Cool prints from 5 Irish illustrators to brighten up your walls

A plain wall can feel dull, so add interest and colour with one of these prints from Irish illustrators

Sometimes, once you’ve chosen your paint colour and actually got round to applying it, it’s easy to feel like your walls are ‘done’. Or maybe you live in a rented home and your landlord hasn’t exactly put much time into decoration. Since we’re spending a lot more time at home at the moment, we’re starting to notice where we could definitely spruce things up a bit.

Either way, some gorgeous prints are a quick and easy way to make a room look more welcoming and lived in, bonus points if they’re by one of the many talented Irish illustrators on the scene at the moment. Now more than ever, we love to support Irish creatives and small businesses where we can.

Related: 10 Irish illustrators you should know

Renters: before you come at me with tales of strict leases prohibiting you to so much as think of touching the walls, command strips are your friend. Or if you’re still too nervous, framed prints can be placed on shelves, or simply leaned against the wall if you go for a big enough size (A4 will probably just look like you haven’t gotten around to hanging it yet).

If you need a little inspiration, we’ve rounded up some of our favourites, so all you have to do is pick a spot to place them.

Floating, Fuchsia Macaree

Perfect for a space where you want to inject a little serenity, Fuchsia’s characteristic style also adds a touch of fun to this print. From €18 for A4, Jam Art Prints.

Botanic Gardens Dublin, Martina Scott

Martina Scott screen prints her delicate designs onto Irish linen for a tactile finish. This one featuring the Botanic Gardens is part of a limited run of 100 prints, so act fast if you’ve fallen in love with it. €92, Irish Design Shop.

The Crane, Denise Nestor

Part of her ‘Bestiary’ series, this illustration by Denise Nestor is inspired by the medieval ida of a bestiary, an illustrated text with descriptions of creatures that were based on tales, rather than any facts, resulting in a weird and wonderful collection. This design is also limited to 100 prints, available from Hen’s Teeth, €110.

Fantasies, Mark Conlan

Mark Conlan’s illustrations always have a humorous side to them, and we love the playful aspect of this one, perfect for someone who loves to lose themselves in a book. From €20 for A4, Jam Art Prints.

Burren Wreath, Clover Rua

This hand-drawn illustration features a range of flora and fauna found in The Burren, including Juniper Berries, Rusty-Back Fern, Bog Thistle and Violets. Available in this cream and grey option or also white on a grey background, its beautiful, delicate design will fit in a whole range of colour schemes. €12 for A4, Clover Rua.

Featured image: Shantanu Starick 

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