It is clear Nina draws her inspiration from positively transforming people’s lives. Her expertise in her field is outstanding, and her ability to provide a vision of what could be and transform it into reality is amazing

RACHEL D (CO WICKLOW)

Brief

I was asked to use my feng shui interior design skills with this property in line with the client’s brief; he had seen the interiors I created for the RTE Show House programme and wanted a similar wow look, premium materials and a few unique features. The home was going to need to accommodate his adult family, entertaining and regular overnight guests.

Scope

I became involved in the two-and-a-half-year project before the first brick was laid. This allowed me to make pre-construction changes to the design of the house, as well as handle any changes to the interior if required during the build. The budget for the interior alone was in excess of €200k.

Details

This 3-storey house was so big there was no need for the uniformity that is often employed in small properties to create a sense of spaciousness. Instead, I could treat each space uniquely by creating different moods and effects in each room.

To ensure the interiors were warm, welcoming and comfortable I used soft rich winter berry colours but kept pattern to a minimum so textural elements could be appreciated. With large rooms it is tempting to fill them with lots of large overwhelming furniture pieces dotted everywhere, but I avoided doing this to emphasise the architecture of the spaces.

The view of the surrounding landscape and coastline across the bay is just breath taking during the day, but at night there is nothing to see so the bespoke lighting schemes create layers of lighting that transform the house after dusk.

On the ground level in the centre of the custom designed teak and glass staircase there is a unique cable light feature that is attached to the floor at the bottom of the stairwell and spans the whole way up to the second storey ceiling. In the conservatory a custom ceiling feature has miniature twinkling lights in the formation of the Catherine wheel with the surrounding stars of the night sky. Most of the light fixtures in the house were of crystal glass and in the hall the wall lights were constructed of accordion pleated papyrus. The statement fireplace in the sitting room resembles the bowed shape of a boat’s sail.

On the lower level, in the master bedroom there is a huge statement size feature headboard handmade and hand stitched using silk, and custom made silk drapes and silk organza voiles for privacy, to prevent fading and to soften the light. There is a dry sauna in the dressing room, and a double-ended double-width bath with a waterfalll filler and rainfall shower head in the master ensuite.

On the top floor, full height partition walls were built to create walk-in wardrobes behind the headboards in two of the bedrooms and fitted out with open hanging systems with suspended drawer units. Statement size feature headboards are upholstered in silk and framed to emphasise them. In the ensuites baths have underwater jets and lights, and walk-in showers with flush trays and fast flow traps, necessary for a high pressure system.

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