A beautifully styled studio apartment on Dublin's Southside

“I’ve been mentally decorating my house since 5^th class,” says stylist and freelance writer, Louise Dockery. Originally from Leitrim, a visit to her rented studio apartment on South Circular Road certainly backs up her claim.

Featured in our current issue of House and Home, we have some extra pics to share with you today. Louise also shares her secret to small space living, reveals her pet hate and shows us how she creates harmony between charity and high street finds – all within the confines of a squeezed space. It's no small feat and this makes her home all the more impressive.

“I never buy anything that doesn’t fit in with the grand plan. I know the vibe I want to achieve – eclectic and worldly. I don’t do matchy-matchy,” she says. “And I hate buying things that just suit this flat; things that will eventually turn into clutter when I have to move. I’m better off spending my money on things that stand the test of time. Recepticles are my passion – when you’re in a small space, they are essential. You want something nice to look at but that has a double duty. Everything in my house has a use. I like a lot of natural fibres and textiles, crochet, macrame, tin, glass and metal. I have an aversion to plastic – I want to be French and frolic around with a shopping basket!”

The Anglepoise lamp is from Anonymous on Francis Street, Dublin. The gold letter holder is from Folkster: “I’m pretty sure it’s really for toast!” says Louise. The vase is also Folkster. The mug and gold file holder are both from Anthropologie.

The macrame table cloth is from Anthropologie and the vase was found at a flea market in Brussels. The hanging print is from Folkster and the purple lanterns are from Heatons. The industrial-style Bistro chairs are gun metal and are from Harvey Norman. Surprisingly, this table is pine but Louise sanded and stained it to give it an aged look. She found it in Age Action on Camden Street in Dublin.

The wing-back chair and floor lamp are both from Ikea and the Morroccan pouffe is from Siopaella. The black trunk was found in an old vintage shop on Francis Street. The lantern is from T.K. Maxx with candle holders from Meadows & Byrne and elephants from Oxfam as part of a craft collaboration. The blanket on the chair is by House of Rym. The macrame basket is from Rachel Ashwell’s shabby chic range with House of Fraser. A map of Dublin hangs above the fireplace and dates back to 1978. “My father gave it to me and it’s the exact map he used when he first moved to Dublin as a young lad,” says Louise.

We love a good shelfie – one look at Louise’s will tell you who inspires her. From Rachel Ashwell and Sibella Court to Oprah Winfrey, Martha Stewart and Ina Garten, her books are stacked high.

“The letters are still written on it,” says Louise of the upright printer tray from the 3^rd Policeman in Rathmines. The clock is from the Carolyn Donnelly range with Dunnes Stores. Louise has a collection of various brown bottles, some of which were once real medicine bottles.

Upon leaving, you spot a print from Jam Art Factory in the hallway. “I bought it on the day I registered to vote in Dublin – the day I became a Dubliner,” Louise says.

Photography Helen Devine Styling Paper & Moon

Find this full article in our current May/June issue of House and Home – in stores now.