Let a little Irish design into your home

Online shopping is on the rise as we all stay home and spend more time browsing. If you find yourself looking for items for the home, keep in mind the wonderful artisan crafts that are made in Ireland and available to buy online. 

Ireland has a rich tradition of craftwork and is known throughout the world for its Aran knitwear, bogwood sculpture, Celtic jewellery, linen, Belleek pottery, Waterford crystal, Donegal tweed and more.
 
One of the most celebrated and influential designers and architects of the twentieth century was Eileen Gray whose talent in the areas of drawing, painting, lacquering, interior decorating, architecture and photography gained her worldwide recognition and made her one of Ireland’s most important cultural figures.

Her French villa E1027, built in Roquebrune-Cap-Martin in the late 1920s, contained unique luxury furniture, and today, replicas such as the E1027 coffee table are available to buy online from specialist furniture makers.

Now a new generation of designer-makers is also creating fabulous, traditional and contemporary craft pieces in glass, textiles and ceramics.

Contemporary Irish stars of the homeware space include Mourne Textiles, based in the gorgeous setting of the Mountains of Mourne in County Down. Established in 1947 by a Norwegian woman who fell in love with the area and set up a workshop, the business has been regenerated in recent years by her grandson. 

The handcrafted textiles are still inspired by the original pattern books as well as the rich hues and textures of the landscape all around and have caught the attention of designers across the globe.

Simple and beautiful hand-thrown ceramic tableware is the hallmark of Dublin’s Arran Street East.  The clean lines and delicate colours of the jugs, vases, cups and bowls make them perfect for any home.

Using traditional offhand glass blowing techniques developed during the Renaissance in Italy, Benefield Spencer Glass, located in Ballintoy on the famous Causeway Coastal Route, is creating elegant patterned glass jugs, vases, plates and bowls. The amazing process, which requires an uninterrupted activity to make each piece, creates unique items – no two are exactly alike. 

You can discover the work of many more Irish designers at Design Ireland. So why not spoil yourself and bring a little bit of Ireland into your home.
    
www.ireland.com