It’s that time of year again and the Beacon Autumn Design Fair in Dublin’s Sandyford is upon us.

This event has grown in popularity, and now in its fifth year it showcases the best of offerings from interiors and furniture retailers at the Beacon South Quarter, which has succeeded in becoming a home furnishing hub despite some very lean years.

BoConcept, Calligaris, Kube, Roche Bobois and SOUL Lifestyle all have great showrooms on site, and Red Earth, incorporating Mindy Browne Interiors, is due to open there shortly. On Saturday, October 3rd, architects Declan O'Donnell and Hugh Wallace, judges of RTÉ's Home of the Year show will give two free talks. The first at 1.30pm entitled "Where do I begin?" will offer advice on starting a renovation project. The second at 3pm, entitled Inspiration, will focus on how to design and decorate a new space.

Interiors writer and regular contributor in these pages Alanna Gallagher will chair a panel discussion and Q&A session afterwards.

The fair runs from 1pm-5pm. Tickets for the autumn design fair are free but attendees must pre-book places at beaconsouthquarter.ie.