Borumian Interior Design

Walsh’s in Cappoquin is a building with a huge amount of history and character, and it was a real privilege to be involved in bringing it back to life.

The building dates back to around the 1830s and has had many uses over the years, including serving as a military and constabulary barracks before later becoming a hotel. It has long been an important part of Cappoquin, so there was a real sense of responsibility in getting the renovation right.

I worked closely alongside the owner, Ronan Power, throughout the project. We wanted to respect the history of the building, but at the same time make it feel comfortable, fresh and welcoming for today.

The renovation was also filmed alongside RTÉ’s At Your Service, which made the whole experience even more memorable.

Like most old buildings, Walsh’s came with plenty of challenges. There were delays, unexpected problems and quite a few awkward spaces that needed a bit of imagination.

Some of the rooms simply would not work with standard furniture, so I designed around the building rather than fighting against it. Bespoke furniture played a big part in that. By creating pieces specifically for certain areas, I was able to make difficult corners and unusual layouts feel purposeful rather than awkward. In the design we allowed and considered the space for wheel chair users. There is a beautiful functional wheel chair bedroom located on the ground floor, and a kitchen area specifically designed for wheel chair users also. 

I also chose to use a soft, understated colour pallet  throughout. I wanted the interiors to feel calm and timeless, while still allowing the original character of the building to come through. The softer tones helped connect the different rooms and gave the whole property a more relaxed and elegant feel.

For me, the project was really about finding the balance between old and new. I didn’t want Walsh’s to feel over-restored or too polished. I wanted it to still feel like an old building, just one that had been carefully considered and brought back to life.

Now that Walsh’s is open to the public and receiving excellent reviews, it is incredibly rewarding to see people enjoying the finished spaces.

This project shows that even the most awkward spaces can become something special with the right furniture, the right colour choices and a little imagination.  I am very proud to have been part of it.