The Interiors Podcast

• 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.

  --------  

  1:04:14
• 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.      

  --------  

  51:12
• 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.

  --------  

  12:14
• 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. 

  --------  

  47:48
• 32. Everything you need to know about paint with Farrelly & Co.

  Welcome back to the Interiors Podcast! Tanya makes a return after a six-month hiatus, featuring an in-depth conversation with Rachel and Alan Farrelly of Farrelly & Co, a Dublin-based paint company. The duo, both business partners and spouses, first walk through how they founded their company in early 2020 after returning from a three-year stint in Australia. Inspired by the types of design they encountered there, they set out to bring a more customer-focused and detail-oriented approach to the Irish painting industry. Farrelly & Co’s business model and product line are tailored to a  clientele who value craftsmanship and authenticity. The company operates exclusively online, which allows them to maintain a direct relationship with their customers. They prioritize quality over mass appeal, and they’ve cultivated a loyal customer base that appreciates their attention to detail and personalized service.  Tanya, Alan and Rachel discuss how Farrelly & Co initially thrived despite launching at the onset of the pandemic. They talk about how lockdowns spurred a surge in demand for home renovations, giving the business a strong start. Using their backgrounds, they expanded their skill by launching a line of high-quality, eco-friendly paints in 2022. Their paint is non-toxic, vegan, and safe for children, embodying their commitment to sustainability and premium quality.  They walk us through what the process is like to remove old layers of paint from period properties, and the true grunt work that goes into it. They then also discuss the common mistakes that other services will make when it comes to prep work and renovations. Their true expertise is their specific process with the prep work, and that’s what makes it so long lasting, making it a better investment for the consumer.  Alan and Rachel discuss how precise they must be when picking the colors of someone’s home, and they do not cut any corners when it comes to making sure someone’s space is curated and then painted to perfection. They walk us through important steps when it comes to sampling, consulting, and coloring a room, as well as common mistakes to avoid in the process. They share the basics that people need to understand when it comes to picking colors for each specific room in their homes.  They discuss color drenching, picking the right color for your trim or panelling, and the right paint finish for each room in your home. They are always conscious in their design, and they make sure to take their customers' lifestyle into account. They encourage their customers to take risks, be brave with colors, and to follow certain trends that can elevate a space.  This conversation shows the importance of passion and adaptability in building a successful business. Despite the challenges of starting during a global pandemic, Farrelly & Co has established itself as a trusted name in paint products, carving out a distinctive place in a competitive market.

  --------  

  1:17:36

More Leisure podcasts

Trending Leisure podcasts

About The Interiors Podcast