St. Patty’s Day always has a way of putting Ireland on my mind—but this year it stuck a little longer.
I’ve never been, but it’s one of those places I’ve always imagined in a very specific way. Rolling green landscapes, stone cottages tucked into the hills, the coast just slightly rugged and windswept.
So, I started pulling together what that could look like through our lens. In a cliffside cottage in Galway type of vibe—something that feels rooted in the architecture and history, but still refined enough to live in today.
The goal is being able to design in a way that draws from a place or feeling, while still adapting to different homes, lifestyles, and clients.
Because, at the end of the day, it’s not about recreating Ireland. It’s about capturing that feeling—and translating it into something livable.
The Living Room
When I think about an Irish cottage living room, it’s all about the patina. It should feel like it’s been collected slowly over time.
The foundation here starts with stone. Whether you actually have it or not, it’s the element that grounds the entire space. I referenced a warmer, slightly irregular stone (creative mines craft orchard) because it doesn’t feel overly polished. If you don’t have stone, this same feeling can come through with textured plaster, limewash, or even a heavily grained wood.
From there, I layered in a velvet sofa in a rich brown tone. Velvet might not be the first thing that comes to mind for a cottage, but that contrast is what keeps it from feeling too rustic or expected. It adds a softness and a bit of refinement that elevates everything around it.
The zak + fox wallpaper brings in pattern, but in a way that still feels rooted in tradition. This is a good example of how you can introduce something more decorative without it feeling out of place. If wallpaper feels like too much, you could translate this through textiles—pillows, a throw, or even artwork.
One of my favorite elements here is the wood desk paired with the antique side table. Mixing wood tones is key—it’s what gives a space that layered, lived-in feeling. You don’t want everything to match. In fact, it’s better if it doesn’t.
Lighting is intentionally soft and slightly unexpected. The flush mount and table lamps keep things warm and ambient rather than overly bright or modern.
And then, the finishing layer: textiles. The rug and throw are what make the space feel approachable. This is where you can soften everything and make it feel like somewhere you actually want to sit.
If you take anything from this space, it’s this: mix materials, don’t over-coordinate, and let one or two pieces feel a little more refined than the rest.
Shop full look on LTK here.
The Breakfast Nook
This space is all about quiet charm. It’s where things feel a little more casual, a little more personal.
The anchor here is the wood dining table—something with age, texture, and imperfections. This is not the place for anything too sleek or polished. Even if you’re buying new, look for pieces that feel like they could have a past.
I paired it with collected chairs, which is something I always come back to. Matching dining sets can feel a bit rigid. Mixing chairs (whether it’s through shape, material, or subtle variations) instantly makes a space feel more relaxed and layered. I also brought in a gingham chair to break things up just enough. It keeps the space from feeling too neutral or flat.
The pendant light is intentionally simple but slightly oversized. In a smaller nook, scale is what makes it feel intentional rather than like an afterthought.
Then there are the smaller details like the placemats, glassware, napkins and plates. These are the pieces that make everyday moments feel considered.
This is one of those spaces where less is more—but the pieces you do choose should feel thoughtful.
Shop full look on LTK here.
The Bedroom
The starting point here was the Tess Newall wallpaper. It has that hand-done, almost imperfect quality that makes the whole room feel special without trying too hard. If wallpaper isn’t your thing, you could achieve a similar feeling with soft, tonal paint colors or subtle pattern in bedding.
The wood bed frame brings in that classic, grounded element. It’s simple but has just enough detail to feel intentional.
From there, I layered in a mix of a vintage-inspired dresser and a nightstand. Again, nothing matching. The contrast between pieces is what creates depth and keeps the room from feeling flat.
Lighting plays a big role here. The woven pendant adds warmth and texture overhead, while the custom lampshade brings in pattern in a quieter way. This is something I always recommend—if you’re hesitant about pattern, lampshades are a great place to start.
The bedding is intentionally simple. Soft neutrals, subtle stripes (like this quilt and gingham shams)—nothing too bold. This allows the other elements in the room to stand out without competing.
The chair in the corner (the velvet upholstered lounge chair) is what makes the room feel complete. Even if it’s not used every day, it adds that extra layer that makes a bedroom feel finished and a bit more elevated.
Shop full look on LTK here.
What I’d Wear
I always like to think about what I’d wear in a space … it helps ground the design in a lifestyle rather than just aesthetics.
For this, I leaned into textures and layers; pieces that feel practical but still considered.
The knit sweater (it’s a viral J. Crew one that was actually featured in the show Love Story about CBK!) and loose v-neck cardigan brings that cozy, slightly oversized feeling that mirrors the interiors. The woven basket bag adds texture in the same way baskets and natural materials do in the home.
And of course, tall rain boots because, realistically, if this were a cottage in Ireland you’d need them. But, they also add that slightly rugged element that balances out softer pieces.
The silver flats keep things easy and wearable, while the polka dot coat ties everything together.
Shop full look on LTK here.
Bringing It Home
The most important part of all of this is that none of it is meant to be literal. You don’t need a stone cottage in Ireland to make this work.
You can bring in one or two of these elements (a textured material, a collected furniture piece, a soft pattern) and start layering from there.
That’s really the goal with any space we design. To take a feeling, a place, a point of inspiration—and translate it into something that actually works for how you live. And maybe, just slightly, makes your everyday feel a little more like somewhere else!!
