Like the look of this week's houses? Alanna Gallaghershows how it's done.
Apricot-coloured Louis 14th-style armchairs in the principal reception room of Speranza create a lush addition to the property's colourscape. As every woman over a certain age knows, this is a shade that flatters the skin - and it works the same kind of soft-focus magic on period interiors.
They were supplied by Helen Roden and Joseph Ensko of Merrion Square Interiors (01-6761173).
Another rich touch in this house is the tailor-made wine cellar. It was installed by Spiral Wine Cellars in Oxfordshire, England (+44 845 241 2768), a company which has featured in Kevin McCloud's Grand Designs. Expect the cost to be in the region of €22,000 ex delivery. For something similar closer to home, if you don't fancy the disruption of digging down, try Febvre Wines (01-2959030), which has installed cooling and racking systems in many high-end homes as well as commercial projects such as Ely Wine Bar at CHQ in Dublin.
"Interest in a dedicated room for wine storage has increased 200 per cent in the last 12 months," says Febvre's John Taylor. Oenophiles can expect to pay from €5,000-€10,000 for an off-the-shelf solution while bespoke designs can cost as much as €30,000-€40,000.
The clubhouse mood of Jamestown in Co Westmeath is opulent, excessive and delightful - and there is space in this restored 18th-century house to indulge it. The mood is created by leather club chairs in the library, travels into the formal sittingroom and on into the north wing, right, which is the owner's imposing bedroom.
The triple-height space has exposed granite walls and a fine, duck-egg blue Persian rug to keep tootsies from the more extreme examples of the midlands winter. Bonham's or Christie's are the first ports of call for something similar.
The central furnishing theme is based on the traditional Chesterfield sofa. The house is home to several rib-Chester deep-buttoned sofas which punctuate the accommodation and reception rooms - all in classic racing green.
The look is suave and sophisticated but also able to endure the odd red Burgundy spillage and other such party knocks that a property of this scale requires. The owner got his from Paddy Kehoe's Pottery Barn in Mullingar (044-934 5225). Expect to pay from €2,500 for something similar. The matching chairs cost in the region of €1,500 each.
Bookworms should rejoice in the fact that a library is now an essential element of any on-trend home - and this house has a super looking design on a grand scale on view. The L-shaped bookcases conceal a secret door that leads directly to the kitchen, excellent for casual entertaining.
The joinery is inlaid with gold. Executed by since-retired Ciaran O'Brien, the owner highly recommends Ray Simmons (087-9794211) who specialises in libraries and dressingrooms creating work of a similar calibre.
The barrel-vaulted roof light at Invergarry makes the dining area of the house exceptionally bright. Norman Pratt Conservatories (046-943 5166) can do a similar style of roof light as pictured in Invergarry for approximately €30,000.
They say the large conservatory area with feature roof is a €180,000-plus project, subject to site conditions.
Pale oak parquet flooring in a herringbone design sets a classic tone throughout. Floor Design (01-623 4157) can supply and fit such a floor for approximately €100 per square metre. Keep the floor looking newly laid by preventative maintenance is the company's advice. Pads on all furniture bases and a mat outside rather than inside the front door will help keep most problems at bay.
The room's wicker furniture is ample and perfect lounge material. Try Seagreen in Monkstown (01-202 0130) where you can order something similar but swisher. Their Fred Astaire lounge sofa is priced from €3,950, (depending on fabric), the matching armchair is from €1,495 while the Belgrave chair is from €750. Delivery takes six to eight weeks.
The livingroom of the show apartment at The Village in Rathborne was created by Nicola Pollard (086-8565110) of Pollard Design.
It features a cream chenille David chair, price €827, from Duff Tisdall (01-4541355/8558070), a Mito sofa with satinised steel legs in aubergine chenille, sourced from Lomi Design (01-8397001), price €5,400 and a devore velvet finish to the floor rug, also from Duff Tisdall.
The sage green metallic wallpaper on the feature wall is one of Today Interiors Riva Collection, available through Pollard Design at €70 per roll and strikes a strong colour contrast to the sofa.
Plaid curtains in a Casamance fabric, also from Pollard Design, price €80 per metre, soften the steel and glass elements. The Bib, a ladder-style book case from Duff Tisdall, price €495, is in oak or walnut.
The artwork on the wall is by Jason Lawless, Limehouse Art (0874114694).
