‘It was a shell with no water or electricity’: Cork mum on home transformation

Pulling up outside Jessica Cunningham’s home at Inch, near Killeagh, you could never imagine the haven of warmth, comfort, and relaxation that the artistic mother of one, and clinical nurse specialist, has created beyond the front door.

“Come inside, and I’ll put on the kettle,” says Jessica.

The Cork woman shares images and charts developments inside her home on her Peonies and Poodles account on Instagram and has a following of 90.1k.

“Instagram happened by accident!” says Jessica. “I didn’t even tell my family that I was posting!”

The lived-in character and connection to nature of Jessica’s home captures the essence of cottagecore: wholesome and nostalgic. A soft, cosy spot is waiting as I sink into a soft, heavenly, cushioned chair.

It gets better.

“My mother-in-law made an apple tart,” says Jessica.

“You must have a piece.”

With her heart and soul immersed in her ‘forever’ home, together with her husband Colm, their son, Bertie, and family pet, toy poodle, Gloria, Jessica has created something beautiful, offering happiness and joy to all.

Her new business is called ‘you deserve blooms’, where Jessica creates faux flower bouquets that are “always in bloom”.

“I decided to put my energy into something creative that others might appreciate. I have always styled my house with flowers,” says Jessica.

In her ‘forever’ home, she wants flowers to last forever, making sweet spots around her abode.

Inside the modern-rustic house, with an Irish French-inspired design, each room flows into another.

“Everyone deserves flowers,” says Jessica.

“They express appreciation, love and validation, showing that someone is worthy of love, care and recognition.”

Jessica fell in love with the shell of a house standing opposite her parents’ house almost 10 years ago.

“I lived in my dad’s garage for a while, and I helped him do it up,” says Jessica.

“I always had a dream of living in a country cottage or old farmhouse. I love a traditional vibe. This house was built in 2007. You couldn’t see the back garden, covered in debris and briars. I really don’t know why I was so drawn to it,” says Jessica.

She was up for a challenge.

“It was a shell with no water or electricity,” says Jessica.

“The house was dull and shocking. There was no kitchen, no stairs, and furniture was sparse, a plastic outdoor table served as the kitchen table. I did the washing-up in the shower!”

The house was transformed.

“I was always a creative person and loved art in school,” says Jessica.

“I have an artistic eye, and I can imagine my vision becoming a reality. I always have to be doing.”

Her dad, Michael, helped Jessica’s vision become a reality.

“He was my project manager!” says Jessica, laughing.

Being a professional nurse, a wife, a mother and now a businesswoman, how does Jessica juggle it all?

“It can be overwhelming sometimes,” Jessica admits.

“People often ask me that, and the truth is I don’t know. I struggle like everyone else and just get better at it.”

It’s a team effort.

“Colm and I share the work between us. Our family support is fantastic.”

Jessica’s aesthetics in her ‘sanctuary’ is made of her love of traditional style updated for contemporary living, which makes her home stand out.

“I take my time picking things,” says Jessica. “It could take me six months or a year. If I was choosing furniture, I would put it on a mood board.

“I hate just settling for something. I prefer to figure it out. It has to remain within the style which is traditional.”

Jessica is a fan of Done Deal and Farrow & Ball.

“My armoire was sourced on Done Deal,” says Jessica. “I find items on Done Deal that stay true to character.

“I also love French-style Laura Ashley, and Farrow & Ball has always been my choice of paint. I’m a fanatic!”

Is three-year- old Bertie showing artistic vision like his mum?

Jessica laughs.

“He loves colouring. His toys are usually strewn around the house - I tidied up today! Bertie’s wheel ramp is usually stretching from the kitchen to the conservatory!”

She must have dusted too?

“My house can be dust central!” says Jessica.

“I have to keep on top of it.”

Does Jessica, with an artistic eye and huge vision, have some advice for us mere mortals where décor and design are concerned?

“Take your time with what you are doing,” says Jessica.

“Do a mood board and add and take. Get a feel for how it will finish. Don’t rush it. Get a feel for the home and figure out your style.”

In a world of giant architectural dwellings fronted with cold, grey stone and mountains of glass complete with unwelcoming electric gates, it’s light relief to come across a home where comfort, texture and colour prevail.

Accessories are important to create an atmosphere and cosiness.

“A space can gain dimension and become more appealing with the addition of a few nice things,” says Jessica.

“Accessories add versatility and can give you the option to add and take away, to mix things up and create a different interior look very easily. I love decorative trays and use them all over the house to display and style my accessories.”

I better not venture upstairs.

“Why not?” inquires Jessica.

Because I’d end up booking in for B&B

• Follow Jessica on Instagram at peoniesandpoodles