Style Stories with EZ Living Interiors

Ireland's natural environment is in a frighteningly degraded position, with minimal native woodland cover and vital ecosystems under threat. This critical challenge requires collective action, innovative financing, and a renewed human connection to the land.

In this Earth Day special, discover the surprising reality of Ireland's temperate rainforests, learn how even a tiny houseplant can spark change, and explore the path to large-scale ecological restoration.

Host Laura O'Keeffe sits down with Matt Smith, the most senior person at Hometree, EZ Living Interiors' sustainability partner, an organisation dedicated to restoring woodlands and connecting people to nature...

Many people struggle to find outdoor furniture that offers true comfort and style without compromise. They often feel they have to choose between a durable piece or a beautiful one.

Discover how the brand new ‘Brendan Courtney Home and Garden Collection’ bridges the gap between indoor luxury and outdoor durability. This episode explores the inspiration behind the collection, from a home renovation in Wicklow to choosing waterproof, wipe-clean fabrics. We discuss valuing your living space and why comfort must never be overlooked in design.

Joining the podcast is presenter and designer Brendan Courtney. Known for his...

Tackling a period property renovation project often feels like an impossible feat when facing massive costs, unexpected structural issues, and the need to preserve history. It requires more than design skill; it demands grit and perseverance.

This episode reveals the grit and creativity needed to transform a derelict 170-year-old Cork house into a modern family home. Rob shares how he stretched a tight budget with DIY labour, blended original Georgian features with contemporary style, and pushed through relentless construction challenges. We discuss uncovering hidden history, finding invaluable mentorship, and the ultimate reward of building a space you...

Most of us overlook the bedroom when designing our homes, giving more thought to living and dining spaces, despite spending a third of our lives asleep. This misplaced priority severely impacts our mood, energy, and overall health the following day, leading to poor lifestyle choices and reduced productivity.

The key to unlocking quality rest is understanding the sleep surface beneath you and making small, informed changes to your routine and environment. This episode breaks down mattress myths, explains how to choose a mattress for back pain and different sleep positions, and reveals simple, actionable habits for deep...

The journey to finding a home is often fraught with uncertainty and moments where confidence can drop, long before the keys are officially in your hand. This search phase can feel emotional and overwhelming in a challenging property market. 

This episode tackles building confidence, developing resilience, and setting realistic expectations. We discuss knowing when to hold your ground, when to expand your search options, and how having professional support can completely change how the home buying process feels.

Joining us is Liz O'Kane, a highly respected Buyer's Agent and TV host of Help Me Buy A...

Starting a simple home refresh often leads to unforeseen complications and a complete overhaul of your original plan. Many homeowners enter the renovation process underestimating the hidden problems, especially in period properties, which can quickly turn a quick paint job into a full ground-up restoration.
This episode dives into the brutal honesty of the renovation learning curve: discovering wood rot, damp, and losing original features. We talk about developing confidence in your decisions, designing a compact 65 square metre space, and how thrift shopping and personal style choices can keep you motivated when the budget is swallowed by unglamorous...

Are you tired of seeing flawless, highly-stylised homes that feel more like a show-house than a sanctuary? Many people are feeling weary of the 'perfect' life presented on social media, leading to a shift in how we approach our living spaces. The perfect-looking home often comes at the cost of feeling truly relaxed.

This episode explores how homes are becoming warmer, softer, and more personal cocoons against the outside world. We dive into the colour trends set for 2026—from dark, moody shades to terracotta and green—and discuss how to confidently incorporate textures, antiques, and art. Listen for...

Modern life teaches us to perform constantly, rushing from task to task whilst our homes blur into workspaces and rest becomes guilt inducing luxury.

Niall Breslin's new album The Place That Has Never Been Wounded emerged from complete rejection, dropped by label, publisher, manager and podcast platform within two weeks, forcing him back to classical roots with mother as violinist and piano teacher.

This conversation explores morning rituals preferring quiet over rushed starts, meditation room design separating work from rest, breathing techniques marking transitions between spaces, and community peer support as radical acts against cultural...

Join us to discover more about the art and science of exceptional retail, celebrating EZ Living Interiors' Sandyford store being crowned Furniture Store of the Year. We unpack the 10 core pillars of retail excellence, the power of visual merchandising, and the surprising trends shaping the future of physical stores and e-commerce.

Joining us is Matthew Brown, one of the world's leading retail trend futurists and founder of Echochamber. As the lead judge for the Retail Excellence Awards, he shares his global perspective, tracing the evolution of retail and explaining what elevates a physical space into a destination. 

Retail finance shouldn't feel intimidating—it should feel as natural as paying for Netflix monthly. 

Adam Sullivan, Head of Sales at humm finance, explains how his Australian FinTech company transformed arduous phone applications into two-minute digital approvals whilst maintaining ethical lending standards that protect customers. 

From helping first-time homebuyers furnish entire homes with up to €30,000 interest-free credit to understanding post-COVID psychology shifts towards quality investment pieces, discover why humm invented buy-now-pay-later, how 0% APR actually works, and why biometric heartbeat payments represent retail finance's future.

THINGS WE SPOKE ABOUT

When Sabrina Hill's 2-year-old Robin's juice landed on her Santorini sofa, it didn't soak into the fabric—it just rested on top, thanks to aquaphobic texture she didn't even know she'd chosen.  

The owner of Cork's Kopper salon, known for its urban jungle aesthetic with copper planters and hanging greenery that makes people ask "is that a restaurant?”.

Sabrina perfectly blends creativity, style and business know-how. From building a salon designed entirely around Instagram lighting (they closed for a full training day just to find best filming spots) to creating a family home that transitions from...

Creating a home that looks beautiful on Instagram is one thing but building a space where your family actually lives—with mess, fingerprints, and scattered shoes—requires a completely different approach. 

Vicki, the creative force behind Elibank, shares her four-year self-build journey from breaking ground during COVID to evolving her Georgian-meets-modern home into a true family sanctuary.

Discover why she prioritizes storage over aesthetics, how historic houses influenced her bold woodwork choices, and why that natural smile when you walk through your door matters more than any design trend.

THINGS WE SPOKE ABOUT

Emmy-winning broadcaster Baz Ashmawy joins EZ Living Style Stories to share the profound lessons he's learned from DIY SOS Ireland—where transforming homes means transforming lives. 

From heartwarming stories of community volunteers rallying around families in need to his own renovation journey and the design tricks that have inspired his personal space, Baz reveals why homes should tell our stories, the power of changing things up, and his one golden rule for creating spaces that truly support how you live. 

Whether you're here for the laughs, the tears, or practical design advice, this conversation goes beyo...

Creating a home that truly reflects your lifestyle while juggling family, career, and personal wellbeing can feel overwhelming when you're constantly putting everyone else's needs first.

Today, we discover how to create a balance between the two, how to transform outdoor spaces into entertaining hubs, the power of "pebbles of joy" in daily life, and practical tips for reclaiming your sitting room as children grow. 

Our guest Suzanne Kane has done all this and more. She is a broadcaster and mother of three who has spent years navigating the balance between Dublin city life and s...

Whether you're planning a major refresh for Christmas or simply dreaming of that perfect sofa, pick up some great tips to help you make confident decisions. Discover how to navigate fabric choices like a pro, understand what truly makes a sofa comfortable for your lifestyle, and learn why timing your furniture purchases can save you both money and stress.

Our guest is Emma Doyle, the multi-site manager at EZ Living Interiors. What she doesn’t know about sofas is not worth knowing!

We also share the very special story behind our seasonal room, a preview of...

In this episode of Style Stories, Laura is joined by broadcaster and Ireland AM co-host Muireann O’Connell, who opens up about the emotional rollercoaster of buying her first home. 

From the tears of finally getting the keys to the reality of broken boilers, clutter battles and the “knees test” for sofas, Muireann shares a refreshingly honest take on what it really means to make a house feel like home.

With her trademark humour and relatability, she chats about influences from her mam, the joy of taking your time with interiors, and why com...

In this episode of Style Stories, we’re joined by writer, editor and creative director Orla Neligan—founder of creative media studio Cornershop—for a rich and reflective conversation on visual storytelling, intuitive style and the beauty of thoughtful details.

Orla shares how her childhood comic books, a teenage darkroom, and a lifelong love of magazines led to a career spanning food styling, interiors, branding and set design. She talks about the feeling of a space, the value of repurposing what you already own, and why creativity works best when it’s collaborative—not contrived.

From the s...

Lots of us struggle with not knowing how to use flowers fully to create beautiful spaces. Some of us lack confidence when buying and arranging flowers, others have uncertainty about color combinations and are intimidated about creating impressive tablescapes for special occasions.

Today you will learn how to befriend a perfect expert in this who is just around your corner! You’ll know how to invest in quality flowers, and create stunning arrangements with confidence. You will discover practical tips, learn flower care secrets and gain the creative freedom to break traditional rules through playful color clashing an...

David O'Brien isn't just an interior designer - he's a storyteller who happens to use homes as his canvas. In this vibrant episode, David pulls back the curtain on his creative world, sharing how he transformed a blank plot of land into the now-famous Black House, a design that caught national attention and challenged traditional Irish home aesthetics.

Growing up in a creative family with a carpenter dad and design-savvy mom, David was always destined to think outside the box. From binge-watching Grand Designs to collecting vintage treasures since childhood, he's turned his passion into a profession...

In this episode of Style Stories with EZ Living Interiors, our marketing manager, Laura O'Keeffe dives into a fascinating conversation with Clare Vallely, co-founder of Kukoon Rugs. 

Kukoon Rugs has completely transformed the Irish rug market and now offers a game-changing machine-washable rug collection. Clare shares Kukoon Rugs' incredible journey, from selling their very first rug in 2006 to becoming one of Ireland's leading names in home décor. She then offers invaluable advice on how best to incorporate rugs into your home.

Whether you're refreshing a single space or redesigning your entire home, Clare offers in...

Sustainable living starts at home—and it’s easier than you think. Jo Linehan, Editor of Climate at The Sunday Times and sustainability columnist for Irish Country Magazine, shares her practical, inspiring approach to conscious design and how to make any space—rented or owned—feel intentional, beautiful, and better for the planet.

With a background that blends journalism, interiors, and environmental awareness, Jo shares her top tips for intentional living, including;

Step into the world of interior design mastery. Sive O’Brien, the visionary Editorial Director of House and Home magazine, shares her 25-year journey from fashion runways to living rooms that will transform how you think about the spaces you inhabit. 

Sive gives us insider info on emerging trends like curved furniture and Boucle fabrics, along with some brilliant insights including:

Get ready for some refreshing inspiration. Brendan Courtney is about to drop some serious wisdom that will make you want to grab a notebook, pour your favourite coffee, and hit pause on everything else.

Some brilliant insights you will pick up include:

We are beyond excited to drop our very first episode of Style Stories!

Our first guest is the legendary Hugh Wallace, the charismatic judge from "Home of the Year" and the genius behind some of Ireland's most stunning architectural transformations! We sat down on Hugh's top sofa pick, the Scott, in our amazing Sandyford Flagship store to chat. 

Some brilliant insights you will pick up include:

Step into the world of design, architecture, and personal transformation with "Style Stories with EZ Living Interiors" - a podcast that goes beyond the surface of beautiful spaces. 

Each episode features intimate conversations with design innovators, industry legends, and creative visionaries who share not just their expertise, but the compelling journeys that shaped their perspectives on style and living. Our first guest is one of the best, the legendary Hugh Wallace, on Wednesday March 5th.

From career-changing moments and personal revelations to practical design hacks and industry insights, you will pick up invaluable tips for c...