Look inside interior designer Róisín Lafferty’s favourite spaces

Having swapped the city streets for hills and woodland trails, Róisín Lafferty is feeling inspired.

Originally from Goatstown, south Dublin, the interior designer now hangs her hat in rural Wicklow and wouldn’t have it otherwise. “I grew up in Dublin surrounded by creative people and busy city life, but I live now in a small cottage surrounded by nature, and it feels like such a grounding escape after a day in the city,” says Róisín.

“I love the balance; Dublin feeds my energy and ideas, while Wicklow slows me down and gives me space to think.”

The contrasting palettes of both environments keep things fresh too — crucial for her métier. “Colour has the power to completely change how I feel in a space. It can calm, energise or comfort; it’s a kind of visual language that helps me tell stories,” she says. “I love that it moves and shifts with the light; it’s never static. For me, colour is about how a room feels first, and how it looks second. “I find the countryside a real source of inspiration. It gives me space to breathe, but its beauty furnishes me with never-ending ideas.”l

Róisín Lafferty. Picture: Ruth Maria Murphy

Róisín describes her dwelling as “a work in progress”: “I share my home with my partner and my rescue border collie, Spot. It is a stone farm cottage, very different to a lot of my work. We worked on the design and build together, meaning I designed and he built! 

“What I love about it is that it appears to be an old-style building, but then you step inside and you are taken to a much more contemporary and unexpected place. Think clean lines, stone and timber, rustic materiality and beauty. Small in size, but compact and well-thought-through. Everything has a place, and it has all been carefully considered.”

Seafoam from the Fleetwood Prestige collection by Róisín Lafferty. Picture: Barbara Corsico

Her home “feels like a calm, creative space; a place to recharge and think”, adds the award-winning designer: “It’s full of pieces I’ve collected over time, each one connected to a memory or a story — also, it is more and more full of my own creations and prototypes.”

Cobalt from Roisin Lafferty’s Prestige collection with Fleetwood. Picture: Barbara Corsico

Spot might be the four-legged pal roaming the homestead, but I’m glad to see chic canines frequent Róisín Lafferty Studio, also, even strutting their stuff front and fore on the website. “Our studio is full of life. It’s a mix of architects, designers and creatives, each with their own unique point of view.  Our CEO, Becky Russell, has two Italian greyhounds, Lady Harper and Mr Huxley, who have always been very important members of the team,” says Róisín. 

“They used to spend a lot of time in the office and brought such warmth and calm to the space. As the company has grown and the studio has become busier, it’s a little too lively for them now, but they still visit occasionally and are always treated like royalty when they do.”

How does Róisín and her team of 21 tailor her designs to offer the studio’s signature “visually extraordinary” appeal? “For me, design isn’t just about how something looks, it’s about how it feels to live in. I always begin with mood and function; how people will move through a space and what emotion it should hold,” says Róisín.  “That’s what leads to spaces that feel extraordinary. I love it when practical elements can also feel poetic, when function and beauty become inseparable.

Róisín chose Malin for her meeting room as it ‘sparks focus and creativity’. Picture: Barbara Corsico

“For me, the most exciting part of any project is the spatial layout itself, the interior architecture. There is no reason that things have to be laid out the way we have grown up with or the way we now expect. 

I like to challenge the norms and change things up, creating more exciting layouts that encourage interaction and engagement, and ultimately change how people interact and behave in their homes. The fact that we can do this is the most fun. 

“The best projects for me are the ones where I have full creative control. More and more this is the case, alongside the architect, and it means the client gets the best result. We love to be involved from the very early, pre-planning stage of a project, right through to the art selection and styling at the end. This is the best way to truly get the most harmonious and well-considered end result. Every detail matters.”

The entrance hallway is painted in Vincenzo. Picture: Barbara Corsico

Colour is “a powerful tool” that shapes how we experience a space, she adds. “It changes the atmosphere instantly. To me, it truly is the most transformative tool we have at our disposal, and paint is the most accessible element in interiors. 

“Colour can truly change how you feel, the mood, the atmosphere, the overall sense of the environment.

“A soft, muted tone can soothe, while a deeper one can make a room feel rich and cocooning or add a sense of drama and theatre. 

“When I created my Prestige by Fleetwood collection, every shade was designed with emotion in mind. It’s less about rules and more about creating a feeling that lingers long after you leave the room. I also wanted to create a collection I myself won’t tire of. I want a colour collection that both I and my team can pull from time and again to capture the essence we want to bring to our projects.”

Colour “is at the heart of everything” at home and in the studio: “Our headquarters are painted entirely in shades from my Prestige collection with Fleetwood.l

“Vincenzo runs through our entrance hallway and stairwell; a tone inspired by a favourite designer, whose work blends soft, neutral hues with futuristic materials. It has a refined depth that shifts beautifully with the light.

Malin used in the meeting room. Picture: Barbara Corsico

“Our meeting room is Malin, a soft pale blue that feels uplifting, the kind of colour that sparks focus and creativity without ever overwhelming a space, which I deliberately contrast with bold vibrant reds and high gloss burgundy. Sometimes clashing can create a sense of fun and drama.=

Zallal in the shared office. Picture: Barbara Corsico

“On the top floor, our CEO Becky and I share an office painted in Zallal, a warm clay tone inspired by the traditional architecture of Saudi Arabia. It has a sunlit softness that cocoons the room beautifully throughout the day. 

“Across our residential projects, we have also been using colours from the Prestige collection, and it is wonderful seeing how these shades take on new personalities in different homes and light.

“What I love about how we have used the colours is that we have created a different atmosphere in each zone. There is still a harmony to the place, but as you transcend the different levels, there is a new feeling to experience.”

Any super-fast advice for the rest of us? “I always suggest wrapping a room fully in one colour rather than stopping at the walls,” says the designer. “When the ceiling, trims and doors are painted too, the space feels complete and atmospheric. 

Róisín Lafferty Gallery. Picture: Barbara Corsico

“That encompassing feeling never gets old. “Avoid statement or feature walls, as they tend to interrupt the mood. Choose colours that feel grounded, with an earthiness drawn from nature rather than anything sugary or artificial. Beyond colour, think about creating a layered environment.

“Combine different materials, finishes and design styles and include pieces that hold meaning for you.” A mix of textures, eras and stories adds depth and richness, making a space feel more personal and full of character, says Let your interiors evolve over time; the most beautiful spaces are the ones that tell your story slowly.”

Having designed her own home and studio, Róisín adds: “My home has evolved naturally over time, while the studio was a chance to create something more expressive that showcased the level of detail we bring to all of our projects.

Róisín Lafferty. Picture: Barbara Corsico

“I collaborated with fantastic suppliers for our gallery space, including Miller Brothers Stone, O’Gorman Joinery, Trunk Flooring, PD Marlow and of course Fleetwood Paints. Both spaces are very personal and reflect different sides of who I am. The Gallery took less than one year — the home is still ongoing! It may never end!

Moves Like Jagger from Róisín Lafferty’s Prestige collection, Fleetwood. Picture: Barbara Corsico

“Our appointment-only gallery is something we are especially proud of. It brings together a curated collection of extraordinary pieces, from lighting and furniture to art and sculpture. 

“Alongside rare vintage finds, the space also showcases my own collections and works, all within an environment designed by me and my team. Every touchpoint has been carefully considered to capture the essence of our design approach. The gallery is open from Wednesday to Saturday, with Ellen, our gallerist, welcoming visitors by appointment to explore the pieces and the space. To arrange a visit, you can email gallery@roisinlafferty.com or send us a message on Instagram.”

See RoisinLafferty, Instagram: @roisinlafferty and @roisinlaffertygallery and Fleetwood; Róisín Lafferty is among the leading names from the world of design in Kerry at Design Kenmare, November 14-16, Designkenmare.com

Q&A

Do you have a favourite perch?

In our Fitzwilliam Square headquarters, my favourite spot is in the gallery, sitting on a soft white bouclé Bryan O’Sullivan croissant sofa. It’s the perfect place to pause and take in the ever-evolving curation of extraordinary furniture, lighting and art that fills the space, especially as the evening light filters through the windows.

Biggest splurge?

My Sphere Collection table, the first piece from my very own furniture collection, currently featured in Róisín Lafferty Gallery. It’s a dusty pink limited edition piece carved from a block of finite, rare stone from a tiny quarry in Italy. The table looks to defy gravity, appearing to float like a sculpture in space.

Best bargain?

The most beautiful vintage, hand-painted screen I got at a vintage market from Joy Thorpe.  

Favourite colour?

Necchi. It is a deep, sophisticated green inspired by the lush hues of the gardens surrounding the striking modernist architecture of Villa Necchi Campiglio in Milan. 

Top advice?

Do not rush the process. Take time to think about how you live, not just how you want things to look. A home should feel like you, your rhythm, your colours, your story. Be honest when thinking up your brief, make sure you include enough storage!

What is “big” now in interior design or colour?

Confidence. People are embracing colour again and choosing shades that make them feel something. It is about creating character and emotion rather than perfection.

Your dream dinner guests?

Do they have to be still alive? If not, I would love to have dinner with Jorge Zalszupin. His work was ahead of its time, elegant and full of warmth. Verner Panton, my 1960s icon, created magical worlds to step inside. I also adored Iris Apfel, who sadly passed away in 2024. She had incredible spirit and confidence in her style, and she made colour and individuality feel fearless.  If I could invite someone who is still living, it would be Tadao Ando. I recently visited the Bourse de Commerce in Paris, where his circular concrete insertion completely transforms the space. Still, a cosy evening with friends, good food, and great conversation is my favourite kind of luxury.

Most thought-provoking project?

We just worked on two beauty salons in Saudi Arabia that are both very wild and fun.  As well as that, we got to create the Montenotte Woodland Suites, treehouses set in the woods of Cork alongside the main hotel — such a fun project to work on with Henry J Lyons.

Would you like to feature in Changing Spaces? Email eve.kelliher@examiner.ie