ROCO Magazine Issue 5 summer

INTERIOR DESIGN
QUARTERLY

I SS U E

No. 5

info@lavenderhealthspa.com
www.lavenderhealthspa.com

028 8556 7898
54 Errigal Road | Ballygawley | Dungannon

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INTERIOR DESIGN QUARTERLY

ISSUE No 5

Summer Issue

Summer at ROCO.
Make the most of the season
with these low loungers
from The Velevt Lab

“Passionate about design, craftsmanship and quality materials.”

Summer at

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E info@portervanities.com
T +44(0) 2033 55 1817

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P O RTER
HANDMADE VANITIES


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Welcome to
I love summer, the smell of cut
grass, cocktails in the sun and
long hazy evenings. With all
these treats in mind we have
created an issue that embraces
alfresco dining, with a feature
that will inspire all to start
eating outdoors.
In this issue we tour amazing
homes including one incredible
beach house sitting high up over
Donegal Bay, a holiday home
with style! Interior architect
Rients Bruinsma discusses with
ROCO his style and luxurious
projects, which are simply
breathtaking. And our lifestyle
section tours the fabulous
Merchant Hotel and features a
glamorous wedding full of glitz.

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

RACHAEL COLTON

With a host of changes ahead
in ROCO, please make sure
to sign up to our newsletter to
hear of all our exciting plans,
you won’t be disappointed.

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REGULARS

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WORLD OF ROCO

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88
90

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CONTRIBUTORS
STOP THE PRESS DESIGN NEWS

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74
80
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86
96
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108

EDITORS CHOICE

FASHION TRENDS

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WORLD OF ROCO

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BLOGGER

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STOCKHOLM HAS ARRIVED

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MEET THE DESIGNER

Interior architect Rients Bruinsma
MEET THE DESIGNER

Interview with designer Ema Kersuliene
pour l’amour de bijoux

Jewellery designer Ruth Ribeaucourt
LOVE ART

Patrick Palmer
CREATORS

abigail*ryan
LETICIA’S TRENDS

Dreaming of Butterflies
FOOD FOR THE SENSES

Shaun Hanna Summer Dish
RESTAURANT

Linen Hill

SHOP REPORT

My Favourite Room
A look at IKEA’s new range

Bespoke Hotel

The Merchant Hotel
BESPOKE WEDDINGS

Hollywood Glamour

Lost Weekend

FEATURES

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DINING ALFRESCO

Outdoor eating feature
HOME SHOOT

Arts and Crafts
HOME SHOOT

Seaside Retreat


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RACHAEL COLTON
Editor-in-Chief

SARAH FYFFE

Photography

KHARA PRINGLE

Photography

T E AM ROCO

COLUMNIST

RACHAEL COLTON

Editor-in-Chief
EVE BRANNON

Fashion Stylist

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SHAUN HANNA

Chef
LETICIA BLANCO

Interior Trends

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LETICIA BLANCO

Trend Columnist


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ANNETTE NUGENT

Web Design

EVE BRANNON

Fashion Stylist

E

PAPERJAM

Brand Design

PHOTOGRAPHY

SARAH FYFFE

Sarah Fyffe Photography
KHARA PRINGLE

Khara Pringle Photographic

SHAUN HANNA

Chef Columnist
DESIGN

PAPERJAM

Brand Design
ANNETTE NUGENT

Web Design


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JOIN OUR MAILING LIST
Be the first to know when each issue is live,
competition giveways , designer tips and trends.

CLICK HERE

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STOP THE PRESS

DESIGN NEWS

MARKS AND SPENCER HOME RANGE

Be inspired by Marks and Spencers home
range, with a large curve floor lamp £99,
romance lace rug from £75, salisbury
medium sofa in ivory £899 and the feather
faux fur cushion £19.50.

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CAFE LIGHT

Similar to casual lighting used
in open-air cafés, these string
lights have an early industrial
look that adds an inviting glow
to get-togethers in the garden
or patio. Pottery Barn £68.
Solida Ottoman in
Pide Velvet Plum

This designer cube stool is
a perfect accessory for any
living room or lounge area,
from The Velvet Lab, £189.

AROUND
THE WORLD

These book
ends available
at Debenhams
caught
ROCO's
eye with
their neutral
design,
perfect with
any decor.
INDUSTRIAL LIVING

A very clever mix of
weathered elm wood and
black metal legs with castors,
creates a unique table right up
to date with the current trends.
Nordic House, £250

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Kartell Victoria
Ghost Chairs

Designed by innovative
architect and designer Philippe
Starck for Kartell, the Victoria
Ghost Chair has become a
modern cult classic. Graham
and Green from £160.
Migrations of
Swallow BOWL

Mega talented young Ulster
goldsmith Samantha Moore
took part in the prestigious,
British Contemporary
Design Show in the Fields
of Jewellery, Silver and
Furniture, at Somerset House.
We adore this stunning bowl
which she featured.

loves
21st Century
ROMANCE

Linea 21st Century
Romance range in
House of Fraser has us
all coveting this Lyon
8-drawer chest £749 &
Palazzo wall mirror at
£300.
TIME TO
CHIME

This metal bell
would be the
perfect addition
to a nautical
themed room.
Next, £8.

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43 Market Street. Omagh.
Tel: 028 8225 7673

STONE

TILE

MOSAIC


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BLOGGER:
MY FAVOURITE ROOM
Irene Lovett, Designer & Blogger
designstiles.me

IRENE LOVETT
DE SIGN S T IL E S

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1

Describe why this IS your
favourite room?

2

What 5 words best describe
THE Inspiration behind the
ROOM design?

3

If I had an unlimited budget
I would change?

4

What is the one piece of
advice you would give
when it comes to
decorating a room?

My bedroom is my favorite
room because despite being
pretty colorful, it still feels
relaxing.

I honestly don't think I had
an inspiration. This room has
evolved throughout the years
of living in our house and I've
tweaked it, adding things I
already owned until it felt right.
I think that's why this is my
favorite; because I didn't really
have a design plan.

Everything! An unlimited
budget is a decorator's dream.
A chance to start fresh and be
creative. I would buy custom
drapes, wallpaper, the whole
deal.

Decorate for yourself and try
to express your personality
through decor. It's they only
way you'll feel happy with the
end result..

5

I am always
room.

napping in this

I don't always nap, but when I
do, it's in this room. Napping in
another room doesn't feel right.

Photographer Bethany Nauert


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BLOGGER:
MY FAVOURITE ROOM
Naomi Stein, Designer & Blogger
designmanifest.com

NAOMI S T E IN
DE SIGN MANIF E S T

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1

Describe why this IS your
favourite room?

2

What 5 words best describe
THE Inspiration behind the
ROOM design?

It is a guest room and I love that
it is welcoming, bright, happy,
eclectic and warm.

Bohemian, Glamorous, Girly,
Collected & Whimsical.

3

If I had an unlimited budget
I would change?

4

What is the one piece of
advice you would give
when it comes to
decorating a room?

Honestly, I love this little room
so I wouldn't change that much.
I would like new nightstands.
Something with storage would
be nice for guests. Actually
the closet is teeny, so if my
budget were unlimited I would
expand it!

Allow yourself some freedom
to have it come together over
time. Shop your own home to
fill rooms. This whole room
came together with pieces
that I already had. I don't feel
that furnishings or textiles are
permanent in any location.
By swapping out art, pillows,
lamps, etc, you can completely
refresh a room and can fall in
love with your stuff all over
again.

5

I am always
room.

relaxing in this

Since it is the guest room, I am
not in here all the time. I come
here when I want to really relax.
It's like staying at a hotel!


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STOCKHOLM HAS ARRIVED

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OLA wILBORg, DESIgNER
involved in the
creation and
production of
STOCKHOLM, shares his
thoughts on the
collection.

When ROCO attended
the press preview FOR
IKEA'S new STOCKHOLM
range we were
completely drawn
into the smart
craftsmanship and the
strong focus on
NATURE - WITH WALNUT
TAKING CENTRE STAGE IN
ALL ITS BEAUTY.

what was your main source
of inspiration for the
collection?

When we decided to work with
walnut, it made me immediately
think of furniture from the 50s
and 60s. I looked quite a bit
at those two decades, both in
terms of design and in the way
homes were decorated, and then
compared that with how we
live today. The ambition was to
create a sustainable and timeless
collection.

what are some examples of
tactile or smart solutions
that you discover after
using the pieces?

The armrests on the dining
chairs have an angle, so they
fit perfectly under the table;
it’s as if they’re being sucked
in. The swivel function on
the small chair makes sitting
less static and much more
comfortable. And the glass
cabinet is designed to make the
room visible through the piece,
allowing beautiful wallpaper, for
example, to become part of the
cabinet.


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Is there something
distinctly Swedish or Scandinavian about STOCKHOLM?

How do you envisage
STOCKHOLM being used in
people’s homes?

what is the future for
these pieces 20, 30 or 40
years from now?

Yes, I would probably
describe STOCKHOLM as
Scandinavian. I was born and
raised in Sweden, and that
has, of course, influenced my
aesthetic. At the same time,
there are also international
influences mixed in.

I hope that people dare to
explore new ways of decorating.
The bedside table makes a
great sideboard in the living
room, perfect for storing remote
controls. And the small chest
of drawers can be used in the
hallway, bedroom or living
room. The swivel chair is also
a great stand-alone piece in the
bedroom.

My wish is that they are still
being used every day, though
they might change owners
over the years. I see them
being passed down from one
generation to another, or
maybe changing hands through
auctions. A long, rich and
eventful life – that’s my wish for
STOCKHOLM.


For further information on the
STOCKHOLM range visit
www.ikea.com/ gb/en/

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SHOP REPORT

LOST WEEKEND

Lost Weekend is an Interior Design Studio and Design Store based in
Dun Laoghaire, Co. Dublin. THE store has an ever changing offering of
contemporary furniture, lighting and fabrics. WE TALK TO CO-OWNER EMILY...
Why did you decide to open
lost weekend?

Honestly?!.....my youngest
daughter was nearly 2 years old
and I was getting itchy feet. I
was working freelance and was
principle designer for Ceadogan
Rugs in Wexford but I needed
more of a challenge. I suggested
to my husband Declan that we
have another baby or I open
my own business, hence Lost
Weekend was born!

Describe what you do.

We provide a complete interior
design service including
furniture, lighting and window
and floor coverings. We’re
focussed on design furniture
and are proud to represent some
of the most exclusive European
brands.

What was the concept
behind the interior design
of the studio/shop?

We wanted a clean
uncomplicated space in which
to work and display our
furniture and items. It needed
to be a creative environment
and also welcoming for clients.
We stripped the space back to
expose a concrete ceiling and
simple white walls show off our
pieces to their best.


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only way in my opinion to seek
and purchase tiles, you have
to remember there are a lot of
them………..but do not worry we
do all the hard work in sourcing
and designing, you are a valued
customer as soon as you walk
through our door.

What is involved in a
typical day?

The studio is open all week and
people can drop in and browse
through the furniture and
samples and chat in an informal
setting. We’re very happy
to simply order and supply
furniture for the client who
knows exactly what they want
Currently oppulence and luxury but usually we will work with
the client to source the perfect
is a trend. I think the way
people have looked at clothing pieces to complete their interior.
Our focus really is on the
& cars for the last ten years is
bespoke interior design service
the way they are now looking
working closely with our
to interiors and tiles, as another clients. We personally oversee
representation of themselves.
all deliveries and site work so if
we’re not in the studio we’ll be
One of my favourite tiles is the on site.
textured relief patterns, which
come in wonderful muted tones
to suit stylish interiors - these
two tile components when


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Who do you admire in the
world of design?

Textiles are a massive passion
of mine and fashion designers
like Issey Miyake and Hussein
Chalayan are inspirational for
their use of fabrics, texture
and colour. I also like Florence
Broadhurst, she died in the
1970s but her designs were
relaunched by Signature Prints
in the early naughties; we
supply all of her fabrics and
rugs. Eileen Gray is another
one of my inspirations and I
like Paul Kjaerholm for his
very honest designs, simple
but elegant. Current designers
I really admire are Ronan &
Erwan Bouroullec. I love their
Lozenge rug for Nanimarquina
and their new ‘Aim’ light for
Flos.

What is your most prized
interior possession?

In 2008 Declan gave me a
limited edition George Nelson
Pretzel Chair as a Christmas
present. Vitra had released a
special re-edition in honor of
Nelson’s 100th birthday. It is in
our bedroom in front of my Stag
dressing table. I also love a little
art deco style lamp I bought in a
market in Ile de Re for €10.

For further information on
Lost Weekend visit
www.lostweekend.ie


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"We stripped the space
back to expose a concrete
ceiling and simple white
walls show off our pieces
to their best."

LOST WEEKEND
DUBLIN STUDIO


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MEET THE DESIGNER

RIENTs BRUINSMA

ROCO INTERVIEWS RIENTS ABOUT HIS STUNNING
INTERIORS WHICH CAN BE SEEN IN SOME OF THE
GRANDEST CITIES IN THE WORLD INCLUDING LONDON,
NEW YORK AND PARIS

Rients Bruinsma, established
his London interior design
and architectural practice
"Rients" in 2003. He has
achieved success with private
and corporate clients with a
magisterial use of sumptuous
materials to create an
atmosphere of calm luxury
without ostentation.

His style has been described as
‘classic meets contemporary’
breathing international
sophistication.
Commercial projects include
the Presidential Suite at
Four Seasons Hotel in New
York, and a conversion of the
Ministry of Finance into the
left wing of the Louvre.

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DESIGN PROJECT
ONE HYDE PARK


DESIGN PROJECT
WARWICK SQUARE

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What was the driving force
behind your career in THE
WORLD OF InteriorS?

It has been a passion from a
very early age. From age three
I built miniature interiors (and
made sofas from my mother’s
cotton wool balls). Later I drew
endless floor plans, now I do it
for a living. If I have spare time,
I flip through magazines and
look at available properties on
real estate websites.

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Who do you admire when it
comes to design?

What is your approach
WHEN WORKING WITH clients?

I like it when an interior is
understated, casual and chic.
It needs to be comfortable
and reflect personality. When
working on the One Hyde
Park apartment in London I
was inspired by the work of
French born interior designer
Jean-Michel Frank (1895-1941).
Marc de Plantier and Dupre
Lafon are also designers whom I
admire and inspire me.

I listen carefully to what they
want and have in mind, when
they indicate that they need
my input then I give it . I have
a lot of repeat clients and most
of them have good taste. I often
know what they want. I love
learning from my clients, not
only when it comes to interiors
but also regarding other matters.
They can be a great inspiration.


"I like it when an interior is
understated, casual and chic. It
needs to be comfortable and
reflect personality."

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DESIGN PROJECT
WARWICK SQAURE


What has been your most
challenging but rewarding
DESIGN project?

Probably working in One Hyde
Park in London. The building
had just been opened and had
all kinds of rules and regulations
which made it challenging for
us but also for the suppliers and
workmen. Having worked in
most other apartment buildings
in London I found the process
difficult in comparison. In the
end it worked out fine but it
took some patience.
Your style has been
described as "classic meets
contemporary", how do you
achieve this balance?

I think this is a bit dictated by
the housing stock that we have
in London and other major
cities. Often the best properties
are in period buildings and that
is what we have to work with.
To get the most out of these
buildings I think it works best
to restore the shell to its former
glory or even better. In order
to keep the interiors fresh and
interesting it’s paramount to mix
traditional with contemporary
design. but also regarding other
matters. They can be a great
inspiration.

Rients Bruinsma visit
www.rients.com

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Where do you go to find
inspiration?

I love magazines and buy
them from all over the world,
digital these days which is
fantastic. I also like travelling
and look at palaces, castles,
museums, etc. I love movies
that are set in beautiful interiors,
very inspiring. Almodovar
does it well.

DESIGN PROJECT
ONE HYDE PARK


Dining
Alfresco
PHOTOGRAPHY
BY LIVING4MEDIA

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"Make the most of outdoor living by
turning a meal into a feast for all
the senses"

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ARTS
AND
CRAFTS
PHOTOGRAPHY
BY SARAH FYFFE

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OWNERS

Clodagh & Mike
PROPERTY

1901 Arts & Crafts
LOCATION

Ballymoney

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3

2
PHOTOGRAPH 1

Chess Board
PHOTOGRAPH 2

Servants Bell
PHOTOGRAPH 3

Family Snug

Clodagh and Mike's house is
home to their two teenager
children, it has been designed
to be sympathetic to the
propertys history whilst also
relecting modern family living.
Commenting on their home
Clodagh explains.

“The house was built in 1901
in the arts and crafts style
which was current at the time.
For a long time it was owned
by the Sanderson family and
Molly Sanderson was an expert
gardener and she designed the
grounds. In 1999 we moved
here from East London.


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" I was keen to modernise the house whilst
being sympathetic to the craftsmanship,
which went into its design."

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PHOTOGRAPH 1

Door to Drawing Room
PHOTOGRAPH 2

Drawing Room Fireplace

When it came to decorating it,
I was keen to modernise the
house whilst being sympathetic
to the craftsmanship, which
went into its design. Old
houses do not have to look like
museums.

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2
The room I spend most time
in is the kitchen and I love the
light in there, but my favourite
room is probably the drawing
room, the scene of many
family get togethers. It is in this
room that we have our prized
possession, the grand piano
that dates from 1847 and was
inherited from my mother-inlaw.


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2

5

3
PHOTOGRAPH 1

Kitchen Dining
PHOTOGRAPH 2

Original Door Features
PHOTOGRAPH 3

Whiskey Boxes
PHOTOGRAPH 4

Kitchen Dining
PHOTOGRAPH 5

Kitchen Art
PHOTOGRAPH 6

Kitchen

4
Friends says the house would
be a great venue for a summer
garden party or wedding. It has
been a wonderful place for my
children to grow up. The best
thing I can say is that it makes
me smile when I walk through
the front door."

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DESIGN IT

YOURSELF

PAINT ORIGINAL DARK PANELLING
IN A LIGHT SHADE, TEAMED WITH
PARQUET FLOORING

ADD DETAILED PANELS AND KNOBS
TO DOORS FOR AN ANTIQUE LOOK

DON'T BE AFRAID TO U
FITTINGS WITH TRADIT

USE MODERN LIGHT
TIONAL DESIGN


KEEP YOUR KITCHEN WHITE, WITH
CABINETS, TILES AND COOKER

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FRAME OLD RECORD COVERS AND USE
THEM AS ART


PHOTOGRAPHY
BY SARAH FYFFE

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SEASIDE RETREAT


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OWNERS

DAVID
PROPERTY

Contemporary Build
LOCATION

DONEGAL

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2
PHOTOGRAPH 1

Donegal Bay
PHOTOGRAPH 2

Cactus
PHOTOGRAPH 3

Fox Head

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"We bought the plot of land in
2004 and didn’t finish building
the house until 2010 - so we
took our time! The idea was to
create something modern and
interesting, but equally not out
of keeping with the existing
buildings or the landscape
around it. The best aspect of
the view of Donegal Bay is
straight out in front and to the
left, so the ocean-facing side

house is staggered back and
angled to take advantage of
this, in effect at an angle. The
actual construction of it was
very much a father and son
project - it took some time to
get from drawings to a finished
home, but the time spent
with my father doing so was
invaluable and it wouldn't have
happened without him.


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"the house was derelict when
I bought it, you could see the
stars from every room"

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PHOTOGRAPH 1

The Pop-Up Book of Nightamares
PHOTOGRAPH 2

Bathroom

When designing the interiors,
I wanted a flowing, open, airy
space with clean modern lines,
but also a home that was warm
and cosy that I didn’t have to
feel precious about, and that
people could feel comfortable
knocking about in. As such
the polished concrete floors
and white walls are offset
by things like slightly worn
leather oxblood couches, my

2
my grandmothers old folding
table, a retro sideboard from
eBay, a well worn in teak
dining table and various things
I've picked up travelling over
the years.
It is tough to say which is our
favourite room but it would
probably be our bedroom/
bathroom. The corner window
has a sweeping view of the


This home is available as a holiday
rental, if interested please click here.

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1

2
5

3
PHOTOGRAPH 1

Sharks Teeth
PHOTOGRAPH 2

Cacti
PHOTOGRAPH 3

Bath
PHOTOGRAPH 4

Bedroom
PHOTOGRAPH 5

Landing Art
PHOTOGRAPH 6

Iron Bed

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ocean & tops of the cliffs - the
sink stand is from an antiques
market down the road from
where I live in London, the wall
light from a trip to Morocco
and the various tiles all from a
warehouse in Northern Italy.
The crocodile in the window
found its way from the bath in
the house where I grew up in
Dublin.

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DESIGN IT

YOURSELF

DISPLAY NATURAL SEASIDE
THEME ORNAMENTS LIKE THESE
SHARK TEETH

BE CREATIVE WITH YOUR
HEADBOARDS, ADD COLOUR WITH
A PATCHWORK AFFECT

SILVER MOSAIC TILES W
BATHROOM UNITS PROV
CLEAN MODERN DESIG

WITH WHITE
VIDE A
N


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DON'T BE FRIGHTENED TO MIX DIFFERENT
WOOD SOURCES IN YOUR FURNITURE STUNNING AGAINST WHITE WALLS

MOROCCAN LIGHT FITTINGS PROVIDE
AN ECLECTIC WELL TRAVELLED FEEL
TO A HOME


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extravagant AND flamboyant

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Creative Director
Ema Kersuliene FROM
emari design talks to
ROCO about Her aim
ito provide
extravagant and
flamboyant
individualistic
interior design.

"I was always in love with
architecture, but ended up
working in corporative business
before making the decision to
follow my passion and use this
experience. I completed my
Interior Architecture education
in Dublin (Griffith College,
which was very fulfilling)
before starting Emari Design.
Facades, interior spaces and the
effect they have on people have
always fascinated me.

I have to admit, I admire clients
with very strong personalities,
either having unique taste in
interiors or not afraid of leaving
their comfort zone, 'change
agents', as they call it in the
business. I approach my clients
projects by listening, listening,
listening. I then filter and
begin planning. I design from a
customer's perspective but using
my sharp eyes and experience
from previous projects.
Communication is the key.

If I where to describe my style
the closet probably would
be the luxurious boutique
hotel look. Having said that
it's all about the customer,
their preferences and bringing
their personality into spaces,
whether it be a residential or
commercial project.


When asked, “what is the best
piece of advice I can give” I
comment, just another "lovely
interior" is no longer enough.
If you want to change your
interior whether neutral or
coloured, just make sure you
commit 100% either through
professional services or doing
it yourself. I'm always telling
my clients - most of the rooms,
especially with neutral schemes
can look too flat. It is important
to achieve a 3D perspective
via (but not limited to) texture
and the juxtaposition of your
content."
Emair Design please visit
www.emaridesign.com

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DESIGN PROJECT
Georgian Home
PHOTOGRAPHER
Piotr Kozielski


74

ISSUE No 5

"pour
l'amour
de bijoux"

DESIGNER
RUTH RIBEAUCOURT AND FAMILY
LOCATION
FRANCE


Northern irish
jewellery designer
ruth invites us into
her home and
studio in france

ISSUE No 5

When Northern Ireland
designer Ruth moved from
Ireland to France, to the
little hilltop village of Lacoste
in Provence, she came across
a box of breathtaking antique
ribbon echantillons. Small
sumptious treasures, some
created over 120 years ago and
so began her journey into
jewellery design and her own
company "Rubanesque". We
talk to her about juggling
motherhood, work, design and
treasures.

75


Why did you decide to move
to France?

My husband is French and
so we always dreamed of
moving to this little village in
the South of France where we
were married and just as my
oldest was born (in 2009), the
economy in Ireland crashed and
we just thought it was now or
never. We moved in November,
arriving to a deserted village
in the midst of winter and I
remember thinking, this is the
biggest mistake ever, but three
years on and we have no regrets!
How did Rubanesque
come about?

I've been making jewellery
since I was very young, and
soon after we moved to France
I received a gift of antique silk
and ribbons - samples from my
husband’s family archives and
I challenged myself to make
something out of them that
was both contemporary and
wearable.
Who do you admire?

Isabel Marant, Coralie Bickford
Smith and Confetti System! I
love Isabel Marants aesthetic!
Confetti Systems installations
make me smile & I am an avid
collector of Coralie Bickford
Smiths book collaborations.

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77

LOCATION
Lacoste in Provence, FRANCE


What is your background?

As a teenager I dreamed of
working in a creative industry
and after a film production
internship in Chicago, I came
home and got an incredible
job with Walt Disney Studios
Motion Pictures (Ireland),
where I went on to become
Marketing and Publicity
Manager and worked on
the marketing and publicity
campaigns in Ireland for the
theatrical releases of Disney,
Disney-Pixar, Touchstone
Pictures, & Miramax as well as
Irish acquisitions.

78

ISSUE No 5

HOW DO YOU BALANCE WORK
AND MOTHERHOOD?

HAVE YOU A TREASURE AT
HOME THAT YOU ADORE?

Balancing work & creative time
with motherhood is tough. My
youngest just turned one and I
am still trying to spend as much
of my day with her as possible.
I have to grab creative time
during naps and at weekends
when I have help at hand.

I do have a lot of favourite
paintings but the portrait of
my son, which American artist
Michael Porten gave me for my
31st birthday, is really my most
prized and loved treasure. It
hangs above the antique writing
desk in our living room.
To view and buy these stunning
pieces of Jewellery by Ruth visit
www.etsy.com/shop/rubanesque


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79


80

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ARTIST
PATRICK PALMER

Patrick Palmer
At 40, Patrick left his job in
media and decided to pursue
his passion in art. He enrolled
at Heatherley's School of Art
(Chelsea) and later at The
National College of Art and
Design (Dublin). Describing his
work Patrick commented,

“Whilst an element of realism is
important, I try to move beyond
artistic convention and avoid
an image that is too predictable.
Realism is not enough - what
you take away and what you
add to what you see are what
transform a picture into art.

I believe that the viewer
wants to see a degree of
draughtsmanship from an artist
but they deserve more than this.
I aspire to make my pictures
touch people personally and to
be considered works of beauty.”


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82

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To view more works by Patrick visit
www.patrickpalmer.co.uk


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83


o
ISSUE No 15

abigail*ryan
Hand illustrated napkins, perfect for
this season's alfresco dining...

84 4


Bold and bright, these beautiful
table linens are perfect for this
season's alresco dining...
Based in Belfast, Northern
Ireland, abigail*ryan are
husband and wife team, and
design duo, Abigail & Ryan
Bell. Only established in 2009,
they have already set the
design scene alight with their
products being sold in Liberty
London and Fenwick's of Bond
Street.
Following on from their
successful collaboration with
Jo Malone London, and

85 4

o
ISSUE No 15

their Style Editor, Charlotte
Stockdale, abigail*ryan have
unveiled a new collection for
home, comprising wallpaper,
scatter cushions, and launching
this summer a new box set of
hand-illustrated floral napkins,
perfect to adorn your table.
Talking on where the talented
duo get their inspiration, they
explained, "we are inspired by
bold and uncommon colour
combinations, something
that makes you stop in your
tracks! We love to temper our
hand-illustrated botanical
patterns, which could be

quite traditional, with these
striking colour palettes to
create something a little
different... You never know
where you are going to spot a
colour combination, it could
be in nature, or an acid-bright
sweet wrapper on a pavement,
but they all filter in to our
consciousness and seem to
come back out again when
we pull together a collection.
Bouncing ideas off each
other is also a huge source of
inspiration!"
abigail*ryan visit
www.abigailryan.com


86

ISSUE No 5

AGA FARRELL
£10

Eye Poetry
Photography
£24

DREAMING OF

L E TICIA ' S TR E N D

ICE LONDON
£295

KUPU
POR

Zara
£4


87

ISSUE No 5

lladro
£82,800

BUTTERFLIES

D FOR Su m m e r

NINA CAMPBELL
£156

Rosenthal
£34

KUPU
POR

CHRISTIAN LACROIX &
VISTA ALEGRE


88

ISSUE No 5

Graham & green
£330

Debenham
£por

POTTERY BARN
£76

EDITORS

A L L T H AT G L I T T E

SLAMP FIORELLA
£425
&Tradition
£4,410

Graham & green
£35


89

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ms

Artek
£750
DEBENHAMS
£25

tom dixon
£34

CHOICE

ERS IS NOT GOLD

Living by Christiane Lemieux
£40
MORPHY RICHARDS
£50

CASA COUTURE
£45

Philippe Starck
£670


90

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Accessorize
£15

Glitzy Secrets
£22

Gatsby

Deco dreaming t

Warehouse
£120

Biba
£87.50
FASHION STYLIST
EVE BRANNON


91

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Miss Selfridge
£39

H&M
£29.99

Glamour

hrough the 1920s

Temperley London
£795

Poupee Couture
£109

TOPSHOP
£20


92

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Ted Baker
£99

Colour

Acid brights siz

Miss Selfridge
£75

Vivienne Westwood
£176

FASHION STYLIST
EVE BRANNON


r Bomb

94

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Sass & Bide
£160

zle this summer

Topshop
£30

Iro
£84

Zara
£19.99

Karl Lagerfeld
£250


94

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Dorothy Perkins
£26

FASHION STYLIST
EVE BRANNON

Eve’s

ROCO’s fashion contribut
about the latest must
favourites of…

Topshop
£36

Motel
£18


95

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River Island
£25

Seafolly
£90

Missoni
£260

Picks

tor knows a thing or two
t-haves, check out her
…The One-Piece

Shakuhachi
£112

Stella McCartney
£65
Ted Baker
£79


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96

SUMMER TASTE NOTES
Shoulder of Mourne Black face Lamb,
Rhubarb, Lentils, Peas & Carrots

CHEF
SHAUN HANNA
RESTAURANT
linen hill


97

ISSUE No 5

Method
LAMB
Place the lamb flat in a vacuum bag and
vacuum seal. Cook it sous vide (water bath)
at 68c for 18 hours. Remove from bath and
bag (reserving any cooking juices) and press
between 2 trays whilst cooling to flatten.
When cool, trim edges and cut into portions
and vacuum pac again ready for service.

RHUBARB PICKLE
Peel and finely dice 100g of rhubarb, place in
vacuum bag with 50ml of red wine vinegar,
castor sugar and 10g of fresh ginger, then
seal. Refrigerate for a minimum of 2 hours
then place in water bath at 63.5c for 45mins.
Remove from bath and chill. Leave in bag to
marinate.

RHUBARB CHUTNEY
Peel and finely dice 200g of rhubarb and the
red onion. Then simmer gently with red wine
and 5ml of red wine vinegar, add sugar and
caramelise. When it becomes jam like remove
from heat and allow to cool.

LENTILS
Simmer lentils gently with bay leaf and 1
clove of garlic for appox 25 mins until just
done (note when garlic is tender then lentils
are done.) Refresh in cold water.

PEAS
Place peas & cream in sauce pan and bring
to boil. Quickly remove from heat and
process with the coriander, mint, butter and
seasoning. Process until smooth puree then
pass through sieve.

service
Add reserved lamb stock to some quality
reduced lamb or veal stock in a saucepan and
heat. Put vacuum sealed lamb potion into
simmering water to bring back to heat. When
warm remove from bag and place into stock
and base to coat meat. Place warm lentils
in a little butter and season. Heat separately
the carrots and pickled rhubarb chutney.
Dress plate with pea puree, lentils, carrots &
rhubarb. Place based Lamb and sauce to taste.

Ingredients
700g – 1kg Deboned shoulder of
Mourne Black face Lamb ( or new
season lamb )
300g fresh rhubarb
55ml red wine vinegar
50g castor sugar
20g fresh ginger
50ML RED WINE
125G BROWN SUGAR
100g beluga lentils

CARROTS

Enjoy!

2 clove garlic
Bay leaf

Peel and dice carrot into ½ cm dices, place oil,
10g of fresh ginger and 1 clove of garlic into a
vacuum bag then seal. Plunge bag into boiling
water for approx 8mins until just cooked,
remove from boiling water and cool quickly
inside bag.

100g frozen peas
75ml cream
1 tsp chopped mint
1 tsp chopped coriander
20g butter
1 carrot
200ml Brioghtergold rapeseed oil


LINEN HILL
KITCHEN & DELI
The OUTLET, Banbridge.

ISSUE No 5

Shaun, John and Fiona share
a passion for local, seasonal
ingredients, and champion the
world class products available
from the numerous artisan
producers on their doorstep –
best described using Shaun’s
favourite phrase
‘keeping it local’. They bake in
house each morning to ensure
their customer’s have only the
freshest scones and breads and
produce their own range of
exclusive deli items for you to
take home. But it doesn’t end
there, “We even grow some of

98


ISSUE No 5

Northern irish
jewellery designer
ruth invites us into
her home and
studio in france

Award winning chef Shaun Hanna ROCO's consulting food editor has just
opened a new restaurant “Linen Hill”
with fellow food lovers John & Fiona
Robinson. We take a look at the mouth
watering menu and the thought that
goes into each dish.

99


of our own herbs, salads and
vegetables in our poly tunnel
and kitchen garden 5 minutes
away from Linen Hill at
Loughbrickland – it doesn’t get
fresher than that!” commented
the team. To sum it up – John
grows it, Shaun cooks it and
Fiona bakes it.....
The space has been designed
with a contemporary yet
comfortable style ensuring
a warm welcome is felt.
Everything has been well
thought out to reflect their ethos
and showcase the food.
They offer a range that is sure
to entice the taste buds from
hot breakfasts and fantastic
coffees with a range of freshly
baked scones and pastries to an
extensive lunch menu with daily
seasonal specials, and a range of
small plates and sharing platters
for those of you who like it
casual with a glass of wine. If
you still have room after that
then you may just be tempted
by their sumptuous range of
mini desserts.

For further information on this
exciting new restaurant visit
www.linenhill.co.uk

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101

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PHOTOGRAPHER
KHARA PRINGLE


ISSUE No 5

THE MERCHANT HOTEL

Belfast's Grand Hotel
LOCATION
WARING STREET, BELFAST

102


ISSUE No 5

103

1

PHOTOGRAPH 1

Waring Street Entrance
PHOTOGRAPH 2

The Great Room

The Merchant Hotel in Waring
Street Belfast has long been
admired for its distinctive
architectural style. Both in its
former life as the headquarters
of the Ulster Bank and now,
in its incarnation as a five star
luxury hotel.

The hotel has managed to blend
harmoniously and in stunning
affect, Victorian grandeur
with Art Deco inspired sleek
modernity. The design is both
grand and lavish showcasing the
unspolit listed interior, and has
been described as "Romantic
Parisian, with a touch of
Venetian decay."


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104


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"the hotel is a harmonious blend
of Victorian grandeur and Art
Deco inspired sleek modernity"

105


The details throughout the
design can be clearly seen with
bespoke furnishings, original
works of art, luscious velvets
and silks, and specially designed
rich wool carpets. The suites
all adeptly named after Irish
writers, poets and playwrights
feature travertine marble
bathrooms, free-standing roll
top baths, an array of antique
furniture, fireplaces and art this is Victorian grandeur at
its best.
The Art Deco rooms reflect
the very best of the period with
their sleek and uncompromising
style. The rooms feature a
number of design classics such
as the Eileen Gray Bibendum
chair and the Corbusier classic
chair. Their use of carrera
marble walls in the en-suites
and statement turquoise tiling
create a pared down yet
elegant effect.
It is hard to believe that this
once opulent hotel was a bank
headquarters and that up until
17 years ago tellers sat at their
desks. The building still carries
on this history and is clearly
seen in the simply breathtaking
Great Room with its original
enameled glass dome and gold
painted decoration.
At ROCO we adore the design
and marriage of periods in this
hotel, it is a testament to great
design and a true escape, as all
great hotels should be.

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106


107

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For further information or
to book a room visit
www.themerchanthotel.com


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108


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109

H O L LY W O O D
GLAMOUR
CONOR & SARAH
"AN ART DECO AFFAIR"
a decadent 1920’s deco inspired wedding
with plenty of glitz and glamour.


When it came to Sarah and
Conor’s wedding it was
always going to be a stylish
affair with Sarah being chief
stylist with the Irish Tatler and
fashion maven. They created a
decadent 1920’s deco inspired
wedding with plenty of glitz
and glamour.

ISSUE No 5

Sarah’s dress was from designer
Sanyukta Shrestha. Sarah had
wanted to create a style that
encompassed Daisy Buchanan
meets Lady Mary (of Downton
Abbey) style, but with a very
modern twist. The
bridesmaids wore stunning gold
sequin wrap gowns by Diane
Von Furstenberg, all adding to
the glamorous feel of
the day.

110

After the couple exchanges
their vows at Unitarian Church
on St. Stephen’s Green in the
heart of Dublin, they walked
through the city's winding
streets to the eaterie Fallon &
Byrne on Exchequer St.


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11


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112


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113


Every detail of the day had
been carefully thought out
to perfection, with Sarah
and Conor's personal touches
shinning throughout.
They hired gold sequin table
cloths to continue the golden
era look. Florist Mark Grehan
arranged the centre pieces,
mindful to preserve the feel of
a bygone era, with dusty old
roses, winterberries and bell
jars.

114

ISSUE No 5

Old family heirlooms of the
groom’s provided the perfect
candlabras. Place names were
made using vintage scrabble
tiles. Favours where bespoke
cookies of the couple’s favourite
desserts including eclairs,
tirimisu and pavlova.

And perhaps one of our
favourite ideas - Sarah had her
nephews use polaroid cameras
to shoot the guests throughout
the evening. The boys then
attached the photos to string
using mini pegs, providing a
personal gallery wall.

PHOTOGRAPHY
Doreen Kilfeather
FILM
EDITHOUSE


ISSUE No 5

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