Design/Life: Meet interior designer Emma Kelly
Exercise helps get the creative juices flowing as well as giving me the headspace to figure out whatever design conundrum may have arisen, interior designer Emma Kelly tells
What’s your background?
I qualified as an electrical engineer from UCC, and subsequently worked in corporate technology which took me all over the world.
I always had a grá for architecture and design and became more fascinated by them the more I travelled and saw different design styles and cultures.
As I began to have my children, I struggled, like many young mothers, to balance the full-time demands of a career in engineering with the demands of raising a young family.
I decided to undertake a diploma in interior design and loved it and from there went on to set up my own practice in 2006.
When the recession hit in 2008 and the market folded, I went back to consultancy work as an engineer but when the market picked up again, I saw my chance to forge ahead with a career in design.
I have been steadily growing my portfolio and client base the last number of years and I hope to continue to do so long into the future.
What’s a typical workday like for you?
I have four kids to get to school, and once that is done caffeine is the order of the day along with some form of exercise. I feel exercise always helps to get the creative juices flowing as well as giving me the headspace to figure out whatever scheduling or design conundrum may have arisen.
Some days I have client meetings or site inspections, or quite often I may be project managing onsite or meeting with collaborators.
Other days may include any of the following: road trips for sourcing items for a project; online research; creating moodboards or plans for a project; or working with graphic designers.
Tell us about a recent project or design you have worked on?
I recently completed three showhomes across two sites for the O’Flynn Group. These sites are some of the biggest new developments in Cork and whilst it was challenging to work concurrently on the three houses, each with differing design elements, there was a great feeling of achievement upon completion.
What’s your design style?
I like to use as much raw organic material as possible, such as woods, stone, linens, cottons, wool, leather, and any metal, but vary the application of said material to come up with a slightly unexpected or different result.
Art is also a vital addition to all my interior spaces as this is what usually personalises a space and lifts the design to another level.
What/who inspires your work?
Travel — there is nothing more I love than getting lost in a foreign city and taking in every last detail.
Art is another great source of inspiration for colour palettes — one of my showhouse designs was based on a palette I saw and loved in a painting in a gallery in London.
Nature and the outside world are also a constant inspiration in my work.
What’s your favourite trend at the moment (if you have any)?
I’m not a huge believer in trends as I feel they have the potential to date but one trend I am happy to work with is biophilic design — it refers to the art of reflecting nature in our homes and spaces, and is thought to have immense psychological benefits.
What’s your most treasured possession?
I have no possession I would ever treasure more than the health and wellbeing of my family; however I do love a beautiful antique table that sits in my bedroom window that my mum and dad gave as a wedding present.
My dad passed away 11 years ago so anything I have belonging to him has sentimental value, he was a huge and defining influence in my life. I have books and sculptures from his travels, and my children love to listen to stories of his adventures.
Who is your favourite designer, or style inspiration?
I love mid-century design classics. I recently acquired three Hans Wegner wishbone chairs in walnut and leather and an original Charles Eames chair in a very rare black fibreglass.
What would be a dream project for you to work on?
I would love to branch out into product or furniture design, I feel it would be a nice marriage of my engineering and design backgrounds.
Have you any design tips for us?
For a home design, pick three inspiration images and stick to these, otherwise it’s easy to get overwhelmed and side-tracked.
Consider light and room orientation in respect of light and dark palettes, light colours will give a feeling of space, darker colours will enclose a space to make it feel moody and cosy.
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