Desire Lines: hand-painted tableware and kids' theatre

Ruth O'Connor's guide to inspiring ideas and beautiful things

Sat, 17 Feb, 2024 - 02:00

Ruth O'Connor

Set It!

Set the table with the colourful, hand-painted Acquerello collection of tableware handmade in Portugal.

Event designer Annie Dunne of AD Event Design has just launched the travel-inspired tableware brand that is the perfect herald of the brighter days of spring.

Blending form and function, the range includes five distinct collections with products that include beautiful platters, jugs, salad bowls and candle holders which make for really lovely housewarming gifts.

Prices range from €14 to €90.
acquerellohome.com

Ashleigh Dorrell in the titular role of Mollie ahead of the world premiere of The Making of Mollie by Anna Carey which Anna adapted from the novel, presented by The Ark Children’s Cultural Centre.

See It!

Next Friday sees the premiere of The Making of Mollie at children’s cultural centre The Ark in Dublin’s Temple Bar.

Adapted from author Anna Carey’s first historical novel, the show, which is suitable for children aged 8+, centres on a young teen who gets involved with Dublin’s suffragette movement in 1912.

Starring Ashleigh Dorrell as Mollie, this charming and witty play will delight history lovers young and old alike.

The run will include relaxed performances on March 8 and 9 and an ISL-interpreted performance on March 3.

From February 23 to March 16. Tickets from €12.50.
ark.ie

Spray It!

The new perfume by Chloé is the perfect spring scent. Nomade Nuit d’Égypte is inspired by the homeland of brand founder and fashion designer Gaby Aghion who was born in Alexandria in 1921.

Perfumer Juliette Karagueuzoglou has created a scent inspired by Egypt’s ancient kyphi perfume with notes of myrrh and cinnamon, broom and vanilla, cypriol and opopanax.

From €79 for 30ml.
Available from selected stores and pharmacies nationwide.

An artwork by Rachel Tinniswood at Bridge Street

Visit It!

Art lovers should make their way to the Basement Gallery, An Táin Arts Centre in Dundalk, Co Louth, for the ‘Shed’ exhibition which launches this week and runs until March 30.

This latest visual art exhibition features the work of Bridge Street Studios — the renowned Dundalk artists’ hub.

This independent artist collective has been an integral part of the creative life of Dundalk since it was founded in the mid-90s and the ‘Shed’ exhibition includes work in a variety of mediums by nine professional artists including Orlaith Cullinane, Rachel Tinniswood, Mary Cowan and Cathy McKeown.

After Dundalk, ‘Shed’ will travel to Armagh Market Place Theatre & Arts Centre from May 17 to July 6.
See bridgestreetstudios.com and antain.ie for more information.

Embrace It!

Embrace new season style with the latest SS24 collections at Brown Thomas.

Last week our fashion insiders took to the top of the Exo Building in the Dublin Docklands for a bird’s eye view of the store’s latest styles, with 90s retro, utilitarian and preppy styles, florals and shorter looks proving the backbone of the collection along with plenty of black and white for monochrome lovers.

Nineties nostalgia took a contemporary twist at Courrèges and Isabel Marant, cargo pants and mini dresses were elevated at Dries Van Noten and JW Anderson, and Miu Miu’s preppy collection took us straight to the country club with sleek polo shirts, cable knits and flicky mini skirts.

Spring flowers took on a new resonance via pixelated, oversized and embroidered florals across a blooming marvellous collection of spring fashion.

New brands this season include Acler, By Malene, Holzweiler, Helmut Lang and Matteau.

Weld It!

Lots of people are getting their jewellery welded - often with friends or partners as a symbol of ‘forever’, but it’s also a great way to prevent losing a special piece or fumbling with awkward clasps.

This weekend you can try the trend at the Beauty Hall at Brown Thomas Cork where Tadgh O’Flynn is hosting a Get Welded pop-up.

There will be lots of lovely pieces to choose from including vintage items and a complimentary engraving service will also be available.

brownthomas.com

Book It!

World-leading ‘biohacker’, Tim Gray, is just one of the intriguing speakers due to appear at the Future Beauty & Health Show at Dublin’s RDS this March 2 and 3.

Gray will speak to audiences about how he transformed his life from being bed-bound by chronic illness to having a biological age almost 10 years younger than his 44 years.

Longevity science, hormone balancing, sleep optimisation, the importance of the gut microbiome and sexual health are all on the agenda at this show which brings together leading dermatologists, gynaecologists, aesthetic doctors, dentists and nurses to discuss all the latest clinical health and beauty options available now.

Tickets from €29.
futurebeautyshow.com

Plan It!

Plan your child’s First Holy Communion outfit with the 2024 range by Paul Costelloe at Dunnes Stores.

The designer’s range includes five elegant styles of dress in a range of styles and fabrics including organza, lace and stain.

Prices start at €130 for the dresses which are beautifully detailed with pearls and beads, covered buttons and statement bows.

Accessories abound in the form of headbands and veils, delicate bags and satin boleros.

Modern twists include pockets in the dresses (handy for all that Communion money) and white bow-laced trainers.

Not forgetting the boys, there are terrific suits which can be worn with the range’s Oxford shirts or polo tops as well as formal trainers for a great smart casual look.