Name: Aiveen Daly
Company: Aiveen Daly
Position within company: Director
Website: www.aiveendaly.com

. Tell us a little about your background in design (education, experience, etc)

I originally studied Russian and Business studies at Trinity College in Dublin. After many years working in Marketing in the publishing and travel sectors I took a year out to study Traditional Upholstery and never looked back.

. How would you describe your personal interior design style?

Colour is hugely important to me. I loving drawing inspiration from paintings and vintage textiles and using them as a starting point for the rest of the room. In my bedroom the wardrobe doors are upholstered in antique saris with an art deco motif in rust, navy and teal.

. Where does your design inspiration come from?

I go to Italy and France whenever I can to source suppliers who work with the top couture houses. Haute fashion is by far where I get most of my inspiration from. For example we work with a feather company who assist Alexander McQueen with their awe inspiring gowns, our embroiderers have worked with Lanvin and the metal chains we use would be at home on a Chanel or Bottega Veneta bag.

. In what direction do you feel that design is moving towards in a general sense?

Exclusivity and personalisation is by far what we are being asked for. High net worth individuals don’t want to have standard designs from even the most luxurious shop floors. They are increasingly sophisticated and like to see layers of expertise within commissions. Recently, I have worked with clients who wanted very personal possessions woven into pieces – heirloom embroidery and vintage textiles. These are very much works of art that are intended to be handed down through the generations. The Paradise chair nominated for example contains pleating, hand beading and embroidery, lacquered wood work and brass metal feet.

. Name five key themes to consider when approaching design in 2015 and beyond.

The key things we are focusing on in house are:

Layering of fabrics and textures
Mixed metal chains in nickel and bronze on silk satin or luxurious lambs wool
Juxtaposition of pleating against plain fabrics
Fabric manipulation such as the twisted leather in our Concertina bench
Feather wall panels in a vibrant colour pallet.

. If you could offer one piece of advice when it comes to product design, what would it be?

A design should make your client’s heart sing and should be a work of enduring beauty.

. How important are The International Product Design Awards as recognition of talent and achievement?

I am honoured to be nominated and it is hugely beneficial to be exposed to a truly global design audience.

. What projects are you currently working on?

Due to the nature of our clients most projects are highly confidential but we are currently working on projects in Lagos, Shanghai, Doha, New York, St Tropez, Moscow and London. Commissions span from super yacht headboards to highly complex pleated walls with metallic trims for super prime homes and hand beaded and embroidered cushions for property developments.

. What are your aims and goals for the next twelve months?

We will be launching our new collection Treasured Possessions at Decorex 2016, launching our online store and will have fingers crossed for this award ceremony in September.

. Final thoughts; tell us a little more about yourself

Your most treasured possession? My family photo album. I started printing photographs when my children were born – it’s quite old school but now it’s so much fun to leaf through.

Your favourite holiday destination? LA
Your favourite hotel / restaurant / bar? I love Dock Kitchen for local to home and Berners Tavern in central London
Your favourite book / film / song?
I Will from the Beatles White album which I play so often I now find my 4 year old singing it

Your favourite food and drink?
I’m not a vegetarian but have been cooking lots from Anna Jones’ gorgeous book A Modern Way to Cook. Favourite drink is definitely a chilled white wine preferably something Italian.

Your favourite way to spend an afternoon? (in no more than 25 words)
I absolutely love what I do but home is the place for me with my husband and 2 delicious daughters.
If you weren’t a designer, what would you be?