Fair settee: Arnotts brings the suite life to Dublin’s landmarks

The store’s new display matches new-season furniture with the capital’s cityscapes


Arnotts department store has selected some of the best of its new-season furniture and paired them with some of the capital's best-loved landmarks to bring the pieces to life – without them ever leaving the shop floor. The photo wizardry is courtesy of photographer Trevor Hart, who worked with stylist Eleanor Harpur to take some of the most exciting seating, lighting, tables and chairs and position them as if the room-sets had been dropped in front of postcard pictures of the city's sites. Urban Aesthetic is the look that is positioned in front of St James Gate, Dublin 8, the home of the black stuff. It features Whitemeadow seating, from €1,399 for the snuggler to €2,049 for the four-seat sofa, and a mid-century-inspired table (€899), dresser (€1,199) and Tate leather dining chairs (€399 each) as well as a brass-finished metal-frame occasion chair (€799), all from West Elm.

Its City Chic look, pictured in front of the steel ribs of the Ha'penny Bridge, made using ore from Sliabh an Iarainn in Co Leitrim, includes more West Elm designs: Audrey, a six-drawer dresser (€1,399), a marble top pedestal coffee table (€799), and a Martini side table (€199), as well as plush Jean sofas from UK seating firm Alexander & James, from €1,749 for the two-seat, and Irish brand Mindy Browne's very desirable Albaretto lamp (€175). The rationale? Arnotts has been a Dublin department store since 1843 and draws inspiration from the landscape around us, explains furniture buyer Brian Gillivan. Best of all, you can drop into the store and try out all the seating for size, comfort and finish.