accessories, and seasonal items such as garden furniture and Christmas décor.
The Interiors Podcast is brought to you by Farrelly & Co, Ireland's premium painting company. To learn more about their full suite of painting services, colour consultations and paint colours, please visit https://farrellyandco.com/pod
A special bonus episode featuring snippets from the top 5 episodes from The Interior Podcast's first 50 episodes since launching in 2022.
These feature Susan McGowan of Ashen & Cloud, Eilish Rickard Interiors and Po McNamee (all interior designers) and builders/QS/engineer respectively, Shay Lally of Houses to Restore and Kieran McCarthy who you may know from RTE's Cheap Irish Homes.
Have a listen, find the original episodes if you like what you hear, and please subscribe, share and stay tuned as we continue with our new weekly cadence!
Host and interior designer Tanya Neufeld Flanagan discusses the emotional challenges of home renovations, offering insights into managing stress, burnout, and relationships during the process.
She shares her own personal experience renovating a Georgian protected structure as well as practical advice on navigating the stress and expectatons from the very beginning of your home journey through to snagging.
Takeaways
Sound bites
Chapters
In this episode, Tanya Neufeld Flanagan interviews Grace McNally from McNally Joinery, discussing the importance of joinery in interior design and architecture.
They explore the evolution of McNally Joinery, the services offered, the design process, and the benefits of bespoke joinery. Grace shares insights on material choices, the significance of specialization, and the collaboration with clients and other trades.
The conversation highlights the value of investing in key joinery pieces and the unique aspects of timber compared to other materials. Grace also discusses exciting current projects and encourages listeners to reach out for bespoke joinery solutions.
Takeaways
Sound bites
"Specialization is key in joinery."
"Bespoke means the sky's the limit."
"Don't be ashamed to ask for a price."
Chapters
00:00 Introduction to Joinery and McNally Joinery
03:09 Specialization in External Joinery
07:40 Design Process and Client Collaboration
11:12 Combining Materials and Collaborating with Other Trades
12:12 Benefits of Bespoke Joinery
15:02 Investment in Key Joinery Pieces
16:21 Material Choices for Bespoke Joinery
18:57 Timber vs. Metal in Joinery
22:53 Weatherproofing and Structural Integrity
29:18 The Aesthetic and Emotional Value of Timber
30:54 Choosing the Right Materials for Durability
32:11 Understanding MDF vs. Solid Timber
33:59 Timber Selection for Internal Doors
36:16 The Role of Veneering in Joinery
41:03 Exciting Projects: A Unique Front Door
43:16 The Impact of Bespoke Joinery on Space
45:04 Managing Staircase Changes in Renovations
47:20 Getting Started with Your Joinery Project
50:08 Understanding Lead Times for Custom Work
53:31 The Importance of Budget Conversations
In this mini episode of the Interiors Podcast amidst a choatic move, interior designer and host Tanya Neufeld Flanagan discusses the five biggest misconceptions about interior design.
She emphasizes that interior design is not just a luxury for the wealthy, but a crucial aspect of improving quality of life and maximizing space.
The conversation covers the importance of understanding the true nature of interior design, which goes beyond mere aesthetics to include functionality, budget considerations, and the need for a cohesive design strategy.
Takeaways
In this episode, host and interior designer Tanya Neufeld Flanagan shares her extensive journey of designing her kitchen, which has been three years in the making.
She discusses the importance of functionality in kitchen design, the challenges faced during the process, and how design decisions were influenced by the architecture of her home.
Tanya emphasizes the need for a kitchen that not only serves its purpose but also complements the overall aesthetic of the house. She provides insights into the workflow of the kitchen, the significance of the kitchen triangle, and the creative solutions she implemented to maximize space and storage.
Takeaways
Timestamps
00:00 The Kitchen Design Journey
09:47 Creating a Functional Space
19:52 Final Design Considerations
In this episode of the Interiors Podcast, host Tanya Neufeld Flanagan interviews Domhnall O Gairbhi from Acquired.ie, a specialist in mid-century modern furniture.
They discuss Domhnall's journey into the world of vintage design, and the nuances of sourcing and restoring unique pieces.
The conversation also explores the differences between Scandinavian and Italian midcentury design, the significance of statement pieces, and how to incorporate vintage elements into modern interiors.
In addition to the website, Domhnall's Acquired.ie have a showroom based in Stradbally, Co. Laois which is by appointment, and Donal's latest venture is a collaboration with the Roisin Lafferty Gallery on Fitzwilliam Square.
Timestamps
00:00 Introduction to Acquired.ie and Domhnall O'Garvey
03:05 The Journey into Mid-Century Modern Design
07:01 Understanding the Market and Sourcing
11:28 The Aesthetic of Mid-Century Modern vs. Traditional Furniture
13:03 Regional Differences in Mid-Century Design
15:48 The Sourcing Process and Building Networks
22:19 Restoration and Customization of Vintage Pieces
26:45 Personalized Sourcing and Client Collaboration
30:54 The Importance of Quality and Presentation
34:45 The Role of Statement Pieces in Interior Design
38:30 Mixing Different Woods and Styles
40:26 Exploring Different Furniture Types
53:23 Collaboration with Roisin Lafferty Gallery
57:39 Final Thoughts on Vintage and Mid-Century Design
In this episode of The Interiors Podcast, host and interior designer Tanya Neufeld Flanagan interviews Jenny Balfe, social worker, mother of three and self-builder behind the @building_willow_cottage Instagram account.
Jenny and her husband have successfully self-built their dream family home in Wexford, 3km from Rosslare aided by their contractors, Next Level Construction.
In this episode, Jenny dives into how and why they opted to build and their journey to finding their site, including working with local planning authorities, evaluating county development plans and testing a site's drainage quality.
She worked closely with an architect technician to help identify the kind of home they could afford, and walks us through the revisions to the plans and sacrifices made along the way.
One of the key takeaways in the conversation centres on how the reduction in their bungalow's footprint allowed for the house to meet their brief while still ensuring they could have the finishes they wanted - a mistake many make when stretching themselves perhaps to have a larger house for the sake of it.
Jenny and her husband were able to design a home that suited their family's needs after renting for a long time and ideating on what their ideal home would look like, especially as their children ranged from 5 to 13 years old while they lived on-site in a mobile while building.
In the redesign process, Jenny talks about reducing bedroom size and number of bathrooms they actually needed, and how to ensure you have separate spaces for your family, plus some of the downfalls of open plan living.
We walk through some of the grants and the build process itself, why Jenny opted for a contractor versus the direct labour route which can offer savings but requires a lot more hands-on work and knowledge, as well as limited access to trades during times in which labour can be hard to find.
All this journey is amidst the backdrop of Ireland's housing crisis, and Jenny's self-build experience shows how buying a site and building a house from scratch can be done really effectively, achieving great value, and a home that fits your needs perfectly. It requires a lot of research and in-depth work on floorplans, and a lot of gumption.
Follow Jenny @building_willow_cottage to learn more about all her self-build and get helpful tips on everything from self-build mortgages to help with refining layouts.
Follow interior designer and host Tanya @tanyaneufeldflanagan and at the podcast's Instagram @theinteriorspodcast.
Welcome back to The Interiors Podcast! Today, Tanya is chatting design pet peeves with her friend Jenny, founder of Jennifer Anne Interiors. The two go on and on about their biggest interior design pet peeves.
This episode hopefully inspires and challenges you to look around in your space, and see where you can make some small and affordable adjustments.
They start off discussing materiality pet peeves in homes. The materials chosen for a home can make a huge difference, from tile, porelain, and wood. Often people will opt for the fake version of a certain material, without realizing how it can dull and 'cheapen' a space. There are certain materials that are meant to have wear and tear, and some that will not actually last as long.
They then go into the pet peeve of poorly designed kitchens. Both have seen very impractical and lazy kitchen designs. There are a lot of design mistakes that people make, such as excess bulky cupboards, or a washing machine in the kitchen. We spend a lot of time in our kitchens, and Jenny and Tanya give a lot of great tips to make sure the space does not end up getting cluttered and busy.
They also discuss how fashion and certain trends have started to take over, and people have lost their sense of personal style. They encourage people to really think through a certain choice when paying for something. Will it last long? Do they actually like it? Does it reflect their style?
Photographs, rugs, cushions, and blankets. They discuss it all. Where they should be placed, better fabric options, all things to think about when designing. (And no, you don't need that Dior coffee tabel book!)
This discussion is not intended to offend or make anyone feel like they have to make huge changes to their space if they have some of the mentioned designs already. Jenny and Tanya have seen loads of design mistakes, and they want people to be aware of them, while giving more practical choices, while encouraging them to stay true to their own personal style.