It's always handy to know where to go when you fancy a little design shopping, but it's especially useful this time of year. I've put together guides to buying design in Dublin and in Ireland before, but here's one with a few of my old favourites, new finds and seasonal pop ups to make sure you have plenty of options when it comes to buying gifts this year. Without further ado...
BUY IRISH
Kiln & Loom
387 Ormeau Road, Belfast
Kiln & Loom (pictured top) is a new addition to the Belfast design scene, opened by designer, retailer and barista René Mullin. Borne out of necessity (there was nowhere on the Ormeau Road to pick up a decent coffee), at Kiln & Loom René combines her loves by selling a great range of design and craft - much of it coming from all over Ireland - and serving up locally roasted coffee and artisan treats. Kiln & Loom are also having a Christmas fayre on 10 December serving up festive treats, selling a range of specially-commissioned craft products and raising money for charity.
Makers & Brothers
Fairholm, Abbey Road, Blackrock, County Dublin
Usually an online affair, Makers & Brothers are taking their selection of Irish and international design-led craft out into the real world in the lead up to Christmas. The Makers & Brothers At Home pop up isn't open every day, so check out their website before making the journey. But if you can't make it their before Christmas, remember they sell online all day everyday all year round.
Irish Design Shop
41 Drury Street, Dublin 2
A retailer so influential I even included it in my top moments in Irish design history back in March, the Irish Design Shop continues to be a top destination to buy Irish design and craft. Don't visit Dublin without calling in and having a mooch...
BUY SCANDINAVIAN
Nordic Makers
Georges Street Lower, Dún Laoghaire, County Dublin
It was a real surprise - but definitely a pleasant one - that as I plotted to move to Copenhagen two Danes opened a design shop in Dublin. In a few short months Nordic Makers has really made a splash in Dún Laoghaire, bringing a great selection of the design and craft from all over the Nordic region to Ireland, much of it from small studios and emerging designers. Read an interview with owners Klaus and Louis here.
Inreda
Royal Hibernian Academy, Dublin 2
While Nordic Makers is a new venture bringing some of the newest Scandinavian design to Ireland, Inreda has been a bit of a stalwart when it comes to selling the work of Scandinavian superstars in Dublin. They've been based in the RHA since last year and are your first port of call if it's the big hitters you're after.
Maven
Reid Memorial Hall, 4A Maryville Avenue, Belfast
Maven has a great range of mid-range Scandinavian brands such as HAY, Normann Copenhagen, Ferm Living, Muuto and more, as well as a great selection of work by craftspeople and designers around Northern Ireland.
Ode
15 Market Square, Navan, County Meath
So stylish you might forget you're in Navan, Ode (pictured above) was set up by Stephen Carroll while still studying design at DIT back in 2013. Now combining design from Scandinavia and around Europe with a coffee shop, it provides a great selection of products to browse and treats to enjoy.
BUY VINTAGE
Kirkmodern
Sandymount, Dublin 4
I had the pleasure of interviewing Geoff Kirk about his home and his mid-century furniture collecting for Image Interiors & Living last year, and I really was impressed by the range of objects, lights and furniture he finds all over Europe and brings to Ireland. He oftens sells at Dublin Flea and the Brocante Market, but you can always get in touch with him to see what he has or what he might be able to find for you...
Industrial Things
industrialthings.com
These guys have a great range of one off or limited edition industrial-style vintage furniture and lighting, mainly from eastern Europe. You can browse the website or get in touch to make an appointment and see what's on offer in the flesh.
Industry
41 a/b Drury Street, Dublin 2
I've long been a fan of Industry, having interviewed owner Vanessa MacInnes for Architecture Ireland way back in 2011. Since then she's moved to a bigger space on Drury Street (pictured above), and as of this year offers food and coffee on top of new design, vintage furniture and upcycled pieces. So many boxes ticked.
BUY SEASONAL
Various dates: Festive pop ups
Various venues, Dublin
There is a whole host of Christmas pop ups and events led by online retailers (like Makers & Brothers, mentioned above) as well as collectives of designers. A group of 17 designers and craftspeople are filling 7 Clare Street, right across from the National Gallery of Ireland in Dublin, with the Wilde Design Fair, offering gifts from the super affordable to the super luxurious from 10-12 December. They're also running a prize draw, giving all visitors the chance to win an Irish design hamper worth €650... Online retailer and interiors consultancy April and the Bear pops up at 2 Castle Market, Dublin 2, from 29 November right up until 24 December (and keep an eye on their social media for details of events running alongside the pop up). Nordic Elements is an Irish-based online shop specialising in design from northern Europe and owner Helle is opening up the Nordic Elements Studio in Blackrock for selected dates in November and December.
28 Nov, 10am-5pm: Christmas on the Square
Various venues, Merrion Square, Dublin 2
The first edition of Christmas on the Square a few years ago was a really nice selection of designers, craftspeople and food cool dudes gathered in the Irish Architectural Archive. Now the whole affair has gotten bigger and more exciting, with events, djs and lots of Christmas gift buying spread across a number of venues on Merrion Square.
27-29 Nov: Jameson Black Barrel Market
The Bernard Shaw, Dublin 8
So this one is a Christmas market filled with art, design, food, djs and live music, but with added whiskey, so this one isn't as family friendly as all the rest. But arguably that has its selling points for some of us...
4-6 Dec: Block T Christmas Bazaar
Block B, Smithfield, Dublin 7
Block T is great for its big, fat Christmas bonanza, bringing together over 120 stalls featuring art, design, second hand, food, drink and fun in Smithfield. The chances of going in there and leaving empty-handed are SLIM.
11-13 Dec: Dublin Flea Christmas Cracker
John Player factory, Dublin 8
Dublin Flea (pictured above) brings a great selection of stalls together every month, and their Christmas edition is as much worth a visit as any other. Normally found at Newmarket Square, they've scaled up to the John Player factory on South Circular Road to fit it all in.
Images via 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5
BUY IRISH
Kiln & Loom
387 Ormeau Road, Belfast
Kiln & Loom (pictured top) is a new addition to the Belfast design scene, opened by designer, retailer and barista René Mullin. Borne out of necessity (there was nowhere on the Ormeau Road to pick up a decent coffee), at Kiln & Loom René combines her loves by selling a great range of design and craft - much of it coming from all over Ireland - and serving up locally roasted coffee and artisan treats. Kiln & Loom are also having a Christmas fayre on 10 December serving up festive treats, selling a range of specially-commissioned craft products and raising money for charity.
Makers & Brothers
Fairholm, Abbey Road, Blackrock, County Dublin
Usually an online affair, Makers & Brothers are taking their selection of Irish and international design-led craft out into the real world in the lead up to Christmas. The Makers & Brothers At Home pop up isn't open every day, so check out their website before making the journey. But if you can't make it their before Christmas, remember they sell online all day everyday all year round.
Irish Design Shop
41 Drury Street, Dublin 2
A retailer so influential I even included it in my top moments in Irish design history back in March, the Irish Design Shop continues to be a top destination to buy Irish design and craft. Don't visit Dublin without calling in and having a mooch...
BUY SCANDINAVIAN
Nordic Makers
Georges Street Lower, Dún Laoghaire, County Dublin
It was a real surprise - but definitely a pleasant one - that as I plotted to move to Copenhagen two Danes opened a design shop in Dublin. In a few short months Nordic Makers has really made a splash in Dún Laoghaire, bringing a great selection of the design and craft from all over the Nordic region to Ireland, much of it from small studios and emerging designers. Read an interview with owners Klaus and Louis here.
Inreda
Royal Hibernian Academy, Dublin 2
While Nordic Makers is a new venture bringing some of the newest Scandinavian design to Ireland, Inreda has been a bit of a stalwart when it comes to selling the work of Scandinavian superstars in Dublin. They've been based in the RHA since last year and are your first port of call if it's the big hitters you're after.
Maven
Reid Memorial Hall, 4A Maryville Avenue, Belfast
Maven has a great range of mid-range Scandinavian brands such as HAY, Normann Copenhagen, Ferm Living, Muuto and more, as well as a great selection of work by craftspeople and designers around Northern Ireland.
Ode
15 Market Square, Navan, County Meath
So stylish you might forget you're in Navan, Ode (pictured above) was set up by Stephen Carroll while still studying design at DIT back in 2013. Now combining design from Scandinavia and around Europe with a coffee shop, it provides a great selection of products to browse and treats to enjoy.
BUY VINTAGE
Kirkmodern
Sandymount, Dublin 4
I had the pleasure of interviewing Geoff Kirk about his home and his mid-century furniture collecting for Image Interiors & Living last year, and I really was impressed by the range of objects, lights and furniture he finds all over Europe and brings to Ireland. He oftens sells at Dublin Flea and the Brocante Market, but you can always get in touch with him to see what he has or what he might be able to find for you...
Industrial Things
industrialthings.com
These guys have a great range of one off or limited edition industrial-style vintage furniture and lighting, mainly from eastern Europe. You can browse the website or get in touch to make an appointment and see what's on offer in the flesh.
Industry
41 a/b Drury Street, Dublin 2
I've long been a fan of Industry, having interviewed owner Vanessa MacInnes for Architecture Ireland way back in 2011. Since then she's moved to a bigger space on Drury Street (pictured above), and as of this year offers food and coffee on top of new design, vintage furniture and upcycled pieces. So many boxes ticked.
BUY SEASONAL
Various dates: Festive pop ups
Various venues, Dublin
There is a whole host of Christmas pop ups and events led by online retailers (like Makers & Brothers, mentioned above) as well as collectives of designers. A group of 17 designers and craftspeople are filling 7 Clare Street, right across from the National Gallery of Ireland in Dublin, with the Wilde Design Fair, offering gifts from the super affordable to the super luxurious from 10-12 December. They're also running a prize draw, giving all visitors the chance to win an Irish design hamper worth €650... Online retailer and interiors consultancy April and the Bear pops up at 2 Castle Market, Dublin 2, from 29 November right up until 24 December (and keep an eye on their social media for details of events running alongside the pop up). Nordic Elements is an Irish-based online shop specialising in design from northern Europe and owner Helle is opening up the Nordic Elements Studio in Blackrock for selected dates in November and December.
28 Nov, 10am-5pm: Christmas on the Square
Various venues, Merrion Square, Dublin 2
The first edition of Christmas on the Square a few years ago was a really nice selection of designers, craftspeople and food cool dudes gathered in the Irish Architectural Archive. Now the whole affair has gotten bigger and more exciting, with events, djs and lots of Christmas gift buying spread across a number of venues on Merrion Square.
27-29 Nov: Jameson Black Barrel Market
The Bernard Shaw, Dublin 8
So this one is a Christmas market filled with art, design, food, djs and live music, but with added whiskey, so this one isn't as family friendly as all the rest. But arguably that has its selling points for some of us...
4-6 Dec: Block T Christmas Bazaar
Block B, Smithfield, Dublin 7
Block T is great for its big, fat Christmas bonanza, bringing together over 120 stalls featuring art, design, second hand, food, drink and fun in Smithfield. The chances of going in there and leaving empty-handed are SLIM.
11-13 Dec: Dublin Flea Christmas Cracker
John Player factory, Dublin 8
Dublin Flea (pictured above) brings a great selection of stalls together every month, and their Christmas edition is as much worth a visit as any other. Normally found at Newmarket Square, they've scaled up to the John Player factory on South Circular Road to fit it all in.
Images via 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5
