Eoin Lyons persuades a few decorating aficionados to delve into their address books and recommend their cleaners, upholsterers, specialists and handymen
Dublin interior designer Deirdre Danaher recommends lighting designer David Bain (087-2584190) because what he does is "never obvious - not too bright or too dark but always enhances atmosphere". A lighting designer sounds very grand but really it's just about helping you choose lighting that works in a particular room. Bain deals with a large range of good quality fittings, will install everything, and is not as expensive as you might imagine.
Curtain maker Angela Lee (01-4902307) works in Rathgar but mostly only for interior designers such as Siobhan MacDonald and Milo Fitzgerald, so you may have to wait a bit. Lee herself recommends Sharon Dunne (01-6293094) in Maynooth as an excellent curtain maker. Dunne's shop is called The Linen Berry. In Limerick, fashion commentator Celia Holman Lee suggests Curtains Direct (061-355974, 087-2058514) because "they give a great service - visiting your home and seeing what will work with what you already have. The finish is excellent, too."
In Cork, Beth Haughton of the Beth fashion store in Douglas recommends Sean O'Neill (087-2925114) to lay hardwood floors. "He laid the floors in my own home and is really methodical and a perfectionist. There's an honesty there, too - he won't do something that won't work." Also in Cork, for electrical jobs she suggests Andy Dowling (021-4963469). "He's one of those people who just comes in and sorts out the problem and is also great fun."
A good upholsterer is hard to find, but Caroline Kennedy recommends Dermot Symth of The Peach Tree in Co Carlow (059-9141624). "He used to have a furniture shop and now just restores and upholsters ... He's very good and very reasonably priced." Domini Kemp recently told us about Paul Dempsey (087-6660064) in Dublin who re-covered a couch that "feels like new" for less than €350.
Elayne Brennan is a creative director, and for an extension to her Donnybrook home she found a small builder, Noel O'Reilly of Rigid Construction (086-2567046): "There has to be a bit of give-and-take between a client and builder - but you've got to have good quality workmanship, and Noel did my project very well." For chandelier cleaning, hanging and repairing, Elayne recommends Clancey Chandeliers (01-2863460) and for restoration of plasterwork and mouldings, she opts for The Old Mould Company in Dún Laoghaire (01-2842777).
Appliance Care (01-4502655) offers a call-out service countrywide and will deal with breakdowns of any Bosch, Neff, Siemens and Gaggenau products. It has parts to hand which tends to keep their cost down.
"My experience of the refurbishment of my house was a nightmare - workmen do let you down," says PR consultant Emma Kelly. "The only one I would recommend is my cabinet/kitchen/wardrobe-maker Alan Gallagher (087-2265362)."
AND A FEW OF OUR OWN:
Oven Clean (01-6615177) does a through on-site clean of your oven. The company operates countrywide but book now for Christmas.
Healy's (01-6772238) on Pearse Street in Dublin for cleaning old brass.
Get rid of old furniture in central Dublin, by calling Oxfam Home (01-4020555), which will collect and sell the piece. Anything you give should be in reasonably good condition.
Get-Sorted.com takes over after the removal van arrives at your new home, unpacking, cleaning, and leaving it ready to live in. Check the website for rates.
Gallery owner Ib Jorgenson uses framer Liam Slattery (01-4978446) in Rathmines. He works at the top end of the market and his framing is particularly beautiful, if expensive. Event designer Tara Fay uses Frame Makers in Stillorgan Industrial Estate (01-2954500), which caters to different budgets. Fay also recommends The Hibernian Cleaning Company (01-4780433 - "great at clearing up after a party"). For any kind of joinery, interior designer Michaela Mantero recommends KCR Joinery (01-4067672) in Harold's Cross, for good finish and reasonable prices.