Colour and texture feature largely in Aoife Harrington's world, so it's hardly surprising that her Blackrock townhouse is eye-catching. A fabric designer who paints as a hobby, the richly-coloured walls are covered with examples of her work.

Dublin has always been Aoife's home. Her great-grandfather, Tim Harrington served for two terms as Lord Mayor of the city and her grandfather Niall was responsible for placing the granite stone on Parnell's grave. Dublin's Harrington Street is named after great-grandad Tim.

A young woman with her own home and a business that is growing. Aoife has inherited the family sense of purpose. "I knew I was going to the College of Art and I was already designing things at aged seven or eight. When I left school, I was the only one in class to know what they were doing."

She won a scholarship to work in Hong Kong, a "great experience" which is reflected in Chinese touches around the house. Back home, Aoife designed sportswear for O'Neill's for ten years before taking the plunge and setting up her own company.

Two years ago, Aoife invested "a small mortgage" in the best technology available and now uses computer graphics to design fashion fabrics and interiors. Costly material swatches and samples are a thing of the past, says Aoife. Instead, she produces virtual "storyboards" of room interiors and fashion collections, complete with "cyber-babe" mannequins.

Double-jobbing parents whose after-six hours are a whirlwind of washing, ironing and preparing lunches for the next day will envy Aoife's lifestyle. Home for her is a place to relax and plan the next project or trip to the world's fashion spots.

"I travel at least five times a year to Paris, New York and Florence - all the big design shows. I don't work here because, if my studio was at home, I'd be working Saturday and Sunday. I set up my paints on the kitchen table every weekend. And sometimes they're left there for the whole week."

The modern townhouse in leafy Coppinger estate was Aoife's first investment in property, bought in the early 1990s when interest rates soared and prices hit rock bottom.

"I feel sorry for buyers who haven't broken into the market yet," she says. "When I was buying, there was a huge panic and they couldn't give houses away. I notice the same thing happening now - there are several empty houses around here, looking as if people have moved out without selling."

The townhouses are mainly occupied by single people like Aoife and young couples without children, who tend to move on when the first playpen appears. She was lucky to be working for the sportswear company when she applied for a mortgage and she wonders where her money went before she bought the house. On the walls throughout the house, watercolours with a Mediterranean theme and terracotta and turquoise paint colours demonstrate Aoife's passion for southern Italy, a favourite holiday destination.

"When I moved into the house, I was full of lists but they were soon forgotten," she laughs. "I made a mosaic in turquoise and gold to match the kitchen walls and picked up a patterned rug on the same theme. Blue is my colour and I find purple very healing - anyone suffering a bereavement will be drawn to seek purple."

Aoife's aqua-coloured kitchen has a strong seaside theme, with shells and jute sacking draped over the cupboards. Lucky black cats - a tradition in Aoife's family - pop up all over the place. Outside the patio doors, the neat town garden is a riot of colour, with honeysuckle rampaging through the boundary hedges.

The design business has taken off says Aoife, thanks mostly to word of mouth from clients. Her family's campaigning instincts are well honed and, with no funds to spare for marketing her business, she is her own self-publicist.

"I do an exclusive for Gareth O'Callaghan of 2FM. I sent him a pitch on what's coming into fashion and ideas for clothes to wear on special days like Valentine's Day. Now I send in tips every week and he loves it."

On current trends in colour and fashion, Aoife believes individuality is the key. "People should be encouraged to gather up pieces they like and feel comfortable with. Shades of purple are definitely in and so is ice-blue. Watch out for a caramel sesame colour - its going to be huge next year. New colours will be introduced gradually, because people don't like shocks."

While Aoife is very attached to her house, she has a busy social life. "Because I work on my own, Ineed a balance. I wouldn't like to be working and living completely on my own. I play tennis and golf - golf's a great social game and I have my eye on a club in Wicklow I want to join. And I love to meet friends for brunch in Dalkey on Sundays.

"I've a very positive outlook on life - these are exciting times and I never say 'never' to anything."