25-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Irish Examiner
Home: Five fabulous finds for our lives and living spaces
We are obsessed here at Home with the transformative powers of Kukoon rugs — seeing a sizeable abstract-patterned number from the range added to a living space is to witness a makeover at its best.
Selecting from the variety online is like choosing artwork to display perpendicular to your personal Picassos.
Kukoon Ruskin Aqua.
Right now we're loving the company's suggestion to 'make your garden your new favourite room' — by planting an outdoor rug front and fore, naturally.
See, while we may have the patio barbecue kit sorted, it's this extra touch that'll make that zone sizzle (sorry!). Flatweave materials ensure these 'superheroes' of the rug world are moisture-resistant and quick-drying; free delivery on orders in Ireland and Britain; see Kukoonrugs.
Designs on Dublin
Kerry man Bryan O'Sullivan will be among the world-famous names showcasing how design shapes our environment. Originally from Kenmare, London-based interior design superstar Bryan joins Shelley McNamara and Yvonne Farrell of Grafton Architects, Katie Harbison, New York, Paul McClean, LA, Suzie McAdam, Roisin Lafferty, and Maria MacVeigh, Dublin, for the inaugural Design Week Dublin (DWD), May 19 to May 25.
Design Week Dublin, May 19-May 25, at Dublin's Docklands.
Bryan's talk is on May 20, at 9.30am, at Anantara The Marker. Tickets for DWD are from €20; see Designweekdublin.
PurePanel from Havwoods.
Drama and depth
See how the kitchen panelling by Havwoods pictured here adds drama and depth. The layered construction of engineered wood also boosts its durability, says John Flannery, Havwoods; Havwoods.
Spirit of success
The traditional Victorian-inspired glass bottle that contains Muckross Wild Irish Gin looks so appealing you'd almost be tempted to own it for its ornamental qualities alone — almost, we say. The botanical blend within wowed judges at the Berlin International Spirits Competition who named the craft tipple (€49.95 for 70cl) as their gold winner.
Winner: Muckross Wild Irish Gin.
Hawthorn, blackthorn, heather, rosehip, rosemary, bitter orange, grapefruit, juniper, angelica, and coriander are placed in the still at the same time. Bottled at 40% ABV, it's proved a surefire recipe for success — also recently scooping the title Ireland's Gin of the Year.
Andrea Kissane established Muckross Wild Irish Spirits in her native Killarney along with Derry man Martin Wray, who has made the Kingdom his home. 'We were thrilled to hear that Muckross Irish Gin was a double winner,' says Andrea.
'We are a new spirit from an ancient Kingdom, and it is this fusion of modern ideas with the timelessness of our home that makes our mellow, elegant gin so special.' See Muckrossirishgin.
Hoxton sofa.
Pink power
Who doesn't adore a pop of pink? The French Connection Hoxton sofa in Rose sits nicely in any spring/summer set-up; exclusive to DFS €1,659; Dfs.
