My Design for Life: ‘I feel so calm when I sit at my granny’s writing desk’

Favourite places

We have gone to many Greek Islands in the Cyclades and Ionian groupings since the kids were small. The turquoise celadon seas, the food and the friendliness all combine to make me feel like I am in my second home each time. Paros and Serifos are still favourites and we always try to fit them in even when we are trying to discover the next hidden island before anyone else.

Favourite hotel

For me, a hotel lobby sets the tone, and I always feel a welcome salve from walking through the doors of Seesoo Paros, Claridge’s in London and The Westbury in Dublin. Claridge’s was my first experience of seeing how flowers and interiors combine to create drama in a hotel. We have since worked with The Westbury creating displays, and I just love the attention to details at Seesoo, from the textiles to the Coco-Mat beds at the pool area.

Favourite shops

Working as a flower shopkeeper for nearly 20 years, I have been so lucky to get to know so many other shopkeepers, all of us journeying along trying to curate beautiful things for everyone to have.

In Dublin, I love to drop into Loulerie to see Louise’s latest creations, Wendy in Scout always has a wonderful curation of clothes and homewares, and John and Karen have styled their Ecru store to perfection with the most beautiful edit of European lifestyles. Maggie and Jules of Cloon Keen have designed a gem of a store at Dublin’s Powerscourt Centre to fulfil my textured minimalist dreams.

In Europe, I make it my business to soak up the retailing inspirations that are Le Bon Marché and Samaritaine while visiting trade shows in Paris. The interiors, concepts and merchandising plus the fact they both have the most gorgeous stationery departments make them a must.

Items I’m coveting for my home

I just turned 50 and am still making my birthday present list, which includes the giant kelp forest print by Superfolk. The kelp reminds me of swimming in the Atlantic in Sligo, so fingers crossed this beauty of a print on handmade washi paper will magic its way to my door. I love the story of Sophie Bille Brahe’s handblown vase collection Cellophane Clouds, made in Murano, Italy— just imagine what beautiful branches and blooms could adorn them at home.

I am in love with the Skagerak and Tribu garden furniture ranges; I just have to convince my husband, Ultan, that these, indeed, are a necessity for summer. I’m also coveting the cabinets and sideboards by Josef Frank. I think I will need to save for the time when my teenagers fly the nest and our furniture will start to remain chip-free!

Favourite museum

I try to get to the National Gallery of Ireland every two weeks. There is so much effort put into the design of each visiting exhibition, and the curation of stillness gives me time to think and ponder about light and colour to help our work in the fresh world of flowers.

I also love The Pierre Bergé Museum of Berber Arts, The Jardin Majorelle, Marrakech, Morocco. It represents a panorama of the extraordinary creativity of the Berber people, the oldest in North Africa, and the gardens are beautiful.

Favourite restaurant

Liath, Allta and Forest Avenue — all three of these heavenly spaces are run by inspired chefs who use Irish food heritage with a contemporary twist in stylishly designed places. A real treat.

Brands that inspire me

Bureau Betak is a brand that stands for sustainable practice, but the considered thought and imagination per fashion brand and show is phenomenal to watch. To date, Bureau Betak has produced and designed over 900 shows, exhibitions and events, including the Jacquemus walk through lavender fields, the Dior dome of delphiniums and Rodarte in a New York garden.

Erin Benzakein’s Floret is another huge inspiration for me. What started as a tiny backyard cutting garden years ago has blossomed into one of the most well-known flower farms in the world. I can only thank her for making it so accessible for all flower lovers and growers to start their own patch. And what’s not to love about Jonathan Anderson’s work at Loewe? For the last decade, he has used his Loewe platform to curate retail spaces filled with specially commissioned art and craft work.

Favourite movie

Song of the Sea by Cartoon Saloon is always a favourite — the animation style, the combination of Irish mythology and our culture not to mention my beloved Sligo as a setting plus the stunning soundtrack all merge to create a film we still love to watch as a family.

Favourite drink

Done Daisy — I have one of these every Friday to celebrate a weekend arrival. Ultan makes a mean cocktail, and this white rum deliciousness is such an end-of-week treat.

Irish craftspeople I admire

I think Jennifer Slattery has evolved her brand in Irish linen into something so special. From table linen filled with embroidered wild flowers to reminiscent granny cutlery to exquisitely designed wearable pieces.

I would love to have been a ceramic artist in another life and we are so lucky here to have such talented folk as Isobel Egan, Grainne Watts and Adam Frew along with potters Fermoyle Pottery too.

Hanna van Aelst is a willow artist and basket maker who grows her own willow on her Tipperary farm and then fashions it into the most fluid and fabulous forms.

The homeware item I can’t live without

Ever the fancy paper collector, I constantly gather notebooks and textured papers. They are always put to good use for a doodle, a story or a card, but isn’t it the nicest thing to write on considered surfaces? I also can’t do without a good candle, whether it’s our own Winter Beach candle created by Cloon Keen or a FieldDay candle from the shop.

Favourite purchase for my home

My birthday present to myself was a neon portable Tom Dixon bell light. We can use it outside in summer and I will keep it on my desk for winter. The white gloves provided with it will ensure no teenager fingers can smear the high-gloss vibe!

A bucket-list chair was always the Lamino chair and stool by Yngve Ekström. We sourced a honey-coloured version and it really is the most comfortable place to sit, especially after a mad day in work. I try to buy a piece of art annually and I am blessed to have the most beautiful painting by Leah Beggs placed beside my dear friend Petria Lenehan’s special works.

A family heirloom you’ve kept

My granny Monahan lived until 103 and she kindly left me her writing desk. It has been in her family for several generations and I feel so calm when I sit down at it to doodle my thoughts. I also have my grandad Doyle’s brown leather briefcase which is inscribed with his initials and still contains his handwritten list of important phone numbers, his glasses and passport. I have it placed in our sitting room to remind me to just go for it each day.

Design advice

You should only buy what you love. In this deluged world of perfect interior imagery, it is good to actually gather images or cut them out from a magazine to see what you like in styles, colours and textures. Also, use everything you have rather than saving it for special occasions.