In this episode of Style Stories, we’re joined by writer, editor and creative director Orla Neligan—founder of creative media studio Cornershop—for a rich and reflective conversation on visual storytelling, intuitive style and the beauty of thoughtful details.

Orla shares how her childhood comic books, a teenage darkroom, and a lifelong love of magazines led to a career spanning food styling, interiors, branding and set design. She talks about the feeling of a space, the value of repurposing what you already own, and why creativity works best when it’s collaborative—not contrived.

From the scent of a room to the spine of a book, Orla shows how the smallest elements can tell the biggest stories.

THINGS WE SPOKE ABOUT

● Orla Neligan’s creative path—from comic books to Cornershop

● Why storytelling is at the heart of great interiors

● Repurposing what you already have, to style your space

● The value of collaboration and trusting your creative team

● How to make a space feel personal, not perfect

GUEST DETAILS

Orla Neligan is a writer, editor, producer and stylist, and the founder of Cornershop, a creative studio specialising in visual storytelling across interiors, food, lifestyle and branding. With a career spanning journalism, editorial direction and set design, Orla has worked on everything from in-flight magazines to cookbooks, photoshoots and TV sets.

She has served as editor of Abroad Magazine, Cara (Aer Lingus), Business Traveller, SQ (Superquinn), and K (The K Club Hotel), and has contributed features to The Irish Times, The Sunday Business Post,

Irish Tatler, and more. As a stylist and creative director, she’s brought her sharp eye and signature warmth to brands, broadcasters, publishers and personal projects alike.

Whether she’s styling a set, writing a feature or shaping a brand’s identity, Orla’s work is grounded in authenticity, elevated by detail, and always tells a story.

https://www.linkedin.com/in/orla-neligan-99781b16/
https://www.cornershopproductions.com/

MORE INFORMATION

Find EZ Living Interiors online at www.ezliving-interiors.ie.
Style Stories is produced for EZ Living Interiors by dustpod.io

QUOTES

Collaboration works when ego leaves the room. It’s never just one person—it’s the whole team that makes something great – Orla Neligan

Have you ever walked into a space and felt something straight away—even before you’ve looked around? That’s the magic I’m always chasing – Orla Neligan

You're trying to create a narrative that feels like someone—relatable, inspiring, and maybe a little bit surprising – Orla Neligan

Lots of us struggle with not knowing how to use flowers fully to create beautiful spaces. Some of us lack confidence when buying and arranging flowers, others have uncertainty about color combinations and are intimidated about creating impressive tablescapes for special occasions.

Today you will learn how to befriend a perfect expert in this who is just around your corner! You’ll know how to invest in quality flowers, and create stunning arrangements with confidence. You will discover practical tips, learn flower care secrets and gain the creative freedom to break traditional rules through playful color clashing and seasonal displays.

Join us right now with Heather Condren, the vibrant founder of Flower Pop, Dublin's boldest floral studio. From serving high-profile clients including the Beckhams, this "accidental florist" brings infectious energy and a rebellious approach to traditional flower arranging, making flowers accessible to everyone.

THINGS WE SPOKE ABOUT

• Heather Condren's Floral Journey and Flower Pop's Evolution
• Sources of inspiration, including fashion, movies, and more
• Choose seasonal flowers for the best quality and longevity.
• How to use flowers of different heights, varieties and using multiple vases.
• How you can play with color without fear.

GUEST DETAILS

Floral designer, entrepreneur and business owner, Heather Condren runs a successful floral studio in the heart of Dublin 8. Passionate about innovative design, passing on the knowledge of being creative through blooms, and championing other Irish female makers in the store.

Heather has worked and styled for many Irish and international brands, collaborated with Irish creative agencies and PR companies, created florals for bridal shoots, including the cover of Confetti Magazine in 2020. They were also featured in international floral magazine Cinefluer in 2023.

https://www.linkedin.com/in/heather-condren-023205106/
https://www.flowerpop.ie/

MORE INFORMATION

Find EZ Living Interiors online at www.ezliving-interiors.ie.
Style Stories is produced for EZ Living Interiors by dustpod.io

QUOTES

Make friends at your local florist. If you do need to pop in somewhere and buy a bunch, separate that bunch. Don't put it into a single vase in the middle of your table. - Heather Condren

Any leaf that's going below the waterline should be removed. And if tulips droop, put a little copper coin in the bottom of the vase. - Heather Condren

If you're having a dinner party on a Friday and you go into your florist, they'll say you need to get your flowers on Tuesday. They're going to look their best on Friday. - Heather Condren

KEYWORDS

#FlowerPop #HeatherCondren, #floraldesign #seasonalflowers #weddingflowers, #flowerinspiration
#EZLivingInteriors #StyleStories #Podcast

David O'Brien isn't just an interior designer - he's a storyteller who happens to use homes as his canvas. In this vibrant episode, David pulls back the curtain on his creative world, sharing how he transformed a blank plot of land into the now-famous Black House, a design that caught national attention and challenged traditional Irish home aesthetics.

Growing up in a creative family with a carpenter dad and design-savvy mom, David was always destined to think outside the box. From binge-watching Grand Designs to collecting vintage treasures since childhood, he's turned his passion into a profession that's all about creating spaces that feel deeply personal.

The episode is a delightful journey through David's design philosophy: mix old with new, never be afraid of bold choices, and always let your home tell your story. Whether he's talking about rescuing a 19th-century grand piano to use as a kitchen island or sharing his impressive collection of 120 house plants, David proves that great design is about joy, memories, and a bit of creative courage.

Listeners will walk away inspired, with practical tips on sourcing unique pieces, understanding lighting, and creating spaces that make you smile the moment you walk in.

In this episode, David delves into:

• Design Philosophy: Telling your life story through carefully curated, meaningful spaces.
• Vintage Hunting: The thrill of finding treasure in unexpected places, from auctions to Facebook Marketplace
• Creative Roots: How family, travel, and passion shape a designer's unique vision.
• Lighting Magic: Creating atmosphere through strategic, mood-enhancing illumination.
• Design Wisdom: Breaking rules, embracing personality, and making your home a joyful reflection of you.
• Black House: A bold architectural rebellion against traditional Irish home design.

GUEST DETAILS

David O'Brien is a Cork-based interior designer known for his warm, character-filled approach to creating modern living spaces. He follows a philosophy of “sentimental interior design,” where vintage finds, family heirlooms, and meaningful objects are carefully woven into the fabric of a home to evoke memory, comfort, and personal history. His own home, the "Black House" in Ballygarvan, was a finalist on RTÉ’s Home of the Year in 2021, famously featuring a grand piano repurposed as a kitchen island. This bold design choice reflects David’s unique blend of functionality, storytelling, and sustainability.

David believes homes should feel familiar and safe—places that reflect the people who live in them and their life experiences. As the creative force behind RJ O’Brien Building Contractors, he brings this ethos into renovations and design projects across Cork and Dublin, seamlessly blending antique charm with contemporary practicality.

MORE INFORMATION

Find EZ Living Interiors online at www.ezliving-interiors.ie

QUOTES

There isn’t really a typical day - that’s what I love about the job. You could be picking the perfect hue of white for a dining room one morning and then checking in on building works the next. - David O'Brien

I grew up in a very creative household… My dad was a carpenter, my mom was always evolving the house. She spent a lot of time trying to create a lovely, cozy space for us. - David O'Brien

From a really early age, I was watching those TV shows—Sarah Beeny’s Property Ladder, Grand Designs. I loved the idea that you could change homes up to suit who was living there, not just what they were designed for. - David O'Brien

We try and plan way ahead of the project… changes when things have started are expensive. My role is to negotiate between the client and the builders and to create something with a really natural plan going forward. - David O'Brien

Our big light is purely for effect, it’s never on. It never gives good lighting. You want lamp lights. In general, I do think it’s a little bit more relaxed in planning, you need sockets in the right places. - David O'Brien

Don’t go into a store and be like, ‘that’ll do for now.’ You won’t get something nicer later—you’ll just live with what you bought, and it won’t bring you any joy. - David O'Brien

When you step inside the door, your worries just start to fade away. I wanted to come into a bright, airy space filled with plants and treasures that I’ve collected over many years—something that brings a smile to my face every single day. - David O'Brien