In Lyons and Kelly’s own apartment behind Dublin’s Merrion Square’s northern side, the interior was planned to be in keeping with its Scott Tallon Walker architecture. A 1970s-style living space combines both seating and dining areas and opens to a large south-facing terrace. “We divided the room visually by placing a large deep sofa by Orior in the centre, with two upright sofas either side of it defining the sitting space and the dining area behind,” says Lyons. “Every room should have different types of seating so whether you are just relaxing and watching television or you have people around, the space is functional and comfortable.”
The sitting space is anchored by a large marble-topped coffee table in front of the fireplace and everything centres around this, as it can be reached from each seating option. In the dining area, a collection of works by Irish artists including Felim Egan and Charles Tyrrell hang on the wall above a Platner table. “We’ve selected the pictures for their subject, colour and shape so they work together,” says Lyons.
A limited palette including lemon, grey and muted orange creates a relaxed, restful space. Playing with scale and keeping furniture in proportion makes the space appear larger than it is: the oversized 1970s stainless steel and chrome lamp – found in one of the couple’s favourite shops, Ebury Trading in London – draws the eye and sheds great light. The couple also shop in Dublin: the lamp table is by Knoll from Niall Mullen Antiques, the rug from Oriental Rugs on Francis Street.
Thinking they didn’t have the space to have a real dog, they made do with a realistic substitute from Rowell Design, but now have taken the plunge with a brand new cockapoo puppy called Conor. “My father named him Conor,” says Eoin – “Coronavirus Conor, a bad Dad joke but it stuck. He has been very good about our soft furnishings – barely any chewing or scratching which I was really surprised about. Also cockapoos don’t shed which is great. But I can no longer keep the place photo-shoot ready at all times – and that will be good for me!”
John Kelly and Eoin Lyons of LyonsKelly.
Watercolours by a friend, Antonia Campbell-Hughes.
The embroidery by Joanne Hynes was a gift from the designer.
The large linen-covered Orior sofa is flanked by a pair of herringbone wool Cappellini couches to create a smart sitting area. The giant coffee table was given to the couple by their friend, interior designer Sirin Lewendon, and many of the artworks are by other friends, including the photograph over the fireplace by Dragana Jurisic. The television is housed in an antique Chinese cabinet.
A limited palette including lemon, grey and muted orange creates a relaxed, restful space.
The new addition to the family: Conor the cockapoo.
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