With a nod to Scandi maximalism, a twist of mid-century design, a decent dollop of Irish heritage detail and a dash of upcycling, broadcaster Louise Cantillon’s Adare home is full of individual flair.
For Louise and her husband Limerick hurler Declan Hannon, owning a house in the village they grew up in is a dream. “We had quite a long wish list and a relatively modest budget but we finally bought a house in our dream location in the village of Adare.
“This is our first real home”, she says. “For the first time, I feel I have the opportunity to put down roots and surround myself with pieces that have real meaning to me and to Declan. Finally, I’ll be able to hang up the wedding photos and have somewhere to put Declan’s medals and trophies! We’ve come home.”
A native of Kilcornan in County Limerick, Louise began teaching (Irish and PE) after college but had her eye on radio and TV from an early age. “All the while I was teaching, I was working weekends on radio (Spin Southwest) and doing bits with TG4,” she says. So, it was only a matter of time before broadcasting became her main gig. In the last six years, her presenting skillset has been showcased on TG4’s Junior Eurovision Éire and the travel show Teacs Taistil and she’s a frequent host on Ireland AM and The Six O’Clock Show.
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In 2022, she joined Today FM and by the start of 2024, she had landed the coveted 12-2pm lunchtime show. “Every day is a highlight,’ says Louise.
“Part of my weekly schedule is chatting to big music stars and playing amazing music and having the craic,” she says. “What brings me the most pride is being able to do it bilingually. I was reared with Gaeilge. But there’s such a sense of pride in being able to normalise the bilingual aspect on a national station. I get such joy when people get in touch with the show bilingually, because when I started off, it wasn’t always received like that.”
As well as through her radio gig, Louise also spreads the word on the Irish language via the How To Gael podcast, which she co-hosts with Síomhra Ní Ruairc and Doireann Ní Ghlacáin.
“The three of us met in TG4 together,” she says.
“We’re the exact same age and not that dissimilar – we’re all millennials who were like, ‘The world needs another podcast!’ But joking aside, it’s gone really well, we love doing it and people seem to like it. We even brought How To Gael on tour in North America and Canada last year – we went to Vancouver and came back via Boston and New York”.
“Who knows where it will all go,” says Louise. “But I’m ready for it. There’s a great phrase as Gaeilge, ‘Tapaigh an deis’, which means jump on the opportunity, and I’m a big believer in that.”
When it came to decorating her new home, it’s no surprise that she took the same free-style approach. “My taste in interiors is impulsive and instinctive. I call it beautifully chaotic! I’m a fan of Scandinavian maximalism, which is all about creating interiors that express personality and offer comfort. I’ve also a deep respect for craftsmanship and Irish heritage, so I’m drawn to lasting character-rich pieces that tell a story. Ultimately, I wanted to create a space that feels layered, lived-in and deeply personal.”
As soon as she saw the livingroom, which features unusual nooks and shapes, she knew she wanted to create a cosy atmosphere – a snug place to chill out and listen to music.
“I got great advice from Cora Collins, the colour expert at Dulux Heritage who taught me all about colour drenching. Using a single colour over the walls and woodwork makes the room feel larger and uncomplicated giving the illusion of more space. Three of the walls in my livingroom were drenched in Dulux Heritage Romney Wool, a pale neutral shade while the other wall was drenched in Dulux Heritage DH Slate, a deep, botanical olive green. The shade was way darker than I would ever have gone for on my own and we went wild – drenching shelves and even an old coffee table.”
The earthy hues project a sense of sophistication and tranquillity, creating a sense of visual freshness. The nature-inspired shades play a pivotal role in creating an ambience that is at once vibrant and harmonious, and make the perfect backdrop for the couple’s artwork collection – many of the pieces are by Irish artists and were wedding presents. Louise’s choice of furniture and accessories mixes bargain finds, much-loved vintage treasures and colourful statement mid-century pieces, reflecting her creative style.
“I do need to be reined in though sometimes,” says Louise. “Declan is allergic to clutter and I have to be mindful of that as left to my own devices, the house would look like a carboot sale.”
“But there’s always room for the mad buy,” she says. “I panic bought a piano on Done Deal earlier this year, and it doesn’t really fit in the room, but I love it. It gives the room such a chill vibe, and I think it would be a cool place to display some of Declan’s trophies, so that’s a win. Of course, I’ll probably have to learn how to play the piano now.”
“Everyone wants a home that feels like something – a refuge, a place of shelter and comfort, somewhere that is emotionally resonant and significant,” says Louise. “I wanted maximalism with heart and heritage,” she says. “It’s not about filling every corner, but curating a home that tells a story. And we found a clever way to meld different styles beautifully. I’m thrilled with the results.”
Explore the full range of colours and recommended colour schemes on the Dulux Heritage website duluxheritage.ie
