Self-care and self-improvement can be easily confused. There’s some cross-over for sure. And yet, there is an important difference between them. Self-care has, at its core, the intention of nurturing our wellbeing so that we can function to the best of our abilities. Self-improvement frequently comes from a place of not feeling good enough. When […]

Often lumped into the Social Media category, Pinterest is in fact a search engine. And a powerful one at that. For professional and amateur creatives, Pinterest is the go-to place for inspiration. It beats social media platforms like Instagram hands down, because of its superior searchability. And this amazing search function also allows Pinterest to predict trends. “More than […]

If you were to hire an interior designer, the first creative part of their process (having already gathered information and inspiration from you) would be to create a mood board. And if it’s good enough for the pros, it’s good enough for you. A mood board is a visual synopsis of the overall look and […]

House Hunter Westport Westport is to Mayo what Killiney is to Dublin. And so it stands to reason that properties in the town and surrounding area are more expensive than elsewhere in Connaught. And yet, there’s some great options for ready-to-move-into three-bedroom houses available for a price tag that would get you a one or […]

Did you notice something of a plant-loving craze evolving over lockdown? Did you get sucked into it yourself? Photo by Gryffyn M on Unsplash I did, and there’s actually a really good – scientifically verified – reason for it. Plants make us happy. Even if we’re not consciously aware of it. Companies who take their […]

This week’s listings are more suited to singles, couples or small families (with kids that have grown out of having toys scattered all over the house). Except (potentially) the last one… Three of them also have low BER ratings, which isn’t uncommon for cottages. So I’d be looking into every kind of insulation opportunity going, […]

This is part of a series looking at different sizes and types of housing for sale in Connaught, for those living in the greater Dublin area who are considering a move west. They are based on online listings. If you’d like a tailored house-hunting service, with in-person visits to vet properties, get in touch. This […]

The red thread (also known as a golden thread) is basically a common thread that you weave throughout your home’s décor. It is the magic trick that can create a sense of cohesion if the colour palette, and even styles, differ somewhat between adjoining spaces. We want to create a harmonious transition from one space […]

Estate agents are reporting increased interest in property in the west of Ireland since the mass work-from-home situation kicked in. With this no longer being considered a privilege for the minority of office-based workers, the option for many to live much further from their employer’s base is opening up new lifestyle options and more affordable […]

Today is Suicide Prevention Day and I was listening to a representative of Pieta House being interviewed this morning. He said that September and October are particularly difficult months generally, and this year they have already seen a surge in calls throughout the lockdown period. He didn’t have a theory as to why September and […]