It’s that time of year again when we all start looking at our homes and begin to makes lists of jobs for someone to do… although the entire cast of Bob the Builder might be needed in some of our houses.
This year, I’m thinking of ways to reorganise and find solutions for the long-haul/hall. Pun totally intended. When decorating homes, I keep encountering the age-old problem of storage. Yes, there’s just never enough of the stuff.
I’m fairly sure it’s not all farmers who read this fine publication, but I’m going to assume a lot of our readers are and traditionally use the back door as the main entrance. You might even have a mud room or utility at the back door to dump all the lovely nature-scented clothes and boots in a little corner. So, for the purposes of this article, I’ve considered “The Hall” in all its glory, front and back, and come up with some storage solutions and ideas for you to feast your eyes on.
To achieve your goal, lots of money doesn’t necessarily have to be spent. A few years ago, while holidaying with extended family, we were lucky enough to rent a beautiful house to accommodate 16 of us in Kerry, my home county. I never forgot the simplest storage solution at their back door – a pole stretching from wall to wall for coats and a bench with several identical storage boxes underneath, filled with household necessities and wellies for our use while wandering the hills. Simply perfect.
So, if you’d like a change without too much expense, there are many ways of going about this. Consider some inexpensive painted tongue and groove panelling for the walls: they can be wiped down when dirtied and will always look good. If you’ve room, attach seating along this wall with a padded lid for somewhere to sit while putting on boots. Store the boots and shoes underneath, add the maximum number of hooks above that the space allows for coats and gear bags and voila, the back hall is complete.
If you have a bigger budget, however, bespoke cabinetry will transform your hall. Don’t forget the under stairs area too. If it’s not already in use as a guest toilet or desk area, it can be a fantastic area to use as a multi-purpose storage solution. There are many companies offering wonderful solutions to under-stairs storage.
As with all decorating, the finishing touches make all the difference. A favourite photograph, painting, memento or ornament will always make it that bit more special. Also, the simple addition of a mirror and console table to these storage solutions and you’ll welcome your guests into a clutter-free, elegant and organised space. Let your guests have a glimpse of your style and personality when they are welcomed into your home through your beautiful warm and welcoming hall.
Bernie Fitzpatrick
Fitzpatrick Interiors
Phone: 044-939 1701
Mobile: 087-633 6906
Email: bfitzpatrickinteriors@gmail.com
TOP TIPS
• Inexpensive painted tongue and groove panelling can be easily cleaned. Add the longest coat rack along the top for maximum use or simple door knobs. Most DIY stores will stock tongue and groove panels.
• Invest in plenty of identical storage boxes for all the necessary items, ideally stored under a bench.• For the gold standard, classic bespoke cabinetry will solve any storage issue in a beautifully elegant way.
• Warn the family that if they don’t hang it up or put it in a basket/box, don’t come crying to you when they can’t find it!
Real-life sneak peak
Here we have a sneak peek at photographer Yvonne Cole Dupuis’s home office, which is almost complete.
As a solution to this in-home office space – a mezzanine, where wall area was low and valuable – we fitted bespoke cabinets along two walls, incorporating a low window seat that sits under the roof windows. By using bespoke cabinetry made by a local craftsman, all Yvonne’s photographic equipment can be neatly tidied away to allow for client meetings to take place in an uncluttered space.
We used the same colour paint on the cabinets as the walls so as not to distract or disturb when working, making it the perfect choice for an office in the home. The glass-topped desk and an Ottoman were made by local craftsmen. We reupholstered two armchairs, incorporating the divine faded velvet fabric used on the Ottoman and another velvet fabric. These elements are of warm, neutral tones and allow the beautiful photographs to act as the main source of colour in the room.
• Design: Fitzpatrick Interiors 087-633-6906
• Photography: Yvonne Cole Dupuis 087-287-8664
• Cabinets: David Dunne 086-850-7550
It’s that time of year again when we all start looking at our homes and begin to makes lists of jobs for someone to do… although the entire cast of Bob the Builder might be needed in some of our houses.
This year, I’m thinking of ways to reorganise and find solutions for the long-haul/hall. Pun totally intended. When decorating homes, I keep encountering the age-old problem of storage. Yes, there’s just never enough of the stuff.
I’m fairly sure it’s not all farmers who read this fine publication, but I’m going to assume a lot of our readers are and traditionally use the back door as the main entrance. You might even have a mud room or utility at the back door to dump all the lovely nature-scented clothes and boots in a little corner. So, for the purposes of this article, I’ve considered “The Hall” in all its glory, front and back, and come up with some storage solutions and ideas for you to feast your eyes on.
To achieve your goal, lots of money doesn’t necessarily have to be spent. A few years ago, while holidaying with extended family, we were lucky enough to rent a beautiful house to accommodate 16 of us in Kerry, my home county. I never forgot the simplest storage solution at their back door – a pole stretching from wall to wall for coats and a bench with several identical storage boxes underneath, filled with household necessities and wellies for our use while wandering the hills. Simply perfect.
So, if you’d like a change without too much expense, there are many ways of going about this. Consider some inexpensive painted tongue and groove panelling for the walls: they can be wiped down when dirtied and will always look good. If you’ve room, attach seating along this wall with a padded lid for somewhere to sit while putting on boots. Store the boots and shoes underneath, add the maximum number of hooks above that the space allows for coats and gear bags and voila, the back hall is complete.
If you have a bigger budget, however, bespoke cabinetry will transform your hall. Don’t forget the under stairs area too. If it’s not already in use as a guest toilet or desk area, it can be a fantastic area to use as a multi-purpose storage solution. There are many companies offering wonderful solutions to under-stairs storage.
As with all decorating, the finishing touches make all the difference. A favourite photograph, painting, memento or ornament will always make it that bit more special. Also, the simple addition of a mirror and console table to these storage solutions and you’ll welcome your guests into a clutter-free, elegant and organised space. Let your guests have a glimpse of your style and personality when they are welcomed into your home through your beautiful warm and welcoming hall.
Bernie Fitzpatrick
Fitzpatrick Interiors
Phone: 044-939 1701
Mobile: 087-633 6906
Email: bfitzpatrickinteriors@gmail.com
TOP TIPS
• Inexpensive painted tongue and groove panelling can be easily cleaned. Add the longest coat rack along the top for maximum use or simple door knobs. Most DIY stores will stock tongue and groove panels.
• Invest in plenty of identical storage boxes for all the necessary items, ideally stored under a bench.• For the gold standard, classic bespoke cabinetry will solve any storage issue in a beautifully elegant way.
• Warn the family that if they don’t hang it up or put it in a basket/box, don’t come crying to you when they can’t find it!
Real-life sneak peak
Here we have a sneak peek at photographer Yvonne Cole Dupuis’s home office, which is almost complete.
As a solution to this in-home office space – a mezzanine, where wall area was low and valuable – we fitted bespoke cabinets along two walls, incorporating a low window seat that sits under the roof windows. By using bespoke cabinetry made by a local craftsman, all Yvonne’s photographic equipment can be neatly tidied away to allow for client meetings to take place in an uncluttered space.
We used the same colour paint on the cabinets as the walls so as not to distract or disturb when working, making it the perfect choice for an office in the home. The glass-topped desk and an Ottoman were made by local craftsmen. We reupholstered two armchairs, incorporating the divine faded velvet fabric used on the Ottoman and another velvet fabric. These elements are of warm, neutral tones and allow the beautiful photographs to act as the main source of colour in the room.
• Design: Fitzpatrick Interiors 087-633-6906
• Photography: Yvonne Cole Dupuis 087-287-8664
• Cabinets: David Dunne 086-850-7550
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