SITTING ROOM KITCHEN

Russell made the shelves using a An island unit custom made from stainless
combination of furniture ply and MDF. steel gives this space an industrial edge.
Try Fjord four vintage multicoloured wooden Xavier Pauchard Tolix-style stool with natural
wall shelves, 115, Maisons du Monde wood seat, 69, Cult Furniture, would work

NEVER ENDING STORY

Russell Hart and Emer Fitzpatricks constantly evolving
home is perfectly suited to the fast-pace of family life
FEATURE JULIET BENNING | PHOTOGRAPHY GAP INTERIORS/MARK SCOTT

INSPIRING
THE PROPERTY
1950s semi-detached townhouse
L O C AT I O N Galway, Ireland
R O O M S Hall, sitting room,
dining room, kitchen, den, four
bedrooms, bathroom
P U R C H A S E D 2006
PREVIOUS PROPERTY
Before moving here, we lived in
a little two-up, two-down in
Dublin, says Emer.
W
hen Russell Hart and Emer
Fitzpatrick moved into their
Galway home they brought
with them a whirlwind of
activity. Along with their sons, Eoghan, 11,
Alban, 9, and Fionn, 6, Holly the cat and Obi,
a rescue puppy, complete the family picture.
The house was verging on derelict when the
couple viewed it, but they were beguiled by its
charm and loved the big windows and generous
proportions. They decided to buy, and soon
after set to work on their vision, moving walls
and opening up the lower floor so that the
dining room, sitting room and kitchen are all
now connected as part of a free-flowing space.
Impressively handy, Russell was kept busy
with the endless removal of woodchip wallpaper
and the deconstruction of steel and concrete
outhouses. The renovation took nearly four
months to complete with the couple adding an
extension to become a den for the boys. During
this upheaval the family were able to live at
the B&B they run a five-minute walk away.
When it comes to decorating, Russell and
Emer favour a slow evolution, layering their
home with art posters, antique buys and pieces
commissioned from local artisans. Dont try
to do everything at the beginning, says Russell.
Get walls and doors right, then add to it over
the years. Rather than rushing to create a space
which could go out of fashion rapidly, the couple
chose mainly white walls and the occasional
feature wall that can be easily altered.
Never ones to rest for long, the couple plan
to extend the hall and turn the garage into a
utility room where the boys can store sports gear.
It seems that the house, constantly
responding to its owners needs, is as much a
living, breathing entity as the family that live
there. Our home will never be truly finished
because its always evolving, says Russell, but
thats part of the joy of living here.

| B H O C TO B ER FO R STO C K I STS G O TO W HER E TO B U Y


1
1 HALL
The 1950s coat hooks were found in
the basement when the family moved
in. The bright yellow door contrasts
with warm mid-grey walls.
Walls painted in Elephants Breath estate
emulsion, 43.50 per 2.5 litres, Farrow &
Ball. Try Made.com's Ryker rug, 119
2 BOYS BEDROOM
Hard-wearing wooden furniture
is beautiful and practical.
Mydal bunk bed frame, 125; Pong
childrens armchair, 24, both Ikea
1950 | 25
3 MASTER BEDROOM
An antique wooden headboard
and ink-blue wall create a cosy feel.
Drawing Room Blue estate emulsion,
43.50 per 2.5 litres, Farrow & Ball.
Trl work lamp, 20, Ikea
4 DINING ROOM
Emers father built the corner seat,
while Russell made the shelves.
Krossing shelving unit, 400, The
Conran Shop, would suit this space.
Old school electric spun steel pendant
light, 125, Made To Last, is similar
3
Were big believers in being
open-minded trust your
instincts and dont set any rules
4
B H O C TO B ER |