Nik Barker and the young energetic team at ReDesign Network recently organised a highly successful event in the Malthouse Studios, just off Dublin’s North Circular Rd. The event was amazingly creative given the very tight restrictions placed on participators.
Each designer/maker was given a plastic barrel slid which was kindly supplied by Rita Shah of Shabra Plastics fame! There was a €15 additional spend allowance and the goal was to create a lamp table masterpiece! And indeed, there were masterpieces, weird pieces, creative pieces and inspired pieces among the entries!
Young Irish Designers Taking Upcycling to New Levels
Jenny Walsh (an established young designer) created a visually impressive folded base in a large scale origami style. Liz and Kate from Klickity bent their plastic lid to create a magazine storage compartment to the rear – they placed their lid on a simple wooden drawer base. Clever and functional.
Other inventions included a bean bag base and a Christmas tree tripod with black lace hanging on the sides. The products are on display at the Malthouse Studios. So be sure to pop in. As part of the event the owner and MD of Rossmore Furniture, Mr Dermot McNally, told listeners about the current difficulties that the industry faces, he mentioned some of the success stories and also made an analogy between lobsters and furniture manufacturers. You kind of had to be there. But even those that were, may not just have got it! Elish Bull of Exhibitions Ireland (who have always been exceptionally supportive of young talent) also contributed
heavily to discussions and in all it was an enjoyable social occasion. Dermot also praised the efforts of Nik and the team as well as complimenting the exceptional progress that Liz and Kate from Klickity are making in developing their unique design brand. Liz is the head honcho on business development side, and she has managed to promote and get slick PR from the wonderful products her partner in design is producing. Clearly there are great things to come from Irish Design in years to come! This really is the Cream of Irish Design talent.
