The Blog has moved...

Hi all,
The blog has moved! New Year, Fresh Start was my last blog here + I obviously needed a change!!
I can be found now at www.hildabydesign.wordpress.com

Hope you'll join me there & continue the journey xx

New Year. Fresh Start.

How was your Christmas? I hope it was all you wished for. Ours was really lovely. Time for family and recharging the batteries. I've read & watched more television in the past few days than I have done all year!!
And now thoughts move to New Year's Eve {which is most likely going to be Mac & Cheese and Eton Mess with my little family!} and the new year ahead. I'm an avid 'list maker' and always have plenty of journals on the go too. I love the Internet and Technology but this gal will never let go of the written word. Obviously those around me know this as I received 2 diaries! Both super pretty and I will use both!

Still an avid Orla Kiely fan!

Love this Cath Kidston pattern/print

I bought my little guy's School Calendar and the very next day, won a competition for the most wonderful Calendar from Irish Design Duo, ail + el www.ailandel.com so both will have pride and place in my kitchen.

It will come as no surprise that one half of the talented duo, Eleanor, is a Graphic Artist!

January...Bring It!!!

I'm gonna set up a 'Mummy/Blogging Work Station' in my kitchen. Of course, like a good little blogger I'll take photos as I go. I'm on the lookout for a cute high-stool as it's going to be at one of the counters in the kitchen. In the meantime, all blogging notes will still be written in my notebook from another Super Irish Designer, Ursula Celano...

Well used at this stage!

 ...which I was also lucky enough to win last Christmas {please don't hate me} from the lovely Jen at Moss Cottage, Dundrum www.moss.ie 
Do you use a Diary still? Or journals/notebooks? Whatever way you are going to chronicle your year, I wish you a happy + healthy one and hope that you may continue my Design journey with me? The new year brings my Interior Design course, more designing of our own home & a Masterclass in London on the 31st of January. Exciting times are hopefully ahead. But challenging too! 
Sending Love & Light,
Hilda by Design xx

'Bonne Maman' Lovin'!

Ah...a wee blog that's been a LONG time coming, this one! I have a little love affair with France. OK.OK. I'll rephrase that. I think I'm French. You know, in a 'previous-life' kinda way?! I'm joking of course, but I guess there's a little grain of truth in it somewhere as my Great-Great Grandmother was French. Her surname was Doré. And that's it. That's ALL I know. I have no idea what part of France she came from, how she came to be part of the family. Rien. Nothing. So, one of these days I'll be doing a little research of my own. But in the meantime, my love affair with the country continues since I sat in my first French class, aged 8 and fell in love with the language to when I visited Paris for the first time {with my then boyfriend....hubbie reads the blogs. 'Nuff said!} to when I moved to Paris at 21....and a lot in between. It's now a distant country that I dream of often, read as much French as I can but rarely get to speak it now and I can feel my French getting rusty. Need a trip back? Bonjour! Now you're speaking my language. 

There are lots of little things that have become 'part of me' because of my 'French Connection' and one little cute thing is that the ONLY jam {yup, jam} that we ever have in the house is Bonne Maman - I changed the jam once and my kids wouldn't touch it!! Ah, my little 'francophones'! When we have finished this yummy goodness, I keep the jar of course! The possibilities are ENDLESS. I love a bottle of beer every once and a while and even drink my beer out of 'em! Here are simply 2 examples. One from one of my 'go to' blogs www.britdecor.co.uk - Mike Ahern is a genius. His photography and styling are inspirational. Mike painted the inside of the jars and popped in some beautiful flowers from his garden. The effect is simple, pure and beautiful, don't you agree? And one from me! Mine is a little idea for a Christmas Centre piece. 

Photo: Mike Ahern | Brit Decor

Pop a cute ribbon around the rim, add a few baubles or whatever tickles your fancy. Line 'em up  in the centre of your table. Hello Christmas Centre-piece! Photo: Hilda by Design
Hope you enjoy them both and Sincere Thanks to Mike for letting me use his Image. If you want to use mine, please quote the source and share away!

Hilda by Design: An explanation & update....

Bloggers Block,I think it's called. Yup. Apparently it comes to us all at some stage! Mine has been a strange one. It's not that I dont't have a list of Blogs that I could write, it's  just that...well, here's where it started:

The Beautiful Surroundings of the Four Seasons Hotel, Dublin {Photo: My Own}

I know, right? As my husband would say "Are your Diamond shoes too tight?"!! 
It's like this. One of my little one's had been sick that week and the world, as you know it, stops turning when they're sick. I was exhausted. It was the weekend of the Ideal Home Show here in Dublin and I really didn't want to miss it. I had planned to go to it on the Saturday, meet up with a lovely lady I met a few months ago {Sorry Again, Marian!} but it just wasn't gonna happen. By the Saturday evening, however, things were looking brighter and I was able to venture in on the Sunday. 
I normally grab a take - away coffee and whatever form of breakfast I can find en route but THIS morning, that just didn't cut it. I needed a 'treat coffee' {am I the only person who calls it that?}. I always get there early, It was cold and I had never been inside the Four Seasons. The minute I walked in, I knew I was going to have a hard time leaving. I recieved a lovely, friendly welcome and found a beautiful foyer reception area, in relaxing neutral tones with High Backed Chairs near the windows. Sunday papers were on offer and I picked one up, ordered a coffee and sank into the chair. Halfway through the coffee, I was emmersed in the Sunday Business Post and, well, Ideal Home Show? Sorry...What now? 
I DID get up. I DID go. It took all my might to move from that cosy position, seen above, but do ya know what? The minute I walked in to the Colortrend Room Set Section, the tired Hilda that had walked in to that beautiful hotel was gone. I was very lucky 'cos I started to chat with THE lovliest Interior Designer and as if by Interior Magic, the spark was lit. The flame was burning. And and hour and a half later, I reluctantly left the Colortrend Section - only because there was a talk I wanted to attend & I was starting to run out of time. And because, my lovely husband was at home minding the little one that was recovering from sickness.

                   Hilda by Design is a team effort. 

A blog will be most definitely written on the show. I promise. 

In the meantime, I'd like to share 3 little pieces of news:

• I update my Facebook page Monday-Friday {with the odd sneaky weekend post} and it hit 300 'likes' this weekend! Eek! Something I could never imagined would happen when I started it on the 28th of February. So, Simply, Thank You. I think you know by now how much your support means to me.
• I bought my Domain name! Something you are supposed to do at the start of blogging, when you are happy with your chosen blog name but, to be honest, I had to grow into 'Hilda by Design' a little. That's just me. And now it's part of me. I dont know where IT ends, and I begin. So, I am now officially www.hildabydesign.com ! I'm a dot com!

And then...well, I'm a Christmas baby - due on Christmas Day {"Happy Christmas! Enjoy your turkey dinner in Hospital"!} and I arrived on the 22nd of December: a nightmare for my family who feel like they either A. Have to get me one LARGE present or B. get me 2 presents when they are already rushing about trying to organise Christmas. I can, hand on my heart, honestly say that it doesnt bother me in the slightest. As I get older, presents have changed in meaning...but...well, that wonderful hubbie I mentioned gave me an early birthday present this weekend and I'm still pinching myself to be honest! I'll be attending Sophie Robinson & Daniel Hopwood's Masterclass in London on the 31st of January!!!! I spent yesterday on cloud 9 and I think I may have made my way down to Cloud 8 at the time of writing but, my feet definitely havent touched the ground yet. Details are here, on their website www.sophieanddaniel.com if you are interested. 

So, here endeth the strangest blog that I have written and will probably ever write but it needed to be written for me to move on. I  hope that makes sense? Have a wonderful Monday, whatever you do xx

The Great Interior Design Challenge: Series 2

Disclaimer: I started watching the programme just after 10pm, finished watching at 12am and I am writing this blog at 12.30am. Dedicated or Crazy - You Choose!
BBC2 started the new series of 'The Great Interior Design Challenge'   last night at 7pm and I was very eagerly awaiting it. This programme   burst on my screen last year and convinced me that a career in Design, in some shape or form {I'm still figuring that out!} was, well, forgive me...my destiny. I poured over each word, pausing the television, rewinding, taking notes. And last night was no different. Except, this is Nine Months on + I have spent this time self-teaching, started blogging and designing our own house.
So, Kids asleep,feet up with a cuppa and my cosy jeans on, I started to watch...

Bliss!

The properties last night were 17th Century Cotswolds Cottages in the Village of Bibury. The Series Presenter, Architectural Historian, Tom Dyckhoff, mentioned that a Design Hero of mine, William Morris was once quoted saying that this was "The most beautiful village in England" {1860's} and I'd struggle to argue with the man. 3 designers, Francesca, Scott and Fiona got the brief for members of the same family, who lived in neighbouring cottages. Here is an example {a screen-grab} of each of their Mood Boards:

Francesca...

...with her own delicate take on 'Shabby Chic'

Scott...

...with a Modern Twist on the Country Cottage

Fiona...

...a lover of Colour + Fabric, with an Industrial Edge

With Mummy & Daddy Design looking on, as they presented these to the Clients...

Judges and Respected Interior Designers,
Sophie Robinson + Daniel Hopwood

Francesca's mum is an Artist and her fluidity of Design reflected this Artistic background; Scott has an extremely Technical job and his Design was very precise and modern and Fiona has a Stunning house and designed this herself, with an Eclectic Style. During the programme we recieve extra information about the Architecture, background information about the houses themselves + Design Tips {...last night's episode nearly had me cracking open the Chalk Paint mid viewing!}. Each Designer is also given some kind of object to personalise & incorporate into their room: Last night's was a Floor Lamp. So, Who Won? What did the rooms look like? Well, here's a little Before & After but I'll let YOU decide who you thought should win {er, if you didnt watch it yet?!!}. First up is Francesca:

Beautiful Beams!

BEFORE

AFTER

BEFORE

AFTER

Pretty Detail...

...and Family Treasures, Framed + Displayed

SCOTT'S BEFORE

AFTER

BEFORE

AFTER

As the room was very Dark, Scott used a lot of different Light fixtures to brighten the space...

...and favoured a similar themed pattern throughout

FIONA'S BEFORE

AFTER

BEFORE

AFTER

An Example of the Personalised Object: Fiona went for an Industrial Style with her Floor Lamp 

She converted a Coffee Table into a Foot Stool...

...and showed her knowledge of Colour + Fabric, with her use of Cushions in the Window Seat + Sofas

The next episode airs tonight and, I'm a little tired now but already I cant wait. The next group of Designers have the Challenge of showing their skills with stunning Beach Huts in Dorset.
If you are a Facebook Fan, keep up to date with the programme on the series' fan page at https://www.facebook.com/thegreatinteriordesignchallenge or if, like me {@mcevoyhilda}, you are a Twitter fan, #GIDC is the most fun way to follow + interact with the programme + it's Design Obsessed Fans!
I'll leave you with a lovely moment, when, Gillian, Francesca's Client, came in to her room. She said: "I've waited a long time for it {her own space}...MY DREAMS HAVE COME TRUE"
Well, if I can hear that from even ONE future Client on my Design Journey, I'll know I've chosen the right career xx The very best of luck to Francesca, Scott + Fiona on theirs!

A Wednesday Morning Chat ♥

Just when you thought I was done talking about Copenhagen...
It's an awful day here in Dublin, Ireland but I have been cheering myself up by taking out some of my small purchases from the trip a few weekends ago. A highlight for me was a visit to the flagship store of Royal Copenhagen www.royalcopenhagen.com on the main shopping street, Amagertorv. If you ever get a chance to visit this building, don't pass it up as the minute I walked in, I knew i was in Scandi Heaven!
The main display that greeted me when I walked in had a beautiful example of "a new take on an Old Danish Papercutting Tradition" by Designer and Artist Marianne Eriksen Scott-Hansen. I'm so sad that I had no Camera with me due to battery dying {rookie-never-gonna-happen-again-mistake} but I am sharing with you my example of her work which is currently hanging in my hall. It could easily go on the Christmas tree but I think, with the Irish Tradition of Halloween/Oiche Samhain coming up, it's a Spooky addition to our hall, don't you think?

A small example of these beautiful, hand-cut creations, that also came in White

Colours of Copenhagen - a Smorgasbord!

Pardon the opening 'Valley Girl' sentence but I've wanted to go to Copenhagen for, like, FOREVER! It's true. It actually became a bit of a running family joke, as one of the first things my mum said to my then new - boyfriend {now = Hubbie} was 'She really wants to go to Copenhagen. You should take her'. Well, Mum, 10 years later; he did.
We were 7 years married last Sunday & my wonderful Hubbie had booked our first 2 nights away from the kids, ever, in Wonderful Copenhagen. I had a zillion things I wanted to do. Top of the list was the Designmuseum Danmark.  But, well, a very different weekend evolved. It evolved. That was the beauty of it. I very quickly realised that I didn't need to go to the Designmuseum as Copenhagen IS a design museum. A living one. Guys, we didn't even visit The Little Mermaid. Shame on us! But we both left, wanting to come back as we felt we only scratched the surface.
What struck me was the Colours of Copenhagen, so I've put together a little Smorgasbord!. 

I also decided to publish my photo's as is. I'm feeling a little realism doesn't go amiss sometimes, so I haven't tinted or cropped, but left the colours natural for you to see...

This is what greeted us at Copenhagen Airport!

The hanging Street Lights

The foyer of Arne Jacobsen's SAS Royal Hotel - A Mecca for Danish Design

His Famous Egg visitor chair

I ♥Finnish Design company - Marimekko

www.artium.dk

Leading to the Royal Palace, my Hubbie noticed this beautiful flame which announced an Artist's Atelier...

...and a beautiful Courtyard, which led to...

Amazing sculpture by www.alanwaring.dk and Contemporary African Art by his Dad!

While we didn't visit the Palace, I was mesmorised by the Theatre Museum which was the private Theatre to the King

Our Boutique Hotel, www.anderson-hotel.dk chosen by my Hubbie, who I've nicknamed 'Mr. Tripadvisor'!

The trendy Meatpacking District, Vesterbro, near our Hotel, where we rambled around for hours last Sunday

The Metro Works become an opportunity for Street Art

Getting Lost is half the fun

Even parking your bicycle is a work of art

The Tivoli Gardens had just opened their Halloween Festival + I took this photo at the entrance♥

I really hope you enjoyed a little taste of Copenhagen, Denmark with me, Hilda by Design (Facebook/Pinterest/Google+ and twitter @mcevoyhilda) 
All photos are my own & if I am lucky enough for you to think them worthy of sharing, please credit me with the appropriate link.
Thanks for stopping by! Let me know what you thought of the blog below?