Upstairs Downstairs was started by Ann Leyden in 1999. She saw an opening in the market for a glossy interior design magazine produced and published in the West of Ireland. Galway and its surrounding counties was the coming to the fore with interiors and design. A new profession was emerging – Interior Designers and Interior Architects. Many furniture shops with top of the range and up to date products were springing up all over Ireland and Upstairs Downstairs was a great way to showcase all that was good in Interiors outside of Dublin. Upstairs Downstairs ethos was to showcase ordinary homes as well as luxurious dream homes. It continues to show these great homes giving inspiration to all its readers.