EACH WEEK, WE ask an Irish person with a passion for interiors to share one photo of their favourite spot in their home.

Sarah Battle has lived in her self-build home in Mayo with her husband and three children since September 2018.

“It’s a very busy house – there’s always people coming and going. One hour just melts into the next,” says Sarah. “The kids are so young, so it’s just hectic and really busy. We are busy making new memories in our home every day.”

This week, Sarah (@housebythewhitethorns) chatted us through her favourite spot: the kitchen.

Sarah Battle Sarah Battle

What do you love about this part of your home?

The kitchen is my favourite part of our home as it is the hub of the house and the place that we spend the most family time in.

I love that the kitchen is so big and the kids are often cycling their bicycles around the island. We all sit around the table for dinner and if it is nice we can open out the doors and extend that to the outside space. We are surrounded by trees so it is very peaceful and relaxing.

What was your inspiration when you were putting the space together?

There is  so much inspiration out there – from all the fabulous Instagram accounts to Pinterest and magazines. I love seeing where items can be sourced in Ireland.

I wanted the kitchen to be homely and a place where the kids can be in and out. I love having people over, so it’s nice to sit at the island chatting too. The most important element for me in a room is the flow. I love that the playroom and TV room run off the kitchen and that the kids are always in my sight.

Talk us through some of the objects in the photo.

The light over the island is a chandelier from Panfili Interiors in Galway. It works perfectly for this space and for the size of the island. I think it adds character to the kitchen. I love the large kitchen table with bench seating and chairs. The kids love hopping up on the bench, it makes for more casual and relaxed dining.

How well does this photo reflect the rest of your home?

When we were designing our home, natural light was a must for us. As it’s a bungalow with high ceilings, we incorporated as much natural light into the design as possible. We put a frameless window at the end of the hallway and a courtyard into the centre of the house which allows natural light to flood the halls. 

Be honest: how much tidying did you do before taking this photo?

I always try to tidy as I go. The island gets cluttered throughout the day and toys always make their way out of the playroom to the kitchen. It’s just a matter picking them up for the picture. A quick 15 minutes is usually good enough for this kitchen. If I’m taking a photo for Instagram, there’s always a mess behind me and usually three kids climbing up my back.

Do you have a spot in your home that you’re particularly proud of? Do you enjoy styling the different rooms in your house? Are you always adding and changing little things to make your space stand out? If so, we want to hear from you! Email amy@thejournal.ie with a few lines about yourself and your home for a chance to feature in My Home in One Photo. 

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