Contemporary living
April 6, 2009
By Hilda Allen
Hilda Allen speaks to Joanne Kelly of Think Contemporary about her unique design in Celbridge, Co. Kildare.
Tell me a little about your background - what did you study and what path led you to interior design?
While growing up I always had a huge love of art and design. My first influence in design was when I was fourteen years old. An old school house in my local village was converted into a restaurant. I fell in love with the use of old and new materials that were so cleverly married together. I always knew that I wanted a career in art and design but the Old Schools House restaurant made up my mind.
When I finished school I did a one year plc course in art and design to concentrate on my portfolio. I then went on to the Dublin Institute of Technology, where I graduated in 2006 with an honours degree in Interior Architecture.
From there I went to work in a high end interior showroom in South Dublin, where I gained valuable experience. I then went on to work in Duff Tisdall, where I met my colleague Anthony. While working in Duff Tisdall I have worked on numerous high profile showhouses, leasing with contractors and all trades.
What was your brief for the house in Celbridge?
To create a contemporary home, that is both comfortable and practical. The client specified that they wanted clean lines, with nothing too fussy
Where did you find your inspiration?
Our inspiration for this project was to be very different from the house next door, using strong contrasts of colour. Our client also had the amazing pop art print that features in the sitting room and this was a good benchmark for the rest of the house to which colours we could use.
Did the client have a theme in mind? Or did your try incorporate the character of the building?
The client didn’t have a particular theme in mind. However, they wanted to introduce colour in as many areas as possible, with interesting and quirky furnishings and accessories, for example the use of the cuckoo clock, the wall mounted tree coat stand and the lime green side table.
What was a typical day at work on this project?
Every day was different for us, bringing new challenges all the time. From the concept stages right through to the final fit out we dealt with all trades on all finishes, making sure that everything was carried out to the highest standard.
What are your favorite aspects of this project?
Our favourite aspect of this house has to be the living room. We love the lime green wallpaper which ads a freshness and vibrancy to the room, complimented by a stunning “Topissimo,” Nanimarquina rug.
We are both extremely proud that we were able to take a very modest three bedroom semi detached house and give it an unconventional flair, using bold colours and strong images.
How would you describe your artistic style and how has this style developed over time?
I have to say that I love contemporary interiors, but the word contemporary is often confused with minimalistic, which I feel is too stark for my particular style. I love to introduce strong colours with muted grey tones and offsetting it with quirky and fun accessories or individual pieces.
I definitely feel that my style has developed over time. Gaining valuable experience on the use of fabrics and product has enabled me to create interiors that are true to my individual style.
Which designers are you inspired by?
I very much admire the work of UK designer Tara Bernard of Target Living. She has a gutsy approach to interior design and constantly amazes me on what she produces.
Eileen Grey has always been a huge inspiration to me. Her simple style and use of materials proves she was way ahead of her time. I can only hope to achieve some of what she has achieved in her career.
Do you prefer to work with certain materials or colours?
As I have mentioned previously, I love to work with muted grey tones and bold colours to create a real contrast. I also like to work with wallpaper, as it is a very effective way of lifting any interior. I also have soft spot when it comes to floor rugs and the more colourful the better.
What trends are you most excited about at the moment?
I try not to follow trends, as trends go out of fashion quite quickly, leaving an interior “so last season,” for example mirrored furniture.
Click on launch gallery to view the images from this project.
If you would like more information about Joanne's work log on to http://www.thinkcontemporary.com
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