Voya has long solidified its position as a world-class luxury skincare brand, but many may be surprised to learn that founders Mark and Kira Walton maintain a relatively simple life in Sligo.
Seaweed’s royal couple incorporates their prize ingredient into all that they do, with their home designed to accommodate the nature that surrounds it.
The organic skincare brand is stocked in 42 countries around the globe, including five-star destinations such as The Ritz-Carlton. The brand also welcomes guests to its seaweed baths in Strandhill, Co Sligo.
The couple's slightly Scandi-style home in Strandhill intentionally faces out to the sea, with a sprawling glass window running along the open-plan kitchen-living-dining space to show views of Ben Bulben, Knocknarea and Slieve League.
The pair, who founded the business in 2006, took inspiration from their travels when designing the nature-oriented home. They built their McGarry-Moon-designed house in 2019.
'We had travelled the world and picked up a few ideas along the way, particularly from Airbnbs, fishing lodges on the Pacific Coast, and properties throughout the Caribbean,' Kira explained.
One hospitality feature that stood out to the business owners was an honesty bar, a self-service drinks station, discreetly hidden behind a shuttered cabinet.
Even the bar was created with the Atlantic in mind, as the Waltons' glassware and drinks are showcased against a mirrored backdrop that reflects views of Doran’s Strand and Coney Island.
When they aren't in the ocean, Mark and Kira spend a lot of time in their kitchen. 'I am a very keen cook.
'I had a very specific idea of how I wanted my kitchen laid out and made sure everything I needed was at hand; however, at the same time, it is all hidden,' Mark explains.
'The cooking area is arguably the best spot in our house, with direct sea views but also engagement with our guests.'
The couple incorporates seaweed, Voya products' stand-out ingredient, in their cooking as often as possible.
'It's commonly used in Asian cooking for flavour enhancement, so you can add it to any savoury dish. I use it predominantly in curries, pasta dishes, paellas, and stews.'
'To be honest, you can use it in so many things. I like scrambled eggs, smoked salmon, and seaweed. I sometimes make whipped butter infused with seaweed,' Mark confesses.
The living area isn't the only space in the house with a view, with the bedrooms also showcasing impressive mountain views.
The master bedroom features a handcrafted wooden backdrop as well as a long, free-floating set of drawers beneath the television. The cabinetry was made by their pal, Tommy Byrne.
The couple's son Avery’s room is also upstairs, alongside their office. Think polished concrete floors and white walls.
Outside, Mark and Kira spend much of their time in the hot tub. Mark has long credited the ocean with restoring his sanity after busy days in the office.
The businessman spends five to ten hours in the ocean every week, between sea swimming, surfing, and prone paddling.
The couple is also passionate about seal preservation, given that they reside next to one of the most popular sites for the animals on the island.
Voya is a sponsor of Seal Rescue Ireland, as the company pledges to adopt one seal for every month of the year.
Mark and Kira are passionate about aiding their mission to rescue and rehabilitate seals from their local shores.
The couple has been vocal about their mission, recently explaining: 'The rescue centre relies entirely on volunteers who receive hundreds of phone calls a year reporting seals that might need rescuing all around the coast of Ireland.'
Mark and Kira have previously taken matters into their own hands, raising a seal pup in their bathtub until it was strong enough to be rehabilitated.
Between the seaweed and the seals, Mark and Kira are certainly living an ocean-lover's dream life in Sligo.
