Harmony Design Studio

IKEA launched a new range of bedroom sets recently and I was invited along to the launch along with members of the press.

The press event which I attended at IKEA was one of those surreal events.  The event was to launch the new bedroom room sets and was go-hosted by the Japanese IKEA designer, Michiko Nakata http://michikonakata.com/work.html

Michiko is based in Sweden and is influenced by the openness and nature. Having been to Sweden back in the 80’s I could see exactly where she was coming from.  Having grown up in the large city of Tokyo and now living in Sweden, Michiko has married the Japanese and Swedish traditions into her designs. Simple shapes and forms with subtle colour and pattern.

IKEA were launching their new bedroom room sets. Following some consumer interaction and surveys/feedback they have updated the room settings from the standard layout of room sets across their new stores to one which suits consumers in the local region.  Room sets suit a range of homeowners whether singles, young couples, families or older couples. 

The sets also show how each person is an individual and rather than have all bedrooms looking symmetrical the way most bedrooms are, IKEA have some rooms with different types of lockers and bookshelves for each occupant.

So whether you have an alcove in the bedroom or a chimney breast or even a large bay window IKEA have thought of how you can make the most of the space you have in your home to have a comfortable bedroom no matter how you use the space. 

What a hectic few weeks of summer I’ve had, here is the run down.  After the exams in July we (@ Eco Appz) released the app Eco-Bulbz on the Android Market, it was long awaited and Cathal at Apperrific did a great job.

This was followed by the launch evening or Big Bang event at Website Extraordinaire which I attended at the Athy Community Enterprise Centre.  It was a great night; this web design business which is owned by Beatrice Whelan was launched by Joan Mulvihill, CEO of the Irish Internet Association.  It was a while since I had made any clocks – but I had made one as a gift for Beatrice. I had a chance to catch up with old friends who attended on the evening.  For pictures follow this link.

The title of this one of a kind time piece is Extraordinary Time.

Following this I attended the KLCK Bloggers Network which is held on Mondays and I normally miss it due to being in College late on a Monday.  The presentation on the night was given by Tommy Collison of the Blog “Trust Tommy”.  http://trusttommy.com/ Though the topic was from the point of view of Youth Blogging, I enjoyed Tommy’s insights into blogging and how it is influencing his career choice, opened doors for him and has lead him to an Internship at the Sunday Business Post. He was working alongside some helpful Journalists, for more information see his blog post on the subject.  Tommy mentioned that the divide in news is being blurred and bloggers are now on a similar footing to journalists.

Tommy was right as the next day I attended a press event at IKEA, I was the only one who attended that was not working in mainstream journalism – but as a blogger.  Another post will follow on the day I spent at IKEA.

I’m looking forward to the next event hosted by KLCK, once I’m not in college on the evening.

Eco Appz was shortlisted for an award at the Irish Internet Association Dot ie Net Visionary Awards, the category is for Rookies and the competition is tough.  The Rookie category is being sponsored by Accreate and the Rookies are their guests on the night, I must say I’m really looking forward to it.  I haven’t been to an awards ceremony since the RECI Contractor of the Year back in March 2008, when we (Pedreschi Electrical & Alarms Ltd) took the prize for Contractor of the Year Dublin Region.

Whether you use apps for games, to keep up to date with news and current affairs or for design inspiration the number of apps to choose from on the App Store or indeed the Android Market are growing by the day.  I did a guest post on the subject a few months ago for Lorna over at Garrendenny Lane where I suggested a few design apps which I use, here is the link to that article.

You may or may not be aware that I have developed the first of a range of apps, working alongside Apperrific.  The first app is called Eco-Bulbz and though it has been available on the App Store for some time is has only just been released on the Android Market.

What apps are you using?

This was the second year that the art exhibition entitled Art Attacks Balgaddy was held at Archbishop Ryan National School in Lucan Co. Dublin.

A great weekend was had by all, from the time that we hung our paintings and organised the craft stands on Thursday evening right through to Sunday afternoon when the buyers collected their purchases.

The staff and organisers are to be commended yet again on a wonderful event which was very well run.

Just added to the blogroll is La Touche Furnishings who are based in Kikcullen and have an amazing range of furniture.

Of course regular visitors to my blog will know that I have a soft spot for everything French and at La Touche they have a whole section dedicated to French furniture, so the pictures below are just a small selection of what is on offer at La Touche.

This the a great redesign of a familiar product, it’s a garden bench with a difference.  It allows the bench to be used in different configurations, check out the link for further information about the designs and other pictures of the bench in use by a number of people http://www.designboom.com/weblog/read.php?CATEGORY_PK=8&TOPIC_PK=14547

The designers of this are wouter nieuwendijk and jair straschnow their sites are  http://www.wouternieuwendijk.nl/ and http://www.straschnow.com/

An energy saving bulb has just been announced the winner of a design award, Hulger and Samuel Wilkinson won the Brit Insurance Design of the Year 2011.

As can be seen from the photos below (which are copy write Hulger) www.hulger.com  the bulbs are there to be seen and not covered up.  The bulb is called the Pulmen.

Eco Appz have made a Basic version of Eco Bulbz available on iTunes.

It’s Free to download for the next few weeks, then you’ll have to pay 79c.

So do download it, it works on iPhone, iPod Touch and iPad.

Here’s the link http://itunes.apple.com/ie/app/eco-bulbz-basic/id424063871?mt=8

It allows you see the benefits of replacing your normal light bulbs with energy saving bulbs.

As you can see from the photos below - cutlery need not be boring, but it can be used as part of the overall look of the table.  Whether in terms of colour of just sculpturally these items can give a lift to any table setting.

I visited Showcase recently at the RDS in Dublin and spent the best part of the afternoon chatting to the craftspeople who were exhibiting.  I had arrived earlier in the day and had tea and a good catch up with Lorna from Garrendenny Lane.  Meeting at Showcase is becoming a regular event for both Lorna and myself, last year a group of bloggers met – but this year it was just the two of us,  as events beyond our control meant the Paula from Mabel & Violet and Angela from Livingroom were not able to make the get together.
 There were some newly launched enterprises along with more established craftspeople exhibiting and displaying their crafts.
Some of my favourites from the show are listed below, they are just a small sample of the vast range of crafts available and on display.
A big feature of the show this year was jewellery, with plenty of variety from Button & Co.

to By Yvonne.

Slated
Based in Wicklow, this family business offer a range of handcrafted products made from slate.

Jerpoint Glass
An old favourite of mine, I just love the range of glass and tableware the Jerpoint Glass manufacture.

Klickity
Klickity Design who are based in Dublin were the winners of the Best New Product 2011 award in the Tabletop and Interiors category.

Garvan De Bruir
I didn’t get a chance to speak to Garvan, each time I passed by his stand he was busy with a que of clients waiting to speak to him.  Garvan had a range of his leather work on show.

Karen Morgan Porcelain
Karen works from her own premises in Kilkenny, her pottery has a simplicity and fluidity to it and was displayed in the current trend setting colours of cream/off white along with pastel shades of blue and green.

Irish Linen House

Greg and Mary Whelan from Irish Linen House, were at the Fingal Enterprise Board catchment area and were displaying a range of individually designed and made table runners.  Greg sources all the materials in Ireland, fine Irish linen is the main material used.  The patterns and designs are both traditional and contemporary in their style.

The balcony was where the County Enterprise Boards had craftspeople from around the country, some of which were start-ups in innovative areas. 
I really enjoyed the show, the Craft industry is thriving in Ireland.

I discovered this chair and just had to share it with you all, the twist is in the coffee cup.   The designer and other information about the product can bbe found at this link http://www.hewasborn.com/2010/projects/coffeechair_gallery.html

I like tha simplicity of the design, taking a familiar item - in a familiar type of shape and adding a twist to both the use and the look of the design and making it a very different item.

With the Christmas season over and the New Year just started we are getting back to normal.  We would like to wish you all a very Happy New Year.

If you are thinking of doing some spring cleaning or even some spring decorating then get some inspiration from Designers Guild.

Some of the rugs from their new collection are posted below.   They have a lovely range just for the children along with more elaborate designs.

The countdown to the holiday season is well and truly on the way, I have been looking at some of my favourite online shops for some inspiration and would like to share them with you.

Here are just some of lovely items that are available.

These can be dressed up or down and would be just lovely when set off with some candles, they are available at Mabel & Violet.

If you are looking for something more contemporary check out www.debruir.com where you can find a range of gifts from candlesticks to picture frames and a range of leather goods.

Lorna at Garrendenny Lane Interiors has recently launched her new website, the picture frame pictured is just one of the items that I like.

Over at the blog of Rosemarie Durr Pottery, you’ll find lots of beautiful items to give or receive as Christmas presents.  If you are looking for pottery or something more festive, Rose has some lovely pictures of items in stock and for sale at her shop.

For a more unusual gift there is a lovely Irish photographer, with whom I have exhibited in the past, Bernie O’Reilly.  Check out her website where you can buy copies of these amazing landscapes, the one above is of Glendalough.

A great new iPhone application was launched recently which allows the user to see how much they could save when they replaced their existing light bulbs with energy saving light bulbs.  With energy costs raising and the introduction of carbon tax this is the one way that we can take control of the costs to ourselves.  So why not download the app at the iTunes Store where is costs €2.99 and see the real savings you can make.  Eco-Blubz will show you the light!

Check out the site Eco-Bulbz for further information about the application.

We are delighted to have been nominated for the Irish Web Awards,  it is a long long list of a wide and varied range of wonderful websites, insights and facebook pages as well as small business, podcasters, videocasters and entertainers.

We’d also like to say a big big Thank You to all the organisers and sponsors who work very hard to put together the awards each year.

Colourful accessories like those pictured can be found at La Chaise Lounge a lovely interior design shop which is located in the Le Passage Pommeraye which is in the city of Nantes.

For more information about this shopping mall here’s the link http://www.passagepommeraye.fr the site is in French at present but there is an English version due, you can however see the layout and the architecture.

I saw a clip on RTE TV last evening about the Oxfam Home project and thought it deserved a mention.  Oxfamhome DIY is a project that will end with the individual pieces of furniture being auctioned.

Items of furniture have been selected and revamped by artists and bloggers, interior designers and journalists.  Each item has been given a makeover and been brought back to life, each piece has incorporated imagination and style.

Further details about the project can be found at this link http://www.oxfamireland.org/shop/oxfamhome-diy/ 

Blanaid Hennessy is a freelance stylist, writer and blogger. Find her blog here http://www.blanaid.com/

The items  can be viewed at Oxfam’s exhibition, which is in the Powerscourt Townhouse Centre in Dublin 2 until July 31st.

A fellow blogger who writes the blog on Breast Cancer, http://beyondbreastcancer.wordpress.com/ had a post earlier this week about the Pink Auction.

It’s great when you get a welcome surprise.  I was surprised recently when I was featured in the current edition of Munster Interiors, the article was written by Lorna of Garrendenny Lane Interiors.  Lorna writes a Blog Watch article in the magazine, she is a blogger and shopkeeper at the online shop http://www.gdlaneinteriors.ie/

The article link is here http://www.gdlaneinteriors.ie/blog/index.php/2010/07/3948/  So if you’ve come by this site as a result of the article in Munster Interiors then “Welcome, do leave a comment and say Hello”

Now I’m off to check out Lorna’s other recommendations!

Liven up your summer.  As we look forward to the long summer and spending days in our gardens, this is the time of year when we can treat our outside spaces as rooms and extend our living areas.

No matter what size of outdoor space we have it can be used for a wide variety of occasions and can be decorated in a number of ways to demonstrate our personalities.  Our gardens and patios can be used for entertaining, relaxing, playing and enjoying spending time together. 

Colour can play a very big part in this area of our lives, whether in the form of planting and flowers in bloom or indeed colourful planters, in a variety of colours and finishes.  Our outdoor furniture can also show our personalities and add that all important colour and vitality to our living space.

These areas are not only for use by grownups, but can also be enjoyed by the children, whether having a picnic on the grass, or with the use of toys and play areas.

Using our outside space as a dining and entertaining area can be a great way to spend time.  There is a large variety of colour in the form of picnic sets, salad servers and even glassware available which can add atmosphere and bring your scheme together.

Lighting can be added whether in the form of fairy lights or colourful lanterns, be aware of the safety issues though and make sure that these items are suitable for outdoor use.

Another way to use colour in the outdoor space is with brightly coloured bunting, similar to that pictured, which is normally stocked by Mabel & Violet the online boutique shop.  Also available are many items to create the perfect outdoor space, lovely picnic baskets or garden lanterns.   Whatever style you’re looking to put into your garden this summer you are bound to find something special at Mabel & Violet.  www.mabelandviolet.com

Enjoy the summer.

Photo supplied by Mabel & Violet, www.mabelandviolet.com