Discover Ciara O’Brien’s Stunning Bed and Breakfast Renovation in Co. Cork
Ciara O’Brien from Mitchelstown, Co Cork, transformed a vacant farmhouse into a stylish bed and breakfast in 2021. Leaving her career as an accountant, she welcomed guests to Barnahown House this summer. Ciara plans to hold an interiors event next year to share her renovation experience. She encourages people to maximize design choices early in the process.
The transformation of Barnahown House featured assistance from the Brennan brothers on RTÉ’s At Your Service. Ciara expressed gratitude for their help and continues to stay in touch with them. CEA Architects ensured the renovations respected the house’s history while incorporating modern amenities for guests.
As the hostess of Barnahown House, Ciara emphasizes local produce. She offers guests a warm welcome with tea and biscuits during their visit. The interior design combines neutral tones with accents of sage green and rosy pink. In the parlour, guests can relax and enjoy local dishes while serving themselves drinks from the honesty bar.
The reception area welcomes guests and features vintage furniture, including a rare Ercol Windsor sofa. Ciara hired interior designer Catherine O’Flynn to help manage the renovation. Catherine’s expertise helped Ciara avoid mistakes and impulse purchases. The farmhouse kitchen stands out with warm sunset yellow paint that contrasts the main house’s calming color palette.
How did Ciara O’Brien incorporate local culture and design into the renovation of Barnahown House?
Interview with Ciara O’Brien: Transforming a Farmhouse into Barnahown House B&B
Date: October 2023
Location: Barnahown House, Mitchelstown, Co Cork
Interviewer: Thank you for joining us today, Ciara. You’ve made quite a remarkable transition from being an accountant to opening a bed and breakfast. Can you share a bit about what inspired you to make that change?
Ciara O’Brien: Thank you for having me! The idea of transforming Barnahown House had been brewing for a while. I always had a passion for interiors and hospitality. When I stumbled upon this vacant farmhouse, I knew it was the perfect opportunity to combine my love for design with a welcoming atmosphere for guests.
Interviewer: Your renovation journey has been a fascinating one. How did you approach the process of redesigning the farmhouse?
Ciara O’Brien: I was fortunate to have help from the Brennan brothers on RTÉ’s ‘At Your Service.’ Their insights were invaluable in making sure we honored the house’s history while incorporating modern amenities. I also worked closely with CEA Architects to ensure that we respected the authenticity of the farmhouse buildings.
Interviewer: What can guests expect from their stay at Barnahown House?
Ciara O’Brien: Guests are welcomed with a homely touch — we serve tea and biscuits upon arrival, and I source local produce for our meals. The interior design is a blend of neutral tones with pops of sage green and rosy pink, creating a cozy yet stylish environment. The honesty bar in the parlour really sets a relaxed vibe where guests can serve themselves drinks.
Interviewer: The design elements in your home sound beautiful! Can you tell us more about the choices you made for the interiors?
Ciara O’Brien: Absolutely! I wanted to create a space that is both inviting and reflective of the area. For the main kitchen, I chose a warm sunset yellow to contrast with the calmer palette throughout the house. It’s really about finding that balance and creating a space where people can unwind and enjoy local dishes. I worked with interior designer Catherine O’Flynn, who helped me avoid common pitfalls in design, which was crucial.
Interviewer: It sounds like a wonderful experience for guests! I understand that you’ve been running the B&B for about six months now. How has that experience influenced your plans for the future?
Ciara O’Brien: It’s been an incredible journey so far, and I’ve learned so much about hospitality. I’ve decided to expand! I recently received planning permission to convert the adjacent building. This will allow me to host six additional guests, which is very exciting for me.
Interviewer: That sounds like a great opportunity! You’re also planning to hold an interiors event next year. What will that entail?
Ciara O’Brien: Yes, I’m really looking forward to it! The event will focus on sharing my renovation journey and the design choices I made along the way. I hope it will inspire others who are considering a similar path. I encourage everyone to maximize their design choices early in the process, as it can make a huge difference in the final outcome.
Interviewer: Thank you, Ciara, for sharing your inspiring journey with us. We can’t wait to hear more about the event and see how Barnahown House continues to grow.
Ciara O’Brien: Thank you for having me! I’m excited about what the future holds for Barnahown House.
Ciara’s private space includes an open-plan kitchen and living area, separated from the bedroom by a glass wall. The decor carries a stronger color scheme, including rich green upholstery. The kitchen design prioritizes simplicity, avoiding wall units to maintain a light atmosphere.
After six months of running her B&B, Ciara plans to expand. She received planning permission to convert the adjacent building for six additional guests. Her journey in hospitality continues to grow.