Interior style cracked on a holiday in China

The owner of Asian furniture shop Eminence, Fiona Barron, carries the style through to her own home in Blackrock, Co Dublin, writes Eoin Lyons

A room needs at least one piece of furniture that takes it out of the ordinary: art deco, Scandinavian; arts & crafts . . . whatever style you favour so long as the item is special.

For Asian furniture, Eminence in Sandycove, Co Dublin, is one place worth visiting.

Owner Fiona Barron sells antique and reproduction furniture sourced on trips to China, Tibet and Mongolia. They're the kind of objects that are practical but also make a room sing.

"Part of the appeal is that it works almost anywhere - it's great with contemporary furniture or antiques," says Fiona.

Originally from Foynes in Co Limerick, Fiona opened the shop after an inspiring holiday: "I was in the property management business for 10 years and a change was on the cards. I needed to take some time out and booked a trip to China."

By the end of her visit she'd fallen in love with traditional Chinese furniture and once back in Dublin began to educate herself about it.

Eminence opened three years ago. The best thing about the shop is that prices are accessible: "I want things to be within most people's reach," she says. She hand picks the furniture at out-of-the-way markets or directly from craftspeople and takes an ethical approach, paying a fair price and, as far as possible, safeguarding against child labour. "It's something people want reassurance about. I'm choosing everything myself so I see how and where the new pieces are made."

In the kitchen of Fiona's home, a 1920s cottage in Blackrock, the units are painted a restful shade of green. This colour is used throughout the house but in various tones, so it never becomes overwhelming.

"I have green on the brain. Even the exterior of the house is green."

Fiona recommends Brian Barry of Architectural Woodwork and Design in Newbridge, who made and fitted the units. "He's great for traditional kitchens."

Beside a door to the yard, is a pair of green Wellington boots. "I got these on a trip to Glasgow. It's funny but so many people remark on them before anything else."

Also in the kitchen is a money tree - a rubbery leaved potted plant. "I"ve been growing it with plenty of care and attention. My mother gave me a cutting and I grew it from there. No Lotto wins yet however."

The sink was bought at Davies in Malahide and is unusual because looks something like a Belfast sink but has a drainer combined.

More green in the bathroom: a poster bought at the Van Gogh Museum in Amsterdam. "Always have a poster dry mounted and sealed. If you just put in a frame it won't last, particularly in a bathroom."

In the main bedroom, purple velvet and silk cushions provide another Asian touch, as does the A-line wardrobe.

In the hall, another example of how Asian pieces can be mixed: a Victorian-style lamp stands on a narrow Chinese table.

In the living room, an early 19th century lacquered cabinet is used to store books and CDs. "Pieces like this are very popular because they're beautiful but also practical and hard wearing - you don't need to worry about it, it's not a delicate antique."

On top is a battered brass lamp with parchment shade and in front is a 1930s chair that belongs to Fiona's boyfriend. The walls in this room are another shade of green. "It's Farrow & Ball's Old White, which is actually a very light green. I like the colour because it's soft, calming and a muted backdrop for the dark furniture."

Also in the living room, above a cast-iron chimney piece is a reproduction of a Burmese mirror. "You wouldn't think the two would sit together easily, but they do. Characteristics of Burmese pieces are the darkness and density of the elm wood and the feminine curving shapes at the top."

On a side table is a tiny figure made from bone. "These are very popular in the East. I picked it up in Hong Kong at a little market on a side street. This one is scarped and stained with ink. It's just a little quirky thing I love."

[ www.eminence.ie ]