The loves of my LIFE A passion for design

The entrepreneur and interior designer talks to Chloe Brennan about her favourite people, places and things

The person

My lovely dad passed away last year, and I will always miss him.

The memory

My favourite moments and memories are fun times with my family and, in particular, with my three girls.

The moment of the day

I love when everyone is in bed and the house is peaceful. I can reflect on the day, and start positive thoughts about tomorrow. I am not a morning person.

The song Teardrop

by Massive Attack. I just love the ethereal sound. The 1980s is my big memory decade for music, as that was during my teens — there are too many songs to choose from — but Teardrop is my more grown-up favourite song.

The movie

Moulin Rouge. The collaboration between Baz Luhrmann, who directed, co-produced, and co-wrote it, and Catherine Martin, who designed the costumes, is a feast for the senses. I always like a movie with Ewan McGregor in it, and Nicole Kidman was great. Recently, I loved Big Little Lies.

The book

I love a good thriller, especially on holiday, but a book that inspired me while studying English in UCD is Virginia Woolf ’s A Room Of One’s Own. It helped form my feminist tendencies, and as a business woman, you need a bit of girl power. I also have three beautiful daughters — now teenagers — who are growing into strong, independent women.

The hero

My design heroes are Ilse Crawford and Patricia Urquiola. I had the pleasure of meeting Patricia Urquiola last year — we sell many of her designs. My favourite are her rugs for Italian company cc-tapis.

The outfit

Casual, and usually black. Favourite items are generally ones I got from Frock in Wexford town — it’s owned by my friend Nadine.

The pet hate

More than a pet hate, it’s my major irritant — design furniture that’s fake.

The accessory

I’m not really an accessory type. I’ve stopped carrying a large handbag because I would just fill it with rubbish. When I ‘grow up’, I’d like to invest in some really special jewellery.

The celebrity

I’m often disappointed with celebrities, so I don’t like to put them on a pedestal. I think actress Emma Watson is a great role model for young women.

The gadget

My iPhone and laptop. They are essential for my business, Lost Weekend: for sourcing design furniture, lighting and textiles; staying in contact with suppliers; photos; recording information; creating design schemes; and Instagram.

The friend

My husband, Declan. We’ve been together since our teens and have shared good times and bad, and love each other dearly. The beauty product I’m a Dermalogica girl. I love a bit of Nuxe oil, too.

The holiday

Ile de Re in France, every summer for the last 10 years, with the hubby and my three girls.

The hotel

For design, comfort and food, Ett Hem in Stockholm. I’m weekending in the Pulitzer in Amsterdam with friends soon, and very much looking forward to it.

The piece of advice

Invest in good-quality furniture and design. Buy once, and love it forever.

The drink

For special occasions, a Margarita, and for the morning-after brunch, a Bloody Mary.

The bar

The Carousel Bar in the Monteleone Hotel in New Orleans. As if you needed to spin any more in that amazing city!

The hobby

Design; sad but true. With so much time spent ‘working’ with design, it’s always a pleasure to indulge in design for pleasure. I used to love windsurfing, but that was for the younger me!

The part of my body

My hair. It doesn’t get fat!

The virtue

Kindness, and the ability to make people laugh and feel good about themselves.

The vice

While I’m not a big ice-cream fan, I cannot resist an Iceberger — ever!

“I’ve stopped carrying a large handbag because I would just fill it with rubbish”

“Invest in good-quality furniture and design. Buy once, and love it forever”