Karen O'Rourke
Karen graduated from the National College of Art and Design(NCAD) with a Bachelor degree in design in 1986. Since graduating, Karen has worked as a designer and consultant in both the interior and fashion industries.
Karen established Concept Design in 1998 to provide design solutions for both new homes and the renovation markets.
The company has built an excellent reputation for delivering quality, professional advice and finishes for renovations, extensions and fit-outs. Currently with the vintage revival, Karen is experiencing a high demand for people requiring specialized yet innovative advice for renovation work.
How do you go about creating a colour scheme or look you like?
My own style would be classic and I have a preference for older houses – Georgian, Victorian, Edwardian etc. My favourite colour has to be Dulux 'fine ecru' from the Simply Colour range, I find this colour has great depth, warmth and richness although it is still basically just a cream. The great advantage of 'fine ecru' is that it does not turn yellow in different lights. I have used 'fine ecr' on woodwork and walls especially in dark rooms that need warming up and always find it extremely effective. Another of my favourites is again from the Simply Colour range- 'absolute rouge', which is a fabulous cranberry colour ideally suited for the older houses where you have the proportions to use vibrant colours.
Which interiors colours do you see as prominent in our homes for 2011?
In our already grey climate, and economy, people are looking to warmer colours - neutrals with colour, creams with colour or hues, gold and amber tones, all providing a welcoming ambience.
Aside from colour, what are the major interiors trends coming down the line?
Colour aside, interiors are no longer featuring 'the matching three piece suite', people preferring instead to spend money on good individual pieces which are well crafted pieces of furniture e.g. a couch, a dining room table, a book case etc. which will last and are bought for their aesthetics and quality rather than fashion. Items of furniture are now being bought individually and from different sources. I find my clients are happy to wait until they find the right piece of furniture and are no longer expecting a finished house look immediately.
Is there a particular interior style you like contemporary, classical and how would you describe this style?
Our style has been described as having a strong French influence, probably due to the fact that we travel to France quite a lot, particularly to Paris, examples of which can be seen in the February issues of Irish Homes Interiors and Living, and Twenty Five Beautiful Homes.
Where do you get your interiors inspiration?
As we have mentioned already, our expertise is in older houses where we can recreate the grandeur of times past. In these houses I sometimes get the opportunity to create an air of opulence by using individual pieces of antique furniture, gilt mirrors, chandeliers and objet d'art.
