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WHETHER YOU CELEBRATE self love, romantic, familial or platonic love it’s always nice to add some personal touches to your home. With Valentine’s Day just around the corner we’ve rounded up some of our favourite pieces from home and beyond so whether you love your partner, your best friend, your county team or just a big bowl of pasta you’ll find something for all tastes – from the nifty to the ever so slightly naff.
Say it with Roses:
Last year’s collaboration between Irish designer Niamh Gillespie, founder of Tidings, and viral sensation and founder of In Casa by Paboy, Paboy Bojang, is still bringing us all the frilly romantic goodness we desire. Handcrafted from luxurious velvet and cotton you can buy them separately but together they make the perfect pair – just like you. €150 each or €280 for two.
Scents to Seduce:
Lisa Barnett, founder of The Irish Chandler, makes some of the best candles out there featuring evocative names such as Sandycove Sunrise, Limerick Lace and Doolin Days. Pictured here is her Le Grá (With Love) candle part of the Sentiments collection. The candle features a seductive blend of Black Rose and Oud – an intense woody floral bouquet with a heart of rose and geranium and a hint of spice and oud. Barnett also offers a candle subscription fee giving you the option to order up to a year’s supply of candles. 100% natural soy wax and natural cotton core wicks. Cruelty, paraben and phthalate free. From €7.70.
Everlasting Flowers:
The beautiful new ‘Sweetpea’ painting by Irish artist Bairbre Duggan at the Kilbaha Gallery in Co. Clare stopped us in our tracks. Evocative and romantic, we can’t think of a better way to enjoy flowers all year round. Born in Dublin, Duggan currently works in art education in Amsterdam. This latest piece of her’s is an oil on canvas painting of a beautiful bunch of sweetpea from the garden and will last much longer than any real bouquet. Approx 40cm x 50cm. €1,750.
Sweet Tunes in the Bedroom:
Make the bedroom even more inviting with the brilliant new SYNFONISK speaker frame – a collaboration between Ikea and Sonos ensuring a harmonious blend of aesthetics and functionality. Choose from various interchangeable fronts, hang on the wall or put it on the floor for a personal touch that’s ideal for music lovers. €250.
We Heart Food:
Who says love has to be about humans? Sometimes we’d just love a giant bowl of pasta! Celebrate a carb-tastic love that won’t let you down with the ‘Spaghetti Dinner Date’ print by popular illustrator Fuschia Macaree at Jam Art Factory. Available in two sizes from €18 unframed.
Sink into the ultimate Love Seat
Snuggle up on the ultimate love seat or spread out and take up all that comfy, squishy space yourself! As comfy as nestling into a bed of pillows yet able to cope with the practicalities of life, this is the dream love seat scenario by Maker&Son.
The range consists of three pillow edge designs, all using the same frame, and all with fully removable and washable slipcovers. Each piece is made to order to the customer’s specifications using high quality natural materials and designed to last a lifetime. €6,369.
Galentine’s Glasses:
These champagne coupe glasses from M&S are incredibly naff but we love them. Why not invite the girls around, crack open the bubbly and celebrate love in all its guises. €20.
Feeling Foxy:
Lorraine Fletcher’s Harmony Foxes print is just one of a series of prints featuring foxes with designs that include ‘Eternal Love’, ‘Sweet Nothings’ and ‘Soul Mates’. The range is drawn from Fletcher’s original artwork which is known for its bright colours and the use of bronze and gold accents. Prints from €30.
Sarah McKenna’s ‘Home Comforts’ vases are a perenial in her collection and much loved by customers for their simple line drawing of a house with a glossy red heart at the centre of the home. Just add flowers. Available in various sizes. €55 to €80.
Match Day:
What could be more romantic than a customisable print featuring your names and county colours? The A2 customisable ‘Perfect Match’ print by Larry Byrne is the perfect addition to any GAA fans home and would make for an ideal wedding present too. €65.
A fresh bouquet in candle form:
Voya make some of the best scented candles on the market in our opinion and their Lavender, Rose and Camomile candle has a sensuous and calming scent which evokes tranquillity and a sense of relaxation. With a blend of camomile, rose essence, lavender and geranium it is like a bouquet of fresh flowers in candle form. Available online and from stockists nationwide. €37.
Prints for lovers of Friends and family:
Give your kitchen walls some love with this ‘You’re my Lobster’ print by Sissan Richardt. Featuring handwritten red text and two lobsters holding, er, hands. It’s perfect for fans of Friends, or perhaps, of love and seafood. There are lots of personalised options available from Desenio too that are perfect for Valentine’s Day. From €17.95.
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