For owners in the United States

An Irish interior designer who works to your clock, your currency and your standards.

Most of our clients live in the United States and see their Irish house two or three weeks a year. The studio exists to close that distance — so the renovation happens properly whether or not anyone from the family is in the country.

Sitting room in a Kerry holiday home designed for an American family

What we commit to

Six things every US client gets, in writing.

Calls on Eastern Time
Scheduled in your morning — usually 8am ET — with a written summary after every trade meeting.
Filmed walkthroughs
A narrated video of the site each week, so you see the same thing we do without booking a flight.
Budgets in dollars
Every quote in USD beside EUR, with the exchange assumption and contingency stated up front.
One point of contact
No chasing builders, joiners or conservation officers across a five-hour time difference.
US-standard expectations
Closet space, laundry, showers with pressure, screens and HVAC comfort translated into an Irish house.
Turnkey arrival
Beds made, kitchen stocked, heating on and fire set for the day you land.

Clients of RK Designs

Letters from owners, at home and abroad.

“Thank you for the care and attention you and your staff have given to our new home. You made it happen. My husband and I are truly enjoying our newly finished and furnished holiday home. I hope you have saved before and after pictures, because no one would believe it was the same place. It is warm, comfortable and elegant — just what we had planned. You worked very hard to get just the right touches.”
Yvonne ThorntonChicago & Waterville
“Ruth Kennelly designed and managed a complete refurbishment of my house. I trusted her judgement and style, so much so that I handed her the keys and went away on holidays for three weeks! And what a result — a fantastic revamp from old to new. I have no hesitation in highly recommending RK Designs to family and friends alike.”
Clodhna FerrisDun Laoghaire
“We built a 3,500 square foot French style lodge using largely reclaimed materials. We employed Ruth Kennelly to design an interior that followed this 'old world' French theme. What I loved about Ruth is the way she really listened, turning infantile ideas into practical realities with flair and enthusiasm. Ruth's experience and contacts saved us so much time, legwork and money. Highly recommended — we're thrilled with our home.”
Michelle MoloughneyClontarf
Open kitchen and dining room designed remotely for owners in New York

Practicalities

Buying first? We can look before you commit.

We're often asked to view a house before contracts are signed and give an honest renovation cost range, so an American buyer knows the true number before bidding. We can also coordinate with your Irish solicitor, engineer and surveyor, and hold keys for deliveries and trades all year.

Request a quoteRead the FAQ

Where our clients live

From Florida to Toronto — Irish houses managed from afar.

Owners in these cities have handed us the keys to a house in Ireland and watched the renovation happen from home.

Reference & inspiration

The American interiors titles our clients bring to the table.

Most US owners arrive with tear sheets. We work fluently in the language of these magazines and translate it for Irish houses, Irish light and Irish weather.