Shopfront: Forget the gaudy Shirley Bassey connotations you might associate with sequins: decidedly non-glitzy fashion designers such as Ann Demeulemeester and Helmut Lang have recently started to use them in a pared down way or, in fashion-ese, to add some "ironic" glamour.

This is a fashion trend that can work in your home too, but only in very small amounts (or you'll end up back with Bassey).

Murphy Sheehy in Castle Market has sequinned fabrics, some gold on lurex, others more like larger pailettes on black and white fabrics (between €6.50 and €17 per metre). Murphy Sheehy say they are often bought for curtaining, cushions or even to drape the inside of a wardrobe.