We asked the nation’s favourite architect about the things he’d like to improve in his own home…
What room in your own home would you like to improve?
The utility; the hardest working room in the house. If you can get a machine room for the house working well, everything else falls into place and stress is reduced.
What makes a house a home?
People. A house is really an envelope for the relationships that happen within. Always prioritise your needs as individuals and for gatherings. A great house is one that can nurture you, providing refuge from the world, give you head space, gather a family together, serve you and your family’s needs. Always start with how you want the house to make you feel as opposed to how it looks.
What’s your most important room at home?
The kitchen. It’s the informal space where life happens.
How do you deal with clutter?
I don’t! I try not to buy things unless they are very useful or I really love them but I’m the biggest hoarder in my family and by far the worst offender in the house. I don’t mind it but I think my actions bother all the rest them!
What’s the wall colour you tend to lean most towards?
White; timeless and the colour comes from the views outside and my clutter within!
Your most important household appliance?
Coffee machine.
Where’s your favourite place to shop for interiors bits?
Online auctions like De Veres, there are some great design auctions throughout the year and there’s the thrill of not knowing whether you have it or not. Ireland has a great design community with some fantastic independent shops. We always put a suppliers list on the website after the show and many people are surprised where we find the furniture and objects.
What’s the biggest home trend you expect to see this year?
Moodier and more intimate spaces. As we are shifting back to more normal lifestyles after the pandemic, the home is becoming a retreat again.
It’s so easy to go over budget, how do you make smart changes to stay under?
Compromise on what you choose, legwork and buy in sales. Have budget figures and stick to them. But if you find something you fall in love with on the journey and you can afford the uplift, buy it, don’t have regrets!
If you could live anywhere else in the world, where would it be?
Italy for the food, culture and architecture, but only if I got thrown out of Ireland! After a lot of travel I think we have a great country, scenery, food and people.