Meet the woman behind one of our favourite interiors and lifestyle stores, April and the Bear

You know that feeling when you set foot inside a store and begin to feel time slowly melt away? You start to adopt a slower pace, wandering around languorously as you browse, allowing the tips of your fingers to softly graze the wares laid out in front of you. That’s the kind of feeling that’s instantly evoked when you enter April and the Bear.

Beginning as an online-only homewares store almost 10 years ago, the concept for April and the Bear came about when director and founder Siobhan Lam bought her first house. Finding it difficult to source the kind of eclectic, beautiful and well-made pieces she wanted to fill her home with, Siobhan set about bridging that gap.

With her background in (fashion) buying, Siobhan decided to create a homewares store with a difference. An independent store filled with considered products that will make you smile—pieces that you will absolutely love to fill your home with—April and the Bear was born.

Over the past decade, the business has grown and taken a new shape, occupying a brick-and-mortar store in Rathmines that draws people in off the street to browse and shop to their heart’s content. Now one of Ireland’s leading interior and lifestyle stores, it’s filled to the brim with eclectic homewares, exclusive art prints, gorgeous gifts and beautiful furniture.

Female-founded and led, this small but savvy independent business was born from a need to find unusual and beautiful homewares in Ireland at affordable prices, and this vision has led to the curation of a considered store filled with products that will excite and inspire those looking for something different, unique and beautiful for their home.

Providing everything from decor and storage solutions to furniture, lighting, and wall art, April and the Bear also specialise in interior consulting, so that you can get some expert advice on how to make the most out of your space while showcasing your personality through aesthetic choices.

Stocking incredible brands including 366 Concept, Ferm Living and HK Living, April and the Bear’s furniture offering alone is enough to make you want to move into the store itself! From mid-century bar stools and dining chairs to side tables and sofas, you get a real sense of what kind of vibe you lean towards just by scrolling through their website or perching yourself in their store.

An ideal destination for gifting, they also have an incredible range of gift boxes and decor ideas to get your creative juices flowing. Creating custom gift boxes, filled to the brim with unique and tailored gifting—which are then beautifully wrapped with ethically sourced and branded paper—you can also opt for a voucher and head along for a browse together.

April and the Bear is located in Rathmines, Dublin – stop by for a shop and a chat or pop by their website for a look at their unique range of homewares, gifts and furniture. Make sure you have a look at their blog and Instagram for a peek at their recently completed interior design renovations and newest arrivals!