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Enterprise Reviewposted on: 17/01/07
Noel Whelan's furniture is made to last. Solid hardwood is used, along with finest veneers and traditional handmade joints. In his designs, contrasting timbers and textures sit together in harmony, and subtle accents are achieved with inserts of figured woods such as a burr elm and bog oak. Form and function are given equivalent and careful consideration when designing furniture, and pieces such dividing screens and storage units have a unique utilitarian beauty. Complex craftsmanship and slow, time-honoured processes such as barrel-steaming are used to achieve elegant curves, particularly for chairs. Fabrics such as suede, wool, silk and leather soften the clean lines of the furniture.
Japanese architecture, people like Tadao Ando and George Nakashima and his coastal surroundings are key influences in Noel Whelan's work. He combines contemporary styling and traditional techniques and strives for classic proportions and the harmonious blending of light and dark native hardwoods as well as exotic veneers such as wenge and zebrano.
Noel enjoys working with clients to bring their ideas to reality. Often they come with a rough idea, look through the showroom, discuss it with Noel and he does some sketches and after a while the design is agreed upon and the scale drawing done. Finally the piece is made and finished beautifully with lacquer. Customers are delighted to get the piece especially made to suit their own situation and needs. Dreams really do come true!
Noel's showroom in Dunhill Business Park gives customers an idea of what can be made. There is a selection of tables & chairs, coffee tables and various cabinets all showing the quality of the workmanship from Noel's workshop - - pieces are all bespoke so customers can select the timber they like for their piece.
Noel is a member of the Institute of Designers of Ireland and the Crafts Council of Ireland. CREATE, an exhibition of Ireland's top furniture designer/makers is held biannually in Fota House, Co Cork. Noel has exhibited both in 2003 and 2005. On both occasions Noel had pieces from the exhibition featured in national media.
As well as working for individuals Noel does a lot of work for architects and interior designers. He has also designed and made boardroom tables, reception desks, furniture for offices, consulting rooms and waiting rooms and furniture for restaurants and bars.
Noel is taking part in Avantcraft - a design course run by the Craft Council of Ireland. During this course he is designing and making a new bedroom furniture range.
Enterprise Reviewposted on: 17/01/07
Noel Whelan's furniture is made to last. Solid hardwood is used, along with finest veneers and traditional handmade joints. In his designs, contrasting timbers and textures sit together in harmony, and subtle accents are achieved with inserts of figured woods such as a burr elm and bog oak. Form and function are given equivalent and careful consideration when designing furniture, and pieces such dividing screens and storage units have a unique utilitarian beauty. Complex craftsmanship and slow, time-honoured processes such as barrel-steaming are used to achieve elegant curves, particularly for chairs. Fabrics such as suede, wool, silk and leather soften the clean lines of the furniture.Japanese architecture, people like Tadao Ando and George Nakashima and his coastal surroundings are key influences in Noel Whelan's work. He combines contemporary styling and traditional techniques and strives for classic proportions and the harmonious blending of light and dark native hardwoods as well as exotic veneers such as wenge and zebrano.
Noel enjoys working with clients to bring their ideas to reality. Often they come with a rough idea, look through the showroom, discuss it with Noel and he does some sketches and after a while the design is agreed upon and the scale drawing done. Finally the piece is made and finished beautifully with lacquer. Customers are delighted to get the piece especially made to suit their own situation and needs. Dreams really do come true!
Noel's showroom in Dunhill Business Park gives customers an idea of what can be made. There is a selection of tables & chairs, coffee tables and various cabinets all showing the quality of the workmanship from Noel's workshop - - pieces are all bespoke so customers can select the timber they like for their piece.
Noel is a member of the Institute of Designers of Ireland and the Crafts Council of Ireland. CREATE, an exhibition of Ireland's top furniture designer/makers is held biannually in Fota House, Co Cork. Noel has exhibited both in 2003 and 2005. On both occasions Noel had pieces from the exhibition featured in national media.
As well as working for individuals Noel does a lot of work for architects and interior designers. He has also designed and made boardroom tables, reception desks, furniture for offices, consulting rooms and waiting rooms and furniture for restaurants and bars.
Noel is taking part in Avantcraft - a design course run by the Craft Council of Ireland. During this course he is designing and making a new bedroom furniture range.
Noel Whelan Furniture Design,
Unit 1, Dunhill Business Park, Dunhill, Co Waterford
Phone / Fax - +353 51 396600
mobile - 087 235 8464
Email: info@noelwhelandesign.com
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