This 1980s Rental Bungalow Is Packed with Charm, Like a Vintage Pink Bathroom
Though they only intended to stay for a couple of years, social media consultant and interiors stylist Barbara Taylor and her husband and furniture maker, David, have lived in this rental house in County Kildare Ireland (just outside of Dublin) for over a decade! And they’ve done a ton of updating of the dated space in that time.
Barbara immediately fell in love with this bungalow — built in and still looking like the 1980s — and it’s potential to “become a beautiful home and not just another rental.”
“I loved that it was a blank canvas that I could furnish in my own style instead of the usual mismatched furniture you typically find in a rental in Ireland,” Barbara explains. “There were however some decorative challenges to content with, like an 1980s pink bathroom, an outdated kitchen, and tiled flooring in most of the bedrooms, but the double-size living room with its large bay window and a large rear garden with its own small orchard compensated for those.”
“You could tell this was once a family home that had already been rented out for a few years, so I decided that this house deserved to have a little love poured back into it for however long we’d be here,” Barbara continues.
Before moving in a decade ago, Barbara described the bungalow as an “empty 1980s Irish bungalow rental with stage red velvet curtains/drapes in the double aspect living room, a tired kitchen, and its original 1980s pink bathroom suite.” Now, after working her styling magic, she describes it as an “eclectic mix of antique and thrifted finds, peppered with mid-century moments, abstract artworks, and Scottish and French style influences.”
“People often ask me why do you bother decorating a house you are renting? I always reply it’s not about the house itself; it’s about the home you make,” Barbara writes. “Home is more than the bricks and mortar. It’s your style, your vibe, and you can bring that and apply that anywhere.”
Resources
PAINTS & COLORS
- Living Room Walls — Benjamin Moore “Simply White”
- Kitchen Wall and Ceiling — Sherwin Williams “Natural Choice”
- Cabinetry — Sherwin Williams “Sandbar”
- Hallway Wall — Benjamin Moore “Swiss Coffee”
- Bedroom Wall and Bed — Benjamin Moore “Black Iron”
- Bedroom White Walls — Benjamin Moore “Simply White”
- Guest Room — Farrow and Ball “Oxford Stone”
- Bathroom Ceiling — Colourtrend “Chestnut Pink”
- Bathroom Wall — Colourtrend “Baked Plum”
LIVING ROOM
- Mid-century Sideboard — Charity Shop Find
- La Bougie Lamp — Kartell
- Glass Tulip Table and Cesca Chairs — Thrifted
- A 1970s Original Turntable — Dublin Flea Market
- Rug — T.J. Maxx
- Vase — Anthropologie
- 1920s Cane Cocktail Cart — Auction
- Glassware — Ralph Lauren
- Boho Floor Lamp — Asda Living
- Habitat Coffee Table — Vintage
- Rug — Zara Home
- Lush Deep Green Cushion Covers — H&M Home
- Mantel Mirror — Local Hardware and Interiors Store
- Vase — Waterford Crystal
- Antique Brass Peacock Screen and Coal Holders — Antique
- Lamps — Soho Home
HALLWAY
- Bluebird Typewriter — Junk Shop in Edinburgh
- Gold Anglepoise Style Lamp — Bla Artwork
- Cane and Wooden Arm Chair — Thrifted
KITCHEN
- Table/Feature Shelf/Carved Wooden Ceiling Roses — David Made
- Cesca Chairs — Thrifted
- Artworks — Desenio
- Brass Modern Lights — Made.com
BEDROOM
- Wall Lights — Made.com
- Bedside Tables — H&M Home
- Throws Cushions/Bedding — The White Company
- Rug — Kukoon Rugs
- Vintage Cane Lamp Shade — Charity Shop
GUEST BEDROOM
- Scalloped Taupe Upholstered Bed — Michael Murphy Home Furnishing
- Throw — Soho Home
- Light Fitting — Marks and Spencer
Thanks, Barbara!
This tour’s responses and photos were edited for length/size and clarity.
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