Garlands And Greenery

Rachel has created a vibrant and stylish home, and her creative décor makes her South Dublin house welcoming and inviting for Christmas celebrations.

For Rachel Plunkett Byrne, an interior designer, visual brand stylist, and founder of RPB Designs, Christmas is not just a holiday but an opportunity to infuse her home with warmth, joy, and a touch of nature. Rachel and her husband, Ken, purchased their charming yet dated 1960s three-bedroom semi-detached house in South Dublin in 2008. Since then, they’ve embarked on a journey of renovation and upcycling to create a home that reflects their love for creativity and family traditions. In 2016, Rachel and Ken decided it was time to give their home the makeover it truly deserved. ‘The house needed a lot of work,’ Rachel recalls. ‘With three children and busy lives, we initially did just enough to keep it liveable. But by 2016, we were ready to tackle a complete renovation.’ The project was a full-scale re-gut of the property, taking nine months to complete. Like many older homes, it presented numerous surprises, from structural issues to complex design decisions. ‘The renovation process tested us in ways we hadn’t anticipated,’ says Rachel. ‘But the experience was invaluable and deepened my understanding of what it truly means to transform a house into a home.’ One of the most transformative changes was extending the front door and removing the porch, allowing natural light to flood the hallway and creating a more open, airy feel. ‘We also added a doorway to connect the garage, which we converted into a guest room, seamlessly integrating it with the rest of the house,’ Rachel explains. ‘These changes made our home feel much more spacious and welcoming.’

Read more in the December issue…