Kitchen units in a traditional style look fresh when used with a modern element. For example, tongue-and-groove units painted in a contemporary colour, such as slate grey, look modern.
If painted bland cream, they might look too predictable. Such a kitchen can also be livened up with an interesting countertop, such as unusual wood (sweet gum trees are the new thing). Marble and wood can be mixed together to create effect: the unit countertops in marble perhaps, the island in wood. Geba's tongue-and-groove kitchen features the new, long pull-out drawers, which also make for a modern feeling. Stainless steel remains an easy and practical way to modernise a kitchen when used as a splash-back or trimming detail. Geba kitchens are available from Arena Kitchens, Sir John Rogerson's Quay, Dublin 2, telephone 01-6715373.
Getting and giving a hand
The Simon Open Door campaign is an interesting concept that has evolved over the past four years. Every year, the Royal Institute of Architects in Ireland (RIAI) asks its members around the country to give up a Saturday to hold consultations in their offices. Members of the public get an hour-long consultation with the architect of their choice (including Orla FitzGerald, who designed the room pictured) for a €75 donation to the Simon Community. More than €38,000 was raised last year, with 545 people booking a consultation. The architects gave their time for free so every cent went directly to providing services for homeless people. For those who like their area but cannot afford to buy a bigger home, it sometimes makes more economic sense to improve, not move, when you add up to the costs of stamp duty, estate agent commissions, as well as the physical cost of moving. The website includes tips by leading architect Seán O'Laoire about how to get the most out of the hour-long consultation. This year, the Simon Open Door is happening on April 12th. To book, log on to www.simonopendoor.ie
Household goodies
For many years Oxfam Home offered a service collecting unwanted furniture from individual homes. The costs simply became too great and the service has been stopped. Now Oxfam happily accepts (reasonably) good-quality goods brought to any of their 45 shops around the country. For small household items, though, you might also get an Oxfam special plastic bag through your letterbox that will be collected by a volunteer. A group of neighbours or colleagues can work together and gather larger items for Oxfam, and then arrange for collection. "Everyone can help us in the fight against poverty by donating quality goods they no longer use. If you don't need it and think someone else could love it, we want it," says Trevor Anderson, Oxfam Ireland's retail manager. See www.oxfamireland.org/clearurgear.