HnH_5_11-cover no spine:HnH_03_07-OFC new 20/04/2011 18:55 Page 1 home HOUSE AND 10 IR 0 IS % H TM MAY/JUNE 2011 €3.95 (Stg£2.70) MAD FOR IT WE CAN’T GET ENOUGH OF THE FABULOUS FIFTIES HOT HOT HOT... UPGRADE YOUR OUTDOORS THIS MODERN LIFE THE WAY WE LIVE NOW, REDEFINED » PLUS NEW SEASON WALLPAPERS DIY PANELLING BUDGET MAKEOVER SHOPPING FOR OVENS join us online Meet us online at www.houseandhome.ie 32IRISH HOMES PAGES OF GORGEOUS ALL YOUR IRISH SOURCING FOR THE PERFECT NEST HnH_5_11-p66-70:Layout 1 20/04/2011 18:18 Page 66 In the living room, the industrial coffee table (€585, Industry) really sets the tone. A jumble of accessories such as the large metal letters, vintage birdcage, crate boxes and old cameras achieve the eclectic, loft-style vibe Vanessa envisioned. These unusual and eye-catching things, coupled with John’s own pieces and newlysourced objects, add personality to the apartment’s decor INDUSTRIAL RELATIONS When it came to giving a bland bachelor pad an injection of style and character, Vanessa met a few challenges: the limited budget, the fact it was a rented property and that the ‘bachelor’ in question was also her boyfriend... PHOTOGRAPHY: MAC INNES PHOTOGRAPHY WORDS: NAOIMH WILKINS 66 HnH_5_11-p66-70:Layout 1 20/04/2011 18:19 Page 67 MAKEOVER C an relationships and renovations happily mix? Designing the home of a loved one has the potential for high stress, arguments about paint choices and fabric swatches, and a downright misinterpretation of the tastes of the other. So, it takes a braver woman than most to voluntarily revamp their boyfriend’s pad. Interior designer Vanessa Mac Innes did just that. “Updating John’s apartment was an exciting challenge. The basics were there to make it stunning, but it just lacked pizzazz. I guess it was mutually beneficial in the end. He got a new living space and I enjoyed spending time there more than I had before.” With a very limited budget of just €2,000, Vanessa had to pull a few tried and tested tricks out of the bag. As owner of Industry, the eclectic concept furniture store in Dublin’s Temple Bar, where she sells a selection of upstyled vintage pieces, statement homewares and unusual accessories, Vanessa had the designer edge. The first task was to charm the landlord into removing the current furniture, leaving Vanessa with the clean slate she needed to achieve the New York loft look she wanted. Next, the space was updated with a lick of paint. “Although I like the feeling of fresh white walls, I also felt it was important to bring definition to the apartment by choosing key areas (the hall, kitchen and the mezzanine wall) to paint in complementary colours.” In choosing the paint shades, The project The project Revamping a characterless apartment to give it more personality, turning this tired space into contemporary living quarters The key challenges: Creating a home that truly reflected the dweller’s tastes, despite it being a rented property; furnishing an empty apartment on a limited budget The budget: Around €2,000 The time it took: About two weeks, with the final bits and pieces added over subsequent months May 2011 » HOUSE AND home 67 HnH_5_11-p66-70:Layout 1 68 20/04/2011 18:19 Page 68 HnH_5_11-p66-70:Layout 1 20/04/2011 18:20 Page 69 MAKEOVER Vanessa took into account the flooring, tiling and kitchen fittings that were already in place as these couldn’t be changed. She picked Thunderstorm, a dusty blue grey by Colortrend, for the kitchen. “I felt the high ceiling, open plan design and white walls of the living room meant we could experiment with a darker, contrasting colour in the adjoining kitchen.” For both the hall and mezzanine wall, a darker navy blue was selected from the same palette. John himself had accumulated a couple of key pieces, such as the brown leather and corduroy sofa, the dining table and the Eames DSR chairs, as well as some key pieces of artwork and the bed. This meant Vanessa could use the budget for smaller items that would lend the space a new look without major financial investment. “There’s no point in spending on items in a rental property that might not suit a future home. Instead we took a trip to IKEA to buy a few temporary pieces. We went for a white shelving unit, a yellow geometric print rug and the grey cabinet.” Vanessa found that mixing these inexpensive items with John’s own furniture created the contemporary interior she was after: the definite touches of a female designer hand in a way that doesn’t frighten the menfolk. The final test, of course, would be whether or not John himself could live happily with the results. “We were both delighted with the comfortable, eclectic, loft style look we achieved, especially since it was all done on such a limited spend.” It just shows what can be accomplished with a lick of paint, some treasured junk and a fun approach to interiors. « As the kitchen is compact, Vanessa introduced additional storage with a freestanding shelving unit and a wallmounted shelf for pots and casserole dishes. The blackboard is a quirky addition for reminders and shopping lists. In the bedroom,Vanessa used this metal pocket board (€195, Industry) as a functional focal point. “It’s handy for hanging up your bag and scarf at the end of a hard day rather than leaving them strewn across the bed.” online extra For more bold makeovers see www.houseandhome.ie May 2011 » HOUSE AND home 69 HnH_5_11-p66-70:Layout 1 20/04/2011 18:20 Page 70 MAKEOVER Simple bed linen, quirky cushions and a luxe wool throw add texture to a simple look Vanessa’s advice for nestifying your home » Invest in good quality key pieces and add personality with temporary extras that can be replaced or added to as more funds become available. » If you live in a rented property, consider elements that can’t be changed such as flooring and tiling when choosing paint colours. Always get sample pots before committing to a colour so you can do a test patch in advance. » Accessories and artwork are essential for adding interest to plain spaces. Remember everything doesn’t need to be bought in one week - collect interesting items over time. They’ll add individuality and uniqueness to your home. For an interior design consultation with Vanessa contact her at 01 613 9111 or [email protected]. Industry, 5 Smock Alley, Essex St West, Cows Lane, Temple Bar, Dublin 8, www.industrydesign.ie. 70