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The owner of this Wicklow home was originally planning to give their home a bit of a spruce-up, and had contacted Rhatigan & Hick about replacing their kitchen island. However, as co-founder Ed Rhatigan explains, these plans soon became larger.
“Collette Ward Interiors were involved from the start, and when myself and Collette were in the house for our first client meeting, we soon realised that a quick fix wasn’t really going to make much of a difference. It took a few site meetings to really work out how to approach the design, but the great thing was, because we were both working together, there was a much better continuity throughout the whole house. Doors were blocked up, some of the old stone walls were covered over with wall panelling, and new floor finishes were introduced.”
“Collette has a wonderful way of adding colour and character,” Ed says. “It’s all about fun and longevity with the finishes and materials with Collette Ward. Everything looks good but stands up to the heavy traffic that this kind of home has to deal with. The kitchen worktops are mind-blowingly beautiful, but because we used marble-effect porcelain from GraniteTops.ie, they are pretty much bombproof. The extra pops of colour from the wall paper was cool, but cleverly used in places where they are seen, but outside of the high-traffic spaces.”
Another successful element, Ed explains was the new built-in cabinetry for the TV. “The TV is enormous and looked totally out of place before, but the client loved it and wanted to keep it for watching equestrian and other sporting events. I think by redesigning the cabinetry and panelling and then painting everything there dark, it helps absorb the bulk of the TV.”
The finished space feels completely different. “There’s a beautiful warmth and fresh atmosphere now and also a very tactile feel,” Ed says. “The fabrics on the furniture are luxurious, yet practical.”
Photography: Brian MacLochlainn
