Jenny Walsh
Jenny graduated with a first class honours degree in Interiors & furniture design from DIT in 2009.
Initially working as a full time interior designer and lecturer the success of Jenny's furniture range prompted her to launch 'Jenny Walsh Design' in 2010.
Her work has been described as blurring the lines between art & design and is regularly featured in newspapers and design publications internationally.
Jenny, we have to ask, do you have a favourite colour and why?
It really depends on what it's been used for! I've been a little obsessed with shades of grey for quite some time now. Using pale greys instead of creams and off-whites can add a really contemporary edge to a space. Darker greys add a real sense of luxury and when teamed with brightly coloured interior accessories can create a really modern yet homely feel.
Where do you get inspiration for your pieces? Who and what are your influences?
I get my inspiration from everything around me. I try to design furniture that people can connect to and that makes them smile. I often start out with a story in mind that I'm trying to tell rather than aiming to design a particular piece of furniture.
I have a coffee table inspired by and designed to represent Dublin. I used raised, highly polished angular pieces to represent our architecture and walnut with its wonderfully organic swirling pattern to represent the hustle and bustle of people on the streets below. The 'buildings' become a mere backdrop highlighting the natural beauty found in the 'streets'. The idea was to show that it's not what we can afford to build that makes our city special. It's the people in it that give it its charm!
For commission pieces I always make sure to find out exactly what the piece will be used for so that I can work its owners needs into the design.
How would you describe your style?
I guess my style is a little quirky and whimsical.
What are the big design trends we can expect to see in 2012?
Fairytale goth will be one of the biggest trends this year. But by the time if filters down from trade shows and exhibitions to actual living rooms I imagine it will be far less dramatic than it sounds!
Think rich, dark and sumptuous wall colours with either traditional furniture and interior accessories or new pieces designed to incorporate traditional elements with new colours and scales to make them fresh and new. As for these new colours - it looks like vibrant pastels will be the order of the day.
Think giant knits, colourful crochet, hugely oversized furniture & patterns. The touchy feely textures will give interiors a really luxurious feel while the oversized proportions and bright colours will add the fairytale, dream like feel.
There should be lots animal inspired interior accessories for us to chose from too from birdcage light shades to creature inspired stools. All of this with gilded edges for that extra touch of luxury.
Do you have a favourite piece in your collection and why?
I guess that'd be the Creature Comforts sideboard. Purely because I like watching how people react to it. It's designed to remind people of a child taking their first steps. Often at exhibitions and events I watch people approach it looking slightly confused as they try to work out exactly what's going on with it. Then I see a smile spread across their face and sometimes even hear a little giggle. I don't know if it's because it actually did remind them of a child they know learning how to walk or if the colours and shapes just made them happy. Either way I like that it can help to brighten up people's day!
Are there any trends in furniture design which you feel are unique to Ireland, or do you see the trends as being more universal?
I think we are all products of our surroundings. Irish people have a certain wit, humour and charm that's distinctively our own. Designers in Ireland can't help but be influenced by this and incorporating it into their work.
Vaugh Shannon spring to mind as a Dublin based design studio who inject some real Irish character and personality into their work.
James Carroll is another designer who's work is full of personality and Irishness.
I think showing this Irishness in your work is a growing trend here right now.
Do you see any other trends affecting the way we design, decorate and live in our homes?
I definitely think people are moving away from trying to create a 'showhouse' towards wanting to reflect who they are and what makes them happy. As nights out have been swapped for nights in our homes have become more important. They are not just a place to sleep or get ready in. They are a place to actually spend time in and enjoy. Homes are getting homely again. Instead of hiding everything away behind sleek cupboard doors people are bringing out their favourite things and putting them on display. Surrounding themselves with objects of sentimental value that evoke happy memories and collections of things that they take pleasure in.
What would your top tips be for someone who is trying to choose furniture for their home?
I think the most important thing to remember is that furniture plays two roles. Not just a practical function one but an emotional one too.
I always think you should dress a room as you dress yourself. Find pieces that are a comfortable fit, suit your lifestyle and make you feel good about yourself.
The room you spend most of your time in should give you the same feeling as wearing your favourite outfit!
