Deirdre Whelan: Consultant Designer to M&B

1. On meeting Deirdre Whelan it’s clear to see there is something special about her. With a warm personality and unrivalled eye for design, it’s no wonder we all love to watch her and Hugh Wallace on screen for Home Of The Year!
3. So as you can imagine at M&B, we’re delighted to be collaborating with Deirdre for our Autumn/Winter collection. Following our recent launch where Deirdre introduced this season’s furniture and homewares, we had a quick chat with Deirdre about her style and what she loves about Meadows & Byrne.

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   How would you describe your design style?

5. Understated … I love simple, good design with clean lines. Less is more – I see too many homes that try too hard and are just cluttered. I like to use key pieces that speak for themselves. I love good natural materials such as pale woods that never date and a mix of materials and textures. Tactility in a home is important.

7. Has your Dutch heritage influenced your style?

8. Yes absolutely. I moved to Ireland at the age of fifteen, I definitely have a Dutch take in the genes! The Dutch love their homes and really invest in good design.

What are your design bug bearers…?

1. Over-populating a room with too many pieces, less is more. While trends will always be there, I like to keep things dateless and classical.

3. What are your favourite pieces from Meadows & Byrne?

4. Meadows & Byrne has lots of strong basics that won’t date. I just love the Ash and Rattan Wishbone stools with beautiful pale wood and rattan currently in store. They also stock my favourite ‘Arran Street East’ – timeless Irish pottery.

How would you describe M&B’s Autumn Collection? 

Meadows & Byrne’s Autumn collection features lots of autumnal tones which are great for cosying up the home with the winter nights closing in.  Layer up furs, chunky knitted throws and cushions to give your space a snuggly haven like feel.

1. In an ideal world, what type of home would you have?

2. A bespoke designed home with views of lake or sea and a small garden. A home filled with natural daylight and good connection with outdoor terraces. Simply layout, with neutral finishes that would be the canvas for the things I like to have around me.

A big thank you to Deirdre for taking the time to chat to us!