INTERIORS:Whether it's an aged mirror effect, 1950s-style US furniture or unusual flooring, it's the small details that contribute to a sense of good design, writes Eoin Lyons.
A whiter shade of pale
Colm Dunphy, an architect with Henry J Lyons and Partners, used pale, almost white, Polyflor flooring supplied by Declan O'Loughlin (087-2253745; www.polyflor.com) throughout his apartment in Dublin. This vinyl material is hardwearing, soft underfoot and easy to clean. In a small apartment, it's best to use the same flooring throughout and a light shade obviously makes the space seem larger.
"I chose it because I wanted to look outside the box and choose flooring other than wood," says Dunphy. The material makes for a sleek, seamless look. Scratches can be polished off and unlike with wood, no heel indentation occurs. It's available in every neutral colour as well as black and bright shades. It costs a reasonable €30 per square metre for supply and fit.
United States of interiors
Killian McNulty has been running Historic Interiors for the past 14 years, specialising in hiring furniture to film, theatre and ad production companies. He has a 1,860sq m warehouse in Lusk crammed with amazing furniture and artefacts and has now set up a second business called Mid-Century Online.
McNulty is importing classic US designer furniture from the 1950s to the 1980s which can be viewed by appointment at the warehouse. What's interesting is that this furniture will not have been available in Ireland before. At the moment he has lots of chrome, perspex, glass and bright-coloured fabrics. Prices start around €500.
"European design is well-catered for in Ireland, so with this furniture I am catering for those who want the Hollywood-Regency style or a New York loft look in their homes. It's excellent quality and will appeal to those who have a sense of fun," says McNulty. He handpicks the furniture on buying trips and at auctions throughout the US.
Mirror, mirror on the wall
Richard O'Toole and Peter Carroll of Fassbinder & English, makers of fantastically well-detailed furniture, have created a new range of mirrored finishes that can be applied in panelled sections to interior walls. There are several variations that involve raw silver leaf on mirrored glass or silver layered over corroded mirrored glass. The effect is aged, opulent and so much more interesting than a plain mirror.
While obviously not for functional use, this mirrored glass could be used to reflect light and space - it's about creating atmosphere. Prices start at €300 per square metre, depending on the panel size and type of glass cut and finish required. A mirrored wall can be seen at the Fassbinder & English showroom.
17 Lower Leeson Street, Dublin 2. 01-6617678; www.fassbinderenglish.com
A decade of Euro-style
Interior Image is celebrating its 10th anniversary. Sisters Sian and Ruth Clendennen sell furniture from Italy and Spain and offer an interior design service from a large showroom in Park West, near the Longmile Road. Their furniture is contemporary and affordable, and somewhat unusually, they always have plenty in stock (ie no six-week wait for delivery). To celebrate the anniversary they're having a sale with some good discounts.
A B&B Italia-inspired leather armchair was €1,300 and is now €1,000, a chrome and leather dining chair available in cream or chocolate was €325 and is now €245; and a dark oak and fabric chair was €350, now €260. There's 10 per cent off everything in the showroom and more off many items. It's also worth a visit to see their new ranges that include high-gloss modular units from Italy, a luxury range of rugs from Belgium and a new Danish range specialising in dining tables and chairs.
Interior Image, Park West Business Park, Dublin 12; 01-6205558; www.interiorimage.ie