My favourite room: ‘I never shed a single tear over downsizing. It was the right time to move. I had the energy, we had fun doing it’

Violinist Ursula Hough-Gormley’s life has been steeped in music, from her career to meeting her husband, and even getting the daughter of one of her musical heroines to design her elegant apartment

Violinist Ursula Hough-Gormley in the elegant living room of her apartment in Dublin 4. Ursula opted for a blue, cream and gold decor and it’s furnished with a mix of modern pieces and antiques. The blue glass on the mantlepiece is Venetian hand-painted lustre. Paintings include a portrait of her late husband as an apprentice tailor by Bob McDonagh. Photo: Tony Gavin

Mary O'Sullivan

When David and Victoria Beckham got married in 1999 at Luttrellstown Castle it was a massive bash with a performance by Elton John, thrones for the bridal couple and 85 security guards, as it was to be an OK Magazine exclusive.

People marvelled at the extravagance of it all and, of course, said it wouldn’t last. Yet this summer, they celebrate their 25th wedding anniversary and violinist Ursula Hough-Gormley isn’t at all surprised. “The folly where the service was held was magnificent, decorated with ivy and candles and red, shiny apples. The ceremony was a most beautiful, prayerful service and the two families were the most ordinary, down-to-earth, lovely people.”