Love That - May Edition

Welcome to the May edition of our Love That series, where a member of the EZ Living creative team picks their favourite pieces from the collections

Inspirational photos we see in brochures and online make us long for new things to liven up our homes, or even inspire a total revamp, all looking effortlessly and tastefully pulled together, but it happens to take a well-trained eye and skills developed over time to style these shots to such a high standard.

Bringing together different materials, textures, furniture, accessories and artwork is an art in itself, and if you’re in need of inspiration, someone who is right up there among the best out-putting this creative work is Lois Lyness. As stylist and photography studio co-ordinator, she brings her exacting eye to the collections, showing how they can be mixed together and finished with accessories to add extra layers of style and personality to your home.

As a fan of colour and mid-century modern, her first Love That piece is the Ariana sofa (€1,699) with its echoes of ‘70s design brought right up to date, including teddy bear brown or manhattan pine upholstery.

“I really like the flow of the curved shape as it softens the room and feels really inviting,” she says. “I also love the look of a low-profile sofa, but often they compromise on comfort and support. The Ariana gives you that sleek, low look while still being incredibly comfortable, thanks to the electric headrests that provide proper support when you want to relax.”

Ariana Manhattan Pine 3 Seater Power Recliner Sofa

A dedicated dining room might be a luxury for many homeowners these days but for those with an open-plan kitchen and dining space, it doesn’t mean your table and chairs have to skimp on style and focus totally on functionality.

Lois’ choice of the Augusto dining furniture speaks to both in a blend of chic wooden finish with a contrasting, easy to clean ceramic top erring on the side of practicality.

“It creates such an interesting contrast in texture,” she says. “I’m a fan of darker, moodier interiors, so the dark brown wood is perfect, while the ceramic top adds a lighter, more contemporary feel. I also like that the table comes in fixed, extending, and round options.”

Augusto Dark Brown & Ceramic Top Wooden Round Dining Table

In the last decade the sideboard has made a massive comeback after infrequently used dedicated dining rooms became less popular through the ‘90s and noughties.

But moving with the times when we expect our furniture to work harder and earn its keep, they’ve become multi-functional, frequently seen now in kitchens and living rooms and available in all sorts of shapes and sizes so there’s something to suit all homes whether roomy or compact.

For Lois, the sideboard is the standout piece from the Augusto range (€999), combining good looks and practicality.

“It offers lots of storage,” she says, “without losing its sleek aesthetic.”

Augusto Dark Brown & Ceramic Top Wooden Round Dining Table

Darker woods with an emphasis on adding texture emerge as a theme with Lois citing the Lyra bedroom range as one she really loves, with a little deviation that elevates the aesthetic and comfort level.

“The dark oak works perfectly with my aesthetic and the fluted detail gives each piece so much character and warmth,” she says.

But rather than opting for the entire bedroom suite where everything matches, she chooses a contrasting fabric bed frame to elevate the overall look and add softness in a space where the hard lines of wooden storage-related furniture can dominate.

“I’m not someone who likes all of my furniture to match exactly,” she says, “so rather than pairing it with the matching Lyra bed, I’d choose the Embrace ottoman bed instead (from €999). I love the contrast between the soft beige fabric and the darker wood. That kind of juxtaposition always makes a space feel more layered and interesting to me. The added underbed storage is also a huge bonus.”

Lyra Smoked Oak 5ft King Bedframe

As the weather improves and our home projects start to focus on our outdoor spaces, Lois admits to not having fully appreciated the impact of a well-designed outdoor space when she first joined EZ Living Interiors.

“Seeing all the different garden set-ups has completely changed the way I think about outdoor living. One of my favourite ranges is the Diablo (chairs from €199, sofas from €599). It’s so versatile, with options including armchairs (from €199), two-seaters (€599), three-seaters (€699), corner pieces, and tables (from €249). It works for so many different spaces. I love the combination of the whitewashed wood, rope detailing and cream cushions.”

Although she loves a pop of colour, Lois also has an appreciation of a neutral palette and its potential for styling and elevating a look.

“It gives you the freedom to experiment with accessories and cushions to really make it your own,” she says. “The UV-protected fabric is also a huge plus for longevity, making it as practical as it is stylish.”