Siân and Ruth Clendenan are following Zara's lead by selling good-value designer lookalikes.
Interior Image's location in Park West, Dublin 12, isn't very glamorous, but it's worth battling through the traffic to visit the showroom, which is run by Siân and Ruth Clendenan. The sisters, who are both interior designers, used to run a tiny shop on Aungier Street, in central Dublin, but outgrew the space once they decided to sell large furniture.
What's unusual about Interior Image is that everything on the floor is in stock and can be delivered a day or two after purchase. Their large warehouse means there are no eight- to 12-week waits.
Much of their furniture, which is aimed at livingrooms, diningrooms and bedrooms, is made by an Italian company that has taken elements associated with expensive names such as B&B Italia or Max Alto and altered them to suit a broad market. In fashion terms it's like Zara mimicking Prada. The quality and detailing is not as good, but the look is similar. And the prices are substantially lower. "A lot of the manufacturers we deal with also make for branded companies," Siân says, "but the prices are good, because the designer name isn't attached."
One of the best-value items is a linen-mix sofa costing €1,150. It has a metallic bar running across a base that's flush to the floor - all very Milanese.
Other pieces are reasonably priced rather than inexpensive, and the quality is very good, although it is not the sort of furniture that lasts forever.
An armchair costing €950 has a leather seat and an open frame in dark-stained oak. A lovely low, round coffee table, also in dark-stained oak, with a cross-shape base, costs €539. There's also a dining table in this style for €805. Leather dining chairs are €320 each. Look out for a great headboard and "floating" bed frame costing €959.
One piece that Siân suggests will work for many new Irish homes is a sofa with a mini-L shape protruding from one side. "It's not a full L-shaped sofa, but gives a little extra seating and place to put up your feet. A lot of people buy sofas that are far too big for their livingroom." The mini-L shape sofa costs €1,379 and can be ordered in various fabrics.
Upstairs is an extensive display of wood floors, wallpapers, carpets and fabrics. You can make an appointment to visit and talk to Siân and Ruth about every aspect of your decor. There is also some art on the ground floor.
While they'll happily renovate your home from top to bottom, Siân and Ruth are also interested in tackling smaller projects. "You might have started doing up the livingroom and already have a sofa or new carpet but need a few other things and don't know how to pull them all together," Ruth says. The Clendenans say they work with the client rather than dictating what they should have. "People know what they like but not always what they want. There has got to be a gut reaction - you've got to really love something if it's for your home."
At the moment they're working on projects as diverse as a bachelor's penthouse and a semi-d in Dundrum. "We go to see the house, make notes with the owner about what's needed and then meet here at the showroom to go through options and samples," Siân explains. "Everything is fitted by our own team. A lot of people like to be involved, but others want us to take over. Clients sometimes give us the keys and go away for a week. When they come back the job's done."
If it's more than surface decoration, of course, the job can take somewhat longer than a week. "When structural work is involved, for example if you're building a new home, the sooner we get on board the better. We're not just decorators - we can assist with layouts and electrical plans and design furniture around the architect's plans."
Interior Image, Hume Centre, Park West Business Park, Dublin 12, 01-6205558, www.interiorimage.ie