Shopfront/Eoin Lyons: The Collection is a new interiors shop launching next week in Rathgar village. Owner Kate Connolly decided to open the shop after 12 years at home raising her children.

Her impressive shop stretches over two floors of a redbrick building and stocks furniture - made up into room settings - alongside bed linen (for adults and children) and accessories (mirrors trimmed with guinea fowl feathers) of her own design.

"There's no particular style to the shop, it's a mix of individual things," she says, "but downstairs, you could say it's classic contemporary with African touches, while upstairs is a 'shabby chic' look." She will also stock her own range of toiletries and offer a custom service on sofas and other furnishings. Prices aren't excessively expensive.

"I'm aiming at the middle market - affordable furniture that is good value. People who travel know what you can get at good prices abroad but the problem is getting it back."

The Collection, 99a Rathgar Road, Dublin 6