Social Pictures: The IMAGE Business Club Christmas party
Social Pictures: The IMAGE Business Club Christmas party

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An extensive renovation opened up this compact Dublin 4 home
An extensive renovation opened up this compact Dublin 4 home

Sarah Finnan

Let’s party! From glassware to napkins, everything you need to host this festive season
Let’s party! From glassware to napkins, everything you need to host this festive season

Megan Burns

‘Mistakes are just opportunities to learn, grow, and evolve’
‘Mistakes are just opportunities to learn, grow, and evolve’

Niamh Ennis

How to wrap oddly shaped Christmas gifts, and some common pitfalls to avoid
How to wrap oddly shaped Christmas gifts, and some common pitfalls to avoid

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Like Carrie Bradshaw, Nicki Hoyne knows shoes
Like Carrie Bradshaw, Nicki Hoyne knows shoes

Lauren Heskin

This Edwardian Belfast home balances its history with a contemporary edge
This Edwardian Belfast home balances its history with a contemporary edge

Megan Burns

My Life in Culture: CEO of Dublinia Heather Dowling Wade
My Life in Culture: CEO of Dublinia Heather Dowling Wade

Sarah Finnan

How much wine should you buy for Christmas? An expert weighs in
How much wine should you buy for Christmas? An expert weighs in

Michelle Lawlor

3 delicious cocktail recipes to try this festive season
3 delicious cocktail recipes to try this festive season

Megan Burns

Image / Editorial

10 Expert Tips for an Efficient Home Redesign


By Kate Phelan
21st Jan 2016
10 Expert Tips for an Efficient Home Redesign

Ciara Jordan of Dublin-based Amour Design shares some expert advice on how to easily and effectively redesign your home…

Veteran tiler Ciara Jordan spent 13 years honing her skills on building sites before setting up her own bathroom design business in 1999. 17 years later, Amour Design?has been transformed into a full-service, luxury design’studio’specialising in plumbing, tiling, carpentry and?electrics, as well as project management.

Having overseen many a top-to-bottom redesign,?Ciara has plenty of sage?advice for anyone contemplating a home makeover…

Amour 03

1. Find yourself a good starting point. If you’re planning an entire house the?kitchen is an excellent place to start, most families spend a huge amount of?time in the kitchen.

2. When planning a room, pick one thing that you love and centre the design around that. A piece of fabric or?wallpaper can unfold an entire room.

3. Think practically and in terms of longevity. Don’t?use materials that look good for the first six months – make the money that?you are spending matter.?Get good advice on building materials and keep up with the latest products?on the market.

4. Always try and go with good-quality flooring where budget allows, as this will’stand the test of time. Wallpaper and paints are much cheaper to replace?than flooring.

5. Tank and seal all wet areas. You need to think of your pump, cylinder and tank?before thinking about tiles and sanitary ware for bathrooms.

10 Expert Tips for an Efficient Home Redesign

6. Never stick tiles directly onto wood, even if it’s marine?plywood. Use a material suitable for tiling such as cement board.

7. When tiling use mould resistant grouts like BAL Microflex. Never?use white grout as it’s a disaster for cleaning.

8. Always test paints in large areas. A small patch on the wall is not’sufficient to see the full effect of a colour in a particular room. Light effect paint that looks?great in your friend’s house could look completely different in your own.

9. When finishing rooms, be daring with fabrics.?This is where the fun starts. Don’t be afraid – it’s not life or death; it’s only curtains and cushions. Be’sensible with building decisions, but have fun with the finishes.

10. If you need help, get it. Spending your money on project management and’design can save you a lot of’stress on any project you undertake in?your home.

So there you have it! Now skip over to our house tours‘section for’some delectable design inspiration…

Amour Design