Michael Manning of Living Quarters, which is now located beside MCRB paints on Thomas Street, Dublin is stocking an upmarket range of Danish futon beds called Innovation.
Apparently this company is the best and biggest futon sofabed-maker in the world. What's great is that they don't look like regular futons - ie no ugly wooden slats - but more like handsome sofas. There are various sizes available in a wide selection of fabrics. The Puzzle, pictured above, is reduced from €1,000 to €800 in the current sale and a large three-seater sofa bed (with removable cover) is reduced from €865 to €690. Smaller sizes start at about €480.
Some might recall Living Quarters' cheap and cheerful shop on South Great George's Street. In its new location, it has moved decidedly upmarket with a bright modern showroom and better quality furniture, which is made in the family's small factory in Bagenalstown, Co Carlow (Manning's brother is TD Maurice Manning). The company specialises in bedroom furniture that's well made and well priced; it is particularly good for beds with built-in storage beneath and also sells quality mattresses. The new shop is beside Farrow & Ball so purchasers can go next door and choose a paint colour for the bed. Living Quarters, Cornmarket, Thomas Street, Dublin 8. Tel. 01-6706626; www.living-quarters.ie.
Fendi furnishings
Interior designer Fionnula Moulton recently decorated a showhouse in a new development, Rockbrook on the Stillorgan Road, from top to bottom with Fendi furniture.
The fashion house produces an extensive range, covering bedroom, dining, living and hall furniture. Needless to say, it's all rather expensive but super-luxurious and made for a very particular market. A lot of the low-key pieces are very nice indeed, such as this butter-soft orange leather sofa and pair of low tables. Moulton is now the agent for the furniture and although she does have pieces to view, the best way to see all the furniture at once is to visit the showhouse. While there, take note of the textured wall-coverings - these are also by Fendi - and dramatic light fixtures. Fionnula Moulton can be reached at 087 2654537.
Bargains at Bob and Kate's, Inreda
Bob & Kate's, the homewares shop in Clane, Co Kildare, is having a big sale, with everything reduced by 30 per cent and many items down to 50 per cent. This shop is good for basic household items - for example, a lovely 44-piece cutlery set that was €130 is now €91. It's good for occasional furniture too: a nest of tables in an unusual distressed cherrywood finish was €950 and is now €550. The sale runs until Monday. Bob & Kate's, Abbeylands Centre, Clane, Co Kildare, tel. 045-902299; www.bobandkates.com.
Top quality traditional kitchens
A recent visit to Kehoe Interiors, a furniture shop in Mullingar, revealed the best value in quality traditional kitchens that I've ever come across.
Owner Paddy Kehoe is the agent for Neptune, a kitchen company based in Wiltshire, where most high-end English kitchens are made. They make one style: a classic painted look. The units are solid wood (ie no veneers, MDF or chipboard) with a hand-painted "Old Chalk" matt finish. There are various smart handle options and the countertops can be ordered in oak, black granite or white marble. The standard of finish is very high but the extraordinary thing is that a fairly large kitchen, minus the appliances, can be had for between €6,000 and €7,900. "A very basic kitchen will cost €3,000 and a really good one can be €40,000," says Kehoe, "but people don't always want to spend a lot.
These kitchens are an alternative. Everyone likes value and no one likes to feel they've been robbed." The prices are for supply only - they will recommend a fitter who charges about €800. The existing kitchen is measured and a layout worked out with help from Kehoe's team. "Everything is sold in separate sections so the kitchen isn't too fitted looking. That also means that it's easy to price it as you go and keep the cost at whatever you wish to spend." All sorts of furniture is available to match: tables, chairs, computer stations, butcher blocks and so on. Kehoe Interiors, Mullingar Business Park, Co Westmeath, tel. 044-9345225; http://kehoeinteriors.ie; www.neptune.co.uk. There is a branch of Kehoe Interiors in Tullamore, Co Offaly and both are having a sale at the moment with 50 per cent off most furniture.
Vive le village
Interior designer Grania Murray (www.graniamurray.com) is letting out her villa in the south of France for short summer stays. As you might expect, it has more style than many rentals and is a real find. It's located in the Roquefort Les Pins area, a 20-minute drive north west of Nice airport, and is built in the Provençal style with French shutters and a terracotta tiled roof. Surrounded by a beautiful garden, there are four bedrooms, two bathrooms, a study, diningroom, livingroom, kitchen, swimming-pool and large terrace. The cost is €2,800 per week in peak season so it's best suited to families or a group of friends. The decoration is typically French with shades of lemons, creams, greys and blues. Broadband and a fancy music system are provided. The village of Roquefort Les Pins has lovely bars and restaurants and is central for trips to Cannes or Antibes as well as quaint villages such as St Paul de Vence and Mougins. Contact graniamurray@gmail.com.
Box clever
Howard's Storage World, an Australian chain, has just opened a branch in Carrickmines Retail Park, Dublin 18. As the name suggests, it sells everything to help deal with untidiness, clutter and general disorder in the home. For example, these transparent shoe organisers are part of a range of wardrobe organisers. There are also brilliant containers designed for use under the kitchen sink and products include everything from wire baskets, waste bins and plastic containers to wine racks and devices that help create the perfect drawer, cupboard and pantry. Other items of note include space-saving bags (ideal for storing clothes out of season), stationery and file holders, see-through stacking desk organisers, garden utensil holders, storage solutions for golfing equipment and colourful boxes for toys. Tel: 01-2948003, www.hsw.ie.