In this episode of The Interiors Podcast, Tanya Neufeld Flanagan speaks with interior designer Geri O’Toole of Geri Designs about what makes her signature “classic contemporary” style so compelling, and why the best homes are designed for feeling as much as for appearance.

Geri shares the story behind her design instincts: growing up surrounded by creativity, antiques, craftsmanship, and old homes, and how those early influences shaped the way she approaches interiors today.

Together, Tanya and Geri explore the shift away from copy-and-paste interiors toward more personal, tactile, and characterful spaces that reflect the people who live in them.

They dig into:

• What “classic contemporary” really means in an Irish context
• Why natural materials create warmth, depth, and longevity
• How to use colour intentionally without overwhelming a space
• The importance of joinery, lighting, and ceiling details
• Why planning early can save money, stress, and regrets
• How to design a home around real life, not a Pinterest fantasy

• Design for how you want to feel, not just how you want to look.
• Invest early in the bones: layout, joinery, lighting, floors, and finishes.
• Natural materials add grounding, warmth, and authenticity.
• Colour works best when it has a clear reference or emotional purpose.
• Good interiors are personal, functional, and layered over time.

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The conversation closes with practical advice for anyone renovating, building, or refreshing a home: start with how you want the space to feel, invest in the bones of the house, and don’t be afraid to bring personality into your interiors.