Country Decor Blog

I am writing this at 1 a.m., Dublin Ireland time. Photographer Stacey Haines and I arrived early this morning and descended from the airplane into misty Irish weather. We were delighted to land on a perfectly overcast day, just right for photography. After checking in to the Fitzwilliam Hotel (a chic hotel designed by Terence Conran that sits in central Dublin just around the corner of Grafton St - a fab pedestrian walkway), we were whisked off with contest winners Jackie and Peggy to the Farmleigh estate to enjoy a picnic on the grounds. Our driver, an Irishman with smiling blue eyes and a penchant for telling great stories, regaled us with humourous tales as we drove through the winding streets of Dublin to our destination. Once there, we unloaded a full gourmet picnic (courtesy of the Fitzwilliam) and carried baskets laden with fruit, wine, sandwiches and crisp white table linens down to the boathouse. As we reached our destination, the skies opened and the rain began to pour down on us! Thankfully, our starched napkins ended up being perfect for mopping up sopping wet seats! 

After a quick tour of Farmleigh, we explored the walled gardens and then headed back to the Fitzwilliam. For those of you who have read my previous bathtub blog, you’ll know that I DO love a good bath. Thankfully, the Fitzwilliam had tons of hot water! 

Okay, my bathroom at the hotel isn't quite as big as this one in their penthouse suite, but it's still awesome!

Dinner this evening was unbelievably delicious and was at the Winding Stair Bookcase and Restaurant. The tiny spot sits on a road along the Liffey river, and can be reached by the trendy Temple Bar area by taking the Haypenny pedestrian bridge. All thoughts to dieting were blown asunder as I tucked into a spectacular meal of organic and local Irish food, including warmed ginger and pear pudding for dessert. 

My thoughts today about Ireland are nostalgic. I was last here on a family vacation with my late mother, dad and older sister Alexis. When I bit into the homemade soda bread at the Winding Stair, the taste immediately conjured up memories of that trip from thirty years before. It feels like I’ve come home!

*our driver Leo tells us that this is a way that locals tell short distances - although the real Irish expression is “no further than an ass’ roar”

**if you are interested in visiting Ireland, check out www.discoverireland.com