"If I had foreseen what I was letting myself in for, I probably should have ran in the opposite direction, " smiles Emily. But she saw light at the end of several derelict tunnels . . . particularly the original orangery which was converted and redesigned as the main domestic residence by architect Alfred Cocrane. The classical portico that formed the facade of the original house has been retained as a folly near the entrance to the estate. Inside, the style is more informal in this mixed-period country house with sun-faded chintz, washed linen and sturdy, striped cottons.

The house is often hired for weddings and film shoots. It's the sort of place you'd imagine Madge and Guy Ritchie would give their eye teeth for. But in Emily's case, there wasn't too much money floating around when she arrived here.

"We scoured auction houses for bargains.

We had very little here to start off with . . . I had just brought a few prints with me from London and some bits of furniture which I restored. My formal training in fine art led to the setting up of our School of Gilding and Painted Finishes here and where people can come and stay at Loughcrew while they learn what is becoming a forgotten craft. . . Working with gold is very therapeutic. It's very much a healing substance, and maybe that's why I was drawn to Loughcrew."

STYLE STEAL

>> Don't end up with a bland, soulless interior where neutrals dominate. Emily's favourite colour is a soft, Scandinavian blue that works in almost every room and suits our grey north European light. Her kitchen is a warm, cherry colour . . . the perfect antidote to a grey Irish winter.

>> If you don't have money for furnishings, re-cover favourite chairs and sofas or use panels of luxury fabrics as a trim to curtains or as cushion covers.

>> Travel broadens the mind . . . and the inspiration. There's nothing like getting away from your home for a while and then coming back and seeing it with fresh eyes and getting to grips with what needs fixing and improving, says Emily. Plus one beautiful find from abroad gives a room your personal stamp.

SOURCES

>> Many furniture pieces were bought at auctions rooms such as Mullen Bros in Oldcastle and Oliver Usher in Kells. Other pieces were recovered from scrap and restored by Emily.

>> Murals were painted by Michael Dillon, one of the country's leading mural artists. Fine ceramic and bronze sculptures are by Co Meathbased artist Anne Meldon >> Vintage fabrics are from French markets or family heirlooms. Contemporary cottons, linens and fine wool textures are from Linum (www. linumireland. ie) www. loughcrew. com

ROOM BY ROOM

Studio
The atmosphere is lively and industrious, with music playing . . . particularly opera. Over three days students are taught moulding techniques, the use of gold leaf, painted finishes and restoration. Here, sets are also built for the annual Garden Opera at Loughcrew.

Drawing rooms
Period country-house style is updated with lively printed cushions. A lot of the furniture is from auction rooms, or sourced in Italy and France. Sculpture and prints are from Emily's many artist pals. The vast gilt-framed overmantle in the drawing room is one of Emily's many restoration projects, while the sofas are covered in rich velvet or sturdy Irish linen.

The Palmhouse
This is Emily's favourite room . . . and where the house's origins as an orangery are apparant in the soaring ceilings, unadorned brick walls and tall French doors with fanlight opening to the garden. "I love to sit here on summer evenings as dusk approaches. It's the nicest place for informal dinners."

Reception Hall
The Fennell hall is a dramatic entrance to the house. It is painted rich tomato red, rather than the more muted, heritage shades associated with period houses. "Neutrals are all very well but with eight months of the year being dark and cold, plus the exterior of the house mainly grey, I think we all need bright colour."

The hall's red walls are embellished by gold leaf decoration by Emily, and murals by leading aritst Michael Dillon.

Master bedroom The master bedroom is dominated by a gilt corona with silk drapes arranged behind the French bed. By contrast, another bedroom is in rustic country style with a pine bed and striped blue cotton from Linum, the Scandinavian textiles company.