My guess is that Bronte was implying that the OP would hold back money to buy furniture rather that pay her solicitor.
Contents no longer affect stamp duty at all. From revenue site:
Contents
The contents of residential property will no longer be taken into account in determining the stamp duty liability on the consideration attributed to that residential property. However, the total consideration must be apportioned on a bona fide basis between the property and the contents, and surcharges may apply in the event of undervaluation. It should be noted that stamp duty transactions are subject to audit by Revenue.
Example
House and contents purchased for a sum of €400,000, apportioned as to €370,000 to the house and €30,000 to the contents. Stamp duty is calculated on the amount of €370,000 without regard to the sum of €30,000 for the contents.