{"id":115085,"date":"2025-10-11T07:57:10","date_gmt":"2025-10-11T07:57:10","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ie\/115085\/"},"modified":"2025-10-11T07:57:10","modified_gmt":"2025-10-11T07:57:10","slug":"inside-the-family-home-of-interior-designer-sarah-louise-dunne","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ie\/115085\/","title":{"rendered":"Inside the family home of interior designer Sarah Louise Dunne"},"content":{"rendered":"

Interior designer Sarah Louise Dunne is known for her love of merging beauty with function \u2014 as well as her eye for exquisite pieces.<\/p>\n

What element of her own living space makes it feel \u201cextra\u201d? \u201cOne of my favourite pieces at home is a vintage armchair that was here when we moved in 17 years ago,\u201d she says. \u201cI reupholstered it in a soft, sage green velvet. It\u2019s beautiful with curved wooden arms and just the right amount of character.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"TheThe living room in Sarah Louise Dunne’s Mount Merrion home. Picture: Philip Lauterbach<\/p>\n

The Dublin designer will be taking a perch at the Ideal Home Show as it unfolds next weekend, from October 17-19, where she will offer an insight alongside interior designer Carla Benedetti and colour consultant Jane Witter at the Dulux Heritage Interior Design Hub. Sarah Louise will also be onstage at the DFS Interiors Theatre on Saturday, October 18. \u201cWhat I look forward to is meeting fellow designers, suppliers, and homeowners \u2014 sharing ideas and hearing different perspectives. It\u2019s inspiring to connect with people who are passionate about making homes more beautiful and functional,\u201d she says.<\/p>\n

\"TheThe hallway in Sarah Louise’s home. Picture: Philip Lauterbach<\/p>\n

Her own \u201cdeep passion for design\u201d was a life-changing discovery Sarah Louise unearthed during the renovation of her own home. \u201cI did psychology in UCD, then trained as a primary school teacher with a view to doing education psychology. I then began my own renovation and realised my passion for interiors was something I needed to explore properly. I had three children at this time and decided to make the career change which I am so happy I did,\u201d she tells Irish Examiner Home.<\/p>\n

\"SarahSarah Louise’s living room is her favourite space at home. Picture: Philip Lauterbach<\/p>\n

Sarah Louise established not only her own design studio for consultations, but also a full retail store in Dundrum Town Centre. \u201cI create fluid spaces with a classical lived-in vibe using tones that deliver elegance, ease and flow,\u201d says Sarah Louise.<\/p>\n

\u201cMany of the pieces [in my spaces] are bespoke-made for clients to give the feeling of equilibrium and balance in space.\u201d<\/p>\n

She is married to Cormac and they share their residence in Mount Merrion, Dublin, with their four children, aged 14, 11, 10 and 7.<\/p>\n

\"SarahSarah Louise believes in the power of colour. Picture: Philip Lauterbach<\/p>\n

As a designer, it sounds like a challenging brief to make the space work for this diverse demographic and their varied styles and tastes. So how does Sarah Louise do this, at home and for clients, as well as conjuring her signature calming alchemy of comfort and luxury? \u201cI tailor my projects by selecting high-quality materials that feel luxurious yet are durable and easy to maintain,\u201d she says. \u201cThoughtful space-planning ensures every element serves a purpose, blending elegance with everyday usability.\u201d Strategic use of colour enhances functionality, she adds. \u201cDarker shades can ground a space while lighter tones open up and brighten areas, making them feel more spacious and livable,\u201d says Sarah Louise.<\/p>\n

\"AA children’s bedroom. Picture: Philip Lauterbach<\/p>\n

And what about colour and emotion, how does colour make her feel? \u201cColour has the power to transform how we feel in a space completely,\u201d says Sarah Louise. \u201cSoft, muted tones bring a sense of calm and clarity, while rich, bold colours can energise and inspire us.\u201d<\/p>\n

Has she made it work to her advantage in her own nest? \u201cAbsolutely. In my own home, the living room is a good example of this balance. I\u2019ve used a warm, muted palette \u2014 soft taupe walls with deep navy accents and natural textures like wood and linen \u2014 to create a space that feels both refined and relaxed,\u201d says the interior designer.<\/p>\n

\"OneOne of the children’s bedrooms in Sarah Louise Dunne’s home.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe colours not only set a serene tone but also stand up well to daily life. It\u2019s a space where I can host comfortably or unwind at the end of the day, proving that luxury doesn\u2019t have to compromise on liveability.\u201d<\/p>\n

She designed her family home and feels there\u2019s still \u201cso much work to do \u2014 possibly another renovation\u201d: \u201cAs an interior designer, it never stops, I am always planning the next project.\u201d<\/p>\n

Sarah Louise will be sharing ideas on the current shift to warm and organic \u201cgrounding\u201d pieces and colours using the luxurious Dulux Heritage paint range. \u201cThere is a definite move towards well-rooted colours that evoke feelings of calm and balance \u2014 this can be seen globally too,\u201d says Jane Witter, Dulux colour consultant.<\/p>\n

\"JaneJane Witter, Dulux Heritage colour consultant.<\/p>\n

Sarah Louise and Carla Benedetti will create two very different room looks at the Ideal Home Show.. \u2018Less is more, a space should feel considered and lived in, not staged or overly designed \u2014 that\u2019s a good design result,\u201d says Sarah Louise.<\/p>\n

Carla Benedetti\u2019s hallmark style strikes a seamless balance between old and new, a consciousness that respects interiors\u2019 longevity. As a thoughtful curator and daughter of an Italian mosaic artist, she masterfully crafts layered interiors, rich in texture and grounded in authentic materials. \u201cMy space [at the Ideal Home Show] will be grounded using layers of different natural finishes, new and re-purposed pieces. I\u2019II be curating a space rich in texture and authentic materials,\u201d she says.<\/p>\n

\"CarlaCarla Benedetti.<\/p>\n

Sarah Louise\u2019s top tip<\/p>\n

When planning your dream interior design scheme, incorporate items that reflect your personality or story \u2014 unique decor, meaningful artwork, or colours you love \u2014 to make the space feel truly yours.<\/p>\n

\"FunctionalFunctional and polished: The interior design for a Dundrum residence by Sarah Louise Dunne. Picture: Jamie Hackett <\/p>\n