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Munster Interiorsposted on: 02/01/07
Imagine a dining table made especially for you to suit the shape of your room, the style of your home, the colour of your decor. Or what about a beautiful handmade contemporary dresser made to order to take pride of place in your kitchen. Noel Whelan Furniture Design can make those dreams come through with a bespoke furniture service that has kitted out some of the coolest homes in the country.
Noel, originally from Bunmahon in Waterford, favours hardwoods for his furniture, using a mix of native, European and American. "If using beech I prefer Irish as it has more character then its European counterpart. I also love the qualities of Irish chestnut and oak." His designs feature cutting-edge styling achieved through traditional techniques and Noel spends much time reading international magazines and books to keep an eye on trends.
He also visits the UK's leading design show, 100% Design, every year and attends the Milan Furniture Fair every 2years. Two of his favourite designers, both Japanese, have also inspired his work. "Tadao Ando is a brilliant architect who also made furniture while George Nagashima was an excellent cabinet-maker specialising in curvilinear wooden pieces."
As a student with a creative streak he was especially good at art in school. He began wood-turning as a hobby when he was 14 and though he toyed with studying architecture or art he finished school and took up an apprenticeship in cabinet-making and joinery. He followed this with an Open University course on Design & Innovation and this has helped shape his work today.
Noel employs three other people in his workshop in Waterford, two of whom are FAS apprentices. Most of his work is gained through word of mouth and many of his customers return with repeat business.
At the moment Noel enjoys working with walnut and sycamore but his tastes are always changing.
He specialises in tables, chairs and dressers and each piece is custom made to a client's wishes. Often Noel works with architects and interior designers but he also creates many private pieces for people's homes. I find that many private clients come with an idea and are then open to seeing it develop through sketches. They might walk through the showroom too and decide they like the look or finish of something on display."
The showroom features a cross-section of Noel's impressive tables, chairs, consoles, kitchen units and dressers - none of which are for sale. "As all our pieces are bespoke the showroom is really here as a portfolio, to give people an idea of our quality." His unique designs are all finished with a cellulose lacquer and clients can choose from high gloss, matt, even heat-resistant finishes.
At the moment he enjoys working with walnut, but his tastes and moods change. He enjoys sycamore too and has started to incorporate other materials into his designs. These have ranged from steel, glass and high-painted gloss to concrete! He develops a new range of furniture every year, and feels the most recent collection has Japanese leanings.
When asked about his most difficult commission he talks of a boardroom table which featured curved stainless steel legs wrapped between curving wood. "It was pretty tricky to craft and took two of us one month to complete." He also explains that chairs are very time-consuming to make as they have so many individual pieces and joints.
Noel's favourite piece is the Wave coffee table that he made for a client from French walnut and oak. "You definitely grow attached to pieces," he shares. "I am constantly changing the furniture in our house as I make new pieces I like!"
With his workshop just ten minutes from Waterford city he often finds clients popping by to have a look. He has completed pieces for homes and offices all over the country and is used to Dublin-based architects driving down to commission work.
"A dining table can be commissioned for around 2000," he tells me, "while chairs start at 440, including the leather seat."
Noel feels that the future of Irish furniture design in Ireland is in safe hands. "Shows like Create, where designers can exhibit by invitation only, really highlight the wealth of Irish talent out there." It's no wonder then that it's Noel's second time to be invited back to exhibit!
Munster Interiorsposted on: 02/01/07
Imagine a dining table made especially for you to suit the shape of your room, the style of your home, the colour of your decor. Or what about a beautiful handmade contemporary dresser made to order to take pride of place in your kitchen. Noel Whelan Furniture Design can make those dreams come through with a bespoke furniture service that has kitted out some of the coolest homes in the country.Noel, originally from Bunmahon in Waterford, favours hardwoods for his furniture, using a mix of native, European and American. "If using beech I prefer Irish as it has more character then its European counterpart. I also love the qualities of Irish chestnut and oak." His designs feature cutting-edge styling achieved through traditional techniques and Noel spends much time reading international magazines and books to keep an eye on trends.
He also visits the UK's leading design show, 100% Design, every year and attends the Milan Furniture Fair every 2years. Two of his favourite designers, both Japanese, have also inspired his work. "Tadao Ando is a brilliant architect who also made furniture while George Nagashima was an excellent cabinet-maker specialising in curvilinear wooden pieces."
As a student with a creative streak he was especially good at art in school. He began wood-turning as a hobby when he was 14 and though he toyed with studying architecture or art he finished school and took up an apprenticeship in cabinet-making and joinery. He followed this with an Open University course on Design & Innovation and this has helped shape his work today.
Noel employs three other people in his workshop in Waterford, two of whom are FAS apprentices. Most of his work is gained through word of mouth and many of his customers return with repeat business.
At the moment Noel enjoys working with walnut and sycamore but his tastes are always changing.
He specialises in tables, chairs and dressers and each piece is custom made to a client's wishes. Often Noel works with architects and interior designers but he also creates many private pieces for people's homes. I find that many private clients come with an idea and are then open to seeing it develop through sketches. They might walk through the showroom too and decide they like the look or finish of something on display."
The showroom features a cross-section of Noel's impressive tables, chairs, consoles, kitchen units and dressers - none of which are for sale. "As all our pieces are bespoke the showroom is really here as a portfolio, to give people an idea of our quality." His unique designs are all finished with a cellulose lacquer and clients can choose from high gloss, matt, even heat-resistant finishes.
At the moment he enjoys working with walnut, but his tastes and moods change. He enjoys sycamore too and has started to incorporate other materials into his designs. These have ranged from steel, glass and high-painted gloss to concrete! He develops a new range of furniture every year, and feels the most recent collection has Japanese leanings.
When asked about his most difficult commission he talks of a boardroom table which featured curved stainless steel legs wrapped between curving wood. "It was pretty tricky to craft and took two of us one month to complete." He also explains that chairs are very time-consuming to make as they have so many individual pieces and joints.
Noel's favourite piece is the Wave coffee table that he made for a client from French walnut and oak. "You definitely grow attached to pieces," he shares. "I am constantly changing the furniture in our house as I make new pieces I like!"
With his workshop just ten minutes from Waterford city he often finds clients popping by to have a look. He has completed pieces for homes and offices all over the country and is used to Dublin-based architects driving down to commission work.
"A dining table can be commissioned for around 2000," he tells me, "while chairs start at 440, including the leather seat."
Noel feels that the future of Irish furniture design in Ireland is in safe hands. "Shows like Create, where designers can exhibit by invitation only, really highlight the wealth of Irish talent out there." It's no wonder then that it's Noel's second time to be invited back to exhibit!
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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