The Interiors Podcast

• 37. Crafting your personal style with fashion & interiors journalist Sarah Macken

  Interior designer & host Tanya Neufeld Flanagan interviews fashion and interiors journalist Sarah Macken (aka @ohegartysarah) about personal style, its evolution, and the intersection of fashion and interiors.   They discuss the importance of authenticity in style, the tools available for developing a personal aesthetic, and the impact of social media on fashion choices.   Sarah shares her journey from fashion intern to editor and freelancer, emphasizing the significance of understanding one's preferences and the influence of various cultural elements on personal style. The discussion also touches on navigating trends, the language of interiors, and the joy of creating unique spaces.   Some key takeaways: Personal style evolves over time and is influenced by experiences. The three-word method can help distill personal style into practical, aspirational, and emotional descriptors. Social media can create pressure to conform to trends, but authenticity is key. Exploring various forms of art can enhance personal style and interior design. It's important to assess whether purchases align with personal style rather than trends. Finding unique pieces can be a rewarding process, especially in local markets. Balancing personal style with trends requires thoughtful consideration and experimentation. The language of interiors is less defined than fashion, allowing for more instinctive choices. Creating joyful spaces can be achieved through small, thoughtful purchases. Minimalism can be overused; it's essential to question if it truly resonates with personal taste. Follow Sarah @ohegartysarah on Instagram Follow Tanya and the podcast at @tanyaneufeldflanagan and @theinteriorspodcast Get the latest on interiors and renovation tips and deep dives on podcast topics by joining Tanya's Substack or subscribing to The Interiors Newsletter  

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• 36. Building for your budget with self-builder Jenny Balfe

  In this episode of The Interiors Podcast, host and interior designer Tanya Neufeld Flanagan interviews Jenny Balfe, social worker, mother of three and self-builder behind the @building_willow_cottage Instagram account. Jenny and her husband have successfully self-built their dream family home in Wexford, 3km from Rosslare aided by their contractors, Next Level Construction. In this episode, Jenny dives into how and why they opted to build and their journey to finding their site, including working with local planning authorities, evaluating county development plans and testing a site's drainage quality. She worked closely with an architect technician to help identify the kind of home they could afford, and walks us through the revisions to the plans and sacrifices made along the way. One of the key takeaways in the conversation centres on how the reduction in their bungalow's footprint allowed for the house to meet their brief while still ensuring they could have the finishes they wanted - a mistake many make when stretching themselves perhaps to have a larger house for the sake of it. Jenny and her husband were able to design a home that suited their family's needs after renting for a long time and ideating on what their ideal home would look like, especially as their children ranged from 5 to 13 years old while they lived on-site in a mobile while building. In the redesign process, Jenny talks about reducing bedroom size and number of bathrooms they actually needed, and how to ensure you have separate spaces for your family, plus some of the downfalls of open plan living. We walk through some of the grants and the build process itself, why Jenny opted for a contractor versus the direct labour route which can offer savings but requires a lot more hands-on work and knowledge, as well as limited access to trades during times in which labour can be hard to find. All this journey is amidst the backdrop of Ireland's housing crisis, and Jenny's self-build experience shows how buying a site and building a house from scratch can be done really effectively, achieving great value, and a home that fits your needs perfectly. It requires a lot of research and in-depth work on floorplans, and a lot of gumption. Follow Jenny @building_willow_cottage to learn more about all her self-build and get helpful tips on everything from self-build mortgages to help with refining layouts. Follow interior designer and host Tanya @tanyaneufeldflanagan and at the podcast's Instagram @theinteriorspodcast.

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• 35. Interior design pet peeves: materiality, kitchens, hotel aesthetic & bad styling

  Welcome back to The Interiors Podcast! Today, Tanya is chatting design pet peeves with her friend Jenny, founder of Jennifer Anne Interiors. The two go on and on about their biggest interior design pet peeves. This episode hopefully inspires and challenges you to look around in your space, and see where you can make some small and affordable adjustments.  They start off discussing materiality pet peeves in homes. The materials chosen for a home can make a huge difference, from tile, porelain, and wood. Often people will opt for the fake version of a certain material, without realizing how it can dull and 'cheapen' a space. There are certain materials that are meant to have wear and tear, and some that will not actually last as long.  They then go into the pet peeve of poorly designed kitchens. Both have seen very impractical and lazy kitchen designs. There are a lot of design mistakes that people make, such as excess bulky cupboards, or a washing machine in the kitchen. We spend a lot of time in our kitchens, and Jenny and Tanya give a lot of great tips to make sure the space does not end up getting cluttered and busy. They also discuss how fashion and certain trends have started to take over, and people have lost their sense of personal style. They encourage people to really think through a certain choice when paying for something. Will it last long? Do they actually like it? Does it reflect their style? Photographs, rugs, cushions, and blankets. They discuss it all. Where they should be placed, better fabric options, all things to think about when designing. (And no, you don't need that Dior coffee tabel book!) This discussion is not intended to offend or make anyone feel like they have to make huge changes to their space if they have some of the mentioned designs already. Jenny and Tanya have seen loads of design mistakes, and they want people to be aware of them, while giving more practical choices, while encouraging them to stay true to their own personal style.      

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• 34. Wrapped: 2024 interiors takeaways & our Georgian reno

  In this 2024 "WRAPPED" edition, host and interior designer Tanya Neufeld Flanagan whizzes through the 5 episodes released this year during her maternity leave, as well as behind-the-scenes on her Georgian protected structure renovation.

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• 33. Buying and selling in today’s market with estate agent Matt Forkin

  In today’s episode, Tanya is joined by seasoned real estate agent Matt Forkin, where they dive into Ireland’s property market. With nearly two decades of experience, Matt shares his professional journey, starting in 2006, and how he weathered the turbulent 2008 financial crisis. He reflects on the evolution of his business, from starting in property management to becoming an independent real estate brand, Forkin Property. Matt provides an insider look at the housing crash of 2008-2009, detailing the challenges of a stalled property market and how it still affects the market even today. From a lack of mortgage lending to a market dominated by bank sales and receiverships, he explains how those formative years shaped his approach to the ever-changing real estate landscape.  Shifting to present-day trends, Matt discusses his bread and butter, the property market in County Wicklow and beyond. He highlights the rising demand for new builds, fueled by government affordability schemes which make it easier for first-time buyers to enter the market. He discusses rising construction costs and labor shortages which are pushing prices higher, creating a complex environment for buyers and developers.  Matt explains why new developments are so appealing when it comes to community and lifestyle, especially for a first time buyer. From energy-efficient designs to thoughtfully planned neighborhoods with amenities, these homes are ideal for families looking to settle into vibrant communities. However, he also weighs the benefits of secondhand homes, which often offer better value per square foot, despite requiring renovations. New-builds are becoming more and more popular throughout Ireland, particularly Wicklow. Matt offers valuable advice for families that outgrow their homes, and for second-time buyers navigating the market. Should they extend their current property or take the leap into something new with more space? He stresses the importance of home presentation when selling, suggesting simple upgrades to attract higher offers. Matt and Tanya explore the growing popularity of apartments, particularly among down-sizers and non-nationals who value accessibility and convenience. He sheds light on the changing dynamics for Irish homebuyers, and offers insights for anyone looking to buy, sell, or invest in today’s property market. This episode is a great discussion into Ireland’s current property market. Matt Forkin generously shares so much wonderful advice that buyers can use when considering their next move, or their current spaces.  You can follow Forkin Property on Instagram HERE. Their website is linked HERE. 

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