by Michelle Hanley
20th Mar 2015
20th Mar 2015
Niamh Banks, the brains behind Seven Wood
Be sure to catch the last few days of the homewares and furniture pop-up taking Dame Lane by storm…
Sevens Wood pop-up, our latest homewares haunt, is down to its last few hours in its current location at the Fumbally Exchange, No 5 Dame Lane. Don’t miss your chance to browse Niamh Banks’s cool interiors edit. Here she shares her backstory – and top picks – with us.
Niamh started off with a concession, Mayfield Merchant, in Terenure about 18 months ago, where she focused mainly on kitchenware and apothecary items. She’s no stranger to homewares and quality crafts- she spent seven years working for Avoca. Usefulness and beauty are the two cornerstones of her selection process, which results in a nifty and contemporary collection of objects designed to delight.
She believes the days of ornamental gift giving are long gone. Instead she has opted to stock products such as the Weave collection of tea sets (below) by noted product designer Simon Stevens. “Everything about these products is considered,” she says.
For functional indulgence, Niamh recommends the French skincare range Compagnie de Provence: “The scents are strong and distinct, and what I love is using the old knowing craftsmanship of a quality product, and producing it in a modern, relevant way. The hand balm is the star product!”
Another key factor in Niamh’s choices is sustainability. The bread bins she stocks are a good example of this. “I remember my grandmother having one, and they just last forever,” Niamh says.
The furniture has been the real star of the pop-up, she reveals, and has been practically running out the door. These vintage and retro pieces have been hand-picked by Niamh and mostly sourced from England. The sideboards have been spray-painted in muted tones with a matte finish for a contemporary feel. Niamh was careful to conserve the interior detailing of glass and brass in them: “I was driven to find well-fitted furniture pieces that suited small spaces and that felt light and airy.”
Happily, Seven Wood is going out with a bang. Be sure to pop in today for the Barista Jam, with free coffee from Full Circle. Count us in!
Lusting for more retro inspiration? Tour a gorgeous mid-century modern home in Dublin.
Michelle Hanley for @Image_Interiors / @hanleymi