Designer Blanaid Hennessy with the chair that she customised for Oxfamhome DIY. Photo by studioseventyseven photography.
Oxfamhome ‘DIY’ is a design initiative whereby a select panel of journalists, interior designers, artists and bloggers have been invited to choose a piece of Oxfamhome furniture and add their own inimitable style and imagination.
The result is a set of unique and spectacular pieces of statement furniture which will be auctioned, with all proceeds going towards Oxfam Ireland’s programme work.
The pieces include a writing desk, an armchair, a filing cabinet, tables and a bedside locker. Each piece would make a fantastic addition to any home, or would be an excellent quirky talking point for a retail, office or restaurant space.
The pieces can be viewed at Oxfam’s Haiti Lives Exhibition, which is in the Powerscourt Townhouse Centre in Dublin 2 until July 31st.
Oxfam are holding a silent auction for these pieces – you can bid on the piece of your choice below.
The pieces are:
Chair by Blanaid Hennessy
Dimensions: 99cm high, 88cm wide, 70cm deep
Reserve price: €300
Photo by studioseventyseven photography
“I covered this antique chair in vintage coffee bean bags, which I sourced in America. I love the rustic and industrial look of the bags – which I complemented by painting the woodwork in ‘Down Pipe’ by Farrow and Ball.” Blanaid Hennessy, stylist, writer and blogger.
Blanaid Hennessy is a freelance stylist, writer and blogger. She runs a photography and styling studio ‘Shutterbug’ in Kilkenny with her brother. Her blog, www.blanaid.com was chosen by House & Home magazine to feature in their Irish Hot 100. She writes interiors features for the Irish Independent newspaper, is one half of The Stylebitches.com, a satirical fashion and gossip blog, and is the event planner of the Style at Set Vintage Weekend in Kilkenny.
Writing Desk by Angela Scanlon
Dimensions: 112cm high, 66cm wide, 40cm deep
Reserve price: €100
Photo by studioseventyseven photography
“I wanted to create something that related to my work in fashion so I started with magazine cutouts and kind of went wild from there! I collaborated with illustrator/artist Julianne Kennelly on it and combined her minimalist sketches with the fashion images. I love how it’s turned out but now I want to keep it…” Angela Scanlon, stylist, journalist and broadcaster.
Angela Scanlon is undoubtedly one of the freshest and most exciting talents to come out of Ireland in recent years. As a stylist, journalist and broadcaster she has rapidly become the one-to-watch on the fashion scene. As well as her monthly column in Tatler, she is a regular contributor to other publications both at home and abroad and has become well-known for her witty but informative pieces. She’s also contributing editor of The Irish Independent online and works as a fashion consultant for a growing number of brands.
Console Table by Eoin Lyons
Dimensions: 112cm wide, 77cm high, 47cm deep
Reserve price: €300
“I chose a two drawer console table with studded brass trim. The body has been painted with Farrow and Ball’s London Clay and the top has been covered with orange leather. The colours were inspired by the American fashion designer Tory Burch’s logo. She takes inspiration from the 1970s and this piece also has that feeling so the two seemed a perfect match.” Eoin Lyons, interior decorator, journalist and author.
Eoin Lyons is an interior decorator, journalist and author. He has contributed to publications such as The Irish Times, Image Interiors, The Gloss, House & Garden UK, Living Etc UK and The Sunday Times Style. Eoin has published two books on interior decorating: Style Source Ireland and Home Comforts (Currach Press).
Table by Teresa Martin Varela
Dimensions: Top 54 cm diameter. Height 49cm.
Reserve price: €150
“In this work I attempt to convey this phenomenon, this sensation to the viewer, to experience time as it passes through a particular and ephemeral kind of nature. Through photography, dreamlike renditions of the landscape in turn produces more attractive and imaginative places to visit. Happening upon such a real but mysterious landscape – so strange, so singular- it aroused my curiosity and filled me with admiration and astonishment.” Teresa Martin Varela, photographer.
Teresa Martin Varela has a degree in photography from DIT and a diploma in photo-journalism. She has exhibited in various photography exhibitions and is participating in the PhotoIreland festival. Her work will also be published in the first photography magazine in Ireland, Blow.
Dining Table by Kevin Sharkey
Dimensions to follow
Reserve price: €500
“I created this table for Oxfamhome. I have always wanted to paint a table. All the gold is hand done with gold pens. The painting on the table top is in the style of my own landscape paintings. The various messages on the table reflect life”. Kevin Sharkey, artist.
Kevin Sharkey is a self-taught artist. He has exhibited internationally and is also a successful interior designer. He was Ireland’s first non-white TV presenter and he appeared in several episodes of Father Ted as Father Shaft. He wrote Everybody wants to dance like Josephine Baker for Boney M, with Boomtown Rat Pete Briquette.
Filing Cabinet by Fink
Dimensions: 132cm high, 48cm wide, 63cm deep
Reserve price: €200
“My approach for this project was to take a mundane filing cabinet and turn it into a piece of art. My main objective was to put the fun back into filing cabinets.” Fink, artist.
Fink is a Dublin-based street artist who incorporates both cutting edge graffiti styles and innovative stencil-based street art into his creations. He draws influence from artists such as Warhol, Dali, Haring, Maclaim and Epsylon Point. His vivid use of colour and humour are key elements in his original style.
Locker by Dara Flynn
83cm high, 36cm wide, 36cm deep
Reserve price: €100
Photo and details to follow shortly.
Please note that all dimensions are approximate.
Bid on an Oxfamhome DIY piece now
To bid, select the item that you want to bid on, enter your bid, add your contact details and any comments. Your bid will be added to the silent auction and Oxfam will be in touch with you if yours is the winning bid. Thank you!
Please note that each piece has a reserve price, and bids below the reserve will not be considered.
