A Ying sort of Yang.

...Waking up in Asia

Every so often, the window display in the shop gets a makeover. Its a great way to use your creativity as well as advertise the latest fabrics and well matched design schemes.

Ciara had the idea of creating an Asian display. Following her vision, we set out to chose the appropriate fabrics and finishes. She had some lovely ideas to start with which made the fabric choices quite easy.
The great thing about the window display is it allows me to observe the likes of Ciara and learn from her ideas and give me a good knowledge base on styles and trends.

We were torn between a set of golds and reds versus blues and greens. We decided to display them both, hence the birth of the Ying and Yang effect. Half the window will be a warm representation of the Asian colours, and the other half will be the cooler and fresher colours.

Using different props in the store (such as my table- delightful), we started to piece together a display from hanging lights to angled façades.




After all the pushing and pulling, the end result was well worth the effort. Even though the windows are split into 2 colour schemes, they are both complimentary. Bringing some Asia to Ireland.

Two-faced Furniture

The magic of a Lick of Paint...

Turning something old into something new. Sounds simple enough but when it comes to the grind, I struggled to get my head in the game.

I walked down the road to the auctioneers called Buckley's in Sandycove. Here there is an array of antiques to be auctioned. Ciara and I went walking around and had to fill in the references codes of the pieces we liked.

My biggest problem was that I like most of the pieces as they were and struggled to see how to 'improve' them. But much to surprise, John arrived into the store one morning with having auctioned 2 side tables.
And that's the end of that decision. He took the labour out of looking and now the task at hand was what exactly was I going to possibly do with it?

Looking at previous interns examples for guidance, I quickly started to realise the importance of ones own design signature. Whilst I like what I had seen done by the girls, it wasn't to my style. I like simple, eclectic and white. Some say boring, I say fantastic (I would, wouldn't I?)

So taking one of the tables, so my DIY adventure began:

The table was a simple rectangle shape with a worn out look.
A look that I happen to love so that was half the battle.
First step was to prepare a surface where I could work and then sand the table down.

Once sanding down the table,  I took out a white base paint to cover just the top surface of the table.

This would help me achieve that 'eclectic' feel about the furniture.

Having painted one coat on the surface, as it started to dry, I realised that I wouldn't need a second coat because I had already achieved the look I was going for.

While waiting for it to dry, I started to think of the pattern I wanted to create. 

Ciara had mentioned to me previously about changing the window display and how she would like to create an Asian look and feel. That's when I had a light bulb moment and decided to design something that would work in the display.

I went for a cherry blossom meets autumn day kind of design. Using Reds and blacks to contrast against the white, it also brought to life some of those warm Asian reds. 

I didn't want to create a design that over shadowed the surface of the table but rather something simple and effective. 

And there you have it. Considering it was one of my first attempts at giving something old a face lift, I am pretty happy with the result. The marriage of Asia and the Antique. 

The Study... The kitchen of the Mind

Weird and wonderful titles happening here but I promise its relative to the subject. As well as trying to keep it fresh.

I was presented with a task that involved 2 adjacent apartments that have now been made into one. And since having joined them, there was 2 of everything. The occupants then decided to convert one of the existing kitchens into a study area.

And this is where I come in. Having the apartment a mimic of its other half, it was important for me to introduce something the reflects the outside as well as the components of the inside, to better continue this theme of replication.

This kitchen was a basic open plan L shape so there was great opportunity to be creative.

This is the existing floor plan of one of the apartments. If you take a mirrior image of the floor space, it would represent the space they now have.

The kitchen is postitioned center of the room as stated by the drawing here.

The idea was to keep the original shape but introduce different angles to make it a more dynamic and create a different space to the already existing surroundings.

I included floor to ceiling book shelves with a built in window seat (with no window) but rather an image that is reminiscent. This also mimics the other side of the room with the window so im maintaining uniformity in style.

I intdroced a curve through the additon of a room divider.
I chose to use bamboo shoots because its a natural element that would carry through the elements of nature seen out the large windows. It also creates privacy but not exclusivity.

Its a playful element that works well the implemented design.







Using Sketch-up Pro, I was able to construct a mock version of what I intended for the space.

From this view, you are able to get a sense of the shape of the room.

From here, you can see the floor to ceiling book cases as well as the 'window' seat nook that breaks up the shelves but keeps the space symmetrical.


In a hidden corner (visually hidden) of the room, I included a small study space where their potential form work/ homework/ drawing and general admin.

In terms of the colour scheme, I went with the existing colours that featured around the apartment and expanded on them. 

The dark wood is an existing feature that I continued in the space and by adding a white background, it really gives it a dynamic and fresh feel.


Using the addition of the curved room divider, I also used this to mark off the start and finish of a new flooring application. The existing floors are wood so I decided to add a warm beige carpet that picks up the tones in the bamboo and the greens as well as makes the space feel like a separate room without enclosing it off.

This view also highlights the effectiveness of the bamboo divides. 




Now you can feed your mind in a space that is both anaesthetically pleasing and comfortable.