Beautiful living is all in the family for Lynne O’ Loughlin. She’s the interior designer behind Tripod Design, and a design lecturer at ATU, Galway University. Her husband is an engineer in housing and works on sustainable development. And they’re parents to 8-year-old triplets.
The busy family lives in a 1920s home in the heart of the Salthill Village in Galway, Ireland. The property has been completed restored and renovated to suit their needs. Out front, a patterned tile helps to reflect the coastal, seaside aesthetic of the village—but most of the work had to do with the interior. “We needed to create a home that we could raise our kids in, and we wouldn’t outgrow,” Lynne says. “We excavated into the ground to create a third floor for the kids. It’s now a semi-basement that has two bedrooms, a den, and a small under-the-stairs toilet and shower.”
When you enter the home’s main level, the hallway has a draft lobby with steel Crittal-style doors. There is an interior design studio for Lynne to take clients. In the evenings, it transforms into a music room. Lynne worked with Gary Harty on the kitchen design, creating a tailored space to meet their needs. “We are very much into a slow living and don’t own much more than what we use and need,” she explains. “So, no clutter, which allows us to have every inch of the home utilized.”
The result is a sustainable, energy-efficient home that fits right into the neighborhood and reflects the era of the property. It’s classic, with an eclectic twist. Up next, Lynne and family will be finishing the outdoor space—including a shower for wetsuits and a patio to enjoy summer days. Take a tour in the slideshow.