Latest news with #TheSalvageSquad
Irish Examiner
01-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Irish Examiner
Hallways: Interior designers show how to make an entrance
A hallway should set the scene for our taste. It should be an inviting space. It should never be a dumping ground for shoes. Fans of Virgin Media's The Salvage Squad are being teased by presenter Brian Dowling posting on his Instagram about filming getting underway for the second season. We have a while to go before it reaches our TV screens with the fun of shopping expeditions for salvage, and trades interpreting designs to meet deadlines, all on €1,000 budgets, so to get design inspiration for hallways in the meantime, I caught up with the designers from season one, including Belfast-based Peter Irvine. Brian Dowling, presenter of 'The Salvage Squad'. Peter, of The White Home, who made over a Drogheda family's living room and is now immersed in filming season two. 'There's a common misconception that the hall should be a diluted version of your home,' he says. 'Make a statement as soon as you open the door. My mum made a beautiful tapestry and I have it by the door. Have low-level lighting with dimmable lamps. You can put them on a timer, and it makes coming home nicer. It's your home, your rules. We got rid of the door between the hall and the living room. It was always open anyway. Taking it away has created a better flow.' Interior designer Peter Irvine. So, what would be his ideal hall look like if budget were no object? 'The luxury of space, natural light to have a tree indoors,' he says. 'I don't need shiny tiles and a central staircase. I love the woody, natural aesthetic. I love the Spanish villa on the hill look with no marble floors. Just the sun and the views. It's also good to have something soft under your feet if you can, but not if you have three kids going to rugby.' A sturdy repurposed sideboard is given a painted facelift to create a luxury hall table with a surface for styling with accessories. Picture: Annie Sloan Natasha Rocca Devine created a space for a couple and their canines on her episode of The Salvage Squad, but went on to a much bigger and more personal project: Building her dream home. She says she designed the hallway with intention. 'It's one of the spaces I am most proud of. It combines everything I love: Elegance, sustainability, and a boutique hotel feel.' Using sustainable stone for structure and impact, she added a vintage chest for history and character, and then referenced her love of art deco. 'I styled the feature wall with art deco wallpaper, along with commissioned art from Irish artist Aishling Hennessy, and a strong pendant light that complements this, just like you would find in an entrance to a luxury townhouse or hotel. Natasha Rocca Devine. "The textures are layered, the tones are warm, and the scent is always seasonal and subtle. The hallway does not just look the part. It feels like our home from the moment you walk in.' For DIY interior hall projects, she suggests having a focal point. 'Lead with a memorable statement, whether it's a bold piece of artwork, a beautifully styled console table, commissioned art, or an eye-catching mirror,' she says. 'To truly elevate a hallway, think beyond the visual. I love using soft pendants or sconces on dimmers, a hallway runner underfoot, and natural materials like rattan, stone like Cosentino, or wood. Finish with flowers such as Silk Prestige, a subtle scent from a diffuser or candle to make that first step inside feel like a warm welcome.' A compact console table with abstract art and a warm wall colour set an inviting tone as you step through the door. Picture: Oka Aoife Tobin of Style So Simple helped a mother and daughter in Cobh, Co Cork, revamp their dining room in The Salvage Squad's first season, and she now has her attention on her own home. 'If you have the most beautiful hallway but people don't know where to hang their coat or they want to take their shoes off, it can make them feel uncomfortable, so have a designated space,' she says. Interior designer Aoife Tobin. 'It's hard to get furniture to fit a normal hallway, so look at your joinery. If you're getting built-in wardrobes, look at the hallway at the same time. 'Usually when I'm doing a hall, I look at the architectural detail; coving, panelling and floor. Things like artwork, creating ambience with lights, and mirrors to help a small space look bigger.' Having recently moved into her new house, she views her hallway as among the areas for attention: 'I have a normal-sized hall, but because it's mine, it's my dream one. At the moment, I'm looking at my kitchen, utility and panelling, including joinery and panelling for the hall too. My husband said, What? But I told him he'd appreciate it in the hall later, not coming home into a mess.' Read More Easy home improvements that don't require planning permission
The Irish Sun
11-05-2025
- Entertainment
- The Irish Sun
‘Can't wait' cry fans as Brian Dowling confirms filming has begun for new season of ‘deadly' Virgin Media show
VIRGIN Media star Brian Dowling has confirmed that filming has begun on the second season of his hit show with the broadcaster. The popular presenter has a packed schedule as he appears daily on both 98FM and The Six O'Clock Show. 4 Brian Dowling confirmed the return of his hit Virgin Media show Credit: Instagram 4 The Salvage Squad sees Brian transform families' homes' Credit: Instagram 4 Brian started filming season two yesterday Credit: Instagram Brian also The show premiered in 2023 and saw Brian and his team of sustainable interior designers, on a mission to transform some of Ireland's tired, old rooms into trendy spaces fit for modern living. The team, led by The show was popular with viewers as the broadcaster moved to bring it back for a second season. read more on brian dowling The 42-year-old took to his Taking a snap in one of production's vans, Brian held up a walkie talkie as he prepared to get back in front of the camera. Brian shared a behind the scenes snap as he did a piece to camera in front of the jaw dropping Wicklow sea views. Confirming the show's return Brian captioned his post: "Today was Day 1 for me shooting Season 2 of The Salvage Squad homes_by_animo for @virginmediatelevision. Most read in News TV "I had the BEST time making the first series, so to be back doing it all again is honestly such a treat. "A big thank you to all of you who have watched and supported the show. With my daily commitments to @98fmdublin and @sixoclockshow, plus now recording this, it's going to be a busy summer in The Dowling Gourounlian household. Arthur Gourounlian shares 'hilarious' video of family "So in the words of my husband @gourounlian LET'S DO THIS." Friends and fans raced to the presenter's comment section to show their joy at the show's return. Brian's husband, 'BRILLIANT' Popular TV chef Anita remarked: "Deadly... can't wait." Janet commented: "Great show." Linda remarked: "Envious of viewers able to see you! We all need your vibe." Another fan added: "Oh brilliant." 4 Brian is a frequent presenter on Virgin Media's The Six O'Clock Show Credit: Virgin Media TV
