Back to All News
Forma Interiorsposted on: 30/11/08
Carving a world of perfect harmony
Noel Whelan's passion for art and innovation has unearthed a unique approach to furniture design that bypasses the predictable with imagination of confidence
Proportion, space and perspective combine to unveil a uniquely impressive effect that's becoming synonymous with Noel Whelan's own design style.
Familiarising himself thoroughly with where his furniture will live means the individual piece and the room compliment each other perfectly to strike a stunning balance of contemporary and traditional. His mark of distinction has become a rare, harmonious effect that transforms any living or functional space.
Understanding the parameters of the furniture's eventual resting place means Noel has brought the concept of bespoke furniture design to a new level. The initial stage of establishing exactly what it is his client is looking for and also what they're not looking for is thoroughly exhausted. 'Sometimes knowing what the client doesn't want can be more helpful than them telling you what they have in mind. You can get a great feel for someone's personality by knowing what they want to avoid and often that type of situation has meant the client has been taken by surprise and thrilled with the end result.'
The essence of Noel Whelan's design is that he employs a creative approach to develop practical solutions for his clients. He believes that producing a work of beauty that fails in its functional purpose is a failed venture for the client. 'There's no point designing a beautiful, intricate piece if it serves no purpose. I enjoy producing unique designs that have character and that will outlive the trends that come and go. They should also work functionally and really it's that combination of function and form that I enjoy bringing through in my work.'
Preferring to work with hardwoods to achieve a very clean, crisp and sleek effect, Noel uses a broad range of woods. He sources native, European and American wood while influences have come from further afield in the form of minimalist Japanese architecture. Designs are constantly re-invented by contrasting timbers and textures and using fabrics such as suede, wool, silk and leather that soften the clean lines of the furniture. Classic proportions are achieved by blending light and dark native hardwoods as well as exotic veneers such as wenge and zebrano. Subtle features such as dividing screens and storage units produce unique utilitarian beauty. Complex craftsmanship and slow, time-honoured processes such as barrel-streaming are used to achieve elegant curves.
Noel is a member of the Institute of Designers in Ireland (IDI) and of the Crafts Council of Ireland. In addition to his qualification in cabinet making and joinery Noel has completed an Open University course in Design and Innovation. Noel recently participated in a European craft programme called Avantcraft, a programme developed with bodies in Spain, Portugal, France and Ireland with the goal of bringing craft companies and designers together to increase competitiveness.
Ania Juraszek, a young Product Designer has been working with Noel Whelan since 2006. Last year she won a Street Furniture Competition for a bench in Cork City waterfront. She studied in ASP, Krakow and in NCAD, Dublin and is also a member of the Institute of Designers in Ireland.
As well as completing commissions for individuals Noel does a lot of work for architects and interior designers including Fewer Harrington Lawlor, Duff Tisdall, Duffy McCann and Falconer. In business now for 13 years, he has striven to establish himself as one of the top furniture designer-makers in Ireland. His commercial and private work is mostly for the domestic market but he has taken on furniture commissions from abroad. He has designed and made boardroom tables, reception desks, furniture for offices, consulting rooms and waiting rooms and furniture for restaurants and bars. Among his numerous corporate and commercial commissions Noel has completed the design and fit-out of the boardrooms for Buswells Hotel in Dublin and Organon Ireland (Pharmaceuticals), while for McCann Fitzgerald Solicitors in Dublin's Irish Financial Services Centre he designed and manufactured the boardroom table and furniture. Other commissions in the Waterford area have included the design and fit-out of the boardrooms for one of the largest and most modern showrooms in Ireland, Tom Murphy Car Sales (main Mercedes, VW and Audi dealer in Ireland), while for the Waterford Eye Clinic he completed the design, layout and furniture for offices, consulting rooms, reception and waiting room.
Noel's showroom in Dunhill Eco Park gives customers an idea of what can be achieved. There is also a selection of tables and 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 their preferred timber for their individual piece and the line drawings and visualisations of the designs are also available to provide them with a clearer idea of what they can expect. Apart from the corporate commissions Noel also produces wine racks, tallboys and chests, for the private market crafted with a variety of woods for a richness of colour and texture. As these unique pieces often incorporate natural materials such as stone, metal and glass to provide a piece of authentic craftsmanship that will stand the test of time.
For more visit www.noelwhelandesign.com
Forma Interiorsposted on: 30/11/08
Carving a world of perfect harmonyNoel Whelan's passion for art and innovation has unearthed a unique approach to furniture design that bypasses the predictable with imagination of confidence
Proportion, space and perspective combine to unveil a uniquely impressive effect that's becoming synonymous with Noel Whelan's own design style.
Familiarising himself thoroughly with where his furniture will live means the individual piece and the room compliment each other perfectly to strike a stunning balance of contemporary and traditional. His mark of distinction has become a rare, harmonious effect that transforms any living or functional space.
Understanding the parameters of the furniture's eventual resting place means Noel has brought the concept of bespoke furniture design to a new level. The initial stage of establishing exactly what it is his client is looking for and also what they're not looking for is thoroughly exhausted. 'Sometimes knowing what the client doesn't want can be more helpful than them telling you what they have in mind. You can get a great feel for someone's personality by knowing what they want to avoid and often that type of situation has meant the client has been taken by surprise and thrilled with the end result.'
The essence of Noel Whelan's design is that he employs a creative approach to develop practical solutions for his clients. He believes that producing a work of beauty that fails in its functional purpose is a failed venture for the client. 'There's no point designing a beautiful, intricate piece if it serves no purpose. I enjoy producing unique designs that have character and that will outlive the trends that come and go. They should also work functionally and really it's that combination of function and form that I enjoy bringing through in my work.'
Preferring to work with hardwoods to achieve a very clean, crisp and sleek effect, Noel uses a broad range of woods. He sources native, European and American wood while influences have come from further afield in the form of minimalist Japanese architecture. Designs are constantly re-invented by contrasting timbers and textures and using fabrics such as suede, wool, silk and leather that soften the clean lines of the furniture. Classic proportions are achieved by blending light and dark native hardwoods as well as exotic veneers such as wenge and zebrano. Subtle features such as dividing screens and storage units produce unique utilitarian beauty. Complex craftsmanship and slow, time-honoured processes such as barrel-streaming are used to achieve elegant curves.
Noel is a member of the Institute of Designers in Ireland (IDI) and of the Crafts Council of Ireland. In addition to his qualification in cabinet making and joinery Noel has completed an Open University course in Design and Innovation. Noel recently participated in a European craft programme called Avantcraft, a programme developed with bodies in Spain, Portugal, France and Ireland with the goal of bringing craft companies and designers together to increase competitiveness.
Ania Juraszek, a young Product Designer has been working with Noel Whelan since 2006. Last year she won a Street Furniture Competition for a bench in Cork City waterfront. She studied in ASP, Krakow and in NCAD, Dublin and is also a member of the Institute of Designers in Ireland.
As well as completing commissions for individuals Noel does a lot of work for architects and interior designers including Fewer Harrington Lawlor, Duff Tisdall, Duffy McCann and Falconer. In business now for 13 years, he has striven to establish himself as one of the top furniture designer-makers in Ireland. His commercial and private work is mostly for the domestic market but he has taken on furniture commissions from abroad. He has designed and made boardroom tables, reception desks, furniture for offices, consulting rooms and waiting rooms and furniture for restaurants and bars. Among his numerous corporate and commercial commissions Noel has completed the design and fit-out of the boardrooms for Buswells Hotel in Dublin and Organon Ireland (Pharmaceuticals), while for McCann Fitzgerald Solicitors in Dublin's Irish Financial Services Centre he designed and manufactured the boardroom table and furniture. Other commissions in the Waterford area have included the design and fit-out of the boardrooms for one of the largest and most modern showrooms in Ireland, Tom Murphy Car Sales (main Mercedes, VW and Audi dealer in Ireland), while for the Waterford Eye Clinic he completed the design, layout and furniture for offices, consulting rooms, reception and waiting room.
Noel's showroom in Dunhill Eco Park gives customers an idea of what can be achieved. There is also a selection of tables and 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 their preferred timber for their individual piece and the line drawings and visualisations of the designs are also available to provide them with a clearer idea of what they can expect. Apart from the corporate commissions Noel also produces wine racks, tallboys and chests, for the private market crafted with a variety of woods for a richness of colour and texture. As these unique pieces often incorporate natural materials such as stone, metal and glass to provide a piece of authentic craftsmanship that will stand the test of time.
For more visit www.noelwhelandesign.com
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
our profile on facebook