Dressing House on the Border - Caoimhe’s Made-to-Measure Story

Interior designer Caoimhe, known on Instagram as @houseontheborder, lives with her husband Charlie and their four boys on the Tyrone–Donegal border. “We moved in about seven years ago, and there’s always a project — big or small — on the go,” she says with a smile.

Their traditional country-style home reflects the rural setting but carries a contemporary twist that keeps it feeling fresh and lived-in. One of Caoimhe’s recent projects focused on the main living room — the heart of the home.

“This is where we entertain, spend time as a family, and unwind in the evenings,” Caoimhe explains. “There’s always people in and out — from the garden, the kitchen, the dining space — so it’s a busy room.”

Because their home isn’t overlooked, privacy wasn’t a concern. Instead, the goal was to add warmth and texture for the evenings. “We definitely wanted to cozy up the space a little bit,” she says.

To complement the room’s warm neutral palette, Caoimhe chose Natural Herringbone fabric for her Roman blinds, finished with the Rochelle Cream braid. “I wanted something that would contrast slightly with the walls but still feel harmonious. The braid adds just enough detail to draw the eye, especially when you’re looking from the kitchen or across the room.”

As a designer, Caoimhe is thoughtful about proportion and finish. She chose to have her blinds fitted outside the window recess for a more expansive look. “It makes the windows feel larger and gives the room a greater sense of space,” she says.

Working closely with Material World, she fine-tuned the small details — including a clever fabric return to conceal the blind brackets. “It’s such a simple tip, but it gives the blind a clean, tailored look.”

This isn’t Caoimhe’s first time working with Material World. “A few years ago, I collaborated with them on curtains for our landing, which completely transformed the space,” she recalls. “So I knew the process would be easy, and the quality would be excellent.”

This time, everything was handled virtually — by phone, email, and through the Material World website. “The site is like a virtual library of fabrics,” she says. “You can see textures and details clearly, order samples, and have them in your hand within days. That made it easy to visualise how each option would look in the room.”

As a designer, Caoimhe understands that every space has its own needs. “When choosing a window dressing, think about how the space functions,” she advises. “In this room, curtains would never have worked — it was always going to be Roman blinds. In another space, the answer might be different. The key is to look at your tones, textures, and materials together to achieve a balanced, harmonious finish.”

Having worked with Material World more than once, Caoimhe says she wouldn’t hesitate to recommend the experience. “The process is straightforward, the service is second to none, and the quality speaks for itself.”

Need window dressings of your own?
Call +353 (0)45 879 663, email info@materialworldireland.com or visit us in-store to learn about our made-to-measure Roman Blind service. We’d love to chat.