Haberdasher Heaven

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You may not have heard of Alexa O’Byrne, but we can bet you’ve seen her work. And at this time of year her beautiful shop?A. Rubanesque, Ireland’s only passementerie boutique, is piled high with ribbons, trimmings and gorgeous Christmas treats.

This year, she took time away from the shop to develop a collection of bespoke Christmas designs ??”Painted wooden toys from the Christmas mornings of my childhood, watching our garden robin eating winter berries on a frosted morning, and singing carols around the piano all capture the moments that make up my Christmas memories. I took inspiration from my travels in Sweden and Denmark, investigating traditional folk weaves, patterns and national treasures that harnessed the atmosphere of Christmas too.”

“The dancing drums ribbon was inspired by the Christmas mornings of my childhoods, when bouncing painted drums with dancing ribbons awaited under the tree.”

“The manuscript ribbon was inspired by memories of trying to turn the pages of the music manuscript on the piano at the right moment as we sang carols together after Christmas dinner.”

“The woodland robin ribbon was inspired by watching our bold garden robin eat winter berries through the window while I’m dressing oranges with cloves and wrapping them in cinnamon-filled tissue in preparation for the season.”

A former graduate of NCAD, Alexa has been in love with sewing since she was just seven years old and got her first sewing machine. Today, she’s a skilled seamstress and divides her time between her successful store in the Powerscourt Townhouse, Dublin, and her stylish home in Booterstown, where she lives with her boyfriend Shane and precious pooch Suki, her 12-year-old Maltese.

?We are both keen sailors and love the sea, so I knew if I kept it simple with soft, washed-out nautical colours and traditional touches such as brass fittings and natural wood, we’d both be very happy,? Alexa says. ?Although I have frills and lace in the shop, my taste is very simple and pared-back. And I adore stripes which you may have noticed!?

For ribbons, trimmings and bows galore and even more Christmas inspiration, visit?A. Rubanesque, Powerscourt Townhouse Centre, 59 South William Street, Dublin 2.

Head here for Team Interiors’ own seasonal table setting ideas.

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