Interiors
The homes we live in
Hardwood oors, Belfast sinks and marble worktops remain as desirable today as they were when they were rst introduced to home décor, according to a new report by Ireland’s leading building merchant company, Chadwicks Group. The report looks into the changing tastes, décor and trends in the Irish home over the last 200 years. It was published to celebrate its heritage and the role the company has played in creating the homes and communities we live in. Here are some of the key ndings from the report and Dr Linda King, design and visual culture lecturer at the Institute of Art, Design and Technology (IADT) discusses her thoughts on them:
* The 1970s were voted the least stylish decade in the Irish home.
* 68% like to keep their home décor modern. * 39% plan to renovate their home in the next 18 months.
* White is the most popular colour for a bathroom suite in Ireland.
Were you surprised by the ndings of the survey?
Linda King: I was most surprised at the frequency with which we redecorate our homes - 39% plan to renovate in the next 18 months. It was also interesting that people felt so negatively about 1970s decor. Admittedly, the strong colour combinations and patterns of the period can be overpowering, but a little 1970s detailing when balanced against neutral, plain surfaces has been popular for some years.
What room in the house do Irish people love the most and why?
Most de nitely, the kitchen. It’s typically considered a ‘family room’ and the report con rms that it’s where we spend most of our time while at home. It’s the room people are most likely to invest a substantial amount of money in to ‘get right’. According to research by The Panelling Centre last year, three quarters of people would be willing to sacri ce space in other parts of the home for a larger kitchen. This is no surprise, as in the last decade there has been a rise in the open plan kitchen/ dining/living-room renovations, which is partly as a result of RTÉ’s interiors shows and the ‘Dermot Bannon e ect’.
What are the key trends now?
Like fashion, we are encouraged to change our interiors frequently and so there are many trends. However, those that stand out for me include: the bright, clean-lined ‘Scandinavian look’ with wooden oors and some mid-century teak furniture. In fact, the Chadwicks Group report nds that wooden oors are one trend which has truly stood the test of time.
Another key trend to look for is dark grey and navy (particularly for walls), with bronze, gold or copper accents through lights and ttings; and the ‘industrial look’ with stripped-back wood, rectangular white tiles (similar to those in a metro), exposed lightbulbs and some metal accents through lighting or furniture.
How long do trends last when it comes to interiors?
Similar to the fashion industry, there are new trends every year that we are encouraged to follow. However, as the report highlights, most people work on a ve-year cycle of redecorating their spaces, with 1 in 20 decorating every year. Interiors are a re ection of our personalities and redecoration is a very cost-e ective
How do we compare to our European counterparts when it comes to our homes and the interiors of them?
It’s hard to generalise but as the report highlights, 88% of Irish people own their homes, which is not the norm in most European countries. As Irish people now travel more than in previous decades, I think we have become more open to a broader variety of styles of décor.
How much has social media changed how people are inspired with ideas for their homes?
Hugely – it’s so practical and easy to gather interior ideas via Pinterest or Instagram, allowing us to create digital scrapbooks of our interests and bring those images to stores to replicate. In the 1960s, Irish people typically visited showhouses for interior inspiration – this was a very popular Sunday pastime – until the widespread availability of TV began to expand our interests. But TV is still in uential; you just have to look at the popularity of RTÉ’s Room To Improve or Home of the Year or look at the impact of stylised period shows like Mad Men.