'My happiest memories are on display here': Orla shares a dining area that's full of personality

‘The table has major sentimental value.’

EACH WEEK, WE ask someone based in Ireland with a passion for interiors to share one photo of their favourite spot in their home.

Orla Delaney moved into her home in Co Kilkenny with her husband one year ago.

“I’m a bit of an interiors nerd,” she says. “I’ve always loved rearranging spaces and styling rooms. I’ve had so much fun updating our home bit by bit during the past 12 months .”

This week, Orla (@orladelaneydesigns) chatted us through her favourite spot: her dining area.

Orla Delaney Kitchen_Dining Orla Delaney Orla Delaney

What do you love about this part of your home?

This is the part of our home that I first started to change and decorate when we moved in. It’s the focal point of our kitchen and when you walk into the house through the utility room this is the first thing you see. I love gallery walls and anything that makes a space personal and I wanted to use our wedding photos to style our home. I wanted to have the photos out on display rather than just in an album that we might look at once a year. It’s great to have your happiest memories on display, especially in a space that you use every day.

What’s your favourite object in here and why?

I think it has to be the table. My husband made it. He was so excited to move into the house so he could get started on this. It’s made from ash and the legs are cast iron painted black. It took around three months to make as he had to join two pieces of wood together. It has major sentimental value and we will cherish it forever.

What was your inspiration when you were putting this room together?

I wanted to create a rustic and homely look. I’m a big fan of the US designer Joanna Gaines and love her book Homebody. A lot of her looks have that natural and earthy element in them and she always highlights the importance of making a space your own and adding your own personality to the space.

Be honest: how much tidying did you do before taking this photo?

I had to tidy away two dog beds from under the radiator and a dog bowl. When our dogs are in, they love sleeping there.

Is there anything in here you’d like to change?

I don’t think I would change anything, but I will add to the space. On the list is a bench to go with the table at the other side of it and also maybe a nice rug to go underneath. I’m also on the look out for a nice linen curtain for the sliding door – I haven’t found the perfect one yet, though.