We grill TV personality Triona McCarthy on all of the spots she loves to dine, socialise and shop.
My favourite place to shop for interiors… “TK Maxx never fails to impress me. I think I’m going in there for some discounted designer clothes for my, eh, very fast growing (meaning expensive!) kiddies, but end up coming out with a flipping flamingo and a fan back wicker peacock chair.”
My favourite online shops home accessories… “1stdibs.com. I spend hours on the site as I’m a major vintage clothes collector. Although, now that I’m a grown-up with my own house; I’m lusting after their selection of art, furniture and lighting. I’d love to give you another really swanky, chic website, but the truth is, Etsy and eBay are where I get a lot of quirky stuff, especially for the kids.”
My favourite place to eat out… “My other half, Will has impeccable taste (he’s with me for God’s sake!) but he prefers quality over quantity, so places like Patrick Guilbaud’s, Chapter One and Luna are firm favourites of ours.”
The best place to catch up with friends is… “Claridges in London. I travel a lot, with work, and many of my friends travel a lot too, so if we’re in London at the same time, afternoon tea here is sublime. Last time I was there, Joan Collins was at the table next to me – I nearly died!”
The last interiors item I bought was… “Will is a design engineer so he’s super interested in design for living, and how design can really enhance how your life works. Dyson’s design really tickle his pickle! Of course I have the Supersonic hairdryer, Will has the CYCS light, and we just got the Dyson Pure Hot + Cool Link Purifier, which intelligently purifies, heats and cools . It’s been fantastic as Will and Mini both suffer with allergies and this automatically purifies to remove 99.95% of allergens and pollutants.”
The interiors item I’m coveting right now is… “The Duresta Margot Wing Chair Fabric 6, is everything. I interviewed Matthew Williamson in London, recently, and it reignited my love for his creations, which now include furniture in collaboration with Duresta and is available in Arnotts.”
If I was entertaining guests from another country I would bring them to… West Cork – without a doubt! It’s the Irish Riviera for goodness sake. All of the best-looking, fun, and modest people are from there – and yes, so am I. Inchydoney Island & Spa, near the picturesque Clonakilty, overlooks the beautiful beach that Trip Advisor users constantly vote number one. The award-winning spa, with it’s world class facilities, the ocean view, relaxation areas and the fruit and juice bar are just heaven. A short jaunt up the road and The West Cork Model Train Village is a favourite with adults and kids. While The Clonakilty Farmers Market on a Friday is filled with local produce, home-baking and craft.”
Keep up to date with Triona’s entertaining beauty column, weekly, in Sunday Independent’s Life magazine and all of her adventures, by following @triona.ie on Instagram
