I hope your new year is happy.

(via bldg 25)

I've never really made much of New Year's Eve. Probably because for about 8 years straight I babysat every New Year's and celebrated with a glass of 7 Up and some 6 years olds, excited to be staying up past their bedtime. I suppose I got into a habit of having time to myself to think back on my year, and to fantasise about all the wonderful things I'd do in the year coming. But, I never learnt guitar or dyed my hair turquoise, and most other things I wanted to do never quite worked out. And during my university years, I would become frustrated that another year had past and I still hadn't made any headway in my career. Okay so I was 19, but I felt like it was still one year into adulthood, and a lot could've happened in one year.

In 2013, a lot did happen in one year. Much more than I imagined when I moved into my first big-girl-in-the-city digs. I mean, I knew I'd go back to college and that I'd have to get some kind of work afterwards, but in such a depressed economic climate and with such a downturn in the interior design industry, I wasn't counting on getting much. Well, dare I say it, I've found there's a lot to be said for really wanting something. And loving it, and having a dream and being willing to work for it. In my case, that has mainly meant unpaid and unsteady, but something nonetheless. After I finished up my studies in Interior Architecture and Design at Griffith College Dublin, I handed out what felt like millions of CVs, which felt like a terribly unsuccessful exercise. A couple of days later I got a call from the owner of a homeware store I had applied to. He explained that he didn't have a long-term post available, but that he remembered me among other applicants as being enthusiastic, and that he wanted to give me some experience in visual merchandising. Just to help me out on my way. So off I went with my nifty staple gun and wallpaper and transformed what was a storage area into a pretend dining room. I learnt how to merchandise and style a store for website photography and I learnt how to conceptualise with customers. A week or two later I began my summer internship with Martin-Hudson and Gibson, which I blogged about here. It was probably the best and most relevant experience I've got to date.
It was nice to feel my boss, John Gibson, have some faith in my ability and encourage me to learn as much as possible. So when I got a chance take a couple of weeks to help out on a cookery book shoot with the lovely Sharon Hearne-Smith of Blueberry Pie food-styling and TV cook and photographer Donal Skehan I jumped at the idea. I had worked with Blueberry Pie before for a grocery store Christmas catalogue as well as some magazine contributions and found I really enjoyed working with props (Finally! A use for all the Moroccan tea glasses I lugged home to Ireland from Brooklyn thrift stores! I knew I needed to have them!). You can be sure to check out my handy-work when this bad boy gets released. I also can't wait to also have a game of "Which props are mine?" when I get my hands on Sharon's finished product. Come its June release date, you, too, can join in the fun!
When the shoot finished up, it was back to Sandycove to complete my internship, and after spending the first part of my internship hearing about connections made and workshops attended through the Interiors Association, I decided to become a member. I attended each of their Continuous Professional Development courses for the rest of the year. And so now, if you need somebody to explain feng shui, or advice you on Gerberit sanitation, I'm your girl!
There were many things I learnt from my summer experiences, but I suppose the most important was that THIS is definitely what I think I should be doing. Better still, it's what I WANT to be doing. However, I did realise that there is a lot of business in the design business, and if I want a career in it, there was a lot more I needed to learn, and so, I found myself a 'Start Your Own Business' class. I have to admit, I was a little disappointed that part of the syllabus wasn't how to decorate your office, or what stationary to choose for your tax returns, because I would have been f-ing amazing at that, but even still, I found myself really enjoying it. Starting my own business isn't something I want to do right away, but I wanted to take the class now to provide a basic understanding of what I may come across over the next few years.
Which brings me to my next point; the next few years. What do I want to do, see and go to? Simply put? Lots. As much as possible. Learn something new everyday. Lucky for me, I'm set to do just that, as just recently, I was offered pretty much a big-deal dream internship. It's a bit of a 'To Be Continued...' situation as I haven't started yet, but I'm excited. Not only for the internship, but for the kinds of experiences I'll, hopefully, be writing about in this blog, the 2014 edition.
And for you, well, I hope your new year is happy, and healthy and that you do something you enjoy.
With Love... Louise
 

{My Favourite Homeware Hotspots in Dublin}

Just in time for Christmas...

Avoca

My happy place. Granted I want a lot of stuff, but this is one of the only shops I go into where I want EVERYTHING. This chain store started as a woolen mill in 1723 and is now hailed as Dublin's finest treasure trove for Irish-designed clothing, beauty products, food, kitchen equipment, books, homeware and gifts for all ages. With its infamously gorgeous cafe, deli and foodhall as well as it's amazingly creative store design, a visit to Avoca is more like a day trip than a shopping trip.

Artical

Nestled in one of my favourite places in town, the beautiful Powerscourt Town Centre, this little gem really strikes the balance between modern and retro, ornate and simplistic perfectly. It has a slightly Scandinavian vibe (although I've never been anywhere in Scandinavia so that might not be very accurate?) and would be a perfect place to find something for the men (plural. Oh, what a little minx I am!) in your life.

Industry

As you can guess from it's name, this store is a purveyor of the finest of vintage, upcycled and new industrial style furniture. Although this style has become trendy in the mainstream in recent years, a piece from Industry is no fad, it will always be beautiful in its own rustic, edgy way.

Decor Furniture Gallery

If you've walked up Wexford St., you'll probably know this as that store with the giant Buddha statues, old school chairs and flying monkeys on display. And this is why I love it.

Designst

Tourists take note; a handcut, Rob Ryan-esque map of Dublin is going to be a much more loved gift from the Emerald Isle than novelty Guinness memorabilia or overpriced Leprechaun hats. In fact, any of its modern Dublin-inspired art and stylish craftwork would make a gorgeous gift for anyone.

The 3rd Policeman

Dangerously close to my apartment, this is probably my favourite vintage store I've ever been in (and there have been a lot). I don't think I've ever made it 5 yards inside the door without finding at least 20 things I want. Much of their stock is sourced in France, and unlike some vintage stores, is the perfect balance of elegant and dishevelled. A haven for leather luggage, industrial style lighting and old hobby-ware such as cameras and wooden fishing nets as well as an amazing selection of clothing and accessories for both men and women.

DunnesHome

I've written about my love of the Carolyn Donnelly range here, but if that's not your thing, DunnesHome's other designer collaboration with Paul Costello is more classic, simple and just a little bit more masculine and is a real crowd pleaser. DunnesHome's own range has really improved in the last few years, so if you haven't been in a store in a while, you will probably be very pleasantly surprised.

{The Big Upcycle}

Belated happy Thanksgiving to all of my American readers! And to the non-American, I hope you, too, give thanks where ever you are.

I've always been into upcycling. Ever since I used to watch Linda Barker and her 90's gang used to repaint, resurface and re-imagine people's old furniture within a budget on Changing Rooms, I've been all about breathing new life into old pieces. Why the big obsession, you ask? Why not just buy new stuff? All kinds of reasons; wanting to hold onto a piece for sentimental value but make it work for you, cost, and that's it's usually a lot easier to give an old unit a lick of paint and new hardware  than get your head around flat-pack instruction booklets.  I think the two biggest factors contributing to the new upcycling craze; a) it's fun! It's getting creative and getting use out of the end result. And you know that getting to show off your new-found creative genius in all its uniqueness and splendour  to admiring guests is a major feel-good factor. And b) "They don't make it like they used to". More often than not, your granny's old coffee table is going to be of a much higher quality than your modern alternative- though it might be more attractive. Sooooo... That's where upcylicing to your tastes comes in!

I love going online to check out upcycing inspiration. A quick Image search of your keywords (your item, desired style, colour etc.) is a great place to start. Then, keep an eye out for door knobs (Anthropologie is a real treasure trove for cute door knobs and seem to constantly have a few designs on sale), haberdashery, fabric  and wallpaper remnants (which are perfect, because you'll usually only need a small quantity of materials) and different odds and ends such as broken costume jewellery, found natural objects and unused trinkets. Once you have an idea, and some goodies, choosing a piece of furniture will be a lot less daunting. You or your family will probably have a contender- and some people will be glad to offload an unwanted piece. If not, flea-markets, charity shops and auctions are amazing, though being discerning about the quality and condition is important to remember. Of course you're going to give your chosen piece a fabulous makeover, but the last thing you want is to discover your finished project is riddled with woodworm.

Last week, during the European Week for Waste Reduction, I went to "The Big Upcycle" in The Stillorgan Park Hotel here in south Dublin. It was organised by The Upcycle Movement and Stitches Be Crazy (which wins my imaginary award for the best name of a small company) and played host to craftspeople and upcyclers from all around Ireland, as well as staging demonstrations on furoshiki, decoupage and using the decor cult product Annie Sloan Chalk Paint. It was so amazing to see both the talent and the possibilities out there. Like who would've thought that vintage cigar boxes could make quirky radios? Or gun bullets (those words right there is the most hardcore this blog will ever be) could make dainty earrings? Check out The Upcycle Movement for more inspiration, and to find out about upcoming events. A quick Google search will also direct overseas readers to their local movement. Below are some quick snaps I got of a few of the stalls. Be sure to share any upcycling gems you may have! 

The aforementioned radios made from vintage cigar tins and make-up cases. By Bosca Bosca.

A lamp made from old cassette tapes. By Notebooks by Mary.

Festive button decorations.

"Stitches Be Crazy".

Futuristic-style stuffed toys made from old fabrics. By Roundy Squares.

These hand-painted coasters are created from eggshells. By Hatala Mosaics.

All sorts of lovely things by MisMatched Design.

Well that took a whole lot of newspaper! By Hatala Mosaics.

Notebooks made with vintage book covers. By Notebooks by Mary.

After being very good and exercising some uncharacteristic self-control, I rewarded myself with this! I mean, it was only 5 euro and I love it, and you can never have too many weird hangy things, so y'know.  By Slaty Craft.

Diary of an Interior Design Intern

So after finishing up my course in Interior Architecture and Design for the summer, I was lucky enough to be offered a place interning with Martin-Hudson & Gibson Ltd. in Dublin's sandy, covey, and aptly named, Sandycove. I could not have asked for a better location to work. Not gonna lie, eating lunch by the sea with ma amie francais, and fellow intern, Julie makes be feel like I'm well on my way to the good life.

So what does one do as an interior design intern? A lot of different stuff. The little element of unpredictability in the bizz means no two days are alike. And for maybe the first time in a job, I really look forward to going to work, and know I won't be bored. At every turn there's a new little discovery, and no matter how insignificant something might seem, I take comfort on knowing that little-by-little I'm building up a knowledge of the industry that unfortunately college can't teach you. And being 55 years in business, it's good to know that I'm working with a company that's obviously doing something right.

 

The other day I was asked to write a blog entry on the company website based on a collection of company documents dating back to the early 1960's. http://vintagewednesdays.blogspot.ie/2013/06/old-company-documents.html?m=1 

And I did the shop window display. (Not a great picture, but this at least this snap documents my window display AND a rare glimpse of sun in Ireland.)

And on my train ride home, I made some lists in my forever-to-keep "This is what I did as an intern, so this is probably what I should do as a designer when I grow up and become a designer." notebook. I'm hoping this notebooks serves me well. :)