Clodagh
The Irish-born New York designer dropped her last name long ago, and with that kind of a distinctive first name, why would you need any other?
I first found out about Clodagh at the Kitchen/Bath Industry Show several years ago, when she designed a kitchen that was so earthy and natural looking, it blew me away. It was such a pleasing space; I didn’t even notice any appliances.
She was one of the first people I had seen to hang a candle-filled chandelier (which she did over the dining table in that stunning kitchen), and of course, now everyone does. Here’s her version:
I was reminded of her lately when I saw she had a new line of indoor-outdoor fabric for Perennials Outdoor Fabrics, which designers say is top of the line when it comes to outdoor fabric.
Clodagh is one of the early “green” designers, adopting sustainable practices before it became a trend. She also tries to integrate the earth’s elements into her designs, and is a practitioner of feng shui. This is the result:
Back to the fabrics: The 10 new patterns for Perennials were all inspired from the natural world, according to the press release, which says, “These earthy tones exhibit the adventuresome spirit of a global nomad [Clodagh] who has traveled to over 90 countries in her storied career.”
As I was browsing through Clodagh’s Web site, I couldn’t stop gazing at her placid interiors, which nonetheless carry a bit of an edge. They are like a visual massage.
I love this idea for the kitchen, in which she hangs a transparent sheer between it and the dining room. From a diner’s standpoint, the kitchen becomes an impressionist painting.
And this outdoor setting, with fire below and fabric that shimmers like the sea above, is like a meditation. Yet, it’s in the middle of Harlem, if you can believe it.
Clodagh’s new fabric line isn’t her only branded collection. She’s got furnishings, accessories, rugs, lighting, tile – you name it. So even if you can’t have her come design your home, you can certainly purchase of piece of that look.