My Objects of Desire: Stable of Ireland co-founder Sonia Reynolds talks textiles, sheepskin and her love of road trips
Stable of Ireland has become a beloved staple of Grafton Street’s sustainable offerings. Its co-founder, Sonia Reynolds, gives us a peek inside her home and its special pieces that bring her joy
My personal style is certainly not trend-driven. I dress for ease and comfort. It sounds very dull, I know, but I like to have the freedom to move around. I walk or cycle to work so I like to keep things as simple and uncomplicated as possible. I love menswear so I would wear brogues, loafers or chunky boots in the winter with trousers or skirts. I’m partial to layering and not afraid of colour. I find I'm more print-led in the summer and block colour in the winter and, of course, I am always wrapped in a scarf one way or another, head or neck, whatever the mood takes me.
My interior style would be quite individual. This simply means I have a mix of antiques with mid-century pieces. I do love to mix and match and many of my pieces have a story whether they’ve been picked up on travels or otherwise. Ideally, I love everything to have a place, however, when you have a full house – there are five of us – that can sometimes be easier said than done.
My autumn-winter must-have has to be my long-awaited beautiful tweed coat. We (Francie Duff, co founder and business partner) worked on it with our dear friend and always-classic designer Peter O'Brien.
The fabric I'm obsessed with is Irish linen of course. So much so that Francie and I built our business STABLE of Ireland around it. We have developed linen collections for both the home and to wear. We have you covered from bed, bath, table, and swim, to scarves and capsule clothing collections.
It’s very difficult for me to highlight my favourite Irish craftsperson or maker. We work with so many makers and craftspeople throughout Ireland and I have been so inspired and feel extremely privileged that we can work together to highlight, develop and promote the wonderful talents and hard work that goes into creating and weaving beautiful fabrics, basketry, wooden furniture and accessories in our country.
I’m currently reading Ottolenghi's Test Kitchen Extra Good Things, which was given to me as a gift. I love it as I love to cook. I’m also reading Olivia Laing’s Funny Weather: Art in an Emergency. I'm dreadful at reading unless I'm away and can just switch off, which is now always a challenge in itself I may add, however, the best book I’ve read this year is Lessons in Chemistry by Bonnie Garmus.
For design inspiration, I look to being out and about and meeting people. I love being on the road whether that is here in Ireland or further afield. I get very excited hopping into the car and going on our road trips. I’m drawn to the coast so for me that’s where the magic happens!
The designers that changed my thinking was the Antwerp 6. Composed of designers such as Dries Von Noten, and Ann Demeulemeester, they are timeless classics to this day.
The last thing I bought and love is our newly launched Irish linen men's shirts. They are a perfect weight and let's face it, nothing is quite as sexy as wearing men's shirts.
On my wish list is a shed by the sea. It has been a long-awaited wish for years and at this stage, it bores my family and friends, but I know when it happens I’ll only be too delighted to share and they will benefit too.
I bring home souvenirs of things I can use in the kitchen such as a very fine Fingal Ferguson knife, wonderful antique plates or cutlery. I also pick up great candles and candlesticks if and when I can find them.
The best album I’ve listened to this year has to be The Nameless by Cathy Davey. I listened to it recently while driving back in the car from holidays with my family.
My go-to podcast is My Therapist Ghosted Me. Vogue Williams and Joanne McNally are funny, straight-talking and entertaining. On the other side of the coin, I do love and am a huge fan of the informative David McWilliams Podcast, he talks sense and helps me to try and understand what is really happening in this crazy world that we’re living in.
The place I love returning to is West Cork. I’ve been going to Schull for over 25 years since my husband Barry brought me on our first holiday, his father is originally from Schull. It's our ‘happy place’ with such lovely memories with family and wonderful friends, adventures and great food all on our doorstep. I love the fact that our kids and their friends also join us which makes for such fun. We’re forever grateful.
The place I really want to visit is Antwerp. Then I’d love to pop along to Copenhagen where I’ve also never been.
My most-used app these days is WhatsApp for keeping in touch with work and friends. However, I'm feeling Revolut is a close second for banking and payments. It's genius.
The gadget I use all the time would probably have to be my phone.
The best gift I’ve received is a beautiful 1970s cocktail ring from my husband. It was a great find in the Adams Jewellery Auction in Dublin which is so beautifully curated by Claire-Laurence Mestrallet.
A couple of years ago I gifted my husband a bass guitar and amp. It’s the best present I’ve given as he always tunes into the bass. Shortly after that, he joined with a group of pals of ours in The Waterloo Sessions, and since that day it's been the gift that keeps on giving.
I love pickling, so in my fridge anytime there could be pickled onions, cucumbers and veg. In the pantry, I'm fully stocked up with pumpkin oil, so much so that it's a standing joke in our house – it’s great for dressings that I can’t resist it.
Paris is my favourite place to shop. I love the city for inspiration and individual stores.
The galleries I love to visit are the Kerlin Gallery as a modern minimum space, and the tucked-away Hugh Lane for its grandeur and simple elegance.
The National Museum of Ireland is the museum I visit most. I particularly love the Celtic and pre-historic Gold collections. I‘m very fortunate to have been the first person in thousands of years to have worn these magnificent pieces back in the early ‘90s launching the unveiling of the collection. This was a feature by Deirdre McQuillan for the Sunday Tribune and photographed by Conor Horgan. As you can imagine, it is quite an honour that I treasure.
The most beautiful retail space that I adore was the original Prada store in Duomo in Milan when I first visited it many years ago.
Villa Necchi Campiglio in Milan is my favourite building. I eventually visited during Milan Design Week in 2018 as it had been on the list for some years. It has since been used as the location for the movie House of Gucci. Those brass double doors!
I could never part with the old leather chair – that’s practically falling apart – that I shipped from Amsterdam years ago. I found it while on a great weekend visiting friends with my great pal Ally. If that chair could talk!
My indulgence would have to be fresh lobster off the boat in West Cork. Then a stroll up the road picking up fresh greens from Mary's farm, washed down with a crisp and refreshing bottle of Grüner Veltliner.
I couldn’t live without my getaway fix and road trips around the country. And some good banter and, of course, a bit of fun.
My bookmarked websites would be TheModernHouse.com, BoutiqueHomes.com, and Businessoffashion.com, although I’m constantly finding new websites which always provide plenty of inspiration.
I collect sheepskin rugs. I love how they can transform a space whether that's inside or out. I’ve also a weakness for ceramics, whether that's plates, platters or jugs.
My home is like Grand Central Station at times, but I love it. I'm trying to de-clutter, which is fun.
BYREDO Gypsy Water is my scent at the moment.
My skincare routine is very simple, Liz Earle face wash and La Roche Posay SPF50.
My beauty essentials are lip balm, Victoria Beckham mascara and, of course, moisturiser.
To de-stress, I love cooking, hiking and cycling. All of which I need to invest a bit more time in, that would be a great week away, I’m thinking.
The artist I’m loving is Cléa Van Der Grijn. Tara in The Solomon Gallery beside our shop by The Westbury hosted an exhibition of Cléa’s work last year and without knowing who it was I was drawn to her work and colours. Needless to say, one of her pieces is on my wish list.
Mount Venus in the Dublin Hills is a favourite escape for me. But there are quite a few gardens I adore, however, I’ll keep it simple – I also love my dear friend Fiona’s garden in Drumcondra designed by Bernard Hickey, who I'm a huge fan of.
