The Loves of My LIFE
Interiors guru Suzie McAdam
The person
My husband, Barry Byrne. I met him a decade ago, while crashing a party he was throwing. It has been 10 years of adventures, and he’s always been my rock ever since.
The memory
A morning on safari in Kenya, and waking up to giraffes strolling through our camp. I felt like I was in Jurassic Park — it is also where I got engaged, so it will always be a magical place for me.
The moment of the day
Twilight, when I’m walking my Samoyed, Mischko, and listening to my piano playlist on Spotify. It’s my time to plan, decompress, and the world melts away.
The song
Running Up That Hill by Kate Bush.
The movie
The Grand Budapest Hotel by Wes Anderson; I love the humour, the sets and the characters.
The book
The Big Book of Chic by Miles Redd, my interior hero. I find a new detail in it every time I read it.
The hero
My mom — she’s resilient, and the kindest and most giving person I know. She also has a killer sense of style, and I think it was her dragging me to antique auctions, museums and galleries as a kid that created my interiors obsession.
The outfit
A silk dress, and a structured blazer, worn with ankle boots — pretty much my weekly uniform. My current favourite would be a print dress by Sandro, with a vintage Chanel jacket and Carvela boots.
The accessory
A hat — whether it’s a wide-brim Panama in the summer, or a wool beret in winter, I love how it finishes an outfit.
The gadget
My Volvo XC60 acts as a second office when I’m parked somewhere on site, and makes long journeys to projects a dream with its Pilot Assist function.
The hotel
The Ned in London. I was blown away by the recent restoration of the Grade 1-listed, 11-storey building. It was designed in 1924 by Sir Edwin ‘Ned’ Lutyens, hence the name. The rooftop pool is the perfect spot for meetings and movie-star spotting.
The pet hate
Rudeness always grates on me.
The friend
Courtney McDonnell. We’ve been best friends since age five. We ended up in the same primary and secondary schools, and on the same course studying architecture, until I jumped into interiors. We’re even in the same offices, The Greenway.
The celebrity
Saoirse Ronan — her grace, humour, talent and style. Doing Ireland proud.
The beauty product
Aesop B Triple C Facial Balancing Gel. The whole range is amazing, but I’m particularly partial to their skincare.
The holiday
Skiing or sailing. I like to stay active when I’m away, so anything where I’m not lying by a pool for the day.
The piece of advice
From my late father: find your passion, and keep working at it until you make it your career.
The bar
The Coral Room at the Bloomsbury London. The cocktails, interiors and Luke Edward Hall artwork are worth the visit. The bar feels like an exquisite country house transported to London.
The drink
Jameson, ginger and lime.
The hobby
Playing piano. I got an antique baby grand at an auction years ago. The sound isn’t amazing, but I love how it’s a little off-key and muffled.
The virtue
I don’t take myself too seriously.
The vice
I’m not a morning person. I come up with my best ideas at 2am, usually.
The smell
Diptyque Philosykos.
The taste
Anything raw. Sashimi, especially tuna; or steak tartare are favourites.
“My current favourite would be a print dress by Sandro, with a vintage Chanel jacket”
“Walking my dog at twilight is my time to plan and decompress. The world melts away”
Suzie McAdam will be one of the key speakers on the Inspiration Stage and the Trend Talks Stage at house 2018. house 2018 is Ireland’s only trend-led and style-focused interiors event, taking place in Dublin’s RDS 25th-27th May, showcasing world-class design and the cream of Irish interiors talent. Buy your tickets now at house-event.ie/tickets Under 12’s go free
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