A previously dark space that lacked flow, it has been transformed thanks to a considered design.
The owners of this home in Blackrock, Dublin, approached Lou Joia Studio to help rethink their ground floor. Interior designer Chloé Lasserre explains that the existing space didn’t function well. “It was very compartmentalised, with the kitchen, dining and living areas all separated by walls and narrow transitions. The kitchen itself felt small and enclosed, with limited natural light and inefficient storage. There was also a lack of cohesion across the ground floor: each space functioned independently rather than as a connected environment. This resulted in a layout that didn’t support modern family living or entertaining.”
What they wanted from the renovation was to create a calm space that had both flow and function. “They wanted a design that embraced Scandinavian principles, clean lines, natural materials and a sense of understated luxury, while still feeling warm and family-oriented,” Chloé explains. “The brief was to create a seamless environment where cooking, dining and relaxing could coexist effortlessly.”
A key aspect of the design was therefore rethinking the layout. “We removed key structural walls to open up the ground floor and create a fluid connection between the kitchen, dining and living areas,” Chloé says.
“A central island was introduced as the anchor of the space, acting as both a functional workspace and an entertaining area. We also retained select portions of walls to maintain structural integrity while subtly zoning the different areas.
Architectural details such as soft lime-wash arched openings were incorporated to bring flow and softness, while bespoke joinery allowed us to maximise storage and maintain a clean, uncluttered aesthetic.”
To create a calm, warm mood, the palette focused on natural materials and neutral tones. “Light oak cabinetry introduces warmth and texture, while the Calacatta Glow Quartz surfaces add a sense of quiet luxury through their soft veining,” Chloé points out. “Creamy whites and beige tones keep the space bright and serene, enhancing natural light throughout the day. We introduced subtle contrast through darker accents such as smoked glass units and brushed brass details, particularly in the tap and sink, to bring a refined almost jewellery-like quality to the space.”
Throughout the space, attention to detail elevates the space further, such as the waterfall peninsula, integrated lighting, and concealed storage and handleless cabinets. All of these details combine to create a space that feels, as Chloé puts it, “calm, tactile and deeply connected to nature”.
Photography Johnny McMillan