The Brambles
Take a look inside this beautiful new Airbnb in Dundrum Co.Down…
Dundrum Co. Down has always been somewhere I have driven through but never stopped to spend much time in, so it was lovely to be asked to capture a new Airbnb right the in center of this charming little town.
The Brambles is a beautiful period house that sits on the main street of Dundrum, with its location being so close to stunning walks and views such as Dundrum Castle and Murlough Nature Reserve this beautiful house is perfect for a weekend stay or a mini holiday with your family. The decor in the house hints at the owners love for Ireland with glimpses of their history throughout.
We arrived at The Brambles just after lunch and after being shown around by Wendy and hearing a little bit about her story and how this Airbnb came to be, we started photographing the space and capturing all the little details. Wendy had left us some delicious buns from a shop in the town and lovely local Kilmegan apple juice which we happily tucked into before heading out for a walk.
We walked up to Dundrum Castle which is about a 10/15 min walk from the house. The views across the lough were beautiful. Unfortunately it was a little cloudy but on a clear day the view of the Mournes would be incredible. Definitely worth the trip and taking a walk around the Castle. (I will list a few more places to visit nearby at the bottom of this blog.)
After visiting the Castle we walked to Scopers to order our dinner. We had heard great things about this place both from Wendy and on Instagram. We really enjoyed it, the staff were really friendly and it was nice to be able to support a local restaurant during our stay.
After dinner we lit the stove and enjoyed an evening of reading in front of the fire, the main living room is a very cozy space where you could happily sit all evening. If you wanted to venture out there is a local pub near the house, about a 5 min walk.
In the morning we enjoyed the coffee and croissants provided by Wendy before we headed out for a walk around Murlough Nature Reserve which was just across the road from the house. We had a lovely walk around the lough to Murlough House and back before we left to go home.
After our stay I asked Wendy a few questions about herself and her new Airbnb, read more below…..
Hey Wendy tell us a little bit about yourselves and the story behind your Airbnb.
My husband and I are both Irish and have lived most of our lives in Switzerland. We discovered this area about thirty years ago through good friends who live here and we fell in love with the place. We bought a property in the village 13 years ago as a holiday home and 3 years ago we made it our “forever” home. We both grew up by the sea and had a longing to return to it.
What inspired you to start an Airbnb?
We have always enjoyed hosting friends and family in our own home and helping them to discover all that the area has to offer. Having the Airbnb is an extension of what we are already doing. We appreciate being part of this village community.
If you could sum up the style / feel of your Airbnb in 3 words, what would they be?
Charming, cozy and inviting.
What do you love most about your accommodation?
We love that it is a beautiful period house with so much character.
For guests coming to stay, where would you recommend as good places to visit nearby?
There is so much to see and do in this area. In walking distance from the house we have Dundrum Castle ( built in 1117) which has fantastic views of the Mourne mountains and Dundrum Bay. There is also Murlough Nature Reserve, which has an amazing beach with the Mountains of Mourne as a backdrop. We are blessed with stunning scenery and plenty of places to eat delicious food.
list of places to go nearby
Food
Scopers
Mourne Seafood Bar
Dundrum Inn
Tonn Ruray
Bay Side Catch
RuMac's Pizza
The Buck’s Head Inn
The Squid Shack
Walks and Attractions
Dundrum Castle
Murlough House
Murlough Nature Reserve
Dundrum Coastal Path
Seaford Woodland Walk
Helen Clark - Meditation Teacher & Mindfulness Coach
Meet Helen, a Meditation Teacher & Mindfulness Coach based in Killinchy, Northern Ireland.
Last week I had the pleasure of visiting Helen, a Meditation Teacher and Mindfulness Coach based in Killinchy, Northern Ireland. She welcomed me into her home where she holds her group and one to one meditation classes. I spent the morning with Helen taking some portraits and chatting about what she does and why.
I must admit that my knowledge of meditation was very small so I was really interested in learning more about her skills and how she helps others.
After our shoot I asked Helen a few questions about her work and what inspired her to start her business. Read more below.
Hello Helen, Can you start by telling me a little bit about yourself and your journey to becoming a Meditation Teacher?
I’m a Chopra Certified Meditation Teacher, based in Balloo, Killinchy Co Down, and a former Senior Civil Servant who worked in London specialising in behaviour change communications (campaigns like drink drive).
I’m passionate about helping people to integrate a self-care practice into their day to support their lifestyle, starting with, but not limited to mindfulness and meditation, while also helping them to manage stress.
I also teach Primordial Sound Meditation (PSM) which is a healing practice that allows us to experience inner calm and deep relaxation, which benefits our emotional and physical health.
Like everyone I’m dealing with stress every day, and it comes in all shapes and sizes -some stress can be good, but a lot of stress is bad for you, your health and those around you.
I spend as much time outdoors as I can for the sheer love of it and because I find connecting with nature so powerful and healing. I take inspiration from nature and the seasons and it’s one of the reasons we moved to Balloo - we’re surrounded by the countryside on the banks of the River Blackwater, and it’s teeming with wildlife from badgers to woodpeckers. It’s also just a few minutes away from Strangford Lough and all with an easy 25 minute drive to Belfast.
The benefits of meditating became even more apparent to me last year when I had major surgery. Apart from medical appointments I was largely housebound for several months and had to learn to walk again. My world suddenly became very ‘narrow’ and being able to meditate really helped me navigate all the ups and downs of my rehab.
For someone new attending one of your classes what would you tell them to expect?
While meditation is very easy when you’re taught how to do it, everyone is unique which is why I offer a range of sessions.
You can dip your toes in with a guided meditation where I coach people through the session so they get the best of out their practice regardless of their level of experience (group on a Monday evening or 1-2-1s) or you can dive right in and learn to meditate through a four class programme.
I also deliver guided meditations to businesses and the corporate world.
Was there something that inspired or encouraged you to become a Meditation Teacher?
When I first moved back to NI six years ago, I was still weekly commuting to London, but I began to make more time to develop a self-care practice that worked for me. It started with sea swimming and then a friend suggested that I try meditation. Anyone who knew me then would have though this was hilarious as I was full of energy and ideas and the idea of sitting quietly didn’t seem like a good fit for me!
However, a 21 day meditation challenge popped up on my social feed with Deepak Chopra and Oprah Winfrey. I gave it a go and was hooked. I loved the sense of peace, the time for self-reflection and the opportunity to develop greater self-awareness, so I continued beyond the 21 day challenge, simply meditating every morning for 10 minutes, instead of hitting the snooze button and my daily meditation practice built from that. The benefits of meditation to release stress, improve sleep, increase focus and creativity etc are well documented and I wish I’d started practicing it regularly much earlier in my life so I want to share meditation, mindfulness and all the benefits.
A lot of people worry that they won’t be able to meditate and ‘quieten their mind’ but like anything it can take a bit of practice, and it becomes easier if you’re taught correctly.
I’ve found meditation hugely beneficial, and it really is ‘doing less to gain more’ and that’s why I worked towards a professional qualification to make sure I had much more knowledge and insight to share with others.
Is there a particular part of your job that you love the most?
The feedback so far has been humbling and it’s lovely to see people go on their own journey and enjoy the benefits of meditation. I love the whole process of sharing meditation from research and writing (I started out as a journalist) through to coaching and teaching.
Do you have a certain clientele or are your classes open to everyone?
Meditation is open to everyone.
What advice would you give someone who is interested in becoming a Meditation Teacher?
Follow your heart and do your research to find the best teachers you can. I’d been meditating for a few years before I started my teacher training. My training took a year and was very thorough with inspirational teachers including Deepak Chopra, Devi Brown and Roger Gabriel. It culminated in assessments through teacher practice with a variety of students, an exam and three presentations. I’m now part of the Chopra global alumni which means I continue to learn and can access guidance from the teacher support team.
What hopes and goals do you would you like to achieve for your business in the year ahead?
I hope to share meditation with more people and I’ll also be offering Mini Mindfulness sessions to children aged 4 to 11 from early next year to provide them with some tools to help navigate their day and set them up for success. (It’s a requirement that a parent or guardian also attends each session to watch or join in so they can support their child at home).
Thank you to Helen for taking the time to answer a few questions about her business. If you are interested in speaking to Helen or in taking one of her classes get in touch here via her Instagram.
Slieve Croob Farm
Slieve Croob Farm Glamping is a beautiful cabin hidden in the Mountains, surrounded by breathtaking views.
Last week I had the pleasure of staying at Slieve Croob Farm. A few months ago Catherine booked my Airbnb Experience package which includes one night stay, 100 High Quality photos, some content for her Instagram and a blog feature about my stay.
From the moment we arrived we stopped to take in the incredible view, luckily it was a beautiful day, the skies were clear and the mountains around us were crisp. The Mournes poking up over the hills was definitely a highlight for me. It’s a view I could have looked at all day.
For a little cabin this place is full of personality. The interiors are unexpectedly bright and airy. With a double bed, kitchen and shower room, it really has all you need to enjoy a few nights away, whether that’s solo or with a friend or partner. The pops of colour on the kitchen tiles along with the bar stools and wall décor has you taking in every detail.
After capturing the inside, it was time to heat the wood fired hot tub before the sunset to take a few photos and also try it out myself. I can honestly say that sitting in the hot tub surrounded by beautiful irish mountains, a slight breeze in the air and a stunning sunset, it is definitely an experience I wont forget.
I love the sustainable aspect to the hot tub as it isn’t something you see very often, that is another great detail about Slieve Croob - its attention to sustainability and local produce. I love when a local Airbnb highlights and supports local makers and it’s another thing I love to capture
This place is fully equipped to cook your own meals with an oven, cooker and fridge provided, there are also shops close by in Dromora and a few take away options to choose from. Catherine had us stocked with some delicious goodies from The Mallow Makers and Mourne Brownies, they were thoroughly enjoyed. After the beautiful sunset it was marshmallow time, with a lovely spot to sit out the front beside the fire pit, we made some hot chocolate and enjoyed the rest of the evening.
In the morning we enjoyed the croissants, tea and orange juice that were left for us and we headed down the road to Newcastle for some coffee at Birch Coffee and a little walk around the town.
After my stay I was able to ask Catherine some questions about her Airbnb and how it all started. Read more below...
Hey Catherine, Tell us a little bit about yourselves and the story behind Slieve Croob.
Slieve Croob Mountain is an area of outstanding natural beauty and we wanted to share some of our surrounding area with guests.
What inspired you to start an Airbnb?
After our second daughter was born I wanted to work from home more so we decided after staying in a few other lovely Airbnb’s we would create our own and it would hopefully be as new a way of getting an income and being able to work from home.
If you could sum up the style/ feel of your Airbnb in 3 words, what would they be?
Quirky, cosy and different.
What do you love most about your accommodation?
There are so many details that I love about the space that we have created but I think the thing I love the most is that our location is so isolated and rural, nothing in the mountain but the hut and nature.
Have you any advice for those wanting to start their own small Airbnb?
Make it different, and something you love.
For guests coming to stay at Slieve Croob, where would you recommend as good places to visit nearby?
There are so many beautiful places around us to visit, if you have the time I would recommend walking up Slieve Croob for the views. Castlewellan Forest Park is about a 20 min drive. We love the Maghera Inn for food if you are looking to eat out somewhere during your stay.
If you are looking for an isolated little spot to stay for a few nights, I would highly recommend Slieve Croob, As Catherine describes… you are surrounded by nothing but mountains and nature. If you can see yourself sitting in a very relaxing wood fired hot tub, with a drink in your hand, taking in that view then get booking. You wont regret it.
You can book your stay here
Follow Slieve Croob Farm Glamping on Intsagram
A Guide to 24 Hours in Dublin
A Native Ivy 24 Hour shopping, coffee & food guide to Dublin, Ireland.
Every so often I get the chance to spend a little time in Dublin. As someone who lives just outside Belfast, I love to hop on the train and enjoy that peaceful journey to the City. Last month a spent a quick 24 hours there and packed it full, visiting some of my favourite local shops.
My First shop to begin my time in Dublin is always Barn - A beautiful children’s store full of unique and thoughtful toys, books & clothes. If there was ever a dream shop that I could buy all of my daughters belongings in… it would be this one! I cannot resist buying a little something every time I am in. I visited just before Christmas and ended buying so many lovely gifts there.
One great thing about taking a quick trip to Dublin is that 3 of my favourite shops are all a very very short walking distance from each other. Next on the list is the gorgeous Irish Design Shop. If anyone knows me well, you know that I cannot resist a shop that stocks and supports local businesses. The Irish Design shop is that and so much more. As you walk in you are welcomed with a very delightful smell and a Centre table filled with lots of local products. On their second floor they have another space to showcase their own jewellery and some unique ceramics. Its a really beautiful experience and a shop I would recommend over and over.
Out of one beautiful shop and about 3 steps down I walk into another… Industry & Co. In this shop you get an even greater experience as they have their own sweet little coffee hatch right next door. You know a place is popular when the queue is out the door and the seating area on the street in front is packed. Industry & Co is a beautiful shop stocking a wide selection of unique products by independent makers. It is a great shop for gifts…again I stopped here just before Christmas and bought a handful of really unique gifts for friends.
You know yourself after a big day of shopping you are ready for a sit down and some good food. On this trip I went to Chimac - A Korean chicken restaurant. I love a chicken burger but these were next level, probably the best fried chicken I have ever eaten, the flavour and texture were unreal and left me feeling very satisfied. If you are looking for a quick, reasonable priced meal that is full of flavour then I definitely recommend Chimac.
(Vegan & Veggie options also available)
After a big feed I walked my last shop on the list…Scout - A unique design & apparel store. I loved seeing some familiar products in this shop such as Clean Slate.. who’s candles I have loved for a long time. I really love the style of this shop from the black and white checkered floor to the range of very well designed products and clothes.
With a little bit of time before our dinner reservation we decided to check into our hotel. This trip we stayed at Staycity Aparthotel in Tivoli. I have stayed with Staycity before and really enjoyed it. This time was no different, the staff are so friendly and cater to your every need. They have an early check in option which I did the day before and they have an express checkout which I find really useful.
For dinner we went to a sweet pizza spot just beside Vicar Street called The Lab. They make amazing sourdough pizzas, you cant beat some pizza and wine or beer especially when both are so delicious. The staff were super friendly and you could tell how popular with the queue outside on our way out.
After a great night stay in Staycity we headed back over the bridge to Copper & Straw for a morning coffee. From the outside I knew this was going to be up our street. The coffee was great and so was the morning bun. It was a Monday morning and I got the vibe that this is a popular spot for some peoples morning commute and a great space to sit and catch up on emails.
With a short hour left it was time to make our way back to the train… I obviously couldn’t resist popping into Bread 41.. It was on mt route back to Connelly Station so it had to be done. Of course the queue was long but its always worth the wait. I thoroughly enjoyed my croissant on the train journey back to Belfast after a really fun 24 hours in Dublin
There you have it…A guide to a quick 24 hours in Dublin City by Native Ivy. Thanks for reading.
Click the button below to see my 24 Hours in Dublin reel on Instagram.
The Studio Helens Bay
Have a closer look at this unique new Airbnb in the quant little town of Helens Bay, Co. Down…
A few months ago I was invited to a beautiful new Airbnb in the quaint little town of Helen’s Bay. This unique holiday rental is located just a short walk from the delightful coastal path and sits beside the owner, Sara’s house. What once was the annex of their family home has now been converted into a delightful Airbnb, perfect for a solo trip or for a new family. Sara has a great eye for detail with her design background. Her house is full of character and charisma which has followed through into the Airbnb. Read more below about how Sara and her family began their Airbnb journey.
Tell us a little bit about yourselves and the story behind The Studio Helen’s Bay
My husband and I recently returned to live in Northern Ireland after almost twenty years working in London. With careers in fashion design and marketing, we would often joke that one day we would leave it all behind to run a bed and breakfast in Ireland.
And then one day it happened!
What inspired you to start an Airbnb?
Just prior to Covid hitting, and following the birth of our second child, we decided to swap West London for Helen’s Bay and the slower pace of life it offers our young family.
Enthusiastic about rediscovering the North Down coast, we are keen to share the place we love with visitors to our fledgling Airbnb.
The Studio is set in the grounds of our own home and takes its name from its use as a functioning design studio. When not occupied as an Airbnb, the large limed wood table in the living area is a perfect work space for to work from. Airy and peaceful, it really encourages relaxed, creative thinking.
I love the minimal style of your Airbnb, was there any interior inspiration behind the styling of it?
We have used a lot of salvaged and upcycled furniture, heavily influenced by interior stylists Mark and Sally Bailey and their ability to mix old with new.
Above all, sustainability was a key consideration from the repurposed furniture, to the solar powered skylight fittings, even carrying through to the zero waste toiletries sourced locally at Without Waste, Holywood.
The Studio is a space to champion local design and we have used its walls to showcase local art with pieces by Ruth Osborne, bespoke paintings and hand crafted wreaths from locally gathered willow.
Do you have a favourite detail in your Airbnb?
Our favourite feature in the Studio has to be the double height white washed vaulted ceiling in the open plan living space. With multiple sky lights and double doors opening on the leafy private garden, the light bright space feels like a little oasis of calm.
Have you any advice for those wanting to start their own small Airbnb?
What we hadn’t appreciated when we started out our plan is that all Airbnbs in Northern Ireland must be Tourist board accredited. We found the people at Discover NI hugely supportive and informative when starting out for the first time.
For guests coming to stay at The Studio, where would you recommend as good places to visit nearby?
The Studio is perfectly located just by The North Down coastal path and Crawfordsburn Country Park.
Helens Bay Organic Farm Shop is a beautiful spot to drop into and pick up a few local ingredients during your stay. Restaurants like Frae and Lynchpin in Holywood are on our recommendation list for visitors. Slightly Further afield, a day trip along the banks of Strangford Lough with a stop off In the village of Greyabbey with its pretty antiques shops and a visit to National Trust property Mount Stewart makes for a perfect day.
Thank you to Sara for taking the time to answer some questions about her Airbnb and for inviting me to capture it.
You can keep up to date with all that is happening at The Studio via their Instagram.
Click here to book your stay.
Broad Skies
My latest Local Natives blog featuring Broad Skies. A converted static Caravan transformed into a beautiful cozy cabin Airbnb based in the North Coast of Ireland.
In 2020 I captured the beautiful Oat Box for Olive, so it was a pleasure, one year on to be asked to photograph Broad Skies, a static caravan converted into a beautiful Cabin located just outside the town of Bushmills, Northern Ireland.
Olive got in touch as soon as she launched Broad Skies in May 2021. Ever since, I have been itching to get in the doors to see all the unique details that I knew Olive would have decorated it with. Her amazing eye for interior design is evident in every room, on every wall, in every corner.
As soon as I stepped into Broad Skies, I was hit with a great sense of warmth. The autumn tones dotted around the main kitchen area had me instantly feeling all cozy and ready to nestle in to a relaxing evening by the stove.
Off to the side are two striking bedrooms. A main bedroom detailed with accent lights at each side of the bed and a second bedroom, with bunk-beds, a striking Mustard Made yellow locker and vintage tennis rackets comfortably fixed on the walls. These are the types of details I love to capture and the details that are only found in an Airbnb owned by Olive.
After my stay at Broad Skies, I asked Olive some questions on what inspired this comforting Cabin.
Keep scrolling to read more about Olive’s insight into creating this unique stay...
Hello again Olive, first of all can you give us a bit of insight into the name Broad Skies and how it came to be?
The cabin at Broad Skies is all about relaxing in a secluded rural setting and soaking in the amazing views over Portballintrae and the surrounding countryside. What is most striking to visitors are the big skies that are always changing, like an ever changing painting and we thought the name 'Broad Skies' perfectly encapsulated that sentiment.
I said a few words above about your amazing eye for interiors. Was there any interior inspiration behind the styling of it?
I looked to the style of lots of rural retreats that I admire for inspiration, like the Soho House properties and The Pig hotel group. I also love the electric styling that the Artists Residence Hotels use to decorate their spaces. Sustainability was an important factor in design decisions as well, choosing to re-purpose, reuse and use secondhand where possible.
If you could sum up the style/ feel of this cozy space in 3 words , what would they be?
Relaxed, Rustic, Calming
The details are all so unique, where do you find these amazing one off pieces?
Almost all the decor details in the cabin are second hand, vintage or antique. I like to buy secondhand as it allows me to customise pieces to suit the look I am trying to create and gives a more unique feel. Most of the furniture was bought via Facebook marketplace and then refinished, for example the sofa was being offered for free but I knew it was a really good quality make so we grabbed it and my mum made new linen covers for it. The paintings in the house were all eBay, house clearance and auction finds, we live very close to North Coast Auctions and I do keep a close eye on their weekly sales! I also like to support local designers too and have a number of pieces and prints in the cabin created by craftspeople.
Do you have a favourite detail in your Airbnb?
I have to say it's that view! And the wooden hot tub, perfectly positioned to enjoy the peaceful surroundings.
Broad Skies is situated in such an amazing location. For guests coming to stay can you recommend any places to visit nearby?
The Giants Causeway is very close to the cabin, as are all the popular attractions of the North Coast, so you won't ever be stuck for something to do Whitepark Bay is just a short drive away and can be teamed with a pit stop at Bothy Coffee. The walk from Portballintrae to the Causeway is well worth doing and not steep so suitable for everyone to enjoy.
Thanks so much to Olive for having me to stay at the cozy cabin and for chatting to me about those striking details, unique decor and of course that wonderful view!
During my stay, we didn’t have the best weather with rain and wind. We didn’t venture out to have dinner however with my seven month old in tow we decided to try one of the local takeaways. We got some beautiful fish and chips from Flash in the Pan, Bushmills. In the morning we took ourselves off to Portrush to Magercross viewpoint and grabbed a coffee at Babushka. On our way home we stopped into Fidela Coffee Roasters for brunch and couldn’t resist popping to my favourite Interiors shop BTS Concept Store.
It was a wonderful stay and I highly recommend you add it your list of places to stay in Northern Ireland. It has all the amenities for you to bring your own groceries and cook for yourself but its also the location to treat yourself and eat out.
BTS CONCEPT STORE & Fidela Coffee Roasters
A look book from my shoot at Fidela Coffee Roasters. Interiors styled by Tracy from BTS CONCEPT STORE.
Last Month I popped by Fidela Coffee Roaster & Coffee Bar in Coleraine to photograph their new sit in area. As some of you know I love interior design and styling so being asked to capture this beautiful newly decorated space was such a privilege.
The interiors and styling were created by the wonderful Tracy who owns BTS CONCEPT STORE in the center of Coleraine.
Fidela Coffee Roasters is a beautiful spacious spot to relax and have a coffee. I love the minimal, clean interiors created by Tracy. With still some plans to finish off I cannot wait to see what more they do with their space. I am looking forward to the next chance I get to visit again.
Instagram Links below
Birds & Words
Click here to learn a little bit about Artist and Designer Jessica Hollywood and her Screen-printing process.
This week I had the pleasure of capturing the lovely Jessica at work in her studio space at Seacourt Print Workshop.
Jessica who goes by the Artist name Birds & Words is a master of many talents including photography and marketing but this week I got a little bit of insight into her screen-printing process.
For someone who isn’t very familiar with the this process I really enjoyed watching Jessica work. Each aspect of it is very intriguing and I loved watching and learning about each element that goes into creating one of her beautiful limited edition prints.
During our shoot I was able to ask Jessica a few questions about her work and how her road to becoming an Artist all began.
Tell me a little bit about yourself and your journey to becoming an Artist.
Hi, I’m Jessica, an Artist and Printmaker living in Bangor by the Sea, with my daughter Juno. My company Birds and Words was founded in 2012 as an outlet for all of my creative pursuits. Under this umbrella, I undertake many freelance jobs, as well as creating my own original prints. I have been a member of Seacourt Print Workshop since I graduated from collage, and am also Artist in Residence at Wallhangers Gallery and Framing on High Street in Bangor. Printing is in my bones. I was immediately hooked back during early demos at Seacourt as an A Level student, and have practised the art form ever since. There is no better feeling than pulling a print. The element of the unknown and the subtleties in the lay down of ink on paper, are parts of this process that I will never tire of! Printmakers are a complex bunch, but once you know, you know
You mostly work from your studio space at Seacourt Print Workshop, Can you tell me about this space and what happens there?
Seacourt Print Workshop was founded in 1981 by Margaret Arthur and Jean Duncan. They wanted to be able to practice printmaking close to home and starting small, they established a print workshop. To help pay for overheads and purchase equipment they delivered courses to local people, then schools and the membership started to grow. It is an open access printmaking studio with fantastic resources, courses & workshops. It is a lifeline to many artists, and has provided a space to exhibit, learn and create, thanks to the Arts Council N.I. support over the years.
Your prints have a lot of different aspects to them, does your printmaking process take long? Can you tell me a little bit about your making process and what is involved?
Of recent years, I have been increasingly interested in creating work that has a modern, contemporary aesthetic, but using imagery which harks back to a distant era, mainly focused on my home town of Bangor. Primarily interested in the notion of memory and nostalgia, I look to these images for clues of how lives were lived then, in comparison to now. I aim to revive old, nostalgic memories and help to form new, positive ones, closely linked with the regeneration of my home town through other avenues such as Bangor Waterfront Master Plan, and Queens Parade Regeneration. Screen printing is about layers of colour and imagery, printed in succession, to create a complex work of art. Some of my pieces may have 10-12 layers, which equates to a lot of work! You have to enjoy the process, and be interested in the technical side of things. Otherwise you would get quite frustrated! I love to see a piece come together. I use the screen and inks as my tools and the paper I print on like my sketch pad. I find it hard to visualise a piece before I have started printing, but once I start laying down layers of colour and photographic elements, it all naturally comes together.
What advice would you give people wanting to start or learn screenprinting?
Come and take a class with me in Seacourt Print Workshop!
What has motivated you to create this new series of artwork?
I wanted to have a play with some different imagery, and illustrate the revival of sea swimming around Bangor’s coastline. Not that I’m brave enough to tip my toe yet, I enjoy watching the little fluorescent floats bobbing in the water, and wanted to honour the connection of Bangor back with the sea.
Jessica’s new Limited Edition Prints will be released on Thursday 10th December and will be available to view and purchase at the platforms listed below.
You can view Jessica’s work on Instagram @birdsandwords
On her website www.birdsandwords.co.uk
Or locally at Wallhangers Bangor where you can purchase all of her work, expertly framed of course!
The Oat Box
My latest Local Natives blog featuring The Oat Box. An old horse box converted into a unique Airbnb based in the North Coast of Ireland.
Last Weekend I had the absolute pleasure of staying at the ‘The Oat Box’. It was such a delightful experience, both to capture and to stay in. ‘The Oat Box’ is so full of character and style…I came away thinking how fun it must have been to create and design somewhere so unique.
The Airbnb is located a little inland from Portrush, with the beautiful North Coast beaches, Coffee Shops and Restaurants just a short drive away. ‘The Oat Box’ sits just off Olive’s family home, beside a big open field and from the very moment I arrived, I was excited to capture this little treasure…
Stepping into ‘The Oat Box’ for the first time was mesmerising, not only were the colours and decor perfect but the smell of ginger and lemongrass from the soap in bathroom made the place smell so fresh.
After my stay, I was able to ask Olive some questions about how she went about creating ‘The Oat Box’.
Continue reading below to get some insight into how it all began…
Tell us a little bit about yourself and how ‘The Oat Box’ came to be?
I’m a product designer and left work when I had my third child as the price of childcare was just too high! I was looking for a business I could run while the children are small and that could be based at home. I also really love renovating vintage furniture and collecting anything with a bit of history to it, so I wanted to utilise those skills into whatever project I took on.
The idea of an Airbnb always came to my mind as we are in an ideal location, being on the North Coast of Ireland. I researched renovating outbuildings and then moved on to investigating various types of quirky accommodation, collating numerous Pinterest boards along the way. Eventually I came to the conclusion that a horsebox conversion would give me the greatest freedom to customise a small space exactly how I wanted to.
How or where did you manage to find an old Horse box to renovate?
I kept an eye on Gumtree and Facebook Marketplace for a good few months, but it was Ebay that came up with the goods in the end! I bid on our horse lorry pretty much on a whim, thinking I wouldn’t get it and someone else would beat me to it at the last second, as that’s what usually happens but they didn’t, and I won the auction! I then had to figure out how to tell my husband what I’d just bought and also how to get it from the South of England across to us in Northern Ireland!! Thankfully the seller was really accommodating and helpful at getting the lorry safely over to us!
What was your inspiration behind the style of ‘The Oat Box’?
I knew I wanted to use salvaged materials and vintage finds as far as possible in the design of the interior, but I did struggle to find a starting point!
The ceiling and floor of the lorry are original, and it was important to make anything we added in enhance these features. Once I sourced the wooden panelling from a church renovation, everything else seemed to fall into place around that. I think the warm wood panelling really helps to achieve the cosy cabin vibe I was aiming for.
Do you have a favourite aspect of ‘The Oat Box’, a decoration or piece of furniture?
I love the kitchen splash-back tiles because they are antique and hand painted. Each one is a little bit wonky and just slightly different to the next when you study them closely. I also love the fact I found them in a house clearance for £10!
For guests coming to stay at ‘The Oat Box’, where would you recommend as good places to visit nearby?
We have lots of gorgeous places to visit on the North Coast.. the beach at White Rocks, Ballintoy Harbour, White Park Bay, The Giant’s Causeway of course, and I just love the drive from Bushmills to Ballycastle via the coast, it’s beautiful!
What advice would you give others who may want to create their own unique Airbnb?
To keep in mind that you are creating a little escape from reality for your guests for a couple of days. I think people are searching for places that can transport them to another world, even if they haven’t traveled far to get there. I found it really helpful to write a list of all the things that I found memorable about various places I had stayed in over the years to figure out what it is that really makes a lasting impression. There are enough bland spaces out there already for people to stay in, push the boundaries and create your own dream space and guests will respond to that.
‘The Oat Box’ is such a unique and wonderful stay. Do you have any other renovation plans for the future, either changes to ‘The Oat Box’ or any new project ideas?
Oh my head is always swimming with too many ideas!! We have plans to plant a wildflower meadow around the oat box and hope to add an outdoor bath next spring.
I also have a couple of vintage caravans that I’m renovating at the minute and eventually would love to run creative workshops from my studio on the farm.
One of my favourite parts about this stay was ending the evening outside beside the fire pit, watching the stars and toasting marshmallows. ‘The Oat Box’ is the perfect little getaway for two!
Stay Open Yoga
Get to know a little bit more about the faces behind Stay Open Yoga.
Stay Open Yoga is a great yoga team made up of two lovely friends of mine. Kellie & Josh.
Kellie moved to N.I in 2018 and in 2019 started teaching her own yoga classes in Bangor.
Bringing her Californian vibe to her classes, Kellie has such a calm, controlled and fun way of teaching that leaves you feeling 100% fresh after each class! Have a little read below about how Stay Open Yoga began and learn some more about the faces behind the name.
Let’s begin with telling us about the faces behind Stay Open Yoga.. Tell us a little bit about yourselves…
I’m Kellie! I grew up in Southern California with a big love for sunshine, the outdoors, yoga, and a good cup of coffee. I got my Bachelors in Psychology as I am passionate about people. I have always loved to travel and explore new places. With my love for travel I have been able to live in Nashville, Argentina, Colorado, and Northern Ireland. I met my husband while living in Northern Ireland and we got married in June 2018. I have been living in Bangor since then and have been teaching Yoga and working in Cargo Coffee since then.
Josh is born and raised in Bangor, and is similar to most guys here- he likes soccer and Guinness. He does a lot of the behind the scenes stuff like admin, accounting and supports me with the social media. You will also find him signing people in at the welcome desk before class.
What was the inspiration behind the name Stay Open Yoga?
It sounds obvious, but we want to help people Stay Open throughout their whole lives. There is so much that happens to people throughout life that the tendency can be to close off. This can be through trauma, disappointments, fatigue- all legitimate reasons but we end up playing safe and the world gets smaller. We think that by practicing Yoga and living in a healthy community people can continue to live the lives they would have wanted for themselves before it got heavy. That's the shortened answer, I would have to sit down over a coffee with someone to give more detail!
Do you think there are differences to yoga practice in Cali compared to N.I?
There is more of a culture of outdoor Yoga in California because of the sunny and warm climate. It is also just a bit more embedded into the culture, so there are more people who have either tried Yoga or have a regular practice. As far as how it is taught, or the feelings in the Studio things are very similar. There are a lot of great Studios and teachers in Northern Ireland.
What are some positives have you found since starting your own classes?
I love meeting new people and I love the community that SOY has started to become. It’s amazing seeing people be so brave stepping into their first ever yoga class. It's great to hear feedback after class like “I actually sleep through the whole night!”, “I can touch my toes now after coming to classes!” or “I have never focused on breathing ever, and it is life changing to me!” It’s those small victories that make my job so rewarding and fun.
Who are some local businesses/products you are loving at the moment?
We love Copeland Distillery because they have chosen Donaghadee as a home and are doing all they can to make the town a better place to work, live, and socialize. We believe that healthy businesses help create healthy towns and the guys at Copeland are our role models in that!
Keeping in the theme of food and drink I want to give a mention to the Guillemot in Bangor. Every time we go in there we feel loved by the staff (shout out to our man Mark!). This has been so important to me as I have moved to Bangor and I love the community feel. Their food and drinks are always perfect. I would eat 10 vegan rolls and cinnamon scones every day if my budget would allow me to.
Since lockdown, we have been getting all of our produce from Home Grown in Newtownards. We have been so pleased with their produce and how tasty all their fruit and veggies are. The staff are always so friendly and it has that local feel.
What do you see for Stay Open Yoga in the future..Any exciting plans?
Business is unpredictable and you never know where you could be in five years. But if I could have my own studio, that would be my big dream. But in the meantime, we would love to collaborate with more local businesses, offer more classes, and do what we can to help the town of Bangor thrive.
During this uncertain time is there anything your followers/ fellow yogis can do to help you and Stay open Yoga?
I have been amazed by all the love and support from our followers and fellow yogis. We have had to bring everything online and the truth is that most yogis love being with people so that has been a big shift and it can feel quite vulnerable. So through comments, views, and shares you can encourage us to keep going with it. When people decide to do paid online classes, obviously that helps financially which then allows us to plan ahead for when we can all get together again!
Stay Open Yoga are still running online Zoom classes and you can also subscribe their Youtube Channel for more Yoga videos.
Follow them on Instagram for regular updates.
Yoga Mats from Zenbear Yoga
Cozy Corner Styling Video
A look at some of the photographs taken while creating my Cozy Corner Styling Video.
In December I created my favourite styling video so far. This Cozy Corner styling video was inspired by a lot of my favourite home products.
I searched for a very long time for the perfect wicker chair. I eventually found this one on Facebook Marketplace in late November. It was definitely the main inspiration behind planning this cozy corner shoot.
Below are a handful of photos I took while creating this shoot
You can find the final styling video at the end of this blog and the list of local products featured.
List of Products featured -
Wicker Chair - Facebook Marketplace
Wicker Plant Stand - Facebook Marketplace
Fur Rug - Amazon
Cushion Cover - Ikea
Hanging Plant - WildThing
Macrame Plant Hanger - ASTRL Fibres
Pouffe - TKMaxx
Blanket Ladder - Sostrene Grene
Botanic Gardens Print - Rhea Hanlon Art
Enamel Mug - Born & Bred
Candle - Clean Slate Candles
Plant and Pot - Ikea
Bancran School
My latest Local Natives blog featuring the beautiful Bancran School. A great family in Moneyneena hosting three luxury Air Bnb’s.
Last a week I had the luxury of staying in The Black Shack at the beautiful Bancran School.
Bancran School is located about 5 minutes from Draperstown in Moneyneena, N.I.
Owned and run by Chris and Aileen, Bancran School was originally an old school house that they have transformed into their family home. Situated in the back garden are three luxury Airbnbs. The Pod, The Loft and the delightful Tiny House that is The Black Shack.
I had such an amazing time capturing these Airbnbs and experiencing a night stay in The Black Shack. I couldn’t recommend it enough, it is a beautifully styled house and everything about our stay was incredibly relaxing. From the moment we arrived, greeted by Chris to the moment we left. I am already trying plan my next stay.
After my sweet little stay I was able to ask Chris & Aileen a little bit more about how Bancran School all started…
Tell us a little bit about yourselves and how you came to being Airbnb owners?
We are Chris & Aileen, we live in Bancran School with our two children Bella & Ollie and our furry friend Noodles. The National school building was built in 1876. It was derelict for 30 odd years when we bought it back in 2009 and we have been working to transform it into a family home since.
During our University and early working years we loved to travel. We had always talked about taking a year out but with one thing or another it never happened. So instead we saved hard and booked to go away for three or four weeks each year.
Our last big trip was about 7 years ago around Arizona, Utah and its National Parks. It was April and the plan was to camp and hike. We set up camp in Flagstaff, that night there was a freak snowstorm! -8c in a tent and a few expletives later we decided to check out Airbnb, we had read an article a few weeks earlier about this new website and thought it sounded interesting.
We booked into an amazing Mining Camp house in the middle of the woods in Flagstaff. Jeff and Kari Maurer owned the home. We absolutely loved the house and the family made us feel so welcome. The next morning we left for the Grand Canyon having fell in love with our first Airbnb experience. When we returned home we decided to complete the two downstairs bedrooms & our Airbnb hosting journey was born.
Did you know you would always have three Airbnbs? Which one came first?
After spending just over a year hosting people from all over the world in our home we were expecting our first born, Bella.
Babies need space and we decided we would get the back of the house into a bit of shape and planned for a Glamping Pod to continue our hosting experience. We plonked The Pod in the back corner of the garden and rented it for a couple of years while we tried to get the rest of the yard into shape. When we look back at the early days with The Pod we cringe a bit as the rest of the garden and yard resembled a building site but we kept it cheap and made the inside as comfortable as we could and people continued to come. We are very grateful for those early guests and would love to have them back for them to see the progress we have made since.
The double garage was built in such a way that we could put a private loft apartment up top. We completed The Loft during 2017. Having two Airbnb units we wanted a place for guests to be able to interact so we set about creating an outdoor decking space with shelter where guests could mix, have a drink, grill on the BBQ or just watch a bit of sport. The Gin Tin was built in 2018.
The old school had a toilet block outside for the pupils. When we were renovating a digger tried to remove the concrete foundations but they were too deep. Up until February 2019 it was sitting visible in the middle of the garden, it even housed a few chickens at a time! The initial plan was to put shipping containers on top of the foundations but it was working out to be very expensive and impractical due to the nature of the site. We settled for a Black Siberian Larch clad Tiny House. The Black Shack was finished in July 2019 and we had our first guests that August.
The style of each accommodation is amazing! Did you take inspiration from other places you had stayed or seen when designing them?
The Pod came really well made and we wanted to keep the glamping feel. We recently installed a new fixed bed, which has made a real difference to the space and our guest’s comfort. We’ve added a couple of comfy chairs and tried to utilise every inch of space in the small kitchen area to make it as practical as possible. The Pod got a new metal top hat in the summer to keep the top boards safe and it ties in well with the Gin Tin now.
We both wanted to give the Loft a simple Scandinavian theme, comfortable and clean lined minimalism. We went with Oak Herringbone floors and got a local craftsman to do polished concrete terrazzo kitchen worktops and the bathroom floor. Subway tiles were always going to feature in the bathroom space. We were delighted to find a grey matte kitchen that we agreed on and crammed as many appliances in as we could so guests can whip up a storm or cater for small children.
The Black Shack was built on a very tight budget so we agreed to be creative with what we had laying around. We are absolutely thrilled with it has turned out and we are very grateful to friends and family who donated materials left over from their own projects. A lot of thought went into the structure and design of the Black Shack and we are lucky to have found local craftsman Martin Maguire (Garden Rooms Ireland) who has been working with us for most of the journey.
For someone planning to stay at Bancran for the weekend do you have any recommendations of where to visit close by?
The Sperrins are jammed pack with things to do while staying at Bancran School. From hill walking to exploring one of the many local forest parks, mountain biking in Davagh, jogging around Lough Fea, visiting an outdoor play park or just taking a stroll around local towns - Draperstown, Magherafelt, Maghera and Cookstown are all just a short drive away.
We have some excellent restaurants and coffee shops on our doorstep: Apparo, Aroma and Silky’s are some of our favourites.
Once you’ve been fed there are plenty of watering holes - Regan’s Market Inn and The Shepherds Rest are worth checking out.
If you are just feeling lazy we have plenty to do on site to spend a day relaxing without having to leave. The hot tub at night while sipping a drink and watching the stars is top of the list!
We are very lucky and proud to live in an area with so much natural beauty.
What are your top tips for someone wanting to create their own Airbnb?
It is really fun but it involves a lot of hard work. We are a small family set up and we are both busy with our own jobs so we have to rely on help from our family and friends at times. It is impossible to consider doing what we do without that support and we are really grateful for it.
However, if it’s something you think you would enjoy just go for it! It is rewarding and getting feedback from our guests makes all the hard work worthwhile! Plus our kids have a ball meeting and greeting people from all over the world.
Do you have any future plans for your Airbnbs or plans to have more?
We have a few things we would like to finish on the site, things happen slowly here and it has worked for us to this point so we will get there eventually.
At the end of 2019 we bought an old school bus. The plan is to convert it into a motorhome that will accommodate Noodles and the 4 of us on our adventures. Things are progressing slowly with it at the minute but we are all very excited to see how it turns out (if we ever get it finished!!).
Click here to book your stay at Bancran School.
Brent Cove Airbnb
Chris & Marty are the owners of the beautiful Brent Cove, a luxury 5* Airbnb on the edge of Strangford Lough.
I had the pleasure of spending a lovely evening at the beautiful Brent Cove last week. For all the size of this little house it is one of the most warm and relaxing stays I have ever had. Located on the shoreline of Strangford lough this quaint stay offers you the best view to wake up to!
After a short and sweet stay at this luxury 5 star Airbnb I wanted to ask Chris & Marty a few questions about themselves and what inspired them to build Brent Cove.
Tell us a little bit about yourselves and what inspired you to build your luxury accommodation?
“We are Chris & Marty, vehicle restorer and teacher by day, luxury food and travel blogger and Airbnb hosts by evening/anytime that’s not the day job! We recently moved into our new home and renovated the entire property from top to bottom. There was a garage on site that was pretty much a store for all of the left over building material so we decided to put it to good use - and that’s how Brent Cove was born! We modeled the renovations on our own house, cladding the building in black corrugated metal. I love the idea of historic buildings having a smaller replica as their gate house and we feel that we share this sentiment with our home and Brent Cove.”
How did you decide on the name Brent Cove? Is there a story behind the name?
“For us, the naming of the property was integral to the build and the overall process of the project. Every year, thousands of Brent geese make the flight from the arctic to seek warmer climes and to feast on our abundance of eel grass - and it just so happens that they land right on our doorstep, Strangford Lough. The ‘Cove’ portion comes from our location on the Lough; a selection of 5 houses on a bend on the coastline that inspired the name. “
I absolutely loved the style of your Airbnb! Did you take any inspiration from other homes when designing the style of Brent Cove?
“When renovating our home, I poured countless hours into designing and sourcing furniture and objet that fitted my ideal design aesthetic. I would consider our home to be eclectic, and I think that some of this has fed into the design of Brent Cove. We wanted to draw on the hygge vibe with us being on Strangford Lough, with its strong Nordic roots. We wanted to nurture a cosiness with the space being small whilst bringing the outside indoors with the views and features inspired by the landscape. We used fur, animal inspired objet, greenery and clean, minimalist furniture. The overall result being a cosy, tiny home that maximises the views while remaining inviting and feeling like a home from home.“
I see that you are now a super host! How does that feel?
“It feels amazing! We had only been open three months when we were awarded the status and it validated all of our hard work! I doesn’t matter which project we take on, we always pour our heart into it 100% and I think our guests can see and feel that when they stay with us.”
Do you have any recommendations of where to visit for guests staying at Brent Cove (Locations, Coffee shops or restaurants)?
“There are so many things to do while staying at Brent Cove that it’s hard to list them all; but I will give our perfect day…
We would start with a walk around Mount Stewart, a national trust park and stately home that is mind blowing! It’s our local park and dog park so we are there nearly every day, but it’s beauty still catches us unaware as it is constantly changing.
We would then head to Haptik, a local landmark for coffee and in our opinion, the best brunch available anywhere in The country - trust us, we’ve tried them all .
Then we would walk around the town centre for a browse in some of the shops, Wardens especially as their kitchen shop is amazing!
Then finish off with supper at TukTuk Bistro, an authentic Asian restaurant serving the freshest Asian food you will find! Delicious.”
Do you have any future plans for Brent Cove?
“We have toyed with the idea of installing a more ‘out there’ rental property on site, like a tree-house or cabin - but we are so busy with our dishyouwerehere supper-clubs, working full time, singing in our folk group and Brent Cove that we would have to consider the idea before building. But never say never!”
Bookings for Brent Cove are available through Airbnb. I couldn’t recommend staying there enough. From amazing views of Strangford lough an the Mournes on your doorstep, to minimal warm interiors highlighted by some comforting house plant greenery.. what more could you want for a relaxing stay at a home away from home!
Follow Brent Cove on Instagram to see regular updates.
Flaxfox
Danielle from Flax Fox is an Artist and Illustrator based in Belfast.
Ahhh the feeling when you finally get to work with someone you have been following for years... That's how I feel about Danielle from FlaxFox.
Danielle is an artist living in Belfast, she mostly sketches iconic buildings and landmarks around Northern Ireland. She sells her drawings as giclee prints and as original screenprints. These reproductions are also printed onto tea towels, mugs and postcards.
Danielle has a stall set up at St. Georges market every weekend. She also sells her products in lots of local galleries and gift shops around Northern Ireland such as Yard Gallery, Studio Souk and In Klover.
One of the top things I love about photographing local makers is being able to see a tiny glimpse into their world, where they work and how they work.
When I go to an artist or a makers space to take photographs I never quite know what to expect but meeting Danielle at her lovely home in Belfast was beyond what I was hoping for.
As I followed her through her hallway (with dream floor tiles) and into her home, meeting a little human on the way, we stopped at her garden studio that she shares with her videographer husband Ben.
Stepping into Danielle's outdoor studio was a a dream. Her work space was full of character. Pieces she has been working on, complete paintings, paints, brushes and chalks all the tools she needs to create her wonderful original drawings.
It was hard not to get carried away chatting to Danielle as I photographed her making some adjustments to some paintings she has already started, she talks to passionately about what she does and she gladly told me how it all began for her and Flax Fox Designs.
Danielle does it all, as well as creating reproductions and original art pieces she also designs big commissions for businesses. In her spare time her passion is still burning as she loves to think and create new ideas that aren't necessarily for anyone else but to create time that is her own to put onto paper the ideas that have been inspiring her.
Danielle's work carries with it a sense of nostalgia. People love to buy something that reminds them of a place they have fond memories of and she loves drawing those places. Whether its a bar in Belfast or an iconic landscape in Ireland. If there is one person that understands that feeling of connecting to something it's this talented lady right here.
To keep up to date with Flax Fox follow Danielle on Instagram and Facebook.
Keep an eye on Native Ivy Instagram for more photos from this shoot.
Thanks for Reading.
R
Enrich & Endure
100% Irish linen products made in Northern Ireland.
When you find a business that is successfully run by a brother and sister, you know you have found something special.
Sarah and Lorcan started Enrich & Endure with a passion to rekindle the Linen Industry in Northern Ireland. They began by making homeware products that sold far and wide but knew there was something more for them out there.. Cue The Apron!
With a natural interest in coffee, Lorcan and Sarah started collaborating with a popular coffee shop in Dublin. Now they provide aprons for over sixty different cafe's in Southern and Northern Ireland.
As well as supplying aprons to the teams of some of the best coffee shops in Ireland, Enrich & Endure have broken into London, providing aprons for some of their top restaurants.
When Enrich & Endure start to collaborate with someone they make it their priority to get to know them and their style to provide them with the best product that is unique to their business.
All Enrich & Endure products are made of 100% Irish Linen and handcrafted in Northern Ireland. Lorcan and Sarah are based in Banbridge. This is where they hand prepare every home-ware order that they receive and give each package their personal touch.
They take immense care over each of their orders and prepare them with unique style and precision. Using their Linnet bird stamp to brand each order.
Enrich & Endure has become so much more than a brother and sister led company. Each product is made up of excellent design to last and to provide you with an apron that builds character with each use. Each apron is embroidered with a Linnet Bird, a stamp that marks all of the above characteristics onto each handmade product.
Meeting Sarah and Lorcan was such a treat! They have a real passion behind what they do and and it is reflected in their products. It is always a pleasure to meet people who love what they do and who's faces light up when talking about how far they have come from where they started in 2013.
Look at these happy faces!!
