Summer time — perfect for shabby chic decorating

Thu, Jun 04, 2009

Pull out anything that looks old and careworn, do some quality shopping at your local thrift store, add a few fresh new accessories, paint it white or in a distressed style, and you have become a professional shabby chic'er!

Choosing the right

Thu, May 28, 2009

Granite, marble, tiles, and concrete are all countertop choices, and depending on your budget and usage they all have upsides and downsides. The first step in getting the right countertop for you is to make a detailed evaluation of the one you use now. The more you can articulate about what you like and hate about it, the more you will know what to choose next.

Developing communication skills in young children

Thu, May 28, 2009

Speech is just one facet of communication. Other equally important facets of communication are listening skills, comprehension, attention, gestures, and facial expression. Communication is quite a complex business and communication skills are being learnt from baby’s first moments of life.

Galway Hot Yoga Ltd — burning in Briarhill

Thu, May 28, 2009

With the recent rise in summer temperature in Galway you might think that it is getting warm, but if you want healing heat you should go to Briarhill. In the Briarhill shopping centre on the second floor, directly above the Ulster Bank, is the recently opened Galway Hot Yoga Ltd.

The colours of living — part two

Thu, Apr 23, 2009

Colours affect our minds, our physiologies, and our social interactions. The colours you choose when decorating a room can have an effect on any occasion that you hold there. The dining room is a place of delicate social situations. By considering the psychological effects of colours, you can make your dining room a more relaxing place to eat and gather.

The colours of living — part one

Thu, Apr 16, 2009

Blue Monday, green with envy, in the pink -— colours are often associated with moods and emotions. Colours affect us psychologically, a fact that should be considered when decorating.

How you respond to certain colours can be a good guide for deciding how to set a particular mood in your home. Whether you are choosing fabrics, paint, or wallpaper, with the help of the colour wheel and these basic colour tips your choice may be easier.

LolaRose helps the renewed interest in knitting

Thu, Apr 16, 2009

One Galway shop is benefiting from the renewed interest in creative past-times of yesteryear.

At home With La Maison Chic

Thu, Apr 09, 2009

Hardwood floors
Hardwood floors are a classic choice for many homes, and they work with most kinds of décor. However they are sensitive to climate changes and may expand and contract throughout the year. They are also susceptible to water damage and need constant maintenance, however if you opt for an oiled floor, especially oiled oak floors, they can be resistant to water for up to a week. Remember that oak floors have been used throughout Europe for the past 500 years in castles and period homes and are still in the same houses nowadays. Finally, like all in interior design, some very light or dark woods can be very fashionable for a few years but become suddenly old fashioned.

Stay safe with Armour Locksmiths

Thu, Apr 09, 2009

Family-run Armour Locksmiths has been in business for 18 years on the lower level of the Eyre Square Shopping Centre. As well as operating out of the shop the company provides the entire west of Ireland with a full locksmith service, travelling to homes and businesses and giving security and peace of mind to clients.

Grow your own greens

Thu, Apr 09, 2009

If you would love to grow your own vegetables but feel that keeping a vegetable patch would be too difficult, a Galway company has a range of ideas which allow people to grow their own fruit and veg with the minimum of fuss.

Invest in quality, experience, and security with Craughwell Furniture

Thu, Apr 09, 2009

Craughwell Furniture can offer you the experience and knowledge that comes with 35 years in business. During this time the Cummins family have owned, managed, and nourished the company from humble beginnings into Galway’s premier furniture retailer.

At home With La Maison Chic

Thu, Apr 02, 2009

Buying carpet for the first time can be an overwhelming experience. Negotiating the seemingly endless variety of colours, styles, and brands can a daunting task for the first time carpet buyer. Fortunately it's really not as difficult as it may first appear.

I recommend that you first choose a carpet style. Although some people select different styles for different rooms (formal plush in the bedrooms, textured cut pile throughout the rest of the house), most carpet buyers select one style and colour for the entire house. One benefit of sticking with the same colour and style of carpet is that the seams will be less visible.

Massive spring sale at Keenkost Kitchens and Bedrooms

Thu, Apr 02, 2009

Keenkost Kitchens Oranmore is hosting a once off massive spring sale with genuine discounts on selected ranges. Don’t miss this opportunity to gain access to some of the most beautifully crafted, custom designed, fitted kitchen and bedroom furniture. You can also visit www.keenkostkitchens.com for more information and to view the catalogue. The Galway showroom is in Unit 4, Oranmore Business Park, phone (091) 790507.

At home With La Maison Chic

Thu, Mar 26, 2009

Choosing the right floor for your home is a big decision. It will set the tone for the whole interior of your house and is the base for everything else you put in a room.

Bringing it all back home — generations of love for the garden

Thu, Mar 26, 2009

There is an old Irish saying “Briseann an dúchas trí shúile an chait,” which, loosely translated, means you can‘t deny your roots. When the Cunningham brothers were looking back through some old family photographs recently, they came across a picture of their maternal grandmother Else, taken about 1890 in Helsinki when she was a young girl. In the photograph she is in her garden posing with her trusty watering can. Over a century later her descendants are still in the garden. Her picture can be seen in the weekly advertisement for Dangan House Nurseries. Paddy and Peter Cunningham have been partners in business since the mid-1970s, initially selling their produce in the Saturday market before opening the gardens of their home to the public in the early 1980s.

Expand your home with a conservatory

Thu, Mar 19, 2009

Here are some tips to decorate this new addition to your home. A conservatory is an extension of both your house and garden, so decorate it accordingly.

Your conservatory just needs a little life and something of your personality added to it to make it the welcoming space you desire! Any conventional freestanding conservatory furniture is going to be too bulky to squeeze in, so look to more compact solutions. Most people go down the wicker furniture route, which really add a more exotic and relaxing feel to the room and make a good transition to the garden.

Remembering a ‘mum in a million’

Thu, Mar 19, 2009

When Mary Sweeney died in March 2006 her daughter’s greatest fear was that as time passed she would forget little things about her.

At home With La Maison Chic

Thu, Mar 05, 2009

Light is key to the way we function day to day. It affects our mood, it tells us when to wake and when to go to bed, it is an external clock that automatically triggers our minds. It defines an ambience, it highlights, makes plants grow, and can create an atmosphere of warmth. Lighting says a lot — it can make guests feel welcome and heighten a romantic interlude. It sets the stage for entertainment and has the ability to direct your attention. It provides security and a sense of piece and calm. People may fear the dark, but no one fears the light.

La Maison Chic refurbishes Galway landmark

Thu, Mar 05, 2009

Imagine relaxing on your sofa in your own piece of history. Formerly a Church of Ireland chapel in Kiltullagh near Loughrea, this famous local landmark was built in 1808 and 200 years later it was given a new lease of life. It was deconsecrated in 1920 and had been used as an Irish Army billet, dancehall, sports hall, and workshop. The one of a kind renovation project has been picked by The Sunday Times home edition and Upstairs Downstairs magazine for their covers. This is a massive achievement for La Maison Chic.

Mirror, mirror on the wall

Thu, Feb 26, 2009

Mirrors are the perfect complement to natural and artificial lights in a home and a skilfully picked up mirror can refresh even the most boring interior, giving to it a special, unique, style. It can be an imperceptible detail, and can set the fashion for the whole interior. The mirror is able to generate various spatial and light illusions, to hide lacks of the lay-out and to do many other things.

Mirrors are magical when it comes to interior design. Yes, mirrors are great for fixing up your hair, but mirrors can also give a room an illusion of depth as well as make up beautiful wall decor. Mirrors do not just belong in the bathroom and bedroom. Mirrors can be excellent additions to any space, especially smaller spaces. The way in which mirrors reflect light and the rest of the room can really give your room a larger feel to it. And there are so many interesting mirrors out there with beautiful and unique frames that you are sure to find some to match your current home decor.

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