tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-59496555248690687462024-03-22T04:28:30.136+00:00Mo theachIrish interior design, decor and home renovation blog updated weeklySorchahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15459697652071142292noreply@blogger.comBlogger50125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5949655524869068746.post-11123281851868146332012-04-29T12:53:00.000+01:002012-04-29T15:33:01.851+01:00Irish designers donate works to raise funds in Design for Life cystic fibrosis fundraiserI love a good raffle but I've never seen a fundraiser quite like <a href="http://www.designforliferaffle.com/">Design for Life</a>. Every single prize is the covetable work of an Irish designer, donated to raise funds for a very worthy cause.<br />
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The incredible prizes range from organiser <a href="http://www.jennywalshdesign.com/">Jenny Walsh</a>'s stunning Creature Comforts cabinet (inspired by a child learning to walk and valued at €2,600) to the double-take Comfort Carafe by <a href="http://www.locker13.ie/">Locker 13</a> (a playful ceramic take on a ubiquitous product design worth €70), both of which are pictured below.<br />
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<span lang="EN-IE">Leading furniture designer <a href="http://www.jennywalshdesign.com/">Jenny Walsh</a> has organised the <a href="http://www.designforliferaffle.com/">raffle</a> in memory of her brother Shaun, who was born with cystic fibrosis. Word of her initiative soon spread in design circles and has resulted in the generous donations of Irish designed furniture, jewellery, homewares, prints and even a photography session, with a cumulative retail value of €7,000 at last count (items keep poring in).</span></div>
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<span lang="EN-IE">Speaking of her
brother, Jenny says: “My brother Shaun was one of the bravest people I’ve ever
known. Being born with Cystic Fibrosis, he had more medical issues and spent
more time in hospital than most of us can imagine. Despite everything he went
through, I don’t think I ever once heard him complain. </span></div>
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<span lang="EN-IE">“We were so
blessed to have had him in our lives and hope that by contributing towards
Cystic Fibrosis research we are honouring his memory while helping others who
are still fighting for every breath to get the chance of a better life.”</span></div>
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<span lang="EN-IE">The display of
goodwill shown by Jenny’s colleagues in the Irish design world means a lot, she explains. </span>“Shaun’s family
are honoured that so many talented artists and designers have donated handmade
award winning work to this raffle in his memory. Their generosity will
hopefully lead to us raising much needed funds for Cystic Fibrosis research.”</div>
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<span lang="EN-IE">It is hoped that
the <a href="http://www.designforliferaffle.com/">raffle</a> will raise €10,000 to support cystic fibrosis research in Beaumont
Hospital, Dublin. Tickets can be purchased with great ease through <span style="color: windowtext; text-decoration: none;"><a href="http://www.designforliferaffle.com/">www.designforliferaffle.com</a></span>
for just €5 or 3 for €10. </span>This showcase of contemporary Irish design will be exhibited in the <a href="http://irishdesignshop.com/">Irish Design Shop</a>, RHA Gallery, Ely Place, Dublin, from June 1st to 7th with the prize draw taking place on June 7th.</div>
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<span lang="EN-IE">Some of the amazing Design for Life raffle prizes include:</span></div>
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<ul>
<li>Creature
Comforts Cabinet Jenny Walsh Design valued at €2,600</li>
<li>Heirloom
Jewellery box by Karl Sweeny, valued at €750 (pictured below)</li>
</ul>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgM21VxceoRolpH8j4STdrBjJJDNQlv-kgonhsnl8udENVdiSmRGMkK9TQe9A6-VnfrtrvMpsoDkohCqT6Z7-ROXS2XoWdQoT-9ZCUKW7XmEb2RPzyX_hV8rMuoQMVHIE0ScHNRTbnKl-O8/s1600/b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgM21VxceoRolpH8j4STdrBjJJDNQlv-kgonhsnl8udENVdiSmRGMkK9TQe9A6-VnfrtrvMpsoDkohCqT6Z7-ROXS2XoWdQoT-9ZCUKW7XmEb2RPzyX_hV8rMuoQMVHIE0ScHNRTbnKl-O8/s320/b.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<ul>
<li>Ceramic wall art
by Ulrika Holmquist, donated by the Irish Design Shop and valued at €600</li>
<li>‘C Tables’, a
pair of side tables by Klimmek – Henderson, valued at €550 (pictured below)</li>
</ul>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGk3HjXcATaid0QqFBvJiQR1HksHJ9AxQqm0ufzIfDCDLcJG2dmbX2-MWvWw29VJiwhQfWrLC82iggaLwujzDuJD-jGZzqVYThNzy8h7VyqQnR4iga6jMDQjCNN0czsvBaeS6itBGIFShF/s1600/C+Tables%5B1%5D.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGk3HjXcATaid0QqFBvJiQR1HksHJ9AxQqm0ufzIfDCDLcJG2dmbX2-MWvWw29VJiwhQfWrLC82iggaLwujzDuJD-jGZzqVYThNzy8h7VyqQnR4iga6jMDQjCNN0czsvBaeS6itBGIFShF/s320/C+Tables%5B1%5D.JPG" width="319" /></a></div>
<ul>
<li>‘Jellyfish’
Coffee table by Noel Whelan Design, valued at €450</li>
<li>‘Summer Shadows’
from award-winning photographer Joby Hickey, printed on museum etching paper
from negative plate of gelatine, silver sulphide & ammonia. Valued at €380.</li>
<li>Double Pod
Lariat Necklace, winner of Best New Product Showcase 2012 by JLB Jewellery,
valued at €275</li>
</ul>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgu3rk11JXGcRhRJ0rYXDIU5t7edM02gYnhWj36JSMR4tfWmoN-KrZuOQnBbeZYmLAHgY-uDB0cXxAusxbVYfrFdD0-qVFhJDPEyfcQZ5zrVq1gyVjLzT-YdiKvpEVlxTBGgvPI1uQ9863v/s1600/JLB.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgu3rk11JXGcRhRJ0rYXDIU5t7edM02gYnhWj36JSMR4tfWmoN-KrZuOQnBbeZYmLAHgY-uDB0cXxAusxbVYfrFdD0-qVFhJDPEyfcQZ5zrVq1gyVjLzT-YdiKvpEVlxTBGgvPI1uQ9863v/s320/JLB.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
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<ul>
<li>A Claire Mc
Alister Silver Squares Necklace</li>
<li>Crab Necklace
from award-winning jeweller Eily O’Connell</li>
<li>Perspectives
Shelving Unit by Jenny Walsh Design, valued at €180</li>
<li>Kite Chair by
Sticks Fine Furniture</li>
<li>‘Tea Party’
Irish Linen Table Runner, winner of RDS National Crafts Competition by Jennifer
Slattery, valued at €110</li>
<li>Aesop’s Fable
Necklace by Saba Jewellery, valued at €108 (pictured below)</li>
</ul>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfrpCpYJCptzQNtw6G3L7CuyzmqEI3tbpXjJJm2jyZvvLAw4Bfm04-9DD7DQ47m6qlP-ruAs22Bf4ljP7EkolxCuYfgeBNKjjLlH5y_bISMlIzrdJf4fpuyp7lZUjiUdswUtTkqXLn21Kv/s1600/show_image_in_imgtag.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfrpCpYJCptzQNtw6G3L7CuyzmqEI3tbpXjJJm2jyZvvLAw4Bfm04-9DD7DQ47m6qlP-ruAs22Bf4ljP7EkolxCuYfgeBNKjjLlH5y_bISMlIzrdJf4fpuyp7lZUjiUdswUtTkqXLn21Kv/s1600/show_image_in_imgtag.jpg" /></a></div>
<ul>
<li>Earrings cast
from acorns by Eily O’Connell, valued at €90</li>
<li>A photo session
in your own home with photographer Emily Quinn</li>
<li>Handmade Wooden
Stool by James (stickman) Carroll</li>
<li>Diamond Earrings
by Precious, Project 51, valued at €80</li>
<li>Embroidered Wrap
by Heather Finn Knitwear, valued at €75</li>
<li>Allium lampshade
by Klickity, valued at €70 (pictured below)</li>
</ul>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKZqcPNb4GHebQ64O9b4HoQIbw39BFczjsgYTQcnuQdsYEel_VH00OJdyq3WRFuCHTJM01pHe8WY0oL-v0wnJwG8NvDE3KiU2CLAq2iSLmdlLfTzT8FNq_i-kAdsQYLqyyHAbrUT8LLtgP/s1600/allium+lampshade+by+klickity.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKZqcPNb4GHebQ64O9b4HoQIbw39BFczjsgYTQcnuQdsYEel_VH00OJdyq3WRFuCHTJM01pHe8WY0oL-v0wnJwG8NvDE3KiU2CLAq2iSLmdlLfTzT8FNq_i-kAdsQYLqyyHAbrUT8LLtgP/s320/allium+lampshade+by+klickity.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<ul>
<li>Comfort Carafe
from Locker 13, valued at €70</li>
<li>Flourish
lampshade by recent DIT graduate Kathryn Payne</li>
<li>Limited Edition,
Signed Print from Grand Grand</li>
<li> “Time Flies” clock by Jenny Walsh
Design, valued at €28 (pictured below)</li>
</ul>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiy0yUim37bFGf5eVBypj9MoKT5XOATYf7CMZM8HjliM5VPd9BE9OCqbUejhaXukaMB0eoBA3eNtj2COJxlH05zDMV5QxttwUCN6bkGNxq_Qii9ZdZAc3H9uEk5hPjOc0wGaDFmv27obtZz/s1600/time+flies+clock+jenny+walsh+design.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiy0yUim37bFGf5eVBypj9MoKT5XOATYf7CMZM8HjliM5VPd9BE9OCqbUejhaXukaMB0eoBA3eNtj2COJxlH05zDMV5QxttwUCN6bkGNxq_Qii9ZdZAc3H9uEk5hPjOc0wGaDFmv27obtZz/s320/time+flies+clock+jenny+walsh+design.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<ul>
<li>“Cuckoo Clock”
by Jenny Walsh Design, valued at €25</li>
<li>Skipping Rope by
Nick Barker from Upcycle, as seen on Dragon’s Den!</li>
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<i>Tickets can be
purchased through </i><span style="color: windowtext; text-decoration: none;"><a href="http://www.designforliferaffle.com/"><i>www.designforliferaffle.com</i></a></span><i>
or through the <a href="http://irishdesignshop.com/">Irish Design Shop</a>, Bow Lane East, Dublin 2 - Irish Design Shop,
RHA Gallery, Ely Place, Dublin 2 or <a href="http://www.project51.ie/">Project 51</a>, South William Street, Dublin2.</i></div>
<br />Sorchahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15459697652071142292noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5949655524869068746.post-40474057611554302562012-04-15T17:56:00.003+01:002012-04-16T09:45:15.934+01:00Inside artist Laura de Búrca's Dublin studioDublin artist Laura de Búrca's work is mesmerising and evocative. I love her use of colour, her attention to detail and the way she can capture a precious moment of shifting light. Three of her pieces hang on my walls.<br />
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We attended the same school and recently bumped into each other in our local park, the War Memorial Gardens in Islandbridge. The NCAD graduate warmly welcomed me to her Thomas Street studio recently, which was a real visual treat.<br />
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Laura is currently working on a book about her father's family's orchard in the countryside near Tuam, Co. Galway. Poring over newspaper archives to find details of its prize-winning country fair entries and studying the people and the place in black and white photographs, she has been inspired to create a series of beautiful illustrations for the book, from the ivy-clad frontage of her grandparents' home to detailed studies of fruit and foliage.<br />
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Like sunlight breaking through the trees, she breathes vibrancy and light into the still-life studies of the apples and other fruit grown on the orchard. Her research has also shed light on Irish varieties that have since been replaced on shop shelves by imported fruit.<br />
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On Laura's desk (formerly owned by an architect and picked up for a song on a recycling website), my eye was instantly drawn by a series of tropical birds. The inspired choice of canvas? Paint sample tiles rescued from a skip outside the <a href="http://eu.farrow-ball.com/dublin-showroom/content/fcp-content">nearby Farrow & Ball showroom</a> on Cornmarket. The English paint company is renowned for its range of high quality heritage colours, and I love how Laura has found a new use for her find. Red tags from a vintage label maker proudly describes the rather unusual breeds of bird, such as Candy Plumed Sundove (below), that she has brought to life.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGqz0KuhoS2Omu8QguGxy3Y_yI2A34yywHfXK_xbQ73Xj1VqBeLYMJhblZDWgib1zoizBGiLg1xSBnsK0FFUAvtQ1rtQghJUGelRRj2olBbG0YpLk-u0LZi7pXFN3B5cW8d1J3yOQcvqjG/s1600/DSC_0187.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGqz0KuhoS2Omu8QguGxy3Y_yI2A34yywHfXK_xbQ73Xj1VqBeLYMJhblZDWgib1zoizBGiLg1xSBnsK0FFUAvtQ1rtQghJUGelRRj2olBbG0YpLk-u0LZi7pXFN3B5cW8d1J3yOQcvqjG/s320/DSC_0187.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
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Photos relating to Laura's painstaking research of the orchard also hang on the walls.<br />
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In every corner of the studio, creativity blooms. Laura, who has worked as an artist facilitator and workshop devisor with The Ark, a children's cultural centre in Temple Bar, made the leafy paper garland for a friend's wedding from old paper. She can also turn her hand to lifelike flowers, as pictured on top of a table she recently volunteered to upcycle for Oxfamhome on Francis Street, the subject of a <a href="http://www.oxfamireland.org/blog/2012/04/04/how-to-upcycle-second-hand-furniture-from-oxfamhome/">blog post I wrote for the Oxfam Ireland website</a>.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1PvQF7nuooiaUjjP9b-kMj50N4EycJaWvOeKi-qzGbPOPrDaOc1WXFNbLt9rvBH-i218ErIGE-7F-9-fT-fSGRHqSleMMdpp5RCMnPxDGsgYF8DZYf_X6bxTkAeYKAIB2wOQVqFXkhWFP/s1600/DSC_0220.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1PvQF7nuooiaUjjP9b-kMj50N4EycJaWvOeKi-qzGbPOPrDaOc1WXFNbLt9rvBH-i218ErIGE-7F-9-fT-fSGRHqSleMMdpp5RCMnPxDGsgYF8DZYf_X6bxTkAeYKAIB2wOQVqFXkhWFP/s320/DSC_0220.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; line-height: 23px;"><span style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><i>See Laura’s work on </i><a href="http://fawnchorus.tumblr.com/"><i>http://fawnchorus.tumblr.com</i></a><i> and </i><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/lauradeb"><i>www.flickr.com/photos/lauradeb</i></a><i>. She also blogs about colours on </i><a href="http://coloursnames.blogspot.com/"><i>http://coloursnames.blogspot.com</i></a></span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; line-height: 23px;"><i>The blog post about the table she upcycled for Oxfamhome is </i></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; line-height: 23px;"><a href="http://www.oxfamireland.org/blog/2012/04/04/how-to-upcycle-second-hand-furniture-from-oxfamhome/"><i>http://www.oxfamireland.org/blog/2012/04/04/how-to-upcycle-second-hand-furniture-from-oxfamhome/</i></a></span></div>
<br />Sorchahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15459697652071142292noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5949655524869068746.post-8869189786976001532012-03-23T19:54:00.001+00:002012-03-23T19:54:27.609+00:00Spare room inspiration... even when damp attacksWhen we moved into the house in 2008, I did notice a smidgen of damp in the back bedroom. "Must get around to doing something about that," we muttered, adding it to a list of urgent works that included a new path, front door and a large-scale excavation of the back garden make part of it level with the ground floor of the house.<br />
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After those exhaustive (and expensive) projects were complete, into the spare room we dumped boxes containing all that stuff that's difficult to part from such as old college newspapers, childhood photos, favourite books, letters and postcards throughout the years, notes from college courses (okay, I was too lazy to begin sorting through 'supply chain management' and 'administrative law'). The possibility of the room looking something like the photo below seemed a more remote possibility.<br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 0px;"><a href="http://pinterest.com/pin/187180928232678656/" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://media-cache1.pinterest.com/upload/233061349435912297_gSQU61eo_c.jpg" width="300" /></a></span></div>
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This back bedroom, notionally titled 'the study', is where a well-made but lonely foosball table sits among the boxes. There has been a few mass-clearing out rampages over the years, but my decision to do a post-grad in primary teaching led to more books, stationery and notes taking residence. We prefer to keep the door to this room closed.<br />
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However, avoiding the area has proven costly, as the little bit of damp has now spread in a dramatic fashion, requiring a deal of work that would have been significantly lessened had we tackled it a few years back. So, a big job ahead.<br />
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Treating the damp, which may involve rebuilding the chimney contributing to the leak along with repointing it, plus wall treatments, will mean that whatever funds we have to finish the spare room will be minimal. However, I don't want to spend too much on decorating this room, as it may become a bathroom if we decide (funds allowing) to <a href="http://motheach.blogspot.com/2012/01/rebuilding-should-you-extend-yourself.html">embrace negative equity (see previous post)</a> and build a two-storey extension.<br />
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I had spent the past few weeks happily collating images in my <a href="http://pinterest.com/MoTheach/">Spare Room Inspiration folder on Pinterest</a> (seriously addictive and the reason for less blog posts of late). I'd like muted white or grey walls, blackboards and punches of colour. Here's a selection:<br />
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Source: <a href="http://www.sfgirlbybay.com/2010/12/" style="color: #76838b; font-size: 10px; text-decoration: underline;">sfgirlbybay.com</a> via <a href="http://pinterest.com/MoTheach/" style="color: #76838b; font-size: 10px; text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank">Sorcha</a> on <a href="http://pinterest.com/" style="color: #76838b; text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank">Pinterest</a></div>
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<a href="http://pinterest.com/pin/187180928232677411/" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="225" src="http://media-cache8.pinterest.com/upload/236509417900651985_c4OPefrW_c.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
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Source: <a href="http://www.google.com/imgres?q=gray+%26+yellow+bedrooms&hl=en&rlz=1C1CHKZ_enUS434US434&biw=1117&bih=622&tbm=isch&tbnid=IldaIOpw02hAbM:&imgrefurl=http://flipflopsandpearlsdesign.blogspot.com/2010/07/color-combo-yellow-gray.html&docid=mPuBj246n3npNM&w=600&h=450&ei=Fw-ETvqADMqksQLY1NjGDw&zoom=1&iact=hc&vpx=810&vpy=148&dur=2209&hovh=194&hovw=259&tx=95&ty=101&page=1&tbnh=132&tbnw=154&start=0&ndsp=17&ved=1t:429,r:5,s:0" style="color: #76838b; font-size: 10px; text-decoration: underline;">google.com</a> via <a href="http://pinterest.com/MoTheach/" style="color: #76838b; font-size: 10px; text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank">Sorcha</a> on <a href="http://pinterest.com/" style="color: #76838b; text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank">Pinterest</a></div>
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<a href="http://pinterest.com/pin/187180928232678622/" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="350" src="http://media-cache4.pinterest.com/upload/279645458082068204_mHmBWTYG_c.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
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Source: <a href="http://myidealhome.tumblr.com/post/19238258929/less-talk-more-make-via-cush-and-nooks" style="color: #76838b; font-size: 10px; text-decoration: underline;">myidealhome.tumblr.com</a> via <a href="http://pinterest.com/MoTheach/" style="color: #76838b; font-size: 10px; text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank">Sorcha</a> on <a href="http://pinterest.com/" style="color: #76838b; text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank">Pinterest</a></div>
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<a href="http://pinterest.com/pin/187180928232677405/" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://media-cache8.pinterest.com/upload/209065607671329813_2Sg3WtCN_c.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
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Source: <a href="http://www.westelm.com/products/window-daybed-g093/?pkey=cdaybeds-futons-sleepers" style="color: #76838b; font-size: 10px; text-decoration: underline;">westelm.com</a> via <a href="http://pinterest.com/MoTheach/" style="color: #76838b; font-size: 10px; text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank">Sorcha</a> on <a href="http://pinterest.com/" style="color: #76838b; text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank">Pinterest</a></div>
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<a href="http://pinterest.com/pin/187180928232677387/" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="449" src="http://media-cache3.pinterest.com/upload/226939268692961382_cizD8PJ5_c.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
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Source: <a href="http://bodieandfou.blogspot.com/2012/03/styling-from-weekend.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+blogspot%2FUxVs+%28BODIE+and+FOU%29" style="color: #76838b; font-size: 10px; text-decoration: underline;">bodieandfou.blogspot.com</a> via <a href="http://pinterest.com/MoTheach/" style="color: #76838b; font-size: 10px; text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank">Sorcha</a> on <a href="http://pinterest.com/" style="color: #76838b; text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank">Pinterest</a></div>
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<a href="http://pinterest.com/pin/187180928232672106/" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="392" src="http://media-cache4.pinterest.com/upload/79235274663528294_pbINRW7A_c.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
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Source: <a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=5949655524869068746" style="color: #76838b; font-size: 10px; text-decoration: underline;">Uploaded by user</a> via <a href="http://pinterest.com/MoTheach/" style="color: #76838b; font-size: 10px; text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank">Sorcha</a> on <a href="http://pinterest.com/" style="color: #76838b; text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank">Pinterest</a></div>
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<a href="http://pinterest.com/pin/187180928232726998/" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="396" src="http://media-cache1.pinterest.com/upload/104005072614670641_pkVlorFe_c.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
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Source: <a href="http://veronicalovesarchie.com/post/19491179883" style="color: #76838b; font-size: 10px; text-decoration: underline;">veronicalovesarchie.com</a> via <a href="http://pinterest.com/MoTheach/" style="color: #76838b; font-size: 10px; text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank">Sorcha</a> on <a href="http://pinterest.com/" style="color: #76838b; text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank">Pinterest</a></div>
</div>Sorchahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15459697652071142292noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5949655524869068746.post-17165449698102554432012-03-15T12:21:00.000+00:002012-03-15T12:21:17.079+00:00Dublin's Creative Quarter: A capital ideaBack in the rare 'aul times, Dublin was made up of designated city trade quarters all but forgotten today, save for street names such as Fishamble Street, Copper Alley and Winetavern Street.<br />
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Today, there's the newish Italian quarter built on the north quays by Mick Wallace and a long-standing Antique Quarter on Francis Street in the west inner city, while Temple Bar is the Cultural Quarter.<br />
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Now the area around South Great George's Street and South William Street will be <a href="http://www.thejournal.ie/dublin-launches-new-creative-quarter-for-city-centre-380795-Mar2012/">designated the Creative Quarter</a>. The <a href="http://www.dublincitybid.ie/">Dublin City Business Improvement District (BID)</a> is behind the move and describe the area as "a hub of innovation which hosts an exceptional array of designer boutiques, creative businesses and plenty more".<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8mlFgVNH8aesMdB6cI0MpjhefU9CvVTYx49_oWscC7fbDIkaVHcW48befRl9lbhcTgGEi5wizaZPSJzAGRqU9bVAXw0P0vi2hltdHDe8mD_EZCq_ZgdA38OTrUJ-62T81hInRMBrTyQxG/s1600/George's+Arcade+Dublin+-+Alison+Cornford-Matheson+dreamstime_m_850946.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8mlFgVNH8aesMdB6cI0MpjhefU9CvVTYx49_oWscC7fbDIkaVHcW48befRl9lbhcTgGEi5wizaZPSJzAGRqU9bVAXw0P0vi2hltdHDe8mD_EZCq_ZgdA38OTrUJ-62T81hInRMBrTyQxG/s320/George's+Arcade+Dublin+-+Alison+Cornford-Matheson+dreamstime_m_850946.jpg" width="207" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">ARCADE ADMIRE: The beautiful facade of the <a href="http://www.georgesstreetarcade.ie/">George's Street Arcade</a>, now part of the city's Creative Quarter, as designated by the <a href="http://www.dublincitybid.ie/">Dublin City Business Improvement District</a>. Image: Alison Cornford-Matheson/Dreamtimes</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiAQR0MJYf0JmHOFNZGJzSzyKLzUJCMAylNUrKqHe6WxWAxR6BXP1V9VH2zcDrImCA8Zg7bZjZvrsfG3I7Uo5woJwqXWhyphenhyphent28XuSRL1Xp-cMCRI9A0VWlkYijnZ8X_JkVPfrpP-oWjg8Wh/s1600/Google+Satellite+SGG+St+and+SW+St.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="206" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiAQR0MJYf0JmHOFNZGJzSzyKLzUJCMAylNUrKqHe6WxWAxR6BXP1V9VH2zcDrImCA8Zg7bZjZvrsfG3I7Uo5woJwqXWhyphenhyphent28XuSRL1Xp-cMCRI9A0VWlkYijnZ8X_JkVPfrpP-oWjg8Wh/s320/Google+Satellite+SGG+St+and+SW+St.png" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">HUB OF CREATIVITY: South Great George's Street (the red A balloon) and South William Street to the right. Image: Google Maps</td></tr>
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Among the design businesses in the Creative District are <a href="http://shop.designist.ie/">Designist</a> (68 South Great George's Street, next door to <a href="http://www.brasseriesixty6.com/">Brasserie Sixty6</a>) and <a href="http://www.articledublin.com/">Article</a>, which has just moved into a stunning new space on the ground floor of the <a href="http://www.powerscourtcentre.com/">Powerscourt Centre</a>, South William Street. The area has attracted a number of independent businesses, from deli and bakery <a href="http://www.lollyandcooks.com/">Lolly and Cooks</a> in Victorian wonder <a href="http://www.georgesstreetarcade.ie/">George's Street Arcade</a>, to the recently opened Irish fashion store <a href="https://www.facebook.com/blindtigercollective">Blind Tiger Collective</a>, <a href="http://motheach.blogspot.com/2012/01/eye-of-tiger-irish-clothing-brands-open.html">featured previously on Mo Theach</a>, on South William Street.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBYydTy9zrAYMLaccd3jPT9UvEt1XyrdGmMBnYOTdRnZRMd5yKXW9JSPYRpqqyi0Xv_6LZhY3sTgXRvsAYpb__JGIQfbkRnMLFVA4YLi1xSBQn2XwIx3ZjLzuiRckwXZB6laXyzbn_Qpx-/s1600/%23lovedublin+mugs+designist.ie.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBYydTy9zrAYMLaccd3jPT9UvEt1XyrdGmMBnYOTdRnZRMd5yKXW9JSPYRpqqyi0Xv_6LZhY3sTgXRvsAYpb__JGIQfbkRnMLFVA4YLi1xSBQn2XwIx3ZjLzuiRckwXZB6laXyzbn_Qpx-/s320/%23lovedublin+mugs+designist.ie.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I LIKE MY TEA TWEET: <a href="http://shop.designist.ie/collections/table/products/lovedublin-mug">#LoveDublin mugs</a> designed by <a href="http://shop.designist.ie/">Designist.ie</a>, a store in Dublin's newly designated Creative Quarter, as part of a collaboration with <a href="http://www.lecool.com/dublin/en/current_issue">Le Cool Dublin</a>. The mugs are inspired by tweets under #LoveDublin and designed by <a href="http://www.practiceandtheory.com/">Donal Thornton</a>. There are <a href="http://shop.designist.ie/collections/table/products/lovedublin-mug">three mugs (€10 each)</a> to choose from, 'Walk of Shame', 'Mix Tweets' and 'Mug of Tea'. </td></tr>
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According to <a href="http://www.dublincitybid.ie/">BID</a>, this area was once Dublin's original garment district, where specialist design thrived. Fashionistas of the 18th century flocked to these furriers, dress-makers, glove-makers and couture coat manufacturers.<br />
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A number of events, part of the <a href="http://www.stpatricksfestival.ie/">St. Patrick's Festival</a>, are taking place tomorrow, Friday March 16th, to launch the Creative District. These include the launch of Project A Apparel as part of the Blind Tiger Collective (12pm-2pm) and a lecture by fashion historian Ruth Griffin on local fashion history in Om Diva Boutique on Drury Street (6pm).<br />
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One I'd love to go is <a href="http://www.designist.ie/2012/03/09/scribble-dublin-fri-16th-march-2012-designist/">Scribble Dublin at the Designist store</a> at 68 South Great George's Street (6pm-8pm) featuring Irish company <a href="http://www.klickity.ie/Product-Scribble-Frame.html">Klickity's scribble frames</a>. Mark Flood (see <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oAR0VRLRGHE">his work on David Mc William's Punk Economics videos</a>) will be on illustrator duties, designs from other top illustrators will be auctioned and there will be a gigantic version of Klickity's scribble frame to get your picture taken in.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitc3zQMVpKGFJOjm0mZTaf1WZrnIf5rkefOCOQ0YgkyAthwJYXMLtb8CZwWFSOQjE4lDf9nAHJ2qTD4piLatWZFZFHgZHrGNAkmidAM6CRve6jhjbBNKYiq9pNLls1GsAXcrAoCcIS0zBT/s1600/Scribble-frame-event-poster-designist.ie.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitc3zQMVpKGFJOjm0mZTaf1WZrnIf5rkefOCOQ0YgkyAthwJYXMLtb8CZwWFSOQjE4lDf9nAHJ2qTD4piLatWZFZFHgZHrGNAkmidAM6CRve6jhjbBNKYiq9pNLls1GsAXcrAoCcIS0zBT/s320/Scribble-frame-event-poster-designist.ie.jpg" width="226" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">CITY SCRIBB': <a href="http://www.designist.ie/blog/">Poster for tomorrow's Scribble Dublin event at Designist</a> on South Great George's Street. Image: <a href="http://www.designist.ie/blog/">Designist.ie</a></td></tr>
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<a href="http://www.dublincitybid.ie/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/CreativeQuarter_A44_lores-to-read-online.pdf">Other events</a> (taking place between 6pm and 8pm) are a celebration of Irish food to be held in Fallon and Byrne and a 'Meet the Designers' evening as part of the festival of Irish Design featuring Project 51 in association with the Crafts Council of Ireland. Designers include Geraldine Murphy of Saba Jewellery.<br />
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I'd love to see more designated districts in Dublin. Some ideas related to my local area include:<br />
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<b>The Brewery Quarter:</b> The Guinness Storehouse is among the most visited tourist attractions in the country, yet the surrounding streets are dead and many buildings derelict. The area already has lots to offer in the form of the <a href="http://www.thedigitalhub.com/">Digital Hub</a>, <a href="http://www.ncad.ie/">NCAD</a>, <a href="http://vicarstreet.ie/">Vicar Street</a>, local businesses such as <a href="http://www.manningsbakeryshops.ie/">Manning's Bakery</a> and the newly-opened Arthur's. It would be great to see the huge Georgian buildings on James Street currently up for let occupied and the old Victorian market buildings in the area rescued from decay.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjI3lrB3e0P3kqGUPdSgQR8rFAEZnxpvz6jP1_4ARexsW4kduitPltg9nn9jruv9bWVSA1JsrYW4SK2fGLr4nd2JaHnY2UPBoMMNlo3DhgSTWOCqTebdePjuJWYqflSwe3iCXh_Ludqxedm/s1600/Guinness+Windmill,+Brewery+Quarter,+Dublin..jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjI3lrB3e0P3kqGUPdSgQR8rFAEZnxpvz6jP1_4ARexsW4kduitPltg9nn9jruv9bWVSA1JsrYW4SK2fGLr4nd2JaHnY2UPBoMMNlo3DhgSTWOCqTebdePjuJWYqflSwe3iCXh_Ludqxedm/s320/Guinness+Windmill,+Brewery+Quarter,+Dublin..jpg" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A BREW LEASE OF LIFE? The old Guinness windmill, now surrounded by the Digital Hub on James' Street. It would be great to see a Brewery Quarter developed for tourists and locals alike.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMQRA8cAXhMuxCAKYm91_DY-zQKTHFjXiD5mmp3FKPltha5HdXbgcmveTKtfsZuvkthagUpxr1dgF4l7cX2SitYbMldFvhd0dr6fxKap2_BCe6opwonhmmImpHwCsfVAUnP-q3qR_9Lgtn/s1600/Kilmainham+Gaol,+Dublin.+Part+of+Gaol:Military+Quarter%3f.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMQRA8cAXhMuxCAKYm91_DY-zQKTHFjXiD5mmp3FKPltha5HdXbgcmveTKtfsZuvkthagUpxr1dgF4l7cX2SitYbMldFvhd0dr6fxKap2_BCe6opwonhmmImpHwCsfVAUnP-q3qR_9Lgtn/s320/Kilmainham+Gaol,+Dublin.+Part+of+Gaol:Military+Quarter%3f.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">STEP BACK INTO TIME: Kilmainham Gaol, a must-see Dublin visiter attraction. If you're walking from the Guinness Storehouse, don't expect clear signage to help you find it.</td></tr>
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<b>The Gaol/Military Quarter:</b> Hundreds of tourists walk each day from the <a href="http://www.guinness-storehouse.com/en/Index.aspx">Guinness Storehouse</a> to <a href="http://www.heritageireland.ie/en/dublin/kilmainhamgaol/">Kilmainham Gaol</a>, often missing the small sign for the turn at Bow Lane, and walking past St. James' Hospital and often up into Inchicore, as there is no sign for the Gaol at the junction of Old Kilmainham and South Circular Road. (The most scenic route is to walk down James' Street, then at the triangle in the centre of the road, take the road in the middle, Bow Lane West, which continues onto Kilmainham Lane, then it's at the top of this road).<br />
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Kilmainham also has the <a href="http://www.imma.ie/en/index.htm">Irish Museum of Modern Art</a> at the Royal Hospital and the <a href="http://www.heritageireland.ie/en/Dublin/WarMemorialGardens/">War Memorial Gardens</a>, along with Clancy Barracks (part of a late Celtic Tiger development site and currently being used as a filming location). It would be great to see the area more geared to tourists, with perhaps a <a href="http://www.cityofboston.gov/freedomtrail/">special trail like they have in Boston</a>, from the Brewery Quarter, for example.<br />
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<i>Check out:</i><br />
My Pinterest Board: <a href="http://pinterest.com/MoTheach/i-heart-dublin/">I heart Dublin</a><br />
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<i>Related posts:</i><br />
<a href="http://motheach.blogspot.com/2012/01/eye-of-tiger-irish-clothing-brands-open.html">Eye of the Tiger: Irish clothing brands open store</a><br />
<a href="http://motheach.blogspot.com/2012/01/city-slickers-dublin-inspired-design.html">City slickers: Dublin-inspired design</a><br />
<a href="http://motheach.blogspot.com/2011/11/quarter-compounder.html">A Quarter Compounder: Proposed Asian Quarter on Parnell Street</a></div>Sorchahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15459697652071142292noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5949655524869068746.post-9531480156556571232012-03-08T09:17:00.002+00:002012-03-08T14:28:08.943+00:00Irish language clothing and homeware le haghaidh Seachtain na Gaeilge<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Cuireadh tús le <a href="http://www.snag.ie/">Seachtain na Gaeilge</a> ar an Luan agus beidh imeachtaí den scoth ar siúl as seo amach go dtí an 17ú Márta, Lá le Pádhraic.</div>
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<i><a href="http://www.snag.ie/">Seachtain na Gaeilge</a> began on Monday and great events will be taking place from now until March 17th, St. Patrick's Day.</i></div>
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Má tá fonn ort cur le do chúpla focal, tá neart ranganna teagaisc ar siúl ar fud na tíre, chomh maith le tionscnaimh nua ar nós an láithreán líonraithe shóisialta <a href="http://abairleat.com/">Abair Leat</a> agus feachtas teilifíse <a href="http://www.rte.ie/brodclub/">Bród Club</a> ar RTÉ.<br />
<i>If you would like to add to your cúpla focal, there are lots of Irish language classes across the country, along with new initiatives such as social media site </i><a href="http://www.abairleat.com/"><i>Abair Leat</i></a><i> and the </i><a href="http://www.rte.ie/brodclub/"><i>Bród Club</i></a><i> television campaign on RTÉ.</i><br />
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<i></i>Is féidir linn go léir a bheith inár gcónaitheoirí sa Ghaeltacht. Tá cur síos maith ar an gcoincheap seo i n<a href="http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/weekend/2012/0303/1224312695532.html">gné-alt leis an gceannlíne 'Mise agus an Ghaeilge' a bhí ar an Irish Times</a> an tseachtain seo caite. Cé gur as Baile Átha Cliath mé, tógadh le Gaeilge sa bhaile mé agus d'fhreastal mé ar mheánscoil trí mheán na Gaeilge.<br />
<i>We can all be residents of the Gaeltacht. There is a good description of this concept in a <a href="http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/weekend/2012/0303/1224312695532.html">feature headlined 'Mise agus an Ghaeilge' that appeared in The Irish Times</a> last week. Although I'm from Dublin, I was raised with Irish as my first language and I attended secondary school through the medium of Irish.</i><br />
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<i></i>Agus is féidir Seachtain na Gaeilge a cheiliúradh gach lá leis na hearraí tí agus éadach Gaelacha thíos:<br />
<i>And Seachtain na Gaeilge can be celebrated every day with the Irish language homewares and clothing below:</i><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitBsaoUjH3FIXlXxP7WeLdAbuCfDIr7pmJB_3v6trOwifXkuS99lR9CX1FvMLyQrEe2fvOKrxZm5_61tRZDo_kf0zrowNxld0yWS947PQD4gsn0G4-miun4l74nGHC-AxxiBuPV6-azkUo/s1600/placed+new+mugs+colours.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitBsaoUjH3FIXlXxP7WeLdAbuCfDIr7pmJB_3v6trOwifXkuS99lR9CX1FvMLyQrEe2fvOKrxZm5_61tRZDo_kf0zrowNxld0yWS947PQD4gsn0G4-miun4l74nGHC-AxxiBuPV6-azkUo/s320/placed+new+mugs+colours.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">CÚPLA CUPÁN TAE i nAGHAIDH AN LAE: <a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/72462643/ceramic-mug-tea-and-coffee-mainstreet">Cupán tae Príomhshráid ('Mainstreet') le fáil i réimse dathanna ó Placed</a>. Tá ainmneacha na siopaí i nGaeilge (m.sh. Siopa Caife, An Sos Tae).<br />
Le fáil ó shiopa <a href="http://www.placed.etsy.com/">Etsy Placed</a> (thart ar €12 an ceann + postas). Tá <a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/59275077/yellow-baby-shoes-wrapping-paper">páipéir maisiúcháin</a> (thart ar €2.60), <a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/85706425/congratulations-card">cartaí</a> (thart ar €3.65) agus <a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/85666557/baile-sweet-baile-tea-towel-green">tuaillaí tae</a> déanta le prionta lámh (thart ar €16) i nGaeilge le fáil freisin, mar atá le feiceáil sna pictiúir thíos. Tá na hearraí ar díol in <a href="http://www.articledublin.com/">Article</a>, Ionad Powerscourt, Baile Átha Cliath 2, freisin. Íomhanna: <a href="http://www.placedireland.blogspot.com/">Placed</a><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiT2j2qUki1n70V_bqRX61jNsyvDyNku_ofkDqMXz2svkCwtASTEhOMdw-fG3j22RSJicvIY7JPFjHDdAD0Io9TH8hVZrfRvfJblxaE98yg6dQK0sN1kJPIlxf43fvltxSGLAlySbeSV269/s1600/placed+wrapping+paper.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiT2j2qUki1n70V_bqRX61jNsyvDyNku_ofkDqMXz2svkCwtASTEhOMdw-fG3j22RSJicvIY7JPFjHDdAD0Io9TH8hVZrfRvfJblxaE98yg6dQK0sN1kJPIlxf43fvltxSGLAlySbeSV269/s320/placed+wrapping+paper.jpg" width="320" /></a></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfQSZ5k_epPLbLsR4FccsXNn8_LSE2fsnVDF8gA4TdYfa2I3dmIt6rWpiW61aHYOSx_0OsCABcWSm18BqDHBYFigz6cpjjqVEZMGolug_M5QiseCKvgWQZ8hhotfgzqyKk2cZpVoLciCXY/s1600/placed+card.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfQSZ5k_epPLbLsR4FccsXNn8_LSE2fsnVDF8gA4TdYfa2I3dmIt6rWpiW61aHYOSx_0OsCABcWSm18BqDHBYFigz6cpjjqVEZMGolug_M5QiseCKvgWQZ8hhotfgzqyKk2cZpVoLciCXY/s320/placed+card.jpg" width="280" /></a></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirVBgqM00TvJg6kKQZ2-cNt6pRTIm0cHtJu3KVPRFgAPT87MXgiRJqm6dMGOJQLwCtTg-EqUmDyj9VnWFmprJ5-RrcmVxJkN1g6BWFwxP_UhcjJrXXcgI3B4q7qxk3qER1pzLivFibWgiT/s1600/placed+tea+towel.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirVBgqM00TvJg6kKQZ2-cNt6pRTIm0cHtJu3KVPRFgAPT87MXgiRJqm6dMGOJQLwCtTg-EqUmDyj9VnWFmprJ5-RrcmVxJkN1g6BWFwxP_UhcjJrXXcgI3B4q7qxk3qER1pzLivFibWgiT/s320/placed+tea+towel.jpg" width="213" /></a></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcpISe2ngXdsCQPek-PbVqhkWbWXzqaji-cegoHDFfsW14zmtJZz_fU9iIDSCnFwK0j7tZT5CB-umq2b18x7hGlCWhc9FTiI_PxEGKXFHnKpMXwbwF00bbP6IMbjMK4G6e2ItEjbTQzgfx/s1600/placed+tea+towel+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcpISe2ngXdsCQPek-PbVqhkWbWXzqaji-cegoHDFfsW14zmtJZz_fU9iIDSCnFwK0j7tZT5CB-umq2b18x7hGlCWhc9FTiI_PxEGKXFHnKpMXwbwF00bbP6IMbjMK4G6e2ItEjbTQzgfx/s320/placed+tea+towel+2.jpg" width="213" /></a></span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">O'BAMA RAMA: Chuir uachtarán Mheirceá Barack Obama Gaeilge ar a ráiteas 'Yes We Can' nuair a thug sé óráid i mBaile Átha Cliath i mí Bealtaine, 2011.<br />
Dhear <a href="http://www.ilovemayo.com/">I Love Mayo an prionta 'Is Féidir Linn'</a> chun an ócáid seo a cheiliúradh agus an prionta álainn I Love Cáca Milis ('cake') thíos.<br />
Tá an praghas idir €7.95 agus €24.95 (+ postas), ag brath ar an méid agus má tá 'mounting' de dhith uait. Le fáil ó shuíomh <a href="http://www.garrendennylane.com/">Garrendenny Lane</a> freisin. Íomhanna: <a href="http://ilovemayo.com/">I Love Mayo</a><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">OH MO DHIA: Is léir gur thug Lionel Richie agus a amhrán 'Hello' an-inspioráid go deo do lucht <a href="http://www.hairybaby.com/index.php?page=shop.product_details&flypage=shop.flypage4girls&product_id=750&category_id=6&category_parent_id=2&manufacturer_id=0&option=com_virtuemart&Itemid=26">Hairy Baby agus tá an t-léine seo le fáil i ndathanna éagsúla</a> ar €20 (+ postas) sa sladmhargadh. Tá réimse leathan de t-léinte i nGaeilge le fáil, m.sh. an ceann thíos leis na focla cáiliúla ó <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DTNBmFveq2U">fhógra Carlsberg</a> cúpla bliain ó shin. Íomhanna: <a href="http://hairybaby.ie/">Hairy Baby</a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioG2qr3P-Hxdh04Km4V5L4Gk7onyPY1ub-zLD0IThC6lLmJzQyiz5YBhqaHi4x_MYr4bfHvlxMGZg6adjtH4_NHEPQLyISDsRJ-12i-zVG5iMfI3k8qIMcuRk8oNTnH0ldpfl9HL0sf9qA/s1600/girlsstee_0036_kelly-green_full.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="319" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioG2qr3P-Hxdh04Km4V5L4Gk7onyPY1ub-zLD0IThC6lLmJzQyiz5YBhqaHi4x_MYr4bfHvlxMGZg6adjtH4_NHEPQLyISDsRJ-12i-zVG5iMfI3k8qIMcuRk8oNTnH0ldpfl9HL0sf9qA/s320/girlsstee_0036_kelly-green_full.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">BOG STANDARD IRISH, TOP NOTCH PRINT: Is féidir le gach duine a d'fhreastal ar scoil in Éirinn an cheist, 'An Bhfuil Cead Agam dul Amach go dtí an Leithreas?' ('May I have permission to go to the toilet?' as taught to generations of Irish children) a chur. Tá an prionta seo le fáil ó shiopa Etsy FunkyGibbo (thart ar €15 + postas). Íomha: F<a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/FunkyGibbo">unkyGibbo ar Etsy</a> </td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">TXT SPK AS GAEILGE: OMG = Oh Mo Dhia, nó OMD, i nGaeilge. Tá an <a href="http://www.spailpin.com/English/omgohmygodomdomodhialadyshoody.php?UID=8858125">OMD hoodie le fáil ón Spailpín Fánach</a> sa Spidéal, Conamara, ar chostas €32 (+ postas). Íomha: <a href="http://www.spailpin.com/">An Spailpín Fánach</a></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">FADA FAISIN: Ceist ghramadaí nó canúinte? Is breá liom hoodie <a href="http://deirse.com/index.php?route=product/product&product_id=65">How's Your Fada? (€35 + postas) ón chomhlacht Deir Sé</a>. Íomha: <a href="http://deirse.com/">Deir Sé</a></td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSx3dVjlrGbXI1mlsdKvHzn7Dz9YB4BFgpKxYeYuWLUcQzhFU1boQzTEXOie26J5_oWQo7t7_7EwHh6znTClqbu-3-pCssmSPWGSy06Hp-rCP1FZui6pDQW1XccLdzvShTS2m8LVCy71TG/s1600/ScrabbleSceal.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="220" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSx3dVjlrGbXI1mlsdKvHzn7Dz9YB4BFgpKxYeYuWLUcQzhFU1boQzTEXOie26J5_oWQo7t7_7EwHh6znTClqbu-3-pCssmSPWGSy06Hp-rCP1FZui6pDQW1XccLdzvShTS2m8LVCy71TG/s320/ScrabbleSceal.jpg" style="cursor: move;" width="320" /></a></div>
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FOCAL THUAS: Tá an cluiche cailiúil <a href="http://www.siopagaeilge.ie/products/Do%20Thuismitheoir%ED/product14-5.htm">Scrabble le fáil i nGaeilge ar €20 (+ postas) ón Siopa Gaeilge</a>. Íomha: <a href="http://www.siopagaeilge.ie/">Siopa Gaeilge</a></div>
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</div>Sorchahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15459697652071142292noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5949655524869068746.post-73542852929731204622012-03-04T00:24:00.000+00:002012-03-04T11:21:56.309+00:00I love lamp: Some of Ireland's bright lights<div>
There's a bit of stretch in the evening these days but I'm still reaching for the flick of a switch by 6pm. I prefer the glow of table and floor lamps to the sometimes harsh glare of overhead lights.</div>
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Like <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6CPwOOK4nEM">Brick from Anchorman, I love lamp</a>. Light up with this selection of lovely lamps from Irish stores:</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">PET PROJECT: Designer <a href="http://www.reddogthestore.com/index.php/meet-the-makers/jens-kosak/">Jens Kosak</a> created a <a href="http://www.reddogthestore.com/index.php/shop/spot-lamp/">limited run of 50 eponymous Spot lamps</a> (€260) for <a href="http://www.reddogthestore.com/">Red Dog the Store</a>. The fetching Donegal-made <a href="http://www.reddogthestore.com/index.php/shop/doggie-aran-sweaters/">Aran Sweaters</a> modelled by the poodles are also available from the store, costing €50. Image: <a href="http://www.reddogthestore.com/">Red Dog the Store</a></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOOVdRlA-Z2k1vR8hEvPoS_nnGs3A646MGq1T_NtX8jZvlMgvV-pCAfI7ELN0ZHG9m3MG-ng0muOK-Ro8cfwlfl_rPskohf-fPIyHiuzHdz2KpFaL-XRzaLbEf6UZoXZ9zslhzFMSF3eKG/s1600/anglepoise+blue+industry+design.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOOVdRlA-Z2k1vR8hEvPoS_nnGs3A646MGq1T_NtX8jZvlMgvV-pCAfI7ELN0ZHG9m3MG-ng0muOK-Ro8cfwlfl_rPskohf-fPIyHiuzHdz2KpFaL-XRzaLbEf6UZoXZ9zslhzFMSF3eKG/s320/anglepoise+blue+industry+design.jpg" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">PERFECT 'POISE: Dublin store <a href="http://industrydesign.ie/">Industry Design</a> has a <a href="http://industrydesign.ie/products/lighting/table-lamps">range of classic Anglepoise lamp</a>s, including this <a href="http://industrydesign.ie/products/lighting/table-lamps/anglepoise-lamp-1227-blue">1227 blue beauty (€195)</a>. Image: <a href="http://industrydesign.ie/">Industry Design</a></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaREKVbUmwPxAoug1C7rULM4Y70hEi1MdW272oOD7Ac-QaR34ec1oR63bn4BaiF9LrWK73ebKzSy9lbljOJ-ApfcCAfsour8VH-BPHESFJOe2b0Uk45k8Qavj8xMavo9sQ21lG_8Ydvyle/s1600/blue-marmalade-bud-pendant-shade-14402507_large.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaREKVbUmwPxAoug1C7rULM4Y70hEi1MdW272oOD7Ac-QaR34ec1oR63bn4BaiF9LrWK73ebKzSy9lbljOJ-ApfcCAfsour8VH-BPHESFJOe2b0Uk45k8Qavj8xMavo9sQ21lG_8Ydvyle/s320/blue-marmalade-bud-pendant-shade-14402507_large.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">DARLING BUDS OF RAY: This futuristic <a href="http://shop.designist.ie/collections/room/products/bud">Bud lamp from Designist (€54)</a> was inspired by the overlapping petals of a rose. Made from recyclable polypropylene, it's kind to the environment too. Image: <a href="http://shop.designist.ie/collections/room/products/bud">Designist.ie</a></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYfEy4KIiCgEtqOOzorGmQWmqj3IQtVuyjUpm494T4-4UE3dFIyvD5Kbvhzc5UkmVt80_DILFzYbo4iz3o_Tf8bjEfshq_LqGULJPvzBtPhRZ8AR7cV_4Rj3bY7qSMa81jCyOdnFF4rPG0/s1600/Light-Tins-red-blue-and-.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYfEy4KIiCgEtqOOzorGmQWmqj3IQtVuyjUpm494T4-4UE3dFIyvD5Kbvhzc5UkmVt80_DILFzYbo4iz3o_Tf8bjEfshq_LqGULJPvzBtPhRZ8AR7cV_4Rj3bY7qSMa81jCyOdnFF4rPG0/s320/Light-Tins-red-blue-and-.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">FOOD LIGHTING: Made by Irish company <a href="http://www.klickity.ie/">Klickity</a>, the <a href="http://www.garrendennylane.com/Products/Lighting_Ceiling-Lights/Light-Tin-Blue-Irish-Light">Light Tin is available in blue (79.95)</a> from homewares heaven <a href="http://www.garrendennylane.com/">Garrendenny Lane</a>. Created by recycling restaurant food tins, it makes for an attractive (and green) light feature. Image: <a href="http://www.garrendennylane.com/Products/Lighting_Ceiling-Lights/Light-Tin-Blue-Irish-Light">Garrendenny Lane</a></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgi0xMY-0i52U19sRPsOXOsUeUU9w-1SllEOhjUD1wpYhzVRvmAbRvhYrZ1a6KRALbZp_W4XSFqsRLS6wJldQ4I-mQYa1gpmwgwYLbrltvTqjeTPCXe3rbhJgts5lsqb2o14G_3270qQMwe/s1600/60s+rocket+lamp.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgi0xMY-0i52U19sRPsOXOsUeUU9w-1SllEOhjUD1wpYhzVRvmAbRvhYrZ1a6KRALbZp_W4XSFqsRLS6wJldQ4I-mQYa1gpmwgwYLbrltvTqjeTPCXe3rbhJgts5lsqb2o14G_3270qQMwe/s320/60s+rocket+lamp.jpg" width="179" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">LIGHT AND SPACE: This <a href="https://plus.google.com/photos/116357439116192327514/albums/5499254924138504001?banner=pwa&gpsrc=pwrd1">original 1960s Rocket Lamp (€145)</a> is part of the gorgeous collection of vintage furniture and furnishings treated with TLC from the cleverly named <a href="http://tablelightingchair.blogspot.com/">Table Lighting Chair</a> in Dublin. Image: <a href="http://tablelightingchair.blogspot.com/">Table Lighting Chair</a></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhA1wgkw5eLugO9vw2ljythgpQ1gAdReIsciLr7hyzO-FtIVDFdequb36w6uIJr0sA4TSfN7n8BLfTdPEFlos5T9lrWyCjzJUBZTkU4IrdmTJi9WdL8ITZhd7nec2enuk0Z2i50yWlIItXl/s1600/muuto+table+lamp+cosy+n+grey.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhA1wgkw5eLugO9vw2ljythgpQ1gAdReIsciLr7hyzO-FtIVDFdequb36w6uIJr0sA4TSfN7n8BLfTdPEFlos5T9lrWyCjzJUBZTkU4IrdmTJi9WdL8ITZhd7nec2enuk0Z2i50yWlIItXl/s320/muuto+table+lamp+cosy+n+grey.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">BRIGHT IDEA: From the <a href="http://www.muuto.com/">Muuto</a> brand and designed by <a href="http://www.harrikoskinen.com/">Harri Koskinen</a>, the stunning <a href="http://www.inreda.ie/item.php?id=151&sub=76">Cosy n Grey Table Lamp (€229) </a> is available from <a href="http://www.inreda.ie/">Inreda</a>. So striking! Image: <a href="http://www.inreda.ie/">Inreda</a></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhbDro4nZDIX_WSjD-8tK25RxqKqzKSlp_3p8EJ_xkhuz617uOJaYfivsLgNtVSMTTVC8d_p1pGpF9p7soQgGoj4qygcCK82jgUzXQt5Ly5XMFiUdcw8dKMpq4XwhFZOSM2AI_QrLAmKyg/s1600/palm+lampshade.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhbDro4nZDIX_WSjD-8tK25RxqKqzKSlp_3p8EJ_xkhuz617uOJaYfivsLgNtVSMTTVC8d_p1pGpF9p7soQgGoj4qygcCK82jgUzXQt5Ly5XMFiUdcw8dKMpq4XwhFZOSM2AI_QrLAmKyg/s320/palm+lampshade.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">TAKE SHADE: Also made from <a href="http://www.klickity.ie/Product-Palm.html">Klickity</a>, this stunning <a href="https://irishdesignshop.com/product/palm-lampshade">Palm shade is available from the Irish Design Shop</a>. It's available in a number of colourways and has green credentials as it's 100% recyclable and is suitable for low watt bulbs. Image: <a href="https://irishdesignshop.com/product/palm-lampshade">Irish Design Shop</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>Sorchahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15459697652071142292noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5949655524869068746.post-69286289733121184122012-02-29T13:08:00.001+00:002012-02-29T13:08:51.550+00:00Devine design: Modern take on Ireland's Claddagh ring by Tatty DevineA <a href="http://www.tattydevine.com/blog/2012/02/can-you-spot-the-difference/">blog post by jewellery designers Tatty Devine</a> comparing their original handmade pieces with very similar items being sold by chain store Claire's Accessories caused a social media storm last week.<br />
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Photos of Tatty Devine's quirky pieces contrasted with purchases from Claire's were shared with thousands on Twitter. As Claire's Accessories became a trending topic, the retailer stayed silent, with some claiming that critical comments calling for a boycott were deleted from Claire's Facebook page. <a href="http://www.tattydevine.com/blog/2012/02/claires-accessories-update/">Tatty Devine called the lawyers in</a> and froze comments about Claire's made on their blog, while Claire's later released a short statement to say that they were "aware of the blog post... and is currently investigating these comments".<br />
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The story drew me (and countless others) to <a href="http://www.tattydevine.com/">Tatty Devine's website</a> for the first time and I was hugely enamoured by what the English art jewellery brand has to offer by way of tongue-in-cheek statement pieces at not unreasonable prices. One design that caught my eye was a <a href="http://www.tattydevine.com/shop/by-product/claddagh-ring-large-necklace.html">modern take on the classic Claddagh ring</a>, which many an Irish girl has worn down through the years.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiY_98Unzpr8FCTw4O_9lSTNvrXuDK0PgxqA5ogCG7LaJrOK3EpKpKoMfIDmdp291ls05OBcQ8KTnwQw5fBf_839pq3kgJuXoo5w7_73ZNLwQI4hA3r2PJ256rSxklT3uSfM5A8oWeg4cAT/s1600/tatty+devine+claddagh.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiY_98Unzpr8FCTw4O_9lSTNvrXuDK0PgxqA5ogCG7LaJrOK3EpKpKoMfIDmdp291ls05OBcQ8KTnwQw5fBf_839pq3kgJuXoo5w7_73ZNLwQI4hA3r2PJ256rSxklT3uSfM5A8oWeg4cAT/s320/tatty+devine+claddagh.jpg" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">CLADD' IN GOLD: The <a href="http://www.tattydevine.com/shop/by-product/claddagh-ring-large-necklace.html">large Claddagh necklace</a> by London-based Tatty Devine (<i>above and below</i>) costs £48 (approx. €57) and is a contemporary twist on the old Irish design. Made from matt gold and red perspex, it is studded with Swarovski crystals. Images: <a href="http://www.tattydevine.com/shop/by-product/claddagh-ring-large-necklace.html">Tatty Devine</a></td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimFDUC80QZTmA49lTsBBSGJQDZmTpFbNktOkPWEvDmLpDcrq2oDmZ1IZFbsLJgvSO0Equq3E-fsQlf-DGJUME2D3om47Ck1dzkSbxPqxmLI_l-GXi6_viGyE6t1nx-b2EluJjLkNGzA1YR/s1600/clad-ln-l-close.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimFDUC80QZTmA49lTsBBSGJQDZmTpFbNktOkPWEvDmLpDcrq2oDmZ1IZFbsLJgvSO0Equq3E-fsQlf-DGJUME2D3om47Ck1dzkSbxPqxmLI_l-GXi6_viGyE6t1nx-b2EluJjLkNGzA1YR/s320/clad-ln-l-close.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
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Originating from the Galway fishing village that bears its name, the Claddagh ring has been used a token of love since the late 17th century. According to its <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Claddagh_ring">Wikipedia entry</a>, the design is said to represent the qualities of love (the heart), friendship (the hands) and loyalty (the crown). Indeed, the way you wore the ring relayed information about your love life:<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px;"></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 24px;"><ol>
<li>When worn on the right ring finger with the heart pointing to the fingertip, the wearer is free of any attachment.</li>
<li>On the same finger but the other way round, with the heart pointing away from the fingertip, it suggests someone is romantically involved.</li>
<li>When the ring is on the left hand wedding ring finger, it means the person is married or engaged.</li>
</ol>
</span><br />
As Tatty Devine points out, the Claddagh design is much prettier than a Facebook relationship status update!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiB4JWvs_sOsoMT6cWP_a2hVweCoKDyDkIHQsqjtR_0BrC7Hs76tOizvtHhbwabOBo387af6nQ1G0P1Ofj-qe8RbyC5wynlQ5zGu7MzzyDAv5Wv3F4sokLXaL4fOX-_OQ-Kd29cnrJC3wP/s1600/800px-Claddaghring.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiB4JWvs_sOsoMT6cWP_a2hVweCoKDyDkIHQsqjtR_0BrC7Hs76tOizvtHhbwabOBo387af6nQ1G0P1Ofj-qe8RbyC5wynlQ5zGu7MzzyDAv5Wv3F4sokLXaL4fOX-_OQ-Kd29cnrJC3wP/s320/800px-Claddaghring.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">HEART MAKER: The classic Claddagh ring design. Image: <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Claddaghring.jpg">Wikipedia</a></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTQv4nsoZCrEl97ffIX1mzXsfVIUE8MugSe2fIh9x8LoDdx3-kd0Ka0Q3UUXh6NGmOYYc8Ebn4E-jlNcYGMMlrs18cH6V8sWp0ShyphenhyphenG5zTu2b0Ivl1K7CnQZEcdKbEGFdV0DLp_4BKS-uCu/s1600/clad-r.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTQv4nsoZCrEl97ffIX1mzXsfVIUE8MugSe2fIh9x8LoDdx3-kd0Ka0Q3UUXh6NGmOYYc8Ebn4E-jlNcYGMMlrs18cH6V8sWp0ShyphenhyphenG5zTu2b0Ivl1K7CnQZEcdKbEGFdV0DLp_4BKS-uCu/s320/clad-r.jpg" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">RING IN THE CHANGES: <a href="http://www.tattydevine.com/shop/by-product/rings/claddagh-ring.html">Tatty Devine's Claddagh ring</a> (£24, approx. €28.50) sees the design placed upright on the finger. Image: <a href="http://www.tattydevine.com/shop/by-product/rings/claddagh-ring.html">Tatty Devine</a></td></tr>
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Tatty Devine has a range of Claddagh pieces, which also includes a <a href="http://www.tattydevine.com/shop/by-product/claddagh-ring-medium-necklace.html">medium</a> (£27, approx. €32) and <a href="http://www.tattydevine.com/shop/by-product/claddagh-ring-small-necklace.html">smaller version</a> (£21, approx. €25) of the necklace, along with <a href="http://www.tattydevine.com/shop/by-product/claddagh-ring-earrings.html">pretty earrings</a> (£39, approx. €46.50).<br />
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I'm sure the original designers of the <i>fáinne Chladaigh</i> would approve of Tatty Devine's stunning update.Sorchahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15459697652071142292noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5949655524869068746.post-91578361131844243822012-02-24T23:07:00.002+00:002012-03-16T11:57:45.884+00:00Fighting words: Vintage political posters<i>This guest post is by Eoghan (follow him </i><a href="http://www.twitter.com/rice_e"><i>on Twitter</i></a><i> and see </i><a href="http://eoghanwrites.wordpress.com/"><i>his blog here</i></a><i>):</i><br />
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Art has long been used for propaganda purposes. From the statues and paintings ascribing super-human strength to Roman generals, through to the enormous Communist monuments of workers proudly building the Soviet Union, politicians have for centuries used art for their own gain.<br />
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Today, the most famous political posters are probably Uncle Sam's 'I Want You' and the 'Keep Calm and Carry On' message from World War II. A look online can turn up some fascinating lesser known examples of art being used to overtly political purposes.<br />
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World War II posters have proven particularly popular over recent years with reproductions widely available. Many of these posters carried one of three simple messages: Save oil to help the war effort, don't waste food, and don't tell anybody information that may give away army positions.<br />
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'Loose Lips Sink Ships' became a famous slogan in the battle to encourage people to keep their traps shut. There are a lot of variations on this theme, however, including the brilliantly simple: 'If you talk too much, this man may die'.<br />
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Amongst the most interesting posters of the war are those aimed at women. The messaging towards women seems hilariously sexist when viewed through modern eyes - with the men fighting the good fight, women were encouraged to do their part by shopping efficiently and doing the jobs they left behind.<br />
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Back at home, Irish politicians have been known to take to the canvas to get their message across. This Cumann na nGaedheal effort, which most likely dates from the 1930s, gets a simple message across.<br />
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Cumann na nGaedheal, of course, went on to become Fine Gael. Perhaps the above poster is one their current coalition partners should bear in mind.<br />
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<i>A selection of political posters can be found at <a href="http://pinterest.com/riceeoghan">pinterest.com/riceeoghan</a></i>Sorchahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15459697652071142292noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5949655524869068746.post-74407707364410211242012-02-22T00:10:00.000+00:002012-02-22T16:02:30.202+00:00Come fly with me: Retro Aer Lingus travel postersVintage travel posters depict a time when air fares were beyond the means of ordinary people, and a trip to Dublin Airport was a holiday in itself (I hear it was a popular spot for a date back in the day!).<br />
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Judging by the number of people who land on a <a href="http://motheach.blogspot.com/2012/01/buying-747.html">post I did about the two Aer Lingus Boeing 747s</a> (it's the most viewed post ever on Mo Theach), there is a huge interest in the early days of what was once also known as Irish International Airlines.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjX5h0ch-g69oaU1T2vG9WP9ISRvWE2zIsaeiRsqeLv8XcKS0isOBz6MItVmoZkWtEAQRfT7ZnrG5v78L2dvbeu_MHLYLbd8LxRPGOFHJkKx9jjYm7gY4ybGvtvNppFgC-ZTIrutTGAZzPp/s1600/DSC_0002.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjX5h0ch-g69oaU1T2vG9WP9ISRvWE2zIsaeiRsqeLv8XcKS0isOBz6MItVmoZkWtEAQRfT7ZnrG5v78L2dvbeu_MHLYLbd8LxRPGOFHJkKx9jjYm7gY4ybGvtvNppFgC-ZTIrutTGAZzPp/s320/DSC_0002.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">CALENDAR GIRL: I bought this 1960 Irish Air Lines pocket calendar on eBay a while back. I love the red-haired air hostess. A real spéirbhean!</td></tr>
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I like to keep an eye on eBay for old bits and pieces relating to the airline, such as the purchase above. The beautifully-designed travel advertisements of old always attract my attention and I picked up <a href="http://shop.museum.ie/p-104-aer-lingus-travel-poster.aspx">this vintage Aer Lingus poster</a> at an exhibition a year or two ago at the National Museum at Collin's Barracks. This image was used in much of Aer Lingus' publicity materials and depicts the luxury and style associated with flying at the time. The fact that it's in French makes it seem even more exotic.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjptO-rVnVr2RWCh3oTOBB2y9L-NNWB8uUM_9aRNToCoVHpNuJCM5lFtttmOnG_ZbXsJ5N6ivdpvIOWGtx0mh-EwpBUHghxaOozYYQoWvst7CkAUGyVxc2OHOwHEi-ttJrdGV0axbbbRo-o/s1600/DSC_0007.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjptO-rVnVr2RWCh3oTOBB2y9L-NNWB8uUM_9aRNToCoVHpNuJCM5lFtttmOnG_ZbXsJ5N6ivdpvIOWGtx0mh-EwpBUHghxaOozYYQoWvst7CkAUGyVxc2OHOwHEi-ttJrdGV0axbbbRo-o/s320/DSC_0007.jpg" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">OOH LA LA LANDING SHORTLY: I picked up <a href="http://shop.museum.ie/p-104-aer-lingus-travel-poster.aspx">this Aer Lingus poster (circa 1960)</a> believed to be the work of Jarlath Hayes (who designed the harp that is on Irish Euro coins) from <a href="http://shop.museum.ie/">the shop at the National Museum of Ireland, Collin's Barracks</a>. It costs €8 and fits into off-the-shelf frames. </td></tr>
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Aer Lingus tapped into the nostalgia that surrounds their brand as they celebrated their 75th anniversary last year, painting a brand new Airbus A320 in the old Irish International Airlines livery. They also raided the wardrobes to show how the stewardess (and steward) uniforms have changed over the years.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiULG4yW2d3ST0YsDpPO5hDfq7H9Hyi-VuFD_-gXP0Mz5uWjIMWhs6adZLyjVFdFO1PtHpVCllb3GOzFYDyMjqBKCxoz26Ou-MkGLUTJxjvw8z69z9qaykSstlCepQv_x8WtSDZwP65sXLG/s1600/jetphotos+a320.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="245" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiULG4yW2d3ST0YsDpPO5hDfq7H9Hyi-VuFD_-gXP0Mz5uWjIMWhs6adZLyjVFdFO1PtHpVCllb3GOzFYDyMjqBKCxoz26Ou-MkGLUTJxjvw8z69z9qaykSstlCepQv_x8WtSDZwP65sXLG/s320/jetphotos+a320.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">RETRO JET: Aer Lingus painted this new Airbus A320 in the old white and dark green livery last year to celebrate their 75th anniversary. Image via <a href="http://images2.jetphotos.net/img/2/0/8/9/27716_1301774980.jpg">JetPhotos.net</a></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipGp6lV7U0Kz9u3vuW8nT6LmotFOOEGMina1LiMPui1Gh5ohcBZ1fsVBIDtCw5E8IDrcAZX3IJet9S1l3mF8qAlGpk7NmTabjHdRpYpzoijpYnzPQVKQWMb3KMfyR96lig5oa_R97KoDed/s1600/110609-AerLingusretro1-01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipGp6lV7U0Kz9u3vuW8nT6LmotFOOEGMina1LiMPui1Gh5ohcBZ1fsVBIDtCw5E8IDrcAZX3IJet9S1l3mF8qAlGpk7NmTabjHdRpYpzoijpYnzPQVKQWMb3KMfyR96lig5oa_R97KoDed/s320/110609-AerLingusretro1-01.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">HIGH FASHION: With the beautiful old Dublin Airport terminal building in the background, air stewards model the cabin crew look though the years to mark Aer Lingus' 75th anniversary in 2011. <br />
Image by Aer Lingus and via <a href="http://www.airlinesanddestinations.com/airlines/aer-lingus-marks-its-75th-with-vintage-uniforms-and-retro-painted-a320/">Airlines and Destinations</a></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgN2wvzMAcE_QXvbZsbZd1bgIUO7OivDX7f71ysAPaOb1SuXY_xKuvrhIeLqEpi9_Q1t9nIhGspeaymS_ISi0Q_FwpZog9z8vpYSQrRJVimq22FCRM6RicCbo-F1xoggEGJmS9yraXY76gL/s1600/Screen+shot+2012-02-21+at+22.13.05.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="236" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgN2wvzMAcE_QXvbZsbZd1bgIUO7OivDX7f71ysAPaOb1SuXY_xKuvrhIeLqEpi9_Q1t9nIhGspeaymS_ISi0Q_FwpZog9z8vpYSQrRJVimq22FCRM6RicCbo-F1xoggEGJmS9yraXY76gL/s320/Screen+shot+2012-02-21+at+22.13.05.png" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">TAKE A TRIP BACK IN TIME: T<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J6TXRlEptGs&feature=plcp&context=C365ad56UDOEgsToPDskLw1u3yalMudPjm55fuXh2v">his nostalgia fest video</a> features the highlights of Aer Lingus's 75-year history (JKF and Pope John Paul II are among the passengers), with lots of shots of those two 747s <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J6TXRlEptGs&feature=plcp&context=C365ad56UDOEgsToPDskLw1u3yalMudPjm55fuXh2v">here</a>! It's a bit like watching that <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8DOZELjx-o4">old ESB 'Coming Home for Christmas' ad.</a></td></tr>
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Here are some of my favourite old Aer Lingus posters (very few have modern reproductions, so you'll have to fork out for an original copy in many cases):<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMS05k5DDkJ4Gznl9QR-NGsDvZWkyTvSr9LSFE1p6nIzjdFUpWYnsWob6H6F-CXP_BaPHNfP7z_7vjifJpCuA4GnDAy1p7wBY5YYlYqtLa2peqBi4SKdwfU9Sb2PcAPCcE8Tj9yKE2qby8/s1600/new-york-aer-lingus.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMS05k5DDkJ4Gznl9QR-NGsDvZWkyTvSr9LSFE1p6nIzjdFUpWYnsWob6H6F-CXP_BaPHNfP7z_7vjifJpCuA4GnDAy1p7wBY5YYlYqtLa2peqBi4SKdwfU9Sb2PcAPCcE8Tj9yKE2qby8/s320/new-york-aer-lingus.jpg" width="211" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">SKY'S THE LIMIT: This reprint of a <a href="http://www.allposters.ie/-sp/New-York-Aer-Lingus-posters_i8179239_.htm">New York-bound Aer Lingus poster</a> is available from <a href="http://www.allposters.ie/">AllPosters.ie</a> for €18.99.</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyV6OlRKnFmtRlcak1YRFLpWhbUhLMHyykNwC5MFGRGIb23nqMep3dyj7mrXt5Qr7edzUzLMo1Rp40FAcH1GwIEDRgDMJt0myfdKgwfg-kIMdamJRu6I5N-YKFyeckCkjRe3uarnnZkzr8/s1600/aer_lingus_viscount_poster_0688.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="201" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyV6OlRKnFmtRlcak1YRFLpWhbUhLMHyykNwC5MFGRGIb23nqMep3dyj7mrXt5Qr7edzUzLMo1Rp40FAcH1GwIEDRgDMJt0myfdKgwfg-kIMdamJRu6I5N-YKFyeckCkjRe3uarnnZkzr8/s320/aer_lingus_viscount_poster_0688.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">TURBO-CHARGE: This poster is on the <a href="http://www.onslowsposters.com/">Onslows Posters</a> website which is unfortunately down for maintenance at the moment so I don't have any further details. Image: <a href="http://www.onslowsposters.com/">Onslows Posters</a></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.onslowsposters.com/images/M/aer_lingus_ireland_poster_0687.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://www.onslowsposters.com/images/M/aer_lingus_ireland_poster_0687.jpg" width="198" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">POSTCARD PERFECT: Ireland looks particularly stunning in this poster, also from <a href="http://www.onslowsposters.com/">Onslows Posters</a>.</td></tr>
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<span id="goog_1506479670"></span><span id="goog_1506479671"></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.originaltravelposters.com/site/images_posters/Aer%20Lingus%20Original%20travel%20poster.JPG?423=423" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://www.originaltravelposters.com/site/images_posters/Aer%20Lingus%20Original%20travel%20poster.JPG?423=423" width="198" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">LOTS OF LEG ROOM: This is one my all-time favourite adverts. An original poster (circa 1958) by John Banbridge costs £780 from <a href="http://originaltravelposters.com/new/fulldetail.php?ID=423">OriginalTravelPosters.com</a>. Image via <a href="http://www.originaltravelposters.com/site/images_posters/Aer%20Lingus%20Original%20travel%20poster.JPG?423=423">OriginalTravelPosters.com </a></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://archivestories.artscouncil.ie/wp-content/uploads/Aer-Lingus_cropped_269.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://archivestories.artscouncil.ie/wp-content/uploads/Aer-Lingus_cropped_269.jpg" width="205" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">PRETTY CITY: Dublin's quays like you've never seen them before (I love the smoke coming from all the chimneys). This 1956 poster by Dutch artist Guus Melai did not meet with approval, according to <a href="http://archivestories.artscouncil.ie/from-bus-shelters-to-lamp-cowls-%E2%80%93-design-and-the-city/">archive research carried out by the Arts Council. Interesting read</a>.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.christies.com/lotfinderimages/d52280/d5228071l.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://www.christies.com/lotfinderimages/d52280/d5228071l.jpg" width="207" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">THIS IS YOUR CAPTAIN CALLING: Step aside, stewardesses! This handsome captain makes an appearance on a vintage poster sold in 2009 by <a href="http://www.christies.com/LotFinder/lot_details.aspx?intObjectID=5228071">Christie's</a>.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.onslowsposters.com/images/M/aer_lingus_ireland_poster_1340.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://www.onslowsposters.com/images/M/aer_lingus_ireland_poster_1340.jpg" width="197" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">STEP THIS WAY, SIR: Ease of travel is the message here, perhaps aimed at travellers coming from the UK, or the US. Poster also from <a href="http://www.onslowsposters.com/">Onslows Posters</a>.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.posterteam.com/bildearkiv/thumbnails/200x420/aer.lingus.suisse.negus.sharland.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://www.posterteam.com/bildearkiv/thumbnails/200x420/aer.lingus.suisse.negus.sharland.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">MOUNTAIN AER: This original 1950 Aer Lingus poster by Negus Sharland advertising its routes to Zurich is for sale for approx €285 from <a href="http://www.posterteam.com/psmaler/poster.asp?thisId=1140466722">PosterTeam.com</a></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.icollector.com/images/108/20953/20953_0483_1_lg.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://www.icollector.com/images/108/20953/20953_0483_1_lg.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">GATEWAY TO THE WORLD: This 1950 poster appears to show two Viscounts waiting at the original terminal building at Dublin Airport. Image via <a href="http://www.icollector.com/Circa-1950-Poster-Aer-Lingus-Irish-International-Airlines_i11188052">iCollector.com</a></td></tr>
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There are lots more vintage Aer Lingus posters which I hope to share in another post soon!Sorchahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15459697652071142292noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5949655524869068746.post-61495279872874269082012-02-17T22:35:00.000+00:002012-02-18T16:42:22.952+00:00Apartment living: Hot properties above the shop in Dublin city centreSome years, I read a newspaper interview with an older lady who was the only person who had a home on O'Connell Street. The sole resident of the country's most famous main street, she lived among the department stores and fast food outlets, watching the world and its mother go by from her flat. I don't know if she is still there, but I think it's a shame that so few people live in the heart of Dublin's city centre.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDvRx0tEkXwAsCo0sQg4JYI3mCHG9eXlEcyxbzGnnVFZV3MXRYbRTQSLIt4H2pYe9u5G2A9OZYsBxDbqEXDoceo1XtSVWaC7FWHxfGXMvVY9BARMzk0OT5U0W9HOgwaK89DrOO3zxugPT3/s1600/east+essex+street.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDvRx0tEkXwAsCo0sQg4JYI3mCHG9eXlEcyxbzGnnVFZV3MXRYbRTQSLIt4H2pYe9u5G2A9OZYsBxDbqEXDoceo1XtSVWaC7FWHxfGXMvVY9BARMzk0OT5U0W9HOgwaK89DrOO3zxugPT3/s320/east+essex+street.jpg" width="212" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">BREW LEASE OF LIFE: A<a href="http://www.daft.ie/searchrental.daft?id=1162724"> three-bedroom apartment on lively East Essex Street</a> in Temple Bar, Dublin 2, costs €1,700 to rent per month. A decent cup of coffee is also conveniently close with the Joy of Chai downstairs. Image via <a href="http://Daft.ie/">Daft.ie</a></td></tr>
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When I walk down the likes of Exchequer Street, Drury Street and Fade Street, I often look above shop level to the huge windows and high ceilings of the upper floors and think of how lovely it would be if people (okay, me!) lived there.<br />
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There seem to be quite a few commercial properties on streets such as these up for rent. I don't know how complex the re-zoning of commercial to residential is, but I think that Dublin City Council did at one stage have a 'living above the shop'-type scheme.<br />
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Again, I'm not well-versed on planning issues, but it seems to me that Dublin's urban sprawl would have been considerably lessened had we followed the example of other European capitals such as Paris and Brussels, where living in the heart of the city centre is the norm.<br />
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Most of the buildings in Dublin city centre date from a time where living above the shop was the norm and the buildings were designed with this purpose in mind. Indeed, my dad and his 10 siblings all grew up above their family's butcher shop in Co. Tyrone. But like many buildings of its kind throughout the country, the floors above the shop are now used as commercial premises, rather than as family homes.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXTPpS8OBk3YYQYfrcG7hx0k1OlVvg3_Hdjcu5N3CDiQ3B9AHGkZc6083bfD8Bz3exM-2DP_WJfC5aLajZhmhjpZZc07RsmFzEA84i15lVZnm9BhGSs95UsSkFbThQIjQsi3aA8dPGeyE6/s1600/Screen+shot+2012-02-18+at+11.43.11.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXTPpS8OBk3YYQYfrcG7hx0k1OlVvg3_Hdjcu5N3CDiQ3B9AHGkZc6083bfD8Bz3exM-2DP_WJfC5aLajZhmhjpZZc07RsmFzEA84i15lVZnm9BhGSs95UsSkFbThQIjQsi3aA8dPGeyE6/s320/Screen+shot+2012-02-18+at+11.43.11.png" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">TOP CHOP SHOP: This is my father's family's butcher shop in Cookstown, Co. Tyrone, where my dad grew up with his 10 siblings. It's a fine looking building. I like the carved stone sign and the stained glass beneath it, along with the dramatic corbles. The rooms above the shop are now used to house a beauty salon. Thanks to my cousin <a href="http://www.extempore.ie/">Paul</a> for sending me this image via <a href="http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?q=cookstown+beauty&ll=54.647332%2C-6.74509&spn=0.004768%2C0.009645&fb=1&gl=uk&hq=beauty&hnear=Cookstown%2C+United+Kingdom&t=m&fll=54.649412%2C-6.744307&fspn=0.004767%2C0.009645&z=17&layer=c&cbll=54.647183%2C-6.74506&panoid=niZjm1CMetiJyhG2Natj2A&cbp=12%2C84.92%2C%2C2%2C-11.84">Google Maps</a>.</td></tr>
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There are some options, both for purchasers and renters (for whom parking and pet ownership isn't an issue), in Dublin's historic city centre. Here's a selection:<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-p2jk-undGf9KVj5RUCZqy_1W6zWUyyrU27izd2Ys3TCJ_biONHd6Y0n7YVekqV4UigK23Xu9GXWhxSfwiz9lYGDvmcP2Koy9xrEvUI3cW1PDkTux4u_OhdQWLTtsVS-dYzjdKmnv-t3k/s1600/22xchangebuildingfront1_l.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-p2jk-undGf9KVj5RUCZqy_1W6zWUyyrU27izd2Ys3TCJ_biONHd6Y0n7YVekqV4UigK23Xu9GXWhxSfwiz9lYGDvmcP2Koy9xrEvUI3cW1PDkTux4u_OhdQWLTtsVS-dYzjdKmnv-t3k/s320/22xchangebuildingfront1_l.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">FIT FOR A PRINCE/PRINCESS: <a href="http://www.myhome.ie/residential/brochure/18-the-royal-exchange-parliament-street-dublin-2-dublin/122357">A two-bedroom apartment at 18 The Royal Exchange, Parliament Street, Dublin 2, </a> is for sale at €220,000. Image via <a href="http://MyHome.ie/">MyHome.ie</a></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIU7vBMy151ZZ1QwIHWzHpOCaHhB0Uad_BlnwuMajcGVuRhW3EcdUzw9QppkQyWBSmVvDULwm8hEyFZOxHvnJMKkiDgycVcUfNi_c-GWyFGNDneb4KGF_0IUGIPR9whfRVtV8AK6Hj_Hz5/s1600/dame+street+apartment.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIU7vBMy151ZZ1QwIHWzHpOCaHhB0Uad_BlnwuMajcGVuRhW3EcdUzw9QppkQyWBSmVvDULwm8hEyFZOxHvnJMKkiDgycVcUfNi_c-GWyFGNDneb4KGF_0IUGIPR9whfRVtV8AK6Hj_Hz5/s320/dame+street+apartment.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">DAME AND FORTUNE: The city is on your door-step with this <a href="http://www.daft.ie/searchrental.daft?id=1162610">one-bedroom apartment on Dame Street</a> renting for €850 monthly. Opposite pop-up restaurant <a href="https://twitter.com/#!/crackbirddublin">Crackbird</a>'s current location. Image via Daft.ie </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmMUFiMefRwycCZ6No83MFW4LHioRDBCR4_WDLZb3oe8mCNkLtxloNGbaJzy8w9MO0uImufGkYhO5VdpPgHK5-G8Aa91kQt5KuIXCC5k1feMoYtjzm9j5iJqBjTEAjOS0ebJMtuvrov6Yx/s1600/impac+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmMUFiMefRwycCZ6No83MFW4LHioRDBCR4_WDLZb3oe8mCNkLtxloNGbaJzy8w9MO0uImufGkYhO5VdpPgHK5-G8Aa91kQt5KuIXCC5k1feMoYtjzm9j5iJqBjTEAjOS0ebJMtuvrov6Yx/s320/impac+2.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">BREAK THE BANK: Also on Dame Street, a whooping €1.5 million is all you need to acquire <a href="http://www.myhome.ie/residential/brochure/37-dame-street-dame-street-dublin-2/1341828">a beautiful five-storey over basement building</a> (above and below) at number 37, which I think may once have been a bank judging by the dramatic shop-front. Directly across from the Central Bank. Its conversion to a residential property could be subject to planning permission. Images via <a href="http://MyHome.ie/">MyHome.ie</a></td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGKGTmhaQvbNXJ8HFIcMa7YjUNVEz16EkKFR3Sk3UIl49cCF3joG5rgbcWbEV9dTkfftKl3sZa0NQA_kO8iFNx6deTbXqpS6HgGXZNq5Z827ReXkDrJa_AyuR8WIvcjJDhGcgzdflLAOKr/s1600/impac+dame+st.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGKGTmhaQvbNXJ8HFIcMa7YjUNVEz16EkKFR3Sk3UIl49cCF3joG5rgbcWbEV9dTkfftKl3sZa0NQA_kO8iFNx6deTbXqpS6HgGXZNq5Z827ReXkDrJa_AyuR8WIvcjJDhGcgzdflLAOKr/s320/impac+dame+st.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnnmqUgR7GXz5_RPr5ecK43XCmbI6tN1CvvJTSAtNiWRUQOcBsJ0jyOHPoryxxpJdtc_3ymzou6Uyw7OImyNcs2rOdPSNGI93qGvZ-bz6bMIHBi7hIA8K2_mw7DYtNgll4MAy_DO4XYhVC/s1600/fade+street.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnnmqUgR7GXz5_RPr5ecK43XCmbI6tN1CvvJTSAtNiWRUQOcBsJ0jyOHPoryxxpJdtc_3ymzou6Uyw7OImyNcs2rOdPSNGI93qGvZ-bz6bMIHBi7hIA8K2_mw7DYtNgll4MAy_DO4XYhVC/s320/fade+street.jpg" width="214" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">FADE TO GREY: The location of RTÉ's recent *reality* show, this <a href="http://www.daft.ie/searchrental.daft?id=1170763">two-bedroom penthouse apartment</a> in this stunning turreted Victorian building on the corner of Fade Street at is yours to rent for €1,750 a month. One of the best locations in the city. Image via <a href="http://Daft.ie/">Daft.ie</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>Sorchahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15459697652071142292noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5949655524869068746.post-50649841595619633242012-02-15T12:41:00.000+00:002012-02-17T01:24:20.495+00:00An Cheathrú Rua, ConamaraSeo roinnt griangrafanna a thóg mé agus <a href="http://www.twitter.com/rice_e">Eoghan</a> nuair a bhí muid ar an gCeathrú Rua, Conamara, le déanaí. Is as an Cheathrú Rua mo mháthair agus tá teach mo mhúintire i lár an sráidbhaile, buailte ar an gCistin!<br />
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Here are some photographs <a href="http://www.twitter.com/rice_e">Eoghan</a> and I took when we were in An Cheathrú Rua, Conamara (I refuse to use the anglicised 'Connemara'), recently. My mother is from An Cheathrú Rua and we have a family house in the village, conveniently close to An Chistin (the lovely local pub)!<br />
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An Cheathrú Rua (or anglicised as 'Carraroe', but only the Irish name is officially recognised) is in south Conamara and hasn't been spoilt by mass tourism. On a peninsula, it has some great little beaches. It is the location for one of NUIG's outlying faculties and many adults come to learn Gaeilge here, along with teenagers. The area will be well-known to many from all corners of Ireland as the place where they went to the Gaeltacht during the summers of secondary school. </div>
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<i>Capaillíní Chonamara (Caladh Thaidhg)</i></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIb8g1Ot17BqBcKd5VCxnuGlt8jXz7a15PqmDomHPrioVZiEmLFWNw-EEUGPOKAL-SHesxpPrxgyt7AsRLV5hSKM3Y-AwX9mOasAe9W_NTSKbU6mY4UwdsJvUnX2io8SXNRIRIdVe1zVLN/s1600/DSC_0168.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIb8g1Ot17BqBcKd5VCxnuGlt8jXz7a15PqmDomHPrioVZiEmLFWNw-EEUGPOKAL-SHesxpPrxgyt7AsRLV5hSKM3Y-AwX9mOasAe9W_NTSKbU6mY4UwdsJvUnX2io8SXNRIRIdVe1zVLN/s320/DSC_0168.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<i>Trá an Dóilín (a rare coral strand)</i></div>
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<i>Trá na Reilige (The Graveyard Beach)</i></div>
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<br />Sorchahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15459697652071142292noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5949655524869068746.post-41081859373637167182012-02-13T14:45:00.002+00:002012-02-13T15:26:58.337+00:00Look book: Colour-co-ordinated shelves<div>
My dad used to work in the National Library and I'm sure he won't be too impressed when he sees how I have categorised the books in my living room. </div>
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Not by author, genre or publishing house (as one of my friends has done!), but by colour. When Eoghan's parents enquired was there anything in particular we might like for Christmas, he joked: "Maybe some more grey books, we don't have many of those."</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHdW87kPmG3Zyi7or5uBxHbzHlfQm9O_I7ol5XQCmYMGdo_CzsLUE6TnvwQK2BVcCuuF6Ohbak9N8fc_-tESFf0ytvVdciezDEanHIjFex2huciKgxLp3Z9y7mYSGiEs3bE9xisJEdugKW/s1600/shelves+wide.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHdW87kPmG3Zyi7or5uBxHbzHlfQm9O_I7ol5XQCmYMGdo_CzsLUE6TnvwQK2BVcCuuF6Ohbak9N8fc_-tESFf0ytvVdciezDEanHIjFex2huciKgxLp3Z9y7mYSGiEs3bE9xisJEdugKW/s320/shelves+wide.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">SHELF LIFE: A selection of our books sit on <a href="http://www.ikea.com/ie/en/catalog/products/60103750/#/00011013">white Lack wall shelves</a> from IKEA.</td></tr>
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Forget the Dewey classification model preferred by libraries, displaying books by colour has a pleasing effect. I began with the shades of white, beige and yellow before orange turned to red. Purple gave way to blue and greens, then grey made its way to black. Luckily, my favourite author <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/David_Lodge_(author)">David Lodge'</a>s books come in every shade, helping to provide markers.<br />
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It is quite pedantic and took a good two hours, but I think the effect is quite striking (just don't expect me to locate a particular book in a hurry). When using floating wall shelves, it's probably best to stick to books of roughly the same height. The majority of our bulky books live upstairs in a <a href="http://www.ikea.com/ie/en/catalog/categories/departments/living_room/11683/">Billy bookcase from IKEA </a>and on our beside lockers, which meant I could pick and choose which ones would be placed on the <a href="http://www.ikea.com/ie/en/catalog/products/60103750/#/00011013">Lack floating shelves</a>, also from IKEA. </div>
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<i>Random point:</i> I was surprised by how many books have a spine in a different colour to the rest of the cover! </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhG-TaIMRR0Emd1OyoFGcJ0l1Fm7MxqPdyi_7duOvqZKO_LK-MidQjANLMtX6u_2uIjZNGP122ufYO58u7swOeSdsUHrAjGtyTk1L9vBoyB_xKdKSi9KpbCbDfw9SQkmVBKwqMDORb6VZb3/s1600/living+etc+0livingareanew.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhG-TaIMRR0Emd1OyoFGcJ0l1Fm7MxqPdyi_7duOvqZKO_LK-MidQjANLMtX6u_2uIjZNGP122ufYO58u7swOeSdsUHrAjGtyTk1L9vBoyB_xKdKSi9KpbCbDfw9SQkmVBKwqMDORb6VZb3/s320/living+etc+0livingareanew.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">READER'S RECOMMENDATION: This photo of a Georgian flat in Bristol (spotted on the <a href="http://www.housetohome.co.uk/livingetc/forums/">Living Etc forum</a>) inspired me to try colour-coordinating. It provides a focal point in a room otherwise dominated by more neutral tones. Check out the apartment's stunning<a href="http://www.housetohome.co.uk/livingetc/forums/showthread.php?9455-Georgian-flat-transformed."> before and after</a>! Image: <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/kbspitfire/5696507681/in/set-72157626668426062/">kbspitfire on Flickr</a></td></tr>
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Should you choose to colour-block (and be slagged by friends when they come to visit), here are my recommendations:</div>
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<b>1. Kill the clutter</b></div>
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I had attempted colourr co-ordinating before on the shelves to either side of the fireplace, but they were too narrow (and cluttered with photo frames and other decorative objects) for it to be effective.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyP1MG21-myMMFfL_SgCm_3fXK52Cnx5fkVlopZyKd24HhWV2gQIcaEbwwZGkPE_v8qqJnM54AqDb28q3fv3ygwvwpxuR6CwfMcbW5VIfAB69Hcd4YBe-7Anu9GUd6QzdXjG4GyVIyTf1A/s1600/fireplace+shelves.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyP1MG21-myMMFfL_SgCm_3fXK52Cnx5fkVlopZyKd24HhWV2gQIcaEbwwZGkPE_v8qqJnM54AqDb28q3fv3ygwvwpxuR6CwfMcbW5VIfAB69Hcd4YBe-7Anu9GUd6QzdXjG4GyVIyTf1A/s320/fireplace+shelves.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">BEFORE: The colour blocking was lost among the clutter on these shelves, which I've since had removed during my <a href="http://motheach.blogspot.com/2012/01/before-and-after-living-room-gets-new.html">before and after living room makeover</a>.</td></tr>
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<b>2. Go wide if you can</b></div>
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Colour co-ordinating works best on wide shelving, particularly when the storage spans the length of a wall or where shelves are arranged in a grid-like pattern, as seen in the image below:</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9luP8eJKEvdPR1eUVwk4wg2Xx0SOHuKssBF5oSnoHuxWV5Zy52gFD9v2XKZmBjnO5vKpeD3AkzBZJJV2P10ZqsCawH92Wm2yYPEVCjLR93zkSxLG21t9GPU938ftCmoG4RJCgQmn3XhgI/s1600/apt+ther+5-15-08bookshelfext.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9luP8eJKEvdPR1eUVwk4wg2Xx0SOHuKssBF5oSnoHuxWV5Zy52gFD9v2XKZmBjnO5vKpeD3AkzBZJJV2P10ZqsCawH92Wm2yYPEVCjLR93zkSxLG21t9GPU938ftCmoG4RJCgQmn3XhgI/s320/apt+ther+5-15-08bookshelfext.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">GREAT SNAKES: <a href="http://www.apartmenttherapy.com/flickr-finds-eccentric-scholar-50892">Apartment Therapy shared this photograph</a> of <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/eccentricscholar/1912488817/in/photostream/">Eccentric Scholar</a>'s book collection. He explained: "I aligned my books in honor of the Rainbow Snake of Australian mythology. (Hence, the colors move in a zig-zag pattern, from top left to top right, then right to left, and so on)." Image: <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/eccentricscholar/1912488817/in/photostream/">Eccentric Scholar on Flickr</a></td></tr>
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<b>3. Tall and narrow also turns heads</b></div>
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Graduating colour and height can also work very well, particularly on a narrow book case.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkw0n3FPcNTIlpiG-m5dNy42WWatqETLZEiPfuz_9owf3jeofUxkQKpC16fGiaYbHgRIMqCsDzmQ9IIrM4BHBoiO0fgx5a2sjTwg54Mu6OmwEr7au1hfol_USymuXPSVMY3J2X9qyFytPK/s1600/ashley+g+flickr.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkw0n3FPcNTIlpiG-m5dNy42WWatqETLZEiPfuz_9owf3jeofUxkQKpC16fGiaYbHgRIMqCsDzmQ9IIrM4BHBoiO0fgx5a2sjTwg54Mu6OmwEr7au1hfol_USymuXPSVMY3J2X9qyFytPK/s320/ashley+g+flickr.jpg" width="169" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">BEDTIME STORY: The graduated heights create interest in this arrangement and includes space for books of the same series on the bottom shelf. Love the little white rabbit too! Image: <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/ashleyg/1753207034/">ashleyg on Flickr</a></td></tr>
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<b>4. Stack 'em high</b></div>
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Stacking books on top of each other according to colour fills out the gap normally left above books, allowing space for other items.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiK1BStTZXjF3b8kWFKUAuQFCHgXfRJRxvWoMTW9kDmyHoJ-eGIT9bm1DRp65DjNKqLHmeGLZbX_93OWAVcfhV8wivtoIZlVhe-fe5I6gMUC30M-zY2EVp7oHhhyphenhyphenCVj4WE3AMfWOZ4NdTOC/s1600/josie+curran+and+barnaby+girling.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiK1BStTZXjF3b8kWFKUAuQFCHgXfRJRxvWoMTW9kDmyHoJ-eGIT9bm1DRp65DjNKqLHmeGLZbX_93OWAVcfhV8wivtoIZlVhe-fe5I6gMUC30M-zY2EVp7oHhhyphenhyphenCVj4WE3AMfWOZ4NdTOC/s320/josie+curran+and+barnaby+girling.jpg" width="210" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">FILLER PIECE: Packing some sections with books allows for 'feature boxes' in this bookcase on a houseboat (the <a href="http://www.designsponge.com/2011/10/sneak-peek-josie-curran-and-barnaby-girling.html">house tour</a> is well worth checking out) on the Thames. Image via <a href="http://www.designsponge.com/2011/10/sneak-peek-josie-curran-and-barnaby-girling.html">DesignSponge</a></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1Xr0J0qccvFw4_WkSNha1kRD7VftKNXKBeSgixA0daGE_qvKfWEa0ZrXcBs6l4ns96rNjbD3BsDvOGOcDQqLvR5WahnXaQBUOtff7m5UvEGAR7HHTdTEnLODVs4jFJzqSNN_Vp-LoOEoW/s1600/the+inspiration+blog+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="260" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1Xr0J0qccvFw4_WkSNha1kRD7VftKNXKBeSgixA0daGE_qvKfWEa0ZrXcBs6l4ns96rNjbD3BsDvOGOcDQqLvR5WahnXaQBUOtff7m5UvEGAR7HHTdTEnLODVs4jFJzqSNN_Vp-LoOEoW/s320/the+inspiration+blog+3.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">TITLE WINNER: This image (via <a href="http://www.theinspirationblog.net/showcases/the-colour-coded-bookshelf-18-inspiring-examples/">The Inspiration Blog</a>) shows how to colour co-ordinate using limited shelf space space by stacking. I'd like to have a flick through some of these books, particularly the <a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/Helvetica-Homage-Typeface-Lars-Muller/dp/3037780460">Helvetica: Homage to a Typeface by Lars Muller</a> </td></tr>
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<b>5. Don't be afraid of the dark</b></div>
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Although white shelves provide the perfect back-drop to colour co-ordinating, it is also very striking on wooden and black shelving.</div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJhol1yrXqCvHC9dBtoyypdbgqtnbTH6H-4fLjLxsanawFFuyZz9QFnbYrl7Rc0y5rsDZrBBZjpj31ySivHm1hYhDsQCSfphSCvyjZ5EqVU1qeMhiQILlL8WIWoLIX0BVzZR7Eaq4QHxii/s1600/the+inspiration+blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="235" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJhol1yrXqCvHC9dBtoyypdbgqtnbTH6H-4fLjLxsanawFFuyZz9QFnbYrl7Rc0y5rsDZrBBZjpj31ySivHm1hYhDsQCSfphSCvyjZ5EqVU1qeMhiQILlL8WIWoLIX0BVzZR7Eaq4QHxii/s320/the+inspiration+blog.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">LIBRARY'S FINE: The arrangement of books by colour has transformed these dark wooden shelves. More importantly, there's a gorgeous pug in this photograph! Image via <a href="http://www.theinspirationblog.net/showcases/the-colour-coded-bookshelf-18-inspiring-examples/">The Inspiration Blog </a>which is packed full of <a href="http://www.theinspirationblog.net/showcases/the-colour-coded-bookshelf-18-inspiring-examples/">examples of colour-co-ordinated books</a>!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div>
<b><br /></b></div>
<div>
<b>6. No shelves? No worries</b></div>
<div>
You can also get the look by simply piling books according to colour and never be accused of being messy ever again!</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdfWsw6ZKodaCJPdJ9rwqreXv_Cv-3C-MNW-fKTjoMxxC27L3h-nNFM33Cxuhy6cACF60o4WgxvcLobBa2LJA2bVb0_LIKB-qpqJNOWXVkvmc6EeZDMkS4ZmESUsuVZFpG33O1u46VVOUR/s1600/hshoppingspy+colour-coded-book-piles.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdfWsw6ZKodaCJPdJ9rwqreXv_Cv-3C-MNW-fKTjoMxxC27L3h-nNFM33Cxuhy6cACF60o4WgxvcLobBa2LJA2bVb0_LIKB-qpqJNOWXVkvmc6EeZDMkS4ZmESUsuVZFpG33O1u46VVOUR/s320/hshoppingspy+colour-coded-book-piles.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">PAGE TURNER: Create your own mini skyscrapers with colour-coded books. I like how they graduate in height also. Image via <a href="http://homeshoppingspy.wordpress.com/tag/book-shelves/">HomeShoppingSpy</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<b>7. Apply to other media</b></div>
<div>
Colour-blocking can extend to other collections, such as films, records and other media.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFpT1pwrId73BuyVROfF89DKhF3moLHw2jbzl6xtTxN5k1WYGF6eHB8URV7ZZXCGRd2P7eSScCxfTR7cvyOCroLNPTlmpWT77xZl0cdO_937sMZJY8Kmm7L76ARsFbkc_-CLnwE-GsBm_y/s1600/inspiration+blog+5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFpT1pwrId73BuyVROfF89DKhF3moLHw2jbzl6xtTxN5k1WYGF6eHB8URV7ZZXCGRd2P7eSScCxfTR7cvyOCroLNPTlmpWT77xZl0cdO_937sMZJY8Kmm7L76ARsFbkc_-CLnwE-GsBm_y/s320/inspiration+blog+5.jpg" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">CINEMA CLUB: DVDs are arranged by colour on the top shelves of this bookcase. Be warned though, most have either black or white spines, which doesn't make for great colour-blocking. Image via <a href="http://www.theinspirationblog.net/showcases/the-colour-coded-bookshelf-18-inspiring-examples/">The Inspiration Blog</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijiJvPyjIU5sDdCWJzAYOfs_Zm4tvoceFp2ofEwba5Y0Hf4zBsfxzuYJVZCnsyu5pSuMfmA7jvKEjnVCYkb_ORowH8wNn1a8wiPqMol-ETzhro2Z9zJHHBWOQmaSRVeDpijINZK6Izme0f/s1600/craft+and+creativity+flickr.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijiJvPyjIU5sDdCWJzAYOfs_Zm4tvoceFp2ofEwba5Y0Hf4zBsfxzuYJVZCnsyu5pSuMfmA7jvKEjnVCYkb_ORowH8wNn1a8wiPqMol-ETzhro2Z9zJHHBWOQmaSRVeDpijINZK6Izme0f/s320/craft+and+creativity+flickr.png" width="212" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">COVER STARS: A collection of comics and kids' books are put centre stage by displaying them face forwards. Image: <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/craftcreativity/3578281634/in/photostream/">Craft and Creativity</a> on Flickr via <a href="http://www.lilsugar.com/Storage-Solutions-Kids-Books-17758368?slide=5">LilSugar</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>Sorchahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15459697652071142292noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5949655524869068746.post-51671343703378333832012-02-10T20:15:00.000+00:002012-02-11T12:27:13.369+00:00Take 3: Etsy shops in Ireland<a href="http://www.etsy.com/">Etsy</a> = my dream store. For the uninitiated, it's where artists, designers and crafters from all over the world reside. <a href="http://www.etsy.com/">Etsy</a> is a treasure trove of one-off, limited edition and personalised items for the home, along with fashion, craft supplies, toys, jewellery and lots else.<br />
<br />
Many of the people behind Etsy's shops are based in America, which can result in high postage costs. A handy way to search for items closer to home is to use the 'Shop Local' search term. But sometimes searching for Dublin can yield results of places in the United States named after our fair city!<br />
<br />
Here's a little selection of some of the lovely Irish makers and shakers selling their wares on Etsy:<br />
<br />
1. <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/handmadebymeshop?ga_locationQuery=Ireland&ga_search_type=handmade&ga_facet=handmade%2Fhousewares&ga_search_query=">handmade by me</a><br />
Gorgeous fabrics made with eco-friendly dyes and printed onto a linen-cotton fabric, Dublin-based Sera sells napkins, cushion covers and fabric for curtains. Check out her blog at <a href="http://handmadebymeblog.com/">handmadebymeblog.com</a><br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOCodFy62k-UGYycb1ecYgxwu6HFBLYvJ0JD6CzhqinDhnQfV2JsfRqo1cDQBOT16Lxvk7BPn_q6aSh38-SsV38AS_uKf7dKYw8qfK4nCluAu_BSvKBUgK7VDXnHHYpZJBJ07UoeTlyVyt/s1600/handmadebyme+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOCodFy62k-UGYycb1ecYgxwu6HFBLYvJ0JD6CzhqinDhnQfV2JsfRqo1cDQBOT16Lxvk7BPn_q6aSh38-SsV38AS_uKf7dKYw8qfK4nCluAu_BSvKBUgK7VDXnHHYpZJBJ07UoeTlyVyt/s320/handmadebyme+1.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">DREAM LIVING SPACE: A galaxy filled with rockets, planets and alien craft, this colourful <a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/92121684/space-rocket-solar-system-cushion-cover">Space Rocket Solar System Cushion Cover</a> (€35.81 plus delivery and also available for curtain material) from <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/handmadebymeshop?ref=top_trail">handmade by me</a> was designed for a five-year-old boy. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
2. <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/mojosewsew?ref=seller_info">Jo Fulham Textiles</a><br />
Based in Mullingar, Jo's shop has the cute name <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/mojosewsew?ref=seller_info">mojosewsew</a> and sells purses, handbags and cushion covers made in fab fabrics. She can also personalise items as per request.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYqRYgxfwPrlEFquCQEnSmEaBC_VQ3dQrsVd9744Hzrx1vL_R5q8Yef2agK8c_MBOEBnsSxhEChYf2TkHtMl00OOTiK2ofgxilFMJQMQGlOym-d_6FC2i_ZzxySBzT9bKmD78ntVBMc0Or/s1600/josew+owl+cushion.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="288" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYqRYgxfwPrlEFquCQEnSmEaBC_VQ3dQrsVd9744Hzrx1vL_R5q8Yef2agK8c_MBOEBnsSxhEChYf2TkHtMl00OOTiK2ofgxilFMJQMQGlOym-d_6FC2i_ZzxySBzT9bKmD78ntVBMc0Or/s320/josew+owl+cushion.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> TWIT-TWOO: This beautiful <a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/60830159/retro-owl-cushion-cover-in-rust-cord">Retro Owl Cushion</a> (€31.14) by <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/mojosewsew?ref=seller_info">Jo Fulham Textiles</a> is made from a variety of fabrics, love the corduroy. I know my owl pal Aoife will want this.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
3. <a href="http://www.karoart.etsy.com/">karoArt</a><br />
Creating stunning ceramics and pottery, <a href="http://www.karoart.etsy.com/">karoArt</a> in Dublin makes unique sculptural artworks. I think her <a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/66335321/personalized-love-hearts-ceramic-tile">personalised hearts tile</a> would make a beautiful St. Valentine's Day or wedding present.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8GroByPD5kWPKMXrvJ2uGaRQ2P1MnIZDGuRILPaHEQTO54x1ao_FA19EKX9ygwzDqBETdm3eSgplSUezt3gby9MBj3Nc6wAouIAxkGjxX6wsa48DLXR5ABIkGSQZZ-usLRw9Qid0Ln0le/s1600/karoArt.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8GroByPD5kWPKMXrvJ2uGaRQ2P1MnIZDGuRILPaHEQTO54x1ao_FA19EKX9ygwzDqBETdm3eSgplSUezt3gby9MBj3Nc6wAouIAxkGjxX6wsa48DLXR5ABIkGSQZZ-usLRw9Qid0Ln0le/s320/karoArt.jpg" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">S-TILE-ISH: Made to order with a custom number of fish, the <a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/75626926/school-of-fish-ceramic-tilesculptural">School of Fish ceramic tile</a> (€76 plus delivery) is by <a href="http://www.karoart.etsy.com/">karoArt</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>Sorchahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15459697652071142292noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5949655524869068746.post-74891358346896637862012-02-08T13:19:00.000+00:002012-02-09T10:59:27.408+00:00Bready, steady, go! Mammy's easy Irish soda bread recipeWaking up to the smell of bread baking was the only effective way of persuading my younger self out of bed on weekend mornings. My mother is from Conamara and her recipe for Irish soda bread (passed down for generations) is very easy to make and can be adapted to make both brown and white soda bread. It also is the same recipe used for scones.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMCYYhzoHYEOcEmT4kTu-mteziIOt4u2KYtok5m11rGHPBDFZaYPcLWZu8hlfv05QkW8FnRZdJviTPHC6CJjLzoNW_uSdoqxPIsx99GyuSuaLhzwxt7TIaAoIA2BqwYLB7BhvYwZJiSac0/s1600/DSC_0747.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMCYYhzoHYEOcEmT4kTu-mteziIOt4u2KYtok5m11rGHPBDFZaYPcLWZu8hlfv05QkW8FnRZdJviTPHC6CJjLzoNW_uSdoqxPIsx99GyuSuaLhzwxt7TIaAoIA2BqwYLB7BhvYwZJiSac0/s320/DSC_0747.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">RISING STAR: Irish brown soda bread made by Eoghan</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Tired of buying bread, my lovely assistant Eoghan made the lovely brown bread below (I took the rather dark photographs). Here's how:<br />
<br />
<b>Mammy's very easy Irish soda bread recipe</b><br />
<br />
The measurements are rough guidelines. The original recipe didn't take account of the metric system!<br />
<br />
This recipe is for brown soda bread. To make white soda bread, it's exactly the same except you will be using plain flour only, (i.e. 3 cups of plain flour for white soda bread instead of the 2 cups wholemeal and 1 cup plain required for brown soda bread).<br />
<br />
<i>Preparation time:</i> 10 minutes<br />
<i>Baking time:</i> 40-45 minutes<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-k479AqmTScbPVAHHbQGGCIoUTKMgXDydIvlx31rRANUopMsiFShWxV3iXFHOl1tNI34JEOojaIEmHxL0ONJe2U3MtMb3tNbypudOq0LFTT9ZDd7ptHtYahaaAd6K493ZD9NBQY2ZpCqG/s1600/DSC_0677.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-k479AqmTScbPVAHHbQGGCIoUTKMgXDydIvlx31rRANUopMsiFShWxV3iXFHOl1tNI34JEOojaIEmHxL0ONJe2U3MtMb3tNbypudOq0LFTT9ZDd7ptHtYahaaAd6K493ZD9NBQY2ZpCqG/s320/DSC_0677.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<i>Equipment:</i><br />
<br />
<ul>
<li>large mixing bowl</li>
<li>wooden spoon</li>
<li>circular baking tin (as big as you want your bread to be, the larger the better)</li>
<li>a cup (small, medium or large, whatever size you want your bread to be!). The other cup you'll need to drink tea out of while making the bread.</li>
</ul>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhH6hFI6wJGmenXCEjVLMMDcUh8Um-PcEeWhyD6vEEZukmQe0XsL7cLR0sitZMlhwuNqkXe12BR11j0IrSg6-Oqx1U1F9gZITDJ4AJoPKhv8_CgjbIoNE9sUACehBIpXX0ZJZJDMwRv2ddp/s1600/DSC_0687.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhH6hFI6wJGmenXCEjVLMMDcUh8Um-PcEeWhyD6vEEZukmQe0XsL7cLR0sitZMlhwuNqkXe12BR11j0IrSg6-Oqx1U1F9gZITDJ4AJoPKhv8_CgjbIoNE9sUACehBIpXX0ZJZJDMwRv2ddp/s320/DSC_0687.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
On the subjects of cups, let the desired size of the bread dictate. The cups pictured are (from left to right) by <a href="http://www.cathkidston.eu/c-215-mugs-glasses.aspx">Cath Kidston</a>, <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/placed?ref=af_you_favitem#">Irish design company Placed</a> and <a href="http://www.orlakiely.com/uk.cfm/house/kitchen/overview">Orla Kiely</a>.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjB0SB8AdQ1eavxXSnFZwtM9IEP__AOoqa93qI50y2ex_-f4TXqF1Vs8k70EOCoicChJVugHFS45AXKm21BqBgw_yzuXcEkIlxhnKkk9VEiau_SbhzvG_ZxoOjUr_jze8bU4vG3Vf88o-QZ/s1600/DSC_0682.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjB0SB8AdQ1eavxXSnFZwtM9IEP__AOoqa93qI50y2ex_-f4TXqF1Vs8k70EOCoicChJVugHFS45AXKm21BqBgw_yzuXcEkIlxhnKkk9VEiau_SbhzvG_ZxoOjUr_jze8bU4vG3Vf88o-QZ/s320/DSC_0682.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<i>Ingredients: </i><br />
<br />
<ul>
<li>2 cups wholemeal flour</li>
<li>1 cup plain flour</li>
<li>1 teaspoon bread soda</li>
<li>buttermilk (you need to have at least a quarter of a litre/250 ml)</li>
<li>butter for lining the cake tin</li>
</ul>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKhqGr0qI8z6yPwLKmeSTuDbvqRIY_NW7Epwau5f-ZHA6IENo-sBOGddE8MTlWosL5hvYot1oQ6qGwVw0RHhAHxwgmUvj5Jzwxw2jk5aeeyfALvfP_ADnEhS4Zm1ybjLSkr01z2wZUw6-r/s1600/DSC_0679.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKhqGr0qI8z6yPwLKmeSTuDbvqRIY_NW7Epwau5f-ZHA6IENo-sBOGddE8MTlWosL5hvYot1oQ6qGwVw0RHhAHxwgmUvj5Jzwxw2jk5aeeyfALvfP_ADnEhS4Zm1ybjLSkr01z2wZUw6-r/s320/DSC_0679.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<i>Optional additional ingredients (or apps, as my iPhone user Mammy likes to call them!):</i><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
</div>
<ul>
<li>a free-range egg (will help the mixture to stick together better)</li>
<li>Wheat Germ (for extra goodness)</li>
<li>raisins (if you want to make scones or white soda spotty bread, lovely smothered in butter and jam)</li>
</ul>
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Okay, now it's bready, steady, go!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3d_8CU_oPrKqfNZMCcKVG_rPWwOG8wSvMludMNeoS4KxtnCHK7-qsofu_mcNmXbOZ8DOxyRRI9TNqx2qVfiPfmDOWCr75kZdQR6IxReaw3j0WYlk0LNhCKW5-oMGauxXLQxictOwxFwlU/s1600/DSC_0683.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3d_8CU_oPrKqfNZMCcKVG_rPWwOG8wSvMludMNeoS4KxtnCHK7-qsofu_mcNmXbOZ8DOxyRRI9TNqx2qVfiPfmDOWCr75kZdQR6IxReaw3j0WYlk0LNhCKW5-oMGauxXLQxictOwxFwlU/s320/DSC_0683.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
1. Grease the baking tin! And set your oven to Gas Mark 5.</div>
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2. Pour in the 1 cup of plain flour into the bowl. (You may have to use a sieve).<br />
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3. Add 2 cups of wholemeal flour into the bowl. (You may have to use a sieve). For a whiter brown, add more plain flour. Mix the two types of flour together.<br />
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4. Put bread soda onto a teaspoon. Ensure it's flattened with no lumps or bumps.<br />
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5. Mix the flour and soda together thoroughly.<br />
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6. Now, start pouring in the butter milk, just a small amount.<br />
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7. Start kneading the bread. This is a messy job!<br />
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8. Add buttermilk while kneading. Mould the mixture into one solid mass, but don't make it too wet. There should be a dusting of flour at the bottom of the bowl. Then you know it's ready to put into the baking tin.<br />
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9. Using a knife, cut a cross about half an inch deep.<br />
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10. Now pop it into the oven. Check on it after 40 minutes, using a skewer or fork. If it comes out of the bread clean, the bread is ready.<br />
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11. Voila! Rest the bread on a wire rack for at least 10 minutes to let it cool. After you've done the inevitable washing up, enjoy with a nice cup of well-deserved cúpan tae.Sorchahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15459697652071142292noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5949655524869068746.post-29486741000860473362012-02-06T20:36:00.002+00:002012-02-06T20:56:37.678+00:00Just hangin': Quirky handles, hangers and hooks<br />
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My parents have completed a massive rebuild of their house and there are still lots of things to finish, but perhaps one of the most surprisingly urgent tasks is to find hangers to put up here, there and everywhere.</div>
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Hangers are one of those things in the house that you don't really notice, unless they're suddenly absent. Then where do you put that dressing gown or towel? (Luckily for me, Waffles the cat is happy to look after these things for me!)</div>
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Not normally the most exciting of interior design decisions, there are some interesting hangers out there:</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhpI8mTiZ3gcHf672IkPyg8f2ShCwZcZbzqzYL6eT1AaxCF_uTr_6JFhgCmWmjrWSXb9RaOJmIg_Y8zS4Owj7heoi0fjE5MXBbczqvDR9jeBzeDgtQpDkQZ1ixcKrR8HokN7clO3Xn3L39/s1600/rake+hanger.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhpI8mTiZ3gcHf672IkPyg8f2ShCwZcZbzqzYL6eT1AaxCF_uTr_6JFhgCmWmjrWSXb9RaOJmIg_Y8zS4Owj7heoi0fjE5MXBbczqvDR9jeBzeDgtQpDkQZ1ixcKrR8HokN7clO3Xn3L39/s320/rake+hanger.jpg" style="cursor: move;" width="229" /></a></div>
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RAKE 'EM IN: The <a href="http://shop.designist.ie/collections/sale/products/harvest-rake-hanger">Harvest Rake Hanger</a> (currently €20 down from €28) from deadly Irish store <a href="http://www.designist.ie/">Designist</a>. The re-appriorated rake is polished and powdered for a sleek finish.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLWx6abSwr8RQp6GCSPLVLjL2eOZHHKY6ifrO2cLn6t8qZK8joO40UeA0pqo69JWW-bgzeYs7RiBb_eWsL-BuprNBm-0TL2hKaURFVAHr9UaSl7WCL-vJqnSlGvd0YHirDtDeyiFcFA5uK/s1600/bang+bang+handle.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLWx6abSwr8RQp6GCSPLVLjL2eOZHHKY6ifrO2cLn6t8qZK8joO40UeA0pqo69JWW-bgzeYs7RiBb_eWsL-BuprNBm-0TL2hKaURFVAHr9UaSl7WCL-vJqnSlGvd0YHirDtDeyiFcFA5uK/s320/bang+bang+handle.jpg" style="cursor: move;" width="320" /></a></div>
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FIRE EXIT: Saw the <a href="http://www.behance.net/gallery/bang-bang-handle/1871397">Bang Bang door handle by Nikita Kovalev</a> featured on <a href="http://Broadsheet.ie/">Broadsheet.ie</a> earlier this week. It is based on the 9mm Makarov semi-automatic pistol, weapon of choice for the Soviet and post-Soviet armed forces and law enforcement from 1951 to today. I don't where it can be purchased and for how much.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTpU3zwBTM1Sm0y5_5tRkzT7en5BOC9N1WiUq8xlwSU5H_fwdal-dY5_d-QmW5Qho6hJ_O_rXz-EPZZQ6GaTzd1Oupg8f89Dihk2mXWYezqkOo5vmqfMlmH_H7EDYl6pHWBcmCd284EW2f/s1600/normal_190033_letter_hooks.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTpU3zwBTM1Sm0y5_5tRkzT7en5BOC9N1WiUq8xlwSU5H_fwdal-dY5_d-QmW5Qho6hJ_O_rXz-EPZZQ6GaTzd1Oupg8f89Dihk2mXWYezqkOo5vmqfMlmH_H7EDYl6pHWBcmCd284EW2f/s320/normal_190033_letter_hooks.jpg" style="cursor: move;" width="320" /></a></div>
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CAPS LOCK: <a href="http://www.notonthehighstreet.com/penelopetom/product/alphabet_letter_hooks">Vintage style alphabet letter hooks</a> (approx €11.50 per hook plus delivery) from <a href="http://www.notonthehighstreet.com/">Not on the High Street</a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZ_nITB-HRViOV7akrQcIvDWY1Z8-VdHFyJOYKPamnQ7x1dtIxFfZREgL_ozW1NfzthWlmEhzTMcypzNjJEPBgefPbH1dU-fYlE28oAKTgih4QQKLPuG4iSMs6PSKUMoAGdczyUQX3i9Dz/s1600/elephant+handle.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZ_nITB-HRViOV7akrQcIvDWY1Z8-VdHFyJOYKPamnQ7x1dtIxFfZREgL_ozW1NfzthWlmEhzTMcypzNjJEPBgefPbH1dU-fYlE28oAKTgih4QQKLPuG4iSMs6PSKUMoAGdczyUQX3i9Dz/s320/elephant+handle.jpg" style="cursor: move;" width="272" /></a></div>
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UNLOCK YOUR FUNK WITH THIS TRUNK: This <a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/33460008/elephant-screw-in-hook-knob-handle-wall?ref=sr_gallery_6&sref=&ga_search_submit=&ga_search_query=handle+hook&ga_view_type=gallery&ga_ship_to=US&ga_page=2&ga_search_type=all&ga_facet=">Elephant Screw-in Handle</a> is approx €11.70 plus delivery from Etsy shop <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/Fluolido?ref=seller_info">Fluolido</a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEKD9D6alM6UAyasqPP53UNB-k2dhcnHj1ISQZZQwyqXW50hj_rNj_8iBX3RT-CKCUK0pW9zCjPrghRhyJ1Ap2gZwNz2YBuQNiwsVkBDnQrbQBBU3th0bf_reHb4oi5IW3EQrNWFn3okan/s1600/Hang+it+all.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="292" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEKD9D6alM6UAyasqPP53UNB-k2dhcnHj1ISQZZQwyqXW50hj_rNj_8iBX3RT-CKCUK0pW9zCjPrghRhyJ1Ap2gZwNz2YBuQNiwsVkBDnQrbQBBU3th0bf_reHb4oi5IW3EQrNWFn3okan/s320/Hang+it+all.jpg" style="cursor: move;" width="320" /></a></div>
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EVERY COAT OF PAINT: Designed in 1953, the Hang It All Coat Hook by Ray Eames is a design classic. Manufactured by licence-holders Vitra, it costs approx <a href="http://www.nest.co.uk/product/vitra-hang-it-all-coat-rack">€185 in a 20 per cent off sale at Nest.co.uk</a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHp3a2lmx3Hokm7_trTRkWv92MdyZLAvYNPR_xKOJebbylTzSskrf_uQ2b6Upc3B-dWHni1DCa_yqfat6s2v04teZj0ftWfWo9dHqnw0isif2mokTrb4RcP8SV97fcdrbJB_sINr-4Hh-r/s1600/ninja+hook.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="232" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHp3a2lmx3Hokm7_trTRkWv92MdyZLAvYNPR_xKOJebbylTzSskrf_uQ2b6Upc3B-dWHni1DCa_yqfat6s2v04teZj0ftWfWo9dHqnw0isif2mokTrb4RcP8SV97fcdrbJB_sINr-4Hh-r/s320/ninja+hook.png" style="cursor: move;" width="320" /></a></div>
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KILLER HOOK: The <a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/SPINNING-HAT-SH01223-GADGETS-NINJA/dp/B002HFOK48/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1328392336&sr=8-1">Ninja Coat Hook</a> is by Spinning Hat and is available from Amazon.co.uk for approx €9.43 plus delivery</div>
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</tbody></table>Sorchahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15459697652071142292noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5949655524869068746.post-30185163809278091962012-02-04T00:17:00.000+00:002012-02-04T12:46:25.791+00:00Eat your art out: St. Valentine's DayWhen I worked as a sub-editor, I collected puns for seasonal events. My Gmail has a folder full of them. Given the month that's in it, I thought I would dust off the St. Valentine's Day collection.<br />
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Instead of sending a card (if you're into that/feel obliged to), it might be nice to get a beautiful print instead. Having something framed on the wall is a more permanent reminder of love than flowers or chocolate (plus it will provide a handy excuse for never bothering with cards again).<br />
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Here's a selection of three truly lovely artworks (all of which fit into standard frames, eliminating heartbreak at the framers):<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJBAb-jG30-q4H4UzEW6CZ-9xw-4y_SeQiZr15WVW83XlSOBuZ8HXm6jbJxhhHrRNMmlISGR9a_0IDEiuvVhW_tam12-iNUXfhqOXX8vPCpxV2eVmJJ_QD80NkBLaAu0pcDhe0y6-Ydidu/s1600/my+heart+in+rasberry.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJBAb-jG30-q4H4UzEW6CZ-9xw-4y_SeQiZr15WVW83XlSOBuZ8HXm6jbJxhhHrRNMmlISGR9a_0IDEiuvVhW_tam12-iNUXfhqOXX8vPCpxV2eVmJJ_QD80NkBLaAu0pcDhe0y6-Ydidu/s320/my+heart+in+rasberry.jpg" width="231" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">RED LETTER DAY: By <a href="http://boldandnoble.com/">Bold&Noble</a>, the <a href="http://boldandnoble.com/prints/my-heart/raspberry-sorbet">My Heart in Raspberry Sorbet</a> (approx €52 plus postage) is wonderfully intricate. It even has bunnies and butterflies. The hand-pulled screen print is also available in Duck Egg Blue. There are <a href="http://boldandnoble.com/collections/love">lots of other gorgeous romance-themed prints in the Love Collection</a> (all heart the environment as each one is printed on 100 per cent recycled paper)</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-rbHJg7PvfsKpsl1AJlVPvL6TMggU0jeLApZkZ4VUpm0ij2oFTpLP1e5bExP7t4VGmanEZPBQhVllR1pPmAJFA0qckyoVQcjfaiRAvOkezTxpRp7cL7kZzdWGpcQsPCLwRAovCeM24H3h/s1600/love+i+love+mayo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="226" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-rbHJg7PvfsKpsl1AJlVPvL6TMggU0jeLApZkZ4VUpm0ij2oFTpLP1e5bExP7t4VGmanEZPBQhVllR1pPmAJFA0qckyoVQcjfaiRAvOkezTxpRp7cL7kZzdWGpcQsPCLwRAovCeM24H3h/s320/love+i+love+mayo.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">LUST FOR TYPE: Inspired by the letterpress collection at the National Print Museum, <a href="http://www.ilovemayo.com/shop/st/15/#">the Love print</a> was originally drawn by hand by Jane Steger-Lewis of the appropriately named <a href="http://www.ilovemayo.com/">I Love Mayo</a>. It costs €21.95 plus postage and packing.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2e-Mwm2f5VUyFDaFToSFvnrMA4vKtuE0r8GfMsOCXokdU2cr_1qQEmay_XH8VRpne_3na33K9zu-CTteOTzfTUgzVHLoeniFrbt_GsuAq3cXgZfskIVNs4pAxieac73POTJYy9ZU0lMVp/s1600/lovebirds+yellowhammer.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2e-Mwm2f5VUyFDaFToSFvnrMA4vKtuE0r8GfMsOCXokdU2cr_1qQEmay_XH8VRpne_3na33K9zu-CTteOTzfTUgzVHLoeniFrbt_GsuAq3cXgZfskIVNs4pAxieac73POTJYy9ZU0lMVp/s320/lovebirds+yellowhammer.jpg" width="228" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">WEDDING WINGS? The limited edition <a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/91414002/lovebirds">Lovebirds giclee print</a> (€34) by Yellowhammer, aka Irish artist Alan Nagle, is available from his <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/Yellowhammerprints?ref=seller_info">Etsy shop</a> and from the <a href="https://irishdesignshop.com/product/lovebirds">Irish Design Shop</a>. </td></tr>
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Wondering what those puns were? Here's the full list:<br />
<ul>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">eat your heart out</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">feasting on romance</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">love bites</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">passion fashion</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">wear your heart on your sleeve</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">ace of hearts</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">It's Valentime</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">kiss me, cupid</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">lust the two of us</span></li>
</ul>Sorchahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15459697652071142292noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5949655524869068746.post-40851503741028704952012-01-31T22:11:00.000+00:002012-02-01T12:11:21.651+00:00Eye of the Tiger: Irish clothing brands open storeI prefer to leave fashion blogging to those in the know, but am always keen to promote Irish design initiatives like the new <a href="http://www.facebook.com/blindtigercollective">Blind Tiger Collective</a> store. It's opening its doors this Saturday in Dublin city centre.<br />
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Set up by Irish streetwear brands to offer an alternative to multinational chain stores, the collective hope their new store in the Georgian gorgeousness of South William Street will help efforts to make this side of Grafton Street a fashion hub destination.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh87_nF8siKXinH4q98IaicbRRx97Z6nCOrXH3Z-fmVvlx956WzSkrDx6vm9nWMviPhguFcFUxPWHtG3w6KYtjNIndPA0vcHCOFNAVBPOtsm48gXO2Lm3Ps2XOtuGBNNlORWAu4CGaQCRZn/s1600/gpwoc4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh87_nF8siKXinH4q98IaicbRRx97Z6nCOrXH3Z-fmVvlx956WzSkrDx6vm9nWMviPhguFcFUxPWHtG3w6KYtjNIndPA0vcHCOFNAVBPOtsm48gXO2Lm3Ps2XOtuGBNNlORWAu4CGaQCRZn/s320/gpwoc4.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">RWAAR: The Blind Tiger Collective is catwalk cool. I heart the stag t-shirt.</td></tr>
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Describing why Blind Tiger Collective came about, Dualta Jones (organiser and co-owner of Project A Apparel) said: "I decided that small Irish brands like my own need to come together and help promote each other in a joint effort and stake a claim on our territory."<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3CW2FTQIjqr3qecCX80ZVHRkKMHGrrgBO0x821HCpE-NyyhcY9tIhOT7IFyHsVZX9gfQZID-PO9p59RISHKZY5FD3NAeDkq3cF-Ff0w5-JTNDhF1zk-_1j2ewJi6p2ZVh6ypBw4YelfGL/s1600/btc.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3CW2FTQIjqr3qecCX80ZVHRkKMHGrrgBO0x821HCpE-NyyhcY9tIhOT7IFyHsVZX9gfQZID-PO9p59RISHKZY5FD3NAeDkq3cF-Ff0w5-JTNDhF1zk-_1j2ewJi6p2ZVh6ypBw4YelfGL/s320/btc.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">GRRR-EAT IDEA: Tony the tiger gets a makeover in this t-shirt from The Blind Tiger Collective, a group of Irish streetwear brands</td></tr>
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Following on from their pop-up shop in December (<a href="http://vimeo.com/33685448">see the timelapse video here</a>), the brands at Blind Tiger Collective include Turtlehead, LadyUmbrella, ShittyFuture and Little Green Threads, many of whom create very limited print runs as low as 25 pieces.<br />
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It's brilliant to see this showcase of Irish design hitting the city centre. Go n-éirí leo.<br />
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<i>The Blind Tiger Collective, 51 William Street, Dublin 2. </i><br />
<i></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><a href="http://twitter.com/weareblindtiger" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">twitter.com/weareblindtiger</a></span>Sorchahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15459697652071142292noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5949655524869068746.post-81355041772281199852012-01-31T00:10:00.001+00:002012-01-31T10:13:34.696+00:00Before and after: Living room gets a new lease of life<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
They say that when you first move into a house you should do nothing but familiarise yourself with the space and consider its best use. It's very easy to rush into decisions and purchases that you might later regret. We failed to heed this advice and bought a sofa too big and bulky for our sitting room. I also had shelves put up. The shelves were perfect, but they were in the wrong place, diverting attention away from the antique fireplace we later installed in the gap where one once sat.</div>
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While Eoghan was away on a worktrip, I finally <a href="http://motheach.blogspot.com/2011/12/going-grey-my-bedroom-makeover.html">decorated the bedroom</a>. It was also the week where I had a few jobs done on the living room too. With the help of <a href="http://www.painterdublin.com/">Painter Dublin</a>, I took down the shelves and repainted the floor and walls in the same colours we had painted ourselves a few years ago; <span id="goog_1387966029"></span><a href="http://www.dulux.ie/servlet/ColourAvailabilityHandler?name=moonlight_white">Dulux Light and Space Moonlight White</a><span id="goog_1387966030"></span> on the walls (turned out a little yellower than I had predicted when contrasted with the new Dulux Brilliant White on the ceiling and woodwork) and <a href="http://eu.farrow-ball.com/down-pipe/colours//fcp-product/100026">Farrow and Ball's Downpipe</a> on the floorboards.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXaDRp1l4svoKyZ3x8pRsgXa9WSsxheDajIlC6MeNniD18VrC84EzrFHH3TQwaC8FJR-Mpy9Qyu2T08t4M0P9jlr-tu_BNwojQeuB8rfavF8SHbtzyFf-OHgvLI7J_YIY7r6ZXPt2BfVmo/s1600/tall+rocker+and+yellow.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXaDRp1l4svoKyZ3x8pRsgXa9WSsxheDajIlC6MeNniD18VrC84EzrFHH3TQwaC8FJR-Mpy9Qyu2T08t4M0P9jlr-tu_BNwojQeuB8rfavF8SHbtzyFf-OHgvLI7J_YIY7r6ZXPt2BfVmo/s320/tall+rocker+and+yellow.jpg" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">AFTER: The <a href="http://www.arnotts.ie/Product/Eames-Rocking-Chair/309072/450500200">Eames rocker by Vitra (purchased at Arnotts)</a> perches on the floor freshly painted in<a href="http://eu.farrow-ball.com/down-pipe/colours//fcp-product/100026"> Farrow and Ball's Downpipe</a>. The painting is from <a href="http://www.decor.ie/">Decor</a>, Camden Street, Dublin 8.</td></tr>
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Another job was to have period-style cornicing reinstated. Our house was built in the 1860s but other than the lovely wide floorboards no period details remained in the living room when we moved in. We had previously put in a Victorian-style four panel door from <a href="http://www.victoriankitchencompany.ie/doors/internal-doors">Victorian Salvage</a> (especially important as we didn't notice the lack of a door until we sat down in the room for first time) and an antique fireplace (a design common to the area) from the brilliant <a href="http://www.build.ie/company_485806.htm">Sugan Antiques</a>. I had plaster cornicing made by the excellent <a href="http://www.build.ie/company_479063.htm">Dublin Mouldings</a> on Parnell Street and it has made the room complete.<br />
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Other than wall shelves and book-ends from IKEA, I didn't buy anything else for the room. Instead I moved things and changed around artwork by bringing some pieces that were hanging elsewhere in the house into the living room.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYs68el6r4lm2HYNDNX7O6hZTfL1u4-H_FnFYQivzNDOO_BY7jIXP6HqXB1IS_4Ubsrbj3OXYj7aCjIueY6q1rYgb7Njpr4eEWxpwY0C4BJuDVAwuMtfl2zpNRY5vb4DgVcHa7slM-S-Dg/s1600/wide+door+and+shelves.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYs68el6r4lm2HYNDNX7O6hZTfL1u4-H_FnFYQivzNDOO_BY7jIXP6HqXB1IS_4Ubsrbj3OXYj7aCjIueY6q1rYgb7Njpr4eEWxpwY0C4BJuDVAwuMtfl2zpNRY5vb4DgVcHa7slM-S-Dg/s320/wide+door+and+shelves.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">AFTER: New storage comes in the form of four white <a href="http://www.ikea.com/ie/en/catalog/products/60103750/#/00011013">Lack wall shelves from IKEA</a>, featuring nerdy colour-coordinated books. The <a href="http://www.victoriankitchencompany.ie/doors/internal-doors">period-style door came from Victorian Salvage</a>. The space to the right of the door originally featured my two P<a href="http://motheach.blogspot.com/2012/01/city-slickers-dublin-inspired-design.html">anoramic Dublin prints by Andy Mac Manus</a> which have now moved to the right of the fireplace</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSGQ9tf6U5xF5hcJDY5JBDvF7zEFuS6kvpJbd-2ASJ5VTqU3o0L5ASVYx61sNtjKeaIXOLgYXvWxsqm7L0au05CptJGj-iwRv1ovnLWhK8pYXwGL8gsVd41sTooEush6F9KpNV-QKRHXz0/s1600/focus+bookstands.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSGQ9tf6U5xF5hcJDY5JBDvF7zEFuS6kvpJbd-2ASJ5VTqU3o0L5ASVYx61sNtjKeaIXOLgYXvWxsqm7L0au05CptJGj-iwRv1ovnLWhK8pYXwGL8gsVd41sTooEush6F9KpNV-QKRHXz0/s320/focus+bookstands.jpg" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">AFTER: The <a href="http://www.ikea.com/ie/en/catalog/products/60198423/">Billy bookends</a> are also from IKEA, while the <a href="http://www.orlakiely.com/uk.cfm/house/living/LFBW8H-400/5120/Lichen/">Flower Blossom lampshade is by Orla Kiely</a> while the brown glass lamp is from <a href="http://hickenlighting.com/">Hicken Lighting</a>, Lower Bridge Street, Dublin 8.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmiiQDq_1ArhN2T0dfzFBzyXIYQWeSkifkb8WT5KYj_byNJ0OxM3AuitZbHUlwvrQAgJvPNWC6DFTCpUHLzCS-CcaACFgYXerSxyGwg2Lc5dLwfmtQpSxvEGaY8ZtK6XaWz4pSkeMpfJlO/s1600/focus+ES+letters.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmiiQDq_1ArhN2T0dfzFBzyXIYQWeSkifkb8WT5KYj_byNJ0OxM3AuitZbHUlwvrQAgJvPNWC6DFTCpUHLzCS-CcaACFgYXerSxyGwg2Lc5dLwfmtQpSxvEGaY8ZtK6XaWz4pSkeMpfJlO/s320/focus+ES+letters.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">AFTER: Soppy 'E' and 'S' letters from Urban Outfitters. The S keeps falling off the shelf and scraping the floor whenever I bang the door!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqTXpUkjDI-kVNUyxF5Nlf8HDZ4J_AMzBShKJHgm_plUrcsK-ALbfp4Mol4ysKnz0kkJvOLGcQGzhLiAn4UJ4iwmRX8VKfeohxJIsQkUpIRvAC_OqwCk2C-jyAeu6Waao47Z-uD_1Drf26/s1600/focus+T+McDonagh.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqTXpUkjDI-kVNUyxF5Nlf8HDZ4J_AMzBShKJHgm_plUrcsK-ALbfp4Mol4ysKnz0kkJvOLGcQGzhLiAn4UJ4iwmRX8VKfeohxJIsQkUpIRvAC_OqwCk2C-jyAeu6Waao47Z-uD_1Drf26/s320/focus+T+McDonagh.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">AFTER: These were made by the father of a very good friend mine, Aoife, who is a wood-turner extraordinaire</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpCxXSTV3d_EF_-DJyjtETTkj7MUY9So__2jFyV3YC0vd5R52zYup9oSr68aLOVKpzBxxP2lBhkT0ZGA_Cir37fERzRrYEgQhXf_Dudil_iF_rbtEizyUViGL6ex4RRY3-B9LFGM_SxPEQ/s1600/wide+sofa.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpCxXSTV3d_EF_-DJyjtETTkj7MUY9So__2jFyV3YC0vd5R52zYup9oSr68aLOVKpzBxxP2lBhkT0ZGA_Cir37fERzRrYEgQhXf_Dudil_iF_rbtEizyUViGL6ex4RRY3-B9LFGM_SxPEQ/s320/wide+sofa.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">AFTER: This curvaceous retro-style sofa was bought in Belfast (in Dekko, which sadly is no longer operating) a few years ago. Eoghan still mourns after the bigger yet bulkier sofa we originally purchased, which we now visit in Conamara. The grey cushion is by Donna Wilson, a lovely gift last Christmas.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwm6L8lM-6AS_HjeYpg1jMtmvtAWJNVnk1fP0dV2EzbNdCxpw1fikbGxalGc_0IMp5xv_i6wyrJNDY4H58WYrq_SACU6PjQ5gubQyQQ4P_7OSNhit1pqUiBblhIlX7e8njJ4sUbqlceJTW/s1600/focus+table.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwm6L8lM-6AS_HjeYpg1jMtmvtAWJNVnk1fP0dV2EzbNdCxpw1fikbGxalGc_0IMp5xv_i6wyrJNDY4H58WYrq_SACU6PjQ5gubQyQQ4P_7OSNhit1pqUiBblhIlX7e8njJ4sUbqlceJTW/s320/focus+table.JPG" style="cursor: move;" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px; padding-top: 4px; text-align: center;">AFTER: The G-plan coffee table makes the room seem bigger and came from the treasure trove <a href="http://tablelightingchair.blogspot.com/">Table Lighting Chair</a>, located on Pleasant's Place (behind Camden Street near Cake Café), Dublin 8.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggC6vb4vlcld5PH34wbEGqC9xvl0M5lECHbSznLBLZNbwVCWcBFFjTffZ20DPiABBK-fb6O7xXpewETD1-qfoPv77_N8KjrF-qkvpuHfGrvN6z4Zu-vLt0urVrOQmEBF3K3SQfcEVp4Dtq/s1600/focus+red+cushion+OK+lamp.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggC6vb4vlcld5PH34wbEGqC9xvl0M5lECHbSznLBLZNbwVCWcBFFjTffZ20DPiABBK-fb6O7xXpewETD1-qfoPv77_N8KjrF-qkvpuHfGrvN6z4Zu-vLt0urVrOQmEBF3K3SQfcEVp4Dtq/s320/focus+red+cushion+OK+lamp.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">AFTER: The red cushion is by Ben de Lisi for Debenham's is inspired by the designer's own French bulldog Ella (not sure if it's still in stock) and the<a href="http://www.orlakiely.com/uk.cfm/house/living/LEMS8HT410/11713/Multi/"> Multi Stem square lampshade is by Orla Kiely</a>.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjN0-iD8SgFlGZhlYF57RZ7aCs8OkLZmytYsz9j9pMc2Ra6greATGu9FYUAaKDSiM7yKEGyagRzpQpNA3C0LsPPxUC2_Wg1zePXXDWQT8AfNyA0Nc43S4BMChqnuEt3JGmOPsx2i1TA5Uzd/s1600/focus+blue+table.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjN0-iD8SgFlGZhlYF57RZ7aCs8OkLZmytYsz9j9pMc2Ra6greATGu9FYUAaKDSiM7yKEGyagRzpQpNA3C0LsPPxUC2_Wg1zePXXDWQT8AfNyA0Nc43S4BMChqnuEt3JGmOPsx2i1TA5Uzd/s320/focus+blue+table.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">AFTER: I got this little side table for a song in TK Maxx about two years ago. It matches the floor. The clear glass ball lamp is from <a href="http://hickenlighting.com/">Hicken Lighting</a>, Lower Bridge Street, Dublin 8.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaskQrTP5HGS3csolhUCYyKM4vvF0L97ppZJoSnM4h05Ysvk7eWVcz6khL76zOQqbkBwuwgIrl5kLWtrWFhB1Vg63mFlVviVV6nnXhK_xbI-nWRmBPkK9G_xOyGUXcihz6FXV99o7aiLy_/s1600/focus+Andy+Mac+Manus.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaskQrTP5HGS3csolhUCYyKM4vvF0L97ppZJoSnM4h05Ysvk7eWVcz6khL76zOQqbkBwuwgIrl5kLWtrWFhB1Vg63mFlVviVV6nnXhK_xbI-nWRmBPkK9G_xOyGUXcihz6FXV99o7aiLy_/s320/focus+Andy+Mac+Manus.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">AFTER: A close-up of one of <a href="http://motheach.blogspot.com/2012/01/city-slickers-dublin-inspired-design.html">our two Panoramic Dublin prints</a> by <a href="http://cargocollective.com/andymacmanus">Andy Mac Manus</a>, featuring views of O'Connell Bridge</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTr7MJa5tfLLkkdhkFTOhopbh146tgdn5PYuiAsY0ju1Vx1l_J9Dyq0yOerb-8euOBBC9sWjnKBjGtg4EnwKZa4oEYXcxtpmKztfVrVHFXRdg6RcBmNGzpK1VCb6COU0T63_7uEfqIgbMm/s1600/fireplace+shelves.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTr7MJa5tfLLkkdhkFTOhopbh146tgdn5PYuiAsY0ju1Vx1l_J9Dyq0yOerb-8euOBBC9sWjnKBjGtg4EnwKZa4oEYXcxtpmKztfVrVHFXRdg6RcBmNGzpK1VCb6COU0T63_7uEfqIgbMm/s320/fireplace+shelves.JPG" style="cursor: move;" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px; padding-top: 4px; text-align: center;">BEFORE: Too much to distract the eye with the shelves on either side of the fireplace. We put the mirror in <a href="http://motheach.blogspot.com/2011/12/going-grey-my-bedroom-makeover.html">our bedroom</a> where the ceiling is higher.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWfcgt0feStGUJuRTc67Nu-Gh_kU8KE8KjhL5i6EvdrfPhZKLpHWpPxIubisI0VINJMjoteQMkb4NijA2WBVsoGHJdrucnvTxC4TYJxnYfgg9aw4DwGloMsNIqz8RQsuYIF3TXIXMCdQxM/s1600/wide+fireplace.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWfcgt0feStGUJuRTc67Nu-Gh_kU8KE8KjhL5i6EvdrfPhZKLpHWpPxIubisI0VINJMjoteQMkb4NijA2WBVsoGHJdrucnvTxC4TYJxnYfgg9aw4DwGloMsNIqz8RQsuYIF3TXIXMCdQxM/s320/wide+fireplace.JPG" style="cursor: move;" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px; padding-top: 4px; text-align: center;">AFTER: The removal of the shelves and mirror results in the less visual clutter, allowing the eye to focus on fireplace. The new plaster cornicing by <a href="http://www.build.ie/company_479063.htm">Dublin Mouldings</a> helps the room to look its age.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjc9vQZa2SJ1fNt1226zBbNVmlHfQKsoHiWBgqaMHtEvB7OARfvMOvlrjd1NfnFjSryQsPGnpkuxxiBw2HLsEd_HJCZ8Vkx5tCT8tc0752Dqz_uASUOlmFJWwI1CAYCUnq4UsRWpjDIKHb/s1600/wide+hearth.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjc9vQZa2SJ1fNt1226zBbNVmlHfQKsoHiWBgqaMHtEvB7OARfvMOvlrjd1NfnFjSryQsPGnpkuxxiBw2HLsEd_HJCZ8Vkx5tCT8tc0752Dqz_uASUOlmFJWwI1CAYCUnq4UsRWpjDIKHb/s320/wide+hearth.JPG" style="cursor: move;" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px; padding-top: 4px; text-align: center;">AFTER: The antique fireplace from <a href="http://www.build.ie/company_485806.htm">Sugan Antiques</a> is simply adorned with just a pair of candlestick holders, which were a present. Having a working fireplace reinstated back in the room is a real privilege, especially on the cold winter nights. I was delighted when a friend mentioned that her parents' house in nearby Inchicore has the same fireplace surround.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuRXcDZFexERCUYnwfNEFBc0BW3xN4UgMlpedl-oZ2ZVCc8ZUcB2buQRd3U4DPCAZhIm9pj_TpQHmpdohlXqzmQ344xAIUknAwlICui8aPsQGeJ946vnkuskAcBRWuLBn2dZ-PzR939gzL/s1600/no+cornicing.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuRXcDZFexERCUYnwfNEFBc0BW3xN4UgMlpedl-oZ2ZVCc8ZUcB2buQRd3U4DPCAZhIm9pj_TpQHmpdohlXqzmQ344xAIUknAwlICui8aPsQGeJ946vnkuskAcBRWuLBn2dZ-PzR939gzL/s320/no+cornicing.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px; padding-top: 4px; text-align: center;">BEFORE: No plaster cornicing. Another job I would like to get done in the future is to have the window shutters reinstated as per the other houses in our terrace.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipTg9rlYbUB9DErpYjRu_E7ppQA5MLXN5ML8G0DCJ3jaXcf2XTm_rLWLVqYRxwn8SdjrTOu4W3IO0WzQwN-qIGxvPgGFqEuLNmdNtMqw2C_utd6aiBWCMIDhRl7vhcw4csVs5dW5zw7bCE/s1600/wide+view+window.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipTg9rlYbUB9DErpYjRu_E7ppQA5MLXN5ML8G0DCJ3jaXcf2XTm_rLWLVqYRxwn8SdjrTOu4W3IO0WzQwN-qIGxvPgGFqEuLNmdNtMqw2C_utd6aiBWCMIDhRl7vhcw4csVs5dW5zw7bCE/s320/wide+view+window.JPG" style="cursor: move;" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px; padding-top: 4px; text-align: center;">AFTER: The view from the sofa. Waffles the cat is at his television - he spends hours looking out the window.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0dsfCm_OUhiymmIJlpsPBxEoOIuhPI10j0p2DrksmsDWrFqOUiPEOrCQKTb8B8sIwtWarn0uguGODWjrLRWj9ND396rySquwQ-NHmMLYC03pZTpDuZUyW7Tq379QDWpni82uURtMJN5Oh/s1600/waffles+chair.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0dsfCm_OUhiymmIJlpsPBxEoOIuhPI10j0p2DrksmsDWrFqOUiPEOrCQKTb8B8sIwtWarn0uguGODWjrLRWj9ND396rySquwQ-NHmMLYC03pZTpDuZUyW7Tq379QDWpni82uURtMJN5Oh/s320/waffles+chair.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">AFTER: Waffles on guard cat duty. If you like the owl cushion resting on the Eames rocker, check out <a href="http://motheach.blogspot.com/2011/11/wednesday-wishlist-owl-together-now.html">my previous post</a>.</td></tr>
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<br />Sorchahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15459697652071142292noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5949655524869068746.post-74214035022619651042012-01-25T14:51:00.002+00:002012-01-27T18:28:35.238+00:00Treasure trail: Font and type maps of Ireland<b>UPDATE:</b> A very humorous map of Ireland has been brought to my attention (thanks for the tip-off, Caitríona).<br />
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One day last year <a href="http://www.twitter.com/rickoshea">RTÉ 2FM's Rick O'Shea</a> asked listeners: which questions would you put on an Irish citizenship test? Twitter went into overdrive and the talented team at <a href="http://www.fluffybutton.com/">Fluffy Button</a> later selected 99 of the funniest responses with the #citizenshiptest hashtag to create <a href="http://www.fluffybutton.com/citizenshiptest-a2-poster/">this gorgeous A2 poster</a>. It costs just €9 (plus postage) and half the proceeds go to the charity <a href="http://www.msf.ie/">Médicins Sans Frontieres</a>.<br />
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My Eoghan is always giving out to me for buying too many prints and posters, but he can't possibly be angry when the #citizenshiptest poster arrives through the letterbox, as one of his tweets is featured on it!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8aEdDI6D6BxoqCidNOmFvIaVfE_Ucd1_kS-IJa3RMjn1C5gyYMQ8OWCbKyGj6t_4zqCv0kpSMVXSdQtCRJm83iKWYuuWoxGf8gkOYDOGzEtio8Z7K4mX5eInlCckOm5uZspXefq5jJQZc/s1600/citizenshiptest.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8aEdDI6D6BxoqCidNOmFvIaVfE_Ucd1_kS-IJa3RMjn1C5gyYMQ8OWCbKyGj6t_4zqCv0kpSMVXSdQtCRJm83iKWYuuWoxGf8gkOYDOGzEtio8Z7K4mX5eInlCckOm5uZspXefq5jJQZc/s320/citizenshiptest.jpg" width="226" /></a></div>
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Eoghan, <a href="http://twitter.com/rice_e">twitter.com/rice_e</a>, suggested:<br />
<i>Emotions are a) things that should be talked about b) things Americans have</i><br />
(He's down near Limerick on the map!)<br />
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Other gems include:<br />
<ul>
<li><i>Do you live in mortal fear of leaving the immersion on?</i></li>
<li><i>You need to get a relative to hospital urgently. Do you a) Ring an ambulance or b) Ring Liveline</i></li>
<li><i>When you're telling someone a great yarn and they implore you to "Stop", do you a) Stop or b) Keep going with gusto?</i></li>
<li><i>Pronounce 'The Taoiseach and the Tánaiste met Tadhg and Caoimhe on Aungier Street between the Dáil and Ranelagh'</i></li>
<li><i>How many g's are in 'ham sandwich'?</i></li>
<li><i>If a feature on RTÉ News reports that an incident took place at tea time, what time did the incident take place?</i></li>
<li><i>You see someone famous. Do you a) Approach them for a picture or b) Ignore them You wouldn't give them the satisfaction.</i></li>
</ul>
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____<br />
Forget confusing grid references or silly symbols, an eye-catching font is all you need for a well-designed map.<br />
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Here's maps of Ireland like you or your old Folen's geography book have never seen them before.<br />
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Just type in your destination:</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDPngGcjfoFLFp9ik-w6kCXiXX_001-Kg8wZ2qJHttAUghUH-ZRkxf065jxD_HeeniiFlS2rdTrNnx4Of4ibf9qIjJ3DrTXC-V2lo35y_OWgGFPxgwHd5cXjDw7cAx3DXoktdEoGTQT2R7/s1600/etsy+font+map.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="160" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDPngGcjfoFLFp9ik-w6kCXiXX_001-Kg8wZ2qJHttAUghUH-ZRkxf065jxD_HeeniiFlS2rdTrNnx4Of4ibf9qIjJ3DrTXC-V2lo35y_OWgGFPxgwHd5cXjDw7cAx3DXoktdEoGTQT2R7/s320/etsy+font+map.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">GREEN ISLE: This <a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/86120043/ireland-font-map-limited-edition-digital?ref=sr_gallery_35&sref=&ga_search_submit=&ga_search_query=irish+poster&ga_view_type=gallery&ga_search_type=all&ga_facet=">digitally printed map of Ireland</a> by <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/Fontmap?ref=ss_profile">Etsy's Fontmap</a> (above and below) showcases the 32 counties in punchy citrus brights. Sized to fit A3 frames, it costs approx €24.52 plus delivery. Unfortunately, Laois has become Leix.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">PLACE FAME: Is your hometown on this detailed <a href="http://boldandnoble.com/prints/ireland-type-map/deep-sea-green">type map of Ireland</a> (available in sheer slate and deep sea green, above and below) by the excellent team at <a href="http://boldandnoble.com/">Bold & Noble</a>? I can vouch for the high quality of their prints, having purchased their <a href="http://boldandnoble.com/prints/british-isles-type-map/sheer-slate">Ireland and UK type map</a> before they created the Ireland-only version. Approx €51.70 plus postage. Fits into IKEA frames.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">NO SHORTCUTS HERE: Jane Steger-Lewis of the gorgeous <a href="http://www.ilovemayo.com/">I Love Mayo</a> painstakingly cut this <a href="http://www.ilovemayo.com/shop/">Papercut Map of Ireland</a> (featuring birds and shamrocks) by hand over the course of the month. It costs just €22 thanks to the current post-Christmas sale (usual price €35) plus postage and packing and suits IKEA's Virserum Frame. Custom colours are available at a higher price.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Sorchahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15459697652071142292noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5949655524869068746.post-40480643232757585252012-01-19T17:40:00.001+00:002012-01-19T17:40:42.119+00:00Rebuilding: should you extend yourself further into negative equity?Negative equity conundrum: when you've already lost so much money on your home, is it worth shelling out to improve it given you'll be stuck there for a lot longer than anticipated?<br />
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Our house was built in the 1860s. It's the bit that was built in the latter half of the twentieth century that's the problem. A large, flat-roofed lean-to houses our kitchen (complete with badly installed veneer units, sudden changes in floor level, no insulation or ventilation and floor-to-ceiling 'harvest'-style tiles) and bathroom (the walls are covered in a shiny black lino-like material that we are too afraid to rip off lest it takes the walls with them).<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjLoJMtBvLtoTWB75AXUezuxkrzpAZY-l0rEma2Vr_-CcRbhbZ7E7Mz0CptEfANbV6ktcuKP1hk8MBvVwNUcJhyphenhyphenA9KoQ4uyrlyx7hr8NlAsiDMd_iA8YYU3H74gEeJ-PCJ-wXJKieCca1P/s1600/moda.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="198" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjLoJMtBvLtoTWB75AXUezuxkrzpAZY-l0rEma2Vr_-CcRbhbZ7E7Mz0CptEfANbV6ktcuKP1hk8MBvVwNUcJhyphenhyphenA9KoQ4uyrlyx7hr8NlAsiDMd_iA8YYU3H74gEeJ-PCJ-wXJKieCca1P/s320/moda.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">SLIDING DOORS: Wouldn't it be lovely to swap extensions and live in this one (above and below) in Foxrock by <a href="http://www.onlinetradesmen.ie/site/ModaArchitectsLtd/ViewPictures.aspx">Moda Architects</a>? I also covet the print of <a href="http://www.sanna-annukka.com/shop/index.php?act=viewProd&productId=33">Sanna Annukka's Spirits of the North</a>, which is hanging on the back wall of the kitchen. Photos via <a href="http://www.onlinetradesmen.ie/site/ModaArchitectsLtd/ViewPictures.aspx">OnlineTradesmen.ie</a></td></tr>
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Something needs to be done about the extension, as the roof is not going to withstand the elements for more than a few years. Then you're in a position where you must ask, should we just do the bare minimum (i.e. re-roofing a terrible extension) and do nothing to improve the value of the house or make structural changes that will increase its size and function, making it possible to live there in comfort for however long it might take to be in a financial position where we can move on?<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqWr1YHleEZm4SimsxxWSQ0vov6I1BQeRl9w4R6Tb_A-RQHJrjB86MlR2vM-ZeNSoVn1RukfN-y24H-Jcb4Kpx-R5bWqVGTnEaEBnbNUMn7Dj7UTNykE7khfSdTYLSxT6QDz4Ze0o33g1I/s1600/DSCF1091.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqWr1YHleEZm4SimsxxWSQ0vov6I1BQeRl9w4R6Tb_A-RQHJrjB86MlR2vM-ZeNSoVn1RukfN-y24H-Jcb4Kpx-R5bWqVGTnEaEBnbNUMn7Dj7UTNykE7khfSdTYLSxT6QDz4Ze0o33g1I/s320/DSCF1091.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">HOUSE ABOUT IT? The rear of our home as it is now after Eoghan painted it white. This was a big improvement. I'd love to knock down the extension and replace it with a two-storey number, complete with sliding doors. I'd like the original stone wall to the right to inspire any future work.</td></tr>
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And if you're considering structural work, should you simply rebuild the existing ground-floor extension and leave the kitchen and bathroom at their present size, or go the whole hog and make it into a two-storey extension (as many of our neighbours have already done), changing your house from two-bed to three-bed and putting the bathroom upstairs? (These conundrums pre-suppose that the funding is available!)<br />
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The first thing we did upon purchase in 2008 was to dig out and terrace the back garden (our house sits on a slope), the level of which was about four foot off the ground. This was a huge job as we have no side or rear access that could bring a digger onto site, so the building team had to resort to the old-fashioned spades and wheelbarrow approach. Will post up a 'before and after' come spring when we've got the garden looking a bit tidier!<br />
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I confess that I already have one or two things bought for this extension, which are stored at my parents' house at present. Don't tell Eoghan!<br />
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Here's a selection of some fantastic extensions which I keep in my 'Maybe One Day' folder, aka Pinterest.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijoquY-ZbsD_MIKSIwEUoZhOuMlXXDWp_dtOvNQLgUbM2U2pkhnp8jWUgGnr3Q5loamnRZC3V55VmiS25Nfdd9n10ldC-9AydC4A3eeP1Ak_BlKcPGJ_AlHyiihTHZn1b1PETLNum9NpCA/s1600/Celtic-Park-by-Ailtireacht-Photo-01-Front-View-640x640.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijoquY-ZbsD_MIKSIwEUoZhOuMlXXDWp_dtOvNQLgUbM2U2pkhnp8jWUgGnr3Q5loamnRZC3V55VmiS25Nfdd9n10ldC-9AydC4A3eeP1Ak_BlKcPGJ_AlHyiihTHZn1b1PETLNum9NpCA/s320/Celtic-Park-by-Ailtireacht-Photo-01-Front-View-640x640.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">RAISE THE ROOF: This Dublin extension is by the talented <a href="http://www.ailtireacht.ie/">Ailtireacht</a> firm. The shadows created by the slats against the original rear wall are beautiful. I love the continuity of the bench inside and out. Image via <a href="http://www.evdes.com/celtic-park-by-ailtireacht/">Evdes</a></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfXLAwkd2olQD3Sw_5wmIhk8JsFoOEAOIVF0-Gvoe4zMHD9G90G-peZYkNAiN957ZiqPOHpb9_gF7KkeOHMx-ZDbLBIcxYvO7no3aHya83cQhXhW9vehY7D2qqF2D86xf-0wykjtLlG_EL/s1600/Extension_and_Retrofit_Carson_and_Crushell_Architects_uncredited_WEB-315x426.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfXLAwkd2olQD3Sw_5wmIhk8JsFoOEAOIVF0-Gvoe4zMHD9G90G-peZYkNAiN957ZiqPOHpb9_gF7KkeOHMx-ZDbLBIcxYvO7no3aHya83cQhXhW9vehY7D2qqF2D86xf-0wykjtLlG_EL/s320/Extension_and_Retrofit_Carson_and_Crushell_Architects_uncredited_WEB-315x426.jpg" width="235" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">BEAM ME UP: I've had the pleasure of being inside this 1960s home in Knocklyon where young practice <a href="http://www.carsonandcrushell.com/">Carson and Crushell</a> did a stunning retro-fit and new extension. It was open to the public as part of last year's Open House Dublin event. Image via <a href="http://www.openhousedublin.com/index.php/tour/extension-retrofit/">Open House Dublin</a></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3XfLWsrUzVmpOpzhO80nn-R35cUDTD3eaJQ-XXC1p9g5nWfdDJEWgpRjVyBjNwhRv7DU6oKq6YrLdLe9SC-JumtGzEaNzo04qleilhpPRpL2oCjUDLbOlW1ExkPOJRX41JKOb_RZFBPUy/s1600/browne+architects.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3XfLWsrUzVmpOpzhO80nn-R35cUDTD3eaJQ-XXC1p9g5nWfdDJEWgpRjVyBjNwhRv7DU6oKq6YrLdLe9SC-JumtGzEaNzo04qleilhpPRpL2oCjUDLbOlW1ExkPOJRX41JKOb_RZFBPUy/s320/browne+architects.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">PERFECT FROM A TO ZINC: I'm a huge fan of the zinc cladding of this Dun Laoghaire extension by <a href="http://www.brownearchitects.ie/intro/intro.html">Browne Architects</a>. Photo: <a href="http://www.brownearchitects.ie/extensions/extensions.html">Browne Architects</a></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJVZ9xASNBuSoFbfngQ-RJmRl4p64-WhH_JkIj2Qnk8vR6jqscLLY7RqnOKYqCwGk7nZh0doDpDU3XK54QyxSen4COE9WXruF2kaeQzq4TLu5aJc3TMO8gjavP7deDTUE1PmnKWDjsSoFg/s1600/House-Extension-Dublin-02-750x500.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJVZ9xASNBuSoFbfngQ-RJmRl4p64-WhH_JkIj2Qnk8vR6jqscLLY7RqnOKYqCwGk7nZh0doDpDU3XK54QyxSen4COE9WXruF2kaeQzq4TLu5aJc3TMO8gjavP7deDTUE1PmnKWDjsSoFg/s320/House-Extension-Dublin-02-750x500.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">STOREY-TIME: <a href="http://www.flaviolombardo.com/">Flavio Lombardo Architects</a> designed this striking extension in Sandymount. Image via <a href="http://www.homedsgn.com/2011/11/19/house-extension-in-dublin-by-flavio-lombardo-architects/">Homedsgn</a>, which has lots more photos</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Sorchahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15459697652071142292noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5949655524869068746.post-4860544787322132252012-01-16T21:09:00.002+00:002012-01-19T11:46:58.614+00:00City slickers: Dublin-inspired designBack in my newspaper days, I met <a href="http://cargocollective.com/andymacmanus">Andy Mac Manus</a>, a very talented Irish graphic designer and artist who is now based in London.<br />
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At the time, he had painstakingly created a 360 degree view of Dublin's O'Connell Bridge and I was so taken with it that he printed off a section of it (my walls couldn't fit the whole thing!). </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">ART CAPITAL: Two prints from Andy Mac Manus's <a href="http://cargocollective.com/andymacmanus#2400821/Panoramic-Dublin">Panoramic Dublin</a> feature an extremely detailed view of O'Connell Bridge and hang in my living room</td></tr>
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Andy, who last month completed a masters in graphic design at the London College of Communication, gave me a choice of two and I couldn't decide, so I took both!<br />
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I am obsessed with all things Dublin and the Panoramic Dublin prints take pride of place in my sitting room. You can see some of Andy other's work and <a href="http://cargocollective.com/andymacmanus#2400821/Panoramic-Dublin">the original Panoramic Dublin</a> on his website, <a href="http://cargocollective.com/andymacmanus">http://cargocollective.com/andymacmanus</a>.<br />
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Here's a selection of other Dublin-inspired beauties:</div>
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SKY DRAPER: The view of the Liffey from the Ha'penny bridge onwards in this <a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/82320538/dublin-city-art-ireland-skyline-poster?ref=sr_gallery_12&sref=&ga_search_submit=&ga_search_query=irish+poster&ga_view_type=gallery&ga_search_type=all&ga_facet=">Dublin skyline print</a> (approx €16.12 plus delivery) by Etsy shop <a href="http://www.etsy.com/people/birdAve?ref=ls_profile">birdAve</a> is available in custom colours. Designed to fit into the IKEA Ribba 8" by 10" frame.</div>
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SITTING PRETTY IN THE CITY: Inspired by the city's Georgian architecture, this lovely digitally printed <a href="http://www.hiddenartshop.com/product.php?xProd=3569&xSec=239">Dublin cushion designed by Zoe Beck</a> (approx €60 plus delivery) is available from the <a href="http://www.hiddenartshop.com/">Hidden Art shop</a>.</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Se539txs92Y/TwZEXI1iJLI/AAAAAAAAAgA/E6RmWy7-zD4/s1600/tree_a_600.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Se539txs92Y/TwZEXI1iJLI/AAAAAAAAAgA/E6RmWy7-zD4/s320/tree_a_600.jpg" style="cursor: move;" width="320" /></a></div>
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TREE HOUSE: Turned into a 'tree towel' after it became the most popular print from their Eight Tree Exhibition, the Dublin 8 Tree Towel by <a href="http://www.reddogthestore.com/index.php/shop/tree-towel/">Red Dog the Store</a> has been reduced from €18 to €14.88. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg26d24h0EvBhK0VGT49rRK7COS5T0quvL-gNuQqAXS1z71huz2H8Qs6HES-AGE3OQJ7ZXKvy36qzg3GGpBkph8Rn3n6FU6OHNXJF-23r-H-D_1vEsTelht4maEuEEkij3f_SABb00h4B2g/s1600/Dublin+Love+gocco+print.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg26d24h0EvBhK0VGT49rRK7COS5T0quvL-gNuQqAXS1z71huz2H8Qs6HES-AGE3OQJ7ZXKvy36qzg3GGpBkph8Rn3n6FU6OHNXJF-23r-H-D_1vEsTelht4maEuEEkij3f_SABb00h4B2g/s320/Dublin+Love+gocco+print.jpg" style="cursor: move;" width="320" /></a></div>
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DRY ME A RIVER: This romantic <a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/61161512/dublin-love-gocco-print?ref=sr_gallery_26&sref=&ga_search_submit=&ga_langid_override=-1&ga_search_query=dublin&ga_view_type=gallery&ga_ship_to=US&ga_search_type=all&ga_facet=">Dublin Love gocco print</a> (approx €12.09 plus delivery) is by <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/artsharkdesigns?ref=seller_info">artsharkdesigns</a> on Etsy</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiC3c94bw5vlr1C1yegtmD4M5r1aiuFp9Iwhw68aBqprmoAVvVXegUKI_6TVTHJSQKF-EJyMQ2af4phZHHCZx42F7oIBunPqh-symvh0xH-LDjDO9GZ4YGfb96cajyBZNZUE4qlBV4qQqmp/s1600/bates+merch.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiC3c94bw5vlr1C1yegtmD4M5r1aiuFp9Iwhw68aBqprmoAVvVXegUKI_6TVTHJSQKF-EJyMQ2af4phZHHCZx42F7oIBunPqh-symvh0xH-LDjDO9GZ4YGfb96cajyBZNZUE4qlBV4qQqmp/s320/bates+merch.jpg" style="cursor: move;" width="180" /></a></div>
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PUB TRAWL: Marketed as a gift for your man on St. Valentine's Day, this <a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/69187458/printable-subway-typography-wall-art?ref=sr_gallery_24&sref=&ga_search_submit=&ga_search_query=irish+poster&ga_view_type=gallery&ga_page=2&ga_search_type=all&ga_facet=">typographical representation of Dublin's pubs and landmarks</a> by <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/BatesMercantileCo">Bates Mercantile Co</a> on Etsy costs approx €5.60 for a printable PDF</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5xEGH_6-uJy9Jt8jjTCqngSPMVab5H7peoVbbc3ecfVQJvt2CEOsxoQfapyHF_ZE8qhRSthyVGy9hCmmDtoghs29qh_iHpJPc_oz1JpypNnOq5JgI-m4ya3SU7Xt-wGugubG2erF_b5rJ/s1600/laser+cut+map+dublin.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5xEGH_6-uJy9Jt8jjTCqngSPMVab5H7peoVbbc3ecfVQJvt2CEOsxoQfapyHF_ZE8qhRSthyVGy9hCmmDtoghs29qh_iHpJPc_oz1JpypNnOq5JgI-m4ya3SU7Xt-wGugubG2erF_b5rJ/s320/laser+cut+map+dublin.jpg" style="cursor: move;" width="320" /></a></div>
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STOP THE LIGHTS: This stunning <a href="http://irishdesignshop.com/product/dublin-print">laser cut map of Dublin</a> is a feast for the eyes and was created by Dublin-based design company Alljoy. It costs €48 and is available from the <a href="http://irishdesignshop.com/">Irish Design Store</a>.</div>
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WE BUILT THIS CITY ON ROCK (CAKE) AND ROLL: The <a href="http://www.thecakecafe.ie/content.aspx?contentid=70">Map of Dublin tea towel</a> (€6.75 and made from organic cotton) is one of many design treats available from <a href="http://www.thecakecafe.ie/homepage.html">The Cake Café</a></div>
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CITY GUIDE: The gorgeous <a href="http://www.ursulacelano.com/product/dublin-landmarks-notebook">Dublin Landmarks notebook</a> by Ursula Celano is made in our capital city and the landmarks featured include the Pigeon House, Liberty Hall and the Ha'penny Bridge. It costs €9.95 and is available from <a href="http://www.ursulacelano.com/">Ursula Celono</a> or from <a href="http://www.articledublin.com/">Article</a>, Powerscourt Townhouse, Dublin 2. Thanks for getting this for me, <a href="http://nathalie.ie/blog/">Nathalie</a>!</div>
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TOTE-ALLY DUBLIN: Part of a range of Dublin-themed products designed by <a href="http://www.designist.ie/">Designist</a> in collaboration with<a href="http://lecool.com/dublin/en/today"> Le Cool Dublin</a>, this 100% cotton <a href="http://shop.designist.ie/collections/everything/products/lovedublin-tote-bag">Love Dublin tote bag</a> (€8.50) features tweets that trended on a particular day in 2011 which demonstrate why we Dubliners love our city.</div>
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<br /></div>Sorchahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15459697652071142292noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5949655524869068746.post-39031156008358995172012-01-13T16:40:00.000+00:002012-01-16T21:11:43.077+00:00Robot rocks an TeachForced to prove that I'm not a robot (easy mistake to make), I was asked to type in random letters to access my Gmail recently.<br />
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Usually, the words are nonsensical or abbreviated or muddled up, with a mix of caps and punctuation.<br />
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I was surprised to find myself being asked to type <i>teach</i> the other day.<br />
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But perhaps it was a fluke, or maybe Google think that using words <i>as Gaeilge</i> are just as annoying to type!</div>Sorchahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15459697652071142292noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5949655524869068746.post-40986831785677228472012-01-11T22:04:00.000+00:002012-01-11T22:04:13.353+00:00Home-owners with telly visionSky Plus has been my enabler for the past three years as it cleverly records every home renovation programme I can get my hands on.<br />
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I love the 'before and after' fixes provided by the likes of recent Ch4 offering <a href="http://www.channel4.com/programmes/the-renovation-game">The Renovation Game</a> (surprisingly good daytime TV) and RTÉ ratings winner <a href="http://www.rte.ie/tv/roomtoimprove/">About the House</a> (worth watching for architect Dermot Bannon's moments of pure petulance along with his stunning designs).<br />
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Despite its focus on house-buying rather than renovations, bar the odd re-visit (easy way to make a one-hour show by adding five minutes of new footage to an old episode), <a href="http://www.channel4.com/programmes/location-location-location">Location, Location, Location</a> is still one of the best homes programmes on the telly after 11 years.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">DIP INTO THE PROPERTY MARKET: Toby outside the home he found with partner Nadine on Location, Location, Location. The photo is from the couple's new renovation website, <a href="http://www.theshopwindow.org/">The Shop Window</a></td></tr>
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A new series kicked off last week and <a href="http://www.channel4.com/programmes/location-location-location/4od">featured designers Nadine and Toby, searching for a non-traditional home</a>. Their wish-list included a house that was wreck, ideally with a flat front (I presume this means no bay windows, etc), a 60ft garden and a 'good narrative'. The budget was £350,000 (approx €422,000) and the hunting ground was south-east London.<br />
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True to the 11-second rule, Nadine and Toby fell head over heels with a three-storey over basement (I think) commercial building which had been used in recent times as a place of religious worship by a group called the Universal Brotherhood of Speculative Mechanics. It was the first place Kirsty and Phil showed them and nothing else could compare.<br />
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Happily, the couple (whose previous home was testament to their skill and vision) are the now the owners and are documenting their renovation efforts on their brilliant website, <a href="http://theshowwindow.org/">theshowwindow.org</a><br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMPvU2tl5hGwDmTQg-Fcps4mhzYtKpEs5mskfzhsuiOSMyvGSjOAXUHKxXvbIVd7mJYwB7R-Pz5Cn0sviMB9zWSLptA995R3qZdhoD5MZC1ao_O-YkqMj_07VLh_Jzty3GTouMdJc97XTY/s1600/shop+window+front+door.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMPvU2tl5hGwDmTQg-Fcps4mhzYtKpEs5mskfzhsuiOSMyvGSjOAXUHKxXvbIVd7mJYwB7R-Pz5Cn0sviMB9zWSLptA995R3qZdhoD5MZC1ao_O-YkqMj_07VLh_Jzty3GTouMdJc97XTY/s320/shop+window+front+door.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">KNOCK KNOCK-OUT: Nadine and Toby have chosen <a href="http://eu.farrow-ball.com/down-pipe/colours/fcp-product/100026">Farrow and Ball's Downpipe</a> shade for the front door, which looks great on the historic building. We have used this shade on our old floorboards in our sitting room and hall. <br />Photo: <a href="http://www.theshopwindow.org/">The Shop Window</a></td></tr>
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It's a website I will be keeping an eye on as Nadine and Toby turn the historic building into a beautiful home.<br />
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<i>Location, Location, Location, Thursday, Ch4, 8pm.</i>Sorchahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15459697652071142292noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5949655524869068746.post-38175349273040578382012-01-09T21:56:00.000+00:002012-01-10T12:26:48.450+00:00Word playTop of the most-read list on the <a href="http://www.guardian.co.uk/">Guardian</a>'s website today is <a href="http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2012/jan/08/charlie-brooker-new-year">Charlie Brooker's suggestions for New Year's resolutions</a>. He writes: "These are the things I want humankind to stop doing immediately, on the grounds they've been doing them too long." First on his list is an appeal to stop creating 'Keep Calm and Carry On' variants.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkbN8XmuCHaiYTkkPgJXxvgqRb-A3K6MrumMGWASfW4eyOmYC-VtNkpS-V1loyLyChGyE-nXT9ASenHPO-HEThm5pgCldkYYc1hUdKm0tAYn0uLSc6iAMUwEAebSEUuhDdXxUfYx0Q61Gk/s1600/Keep_Calm_And_Carry_On_-_Original_poster_-_Barter_Books_-_17-Oct-2011.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkbN8XmuCHaiYTkkPgJXxvgqRb-A3K6MrumMGWASfW4eyOmYC-VtNkpS-V1loyLyChGyE-nXT9ASenHPO-HEThm5pgCldkYYc1hUdKm0tAYn0uLSc6iAMUwEAebSEUuhDdXxUfYx0Q61Gk/s320/Keep_Calm_And_Carry_On_-_Original_poster_-_Barter_Books_-_17-Oct-2011.jpg" width="220" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">WAR OF WORDS: An original copy of the 'Keep Calm and Carry On' poster at Barter Books, Northumberland, England. Image via <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Keep_Calm_And_Carry_On_-_Original_poster_-_Barter_Books_-_17-Oct-2011.jpg">Wikipedia</a></td></tr>
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The iconic WWII poster, aimed at motivating the British public during those dark days (according to <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Keep_Calm_and_Carry_On">Wikipedia</a> it was intended to boost morale in the event of invasion), has found itself brought back to life from fridge magnets to undies and subverted into other catchphrases *inspired* by the original. Even <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Carry-Motivational-Art-Poster-Print/dp/B00276KEXS">Amazon</a> sells a copy of the ubiquitous poster.<br />
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In his typically cynical and humorous piece, Brooker draws his readers' attention to the fact that the design belongs to a second-hand book shop in Alnwick, Northumberland, England, called Barter Books, where an original copy of the poster was discovered some years earlier.<br />
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"It belongs on a poster, or a mug, or a tea towel sold by Barter Books. But not on a packet of condoms or a soft drink. Or a cushion. Or engraved on your baby's face. Every bastard's churning out "Keep Calm" merchandise these days. Check your attic. Someone's probably up there screen printing it on to a hammock right now."<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdD5F5Qm0hsyYV37aMvQR61bbDPBkrNT-gFsZj56SPyayQFUb2Rh9TKdgXKeXc9q-M3Sz7NVmm4U5AGcUbFFeLZwfPNXRMukl8rbWAWrsxswVCRtovqdjpx4fION1tGvA0vtibHFYWHAnJ/s1600/keep-calm-and-carry-on+spoof.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdD5F5Qm0hsyYV37aMvQR61bbDPBkrNT-gFsZj56SPyayQFUb2Rh9TKdgXKeXc9q-M3Sz7NVmm4U5AGcUbFFeLZwfPNXRMukl8rbWAWrsxswVCRtovqdjpx4fION1tGvA0vtibHFYWHAnJ/s320/keep-calm-and-carry-on+spoof.jpg" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">WHAT A CARRY ON: Unfunny variations on the 'Keep Calm and Carry On' slogan. Image from <a href="http://www.allposters.com/-sp/Keep-Calm-and-Carry-On-Posters_i6069984_.htm">All Posters.</a></td></tr>
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But there has been one positive to this nostalgia-driven commercial-athon: the rise in interest in catchphrase and slogan-based designs.<br />
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Irish designers have created their own striking typography-driven posters which are original in their own right. Here's a selection of my favourites:<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbLjetJi8TiYg5Ebvu29rTtiQ_QQXIK3N59YFDVMYmxJHD1r9jU4_550603kzsVL-HFQarapGv-F2plZj-uWypObh631UfLa9JjhANLspC38IUaF2_w-Mue1HvuTe4qcwPpq_-Yhk7DnOU/s1600/Come+Here+to+Me.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbLjetJi8TiYg5Ebvu29rTtiQ_QQXIK3N59YFDVMYmxJHD1r9jU4_550603kzsVL-HFQarapGv-F2plZj-uWypObh631UfLa9JjhANLspC38IUaF2_w-Mue1HvuTe4qcwPpq_-Yhk7DnOU/s320/Come+Here+to+Me.jpg" width="316" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">PRINTS CHARMING: This beautiful <a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/81454086/come-here-to-me-modern-irish-trad-saying?ref=sr_gallery_8&sref=&ga_search_submit=&ga_search_query=irish+poster&ga_view_type=gallery&ga_page=3&ga_search_type=all&ga_facet=">'Come Here to Me' poster</a> (approx €15.32 plus delivery) is one of many designs available at Irish Etsy shop <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/FunkyGibbo?ref=seller_info">FunkyGibbo</a></td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPExBmgTjCoXmzHLias_xd9IIdvdVpTR-nEVdg9MqT_x_m121VISogYV2cNhjOt8yw9vv0fcdoznLZIT-k3MXbrUu12UJKUuwSdW7mp9VPKlWe0cXHybVZdoq0KFLgMbAQfxkZ6fXWtZSq/s1600/awgoon.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPExBmgTjCoXmzHLias_xd9IIdvdVpTR-nEVdg9MqT_x_m121VISogYV2cNhjOt8yw9vv0fcdoznLZIT-k3MXbrUu12UJKUuwSdW7mp9VPKlWe0cXHybVZdoq0KFLgMbAQfxkZ6fXWtZSq/s320/awgoon.jpg" width="229" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">TEA-MENDOUS: Mrs. Doyle's cuppa catchphrase has never-ending appeal in this <a href="http://www.ilovemayo.com/shop/st/0/#">poster by Jane Steger-Lewis of I Love Mayo</a> (€22 plus postage and packaging). It also fits nicely into IKEA's Virserum frame, which is handy.</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibc9Bc_GxdaisAm-9TZTFX2IUa5i957IBjaRMD1p_KrHWSEedUJGEQdMFHeNA7KIYwS06kn_tRNNEoY-mu9gZxHBqmflkyOe4MPaz_Fv6ftW6LXRh1u535jnn5WFrrnCe34WcEa9CQMFXh/s1600/grn-front-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibc9Bc_GxdaisAm-9TZTFX2IUa5i957IBjaRMD1p_KrHWSEedUJGEQdMFHeNA7KIYwS06kn_tRNNEoY-mu9gZxHBqmflkyOe4MPaz_Fv6ftW6LXRh1u535jnn5WFrrnCe34WcEa9CQMFXh/s320/grn-front-2.jpg" width="255" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">AP-PEEL TO YOUR BETTER SENSES: A line uttered by many mammies over the years. Available on sale for €50 with free delivery from <a href="http://grandgrand.bigcartel.com/product/fine-words-butter-no-parsnips-green">Grand Grand Grand Grand</a></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0Tw3fDWnHvrEObSyfEnXxOT4-hZH7c4dBIKtFu2OhPsvHj5GNmj0rj9vUrJ4b_j0eqMNJmXaLTfZu8fuNovbA75R4rMHZshpzMklGEYN34yd6mnO9BOssQMa2h6snQ9PG1rJCAVLSYi_T/s1600/maytheroadyel.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="232" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0Tw3fDWnHvrEObSyfEnXxOT4-hZH7c4dBIKtFu2OhPsvHj5GNmj0rj9vUrJ4b_j0eqMNJmXaLTfZu8fuNovbA75R4rMHZshpzMklGEYN34yd6mnO9BOssQMa2h6snQ9PG1rJCAVLSYi_T/s320/maytheroadyel.gif" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">BLESS SUCCESS: A classic Irish blessing is immortalised in this poster (from €9.95 plus postage and packaging, available in two sizes and three shades) by <a href="http://www.ilovemayo.com/shop/st/30/#">I Love Mayo</a></td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAelTx9pV-M2iuxfs0qvogEmTzNHH8Ecs7K6hMb3GgBbG2DwYqE5ezV-1vHknu0O4pVOV1I7zHdid77iEtP-dVErXwEhYUKYz8ZmfadZJJxxWqJx-vyWaUrDRUUPTCfdR7i13cAZ0kqYN_/s1600/here-you-cop-on-blue.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAelTx9pV-M2iuxfs0qvogEmTzNHH8Ecs7K6hMb3GgBbG2DwYqE5ezV-1vHknu0O4pVOV1I7zHdid77iEtP-dVErXwEhYUKYz8ZmfadZJJxxWqJx-vyWaUrDRUUPTCfdR7i13cAZ0kqYN_/s320/here-you-cop-on-blue.jpg" width="229" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">COP SHOP: This motivational poster (€20) from <a href="http://grandgrand.bigcartel.com/product/cop-on-here-you">Grand Grand Grand Grand</a> comes in the appropriately named Guard Blue shade.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Sorchahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15459697652071142292noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5949655524869068746.post-50399838673954351982012-01-06T01:17:00.002+00:002012-01-11T16:10:45.646+00:00A Luas connection?<div>
Back in the days before electronic destination signs, bus, tram and train drivers had to yank the relevant placenames into view using blinds and scrolls.</div>
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Vintage transport signage (particularly those featuring London and New York boroughs) have become very popular in the interiors world in recent years, with many companies re-creating them and offering personalised options.</div>
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However, I had to laugh when I stumbled upon this offering from <a href="http://www.etsy.com/">Etsy</a> shop <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/GoingUnderground?ref=seller_info">GoingUnderground</a> (which produces subway art with beautiful typography at reasonable prices).</div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/--OAYnUQvNXM/TwZJZbWATmI/AAAAAAAAAgM/7mh094aoO80/s1600/Dublin+Subway+signs.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/--OAYnUQvNXM/TwZJZbWATmI/AAAAAAAAAgM/7mh094aoO80/s320/Dublin+Subway+signs.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">VIA WHERE? Dublin's Luas lines seem a lot more glamorous (and interconnected) in these beautifully produced posters. They measure 11" by 17" and cost approx €38 plus delivery for the set of three.<br />
Photo: <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/GoingUnderground?ref=seller_info">GoingUnderground</a> on Etsy</td></tr>
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Based in New York (and therefore too far away to know about the short-sightedness of previous transport planning in this country), I'm guessing that <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/GoingUnderground?ref=seller_info">GoingUnderground</a> don't realise our two Luas lines are not connected (unless you count the little man walking from one to the other in the official Luas map below).<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1YqN3ha_q0qs-VSV0uz3L7GNuDrbum9N1RBwnoCnlYKDu9Wk2HHOn1MZ6VvE99pJXD29nqD58NkoUR34bxVOlSrtoxjRCenq3fM1bdB93ZjDFvR1cszWOtch_b7VN3t_cuAq18yGQL3B5/s1600/Screen+shot+2012-01-06+at+13.00.05.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="227" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1YqN3ha_q0qs-VSV0uz3L7GNuDrbum9N1RBwnoCnlYKDu9Wk2HHOn1MZ6VvE99pJXD29nqD58NkoUR34bxVOlSrtoxjRCenq3fM1bdB93ZjDFvR1cszWOtch_b7VN3t_cuAq18yGQL3B5/s320/Screen+shot+2012-01-06+at+13.00.05.png" width="320" /></a></div>
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The poster on the left features Red Line stations only (though in random order), while the middle and right have a mixture of both Green and Red Line stations.<br />
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Much as I'd like to get to Dundrum via James as per the poster on the right, I don't think that this will be an option for a very many number of years (the Luas BXD line is due to begin construction in 2015).<br />
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And as someone who uses the Red Line, I don't think I have any particular sentimental reason for wanting to be reminded of my local stops such as Suir Road, or indeed Balally on the Green Line. </div>
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The two Luas lines opened in 2004 complete with electronic destination signs, so lack the historical aspect of the shop's other offerings, such as the gorgeous red posters below.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjy7rt76NacMyecwxKIoXxv3cHdpec5J5aEI5K8IUc8mhEznySbQ27a4XBFPLK9AIrsr5KNBKWvgSIR5SQMb-qSrnHM-0XO7PZBJXuMnUmdBd3gQA8FeDCYE4b_kp_2RoxH772LK_6Vhq3A/s1600/san+fran+subway.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjy7rt76NacMyecwxKIoXxv3cHdpec5J5aEI5K8IUc8mhEznySbQ27a4XBFPLK9AIrsr5KNBKWvgSIR5SQMb-qSrnHM-0XO7PZBJXuMnUmdBd3gQA8FeDCYE4b_kp_2RoxH772LK_6Vhq3A/s320/san+fran+subway.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">JOURNEY THROUGH TIME: I love some of the placenames on this scroll, particularly the first two on the poster on the left. A set of three San Francisco scrolls is also approx €38 plus delivery for the set of three. <br />
Photo: <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/GoingUnderground?ref=seller_info">GoingUnderground</a> on Etsy</td></tr>
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It would be a nice idea to re-create the scrolls of the long defunct <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Harcourt_Street_railway_line">Harcourt to Bray rail line</a>. The destruction of this transport link in the 1950s was extremely short-sighted and it cost millions to rebuild sections of it for the Luas Green Line.</div>Sorchahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15459697652071142292noreply@blogger.com2