Revamped showroom now open in St Patrick’s Mills

One of Cork’s most popular producers of handcrafted sofas has refreshed their Cork showrooms.

Launched at an event last Thursday, the showrooms have been upgraded while enhancing original details in their historic building at St Patrick’s Mills in Douglas.

Originally opened more than ten years ago by Finline, the revamp respects the original architecture, something that was important to the owners Kate and Ciaran Finane. It also adds some modern extras like a new cinema room!

St Patricks Mills has always been a perfect fit for Finline. Built in 1883, the great mill once employed 300 people working 80 power looms and 3,000 spindles. It was at the heart of Cork’s textile industry. The textile heritage is very much in keeping with Finline’s mission and the fact that all furniture is manufactured in Emo, county Laois.

Finding new uses for old buildings is very close to Kate and Ciaran’s hearts. They kept things like the original ceilings, the elegant arched windows and doors, the supporting pillars and (where possible) the original tongue-in-groove cladding. Everything has been repainted in a gentle white (Milk Teeth from Irish paint brand Colourtrend) and the 450 sq. metre space is flooded with natural light that sets off sofas to the best advantage.

The redesign of the showroom is comfortable and welcoming, as well as bright and airy. Removing an internal wall opened out the space to create a dedicated showcase of the best of Finline’s sofas, armchairs and dining chairs.

Made to order

All the furniture is made to order and their process allows you to choose the model of sofa in the size you want. You can sit on them and test them out for comfort as well as style. Then you can look through over 250 fabrics to see which one you like best.

They have large-sized fabric samples so you can drape them over the furniture to see how the finished piece will look. Then you can select the legs you like best and maybe some complementary cushions.

The showroom has been extended slightly to add a new cinema room. It’s a more enclosed space that gives the sense of being in a cinema room at home with a big screen and a lovely large chaise sofa to curl up on. They also created a sleep zone, a cosy space with a lower ceiling, to show off headboards, sofa beds, and bedroom furniture.

Revive scheme

A display area for their sustainable Revive scheme has now been included.

This section has sofas bought back from its previous owners, stripped down, and rehabilitated in contemporary fabrics. It’s a way of buying a sofa for considerable less than a new one, while supporting the circular economy.

St Patricks Mills is an interiors and home décor destination featuring Finline Furniture along with brands like Cork Floors, Interiosity, Fleetwood Paints, Pod Furniture and Rugs.ie.

Visit Finline Furniture Cork Showrooms at Unit 17 & 18, St Patrick's Woollen Mills, Douglas, Cork, T12 VW59. See finlinefurniture.ie for more.

The showroom is also wheelchair accessible.