Grainne Devlin

Specialized in Design.

Grainne Devlin

About Grainne Devlin

The Design & Co. brand was founded by Grainne (pronounced Gr-on-ya) Devlin following a career spanning 2 decades within the building and design industry. Starting out as an assistant interior designer with Unique Interiors in her native home of Ireland, Grainne went on to complete an honours degree in Business, specialising in Building and Facilities Management in the UK. After growing her business acumen by working across Europe within the field of aviation, Grainne returned to her passion - interiors. After moving to Australia in 2009 Grainne remained within the building and design industry, where she most recently managed a luxury wall coverings and fabrics studio in the James Street Design hub precinct of Brisbane, before following her dream and setting up her own interior design business - Design & Co.

  • Winner of the A' Design Award.
  • Specialized in Design.
  • Original Design.
  • Creative, Diligent and Innovative.
  • All Designs

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Interview with Grainne Devlin

Could you please tell us more about your art and design background? What made you become an artist/designer? Have you always wanted to be a designer?
From an early age I've had a huge passion for design, particularly interiors. While I worked as a design assistant to an interiors firm in Ireland while I studied for my degree, I graduated and worked for a large European airline for a number of years, before relocating to Australia and following my passion for all things design related.
Can you tell us more about your company / design studio?
DESIGN & CO is a boutique design company based in Brisbane, Australia. We specialise in luxury interiors, working on both residential and commercial or hospitality projects. We work with clients across Australia, and have completed projects internationally.
What is "design" for you?
For me, Design really is all around us. It can be great - like those beautifully designed heels that are oh so comfortable, or, it can be poor - like that impossible to open milk carton! Something which is well designed not only looks great, but more importantly, it can make our every day life easier, which is why we want to be surrounded by good design wherever we can. A well designed home is one which fits you and your family. It should not be a place where you have to learn to just 'live with it' (especially if it is your forever home), but rather your ideal home should work around you and your lifestyle. It's almost (but not quite) like having your own butler! Everything you need is right there - just where it should be.
What kinds of works do you like designing most?
My favourite projects are those where the client has a vision, explains it clearly, and allows me and my team to interpret their vision to transform their space into not only what they want, but also what they didn't even know they wanted!
What is your most favorite design, could you please tell more about it?
I love "The Peacock Room' designed by James McNeill Whistler's. It is a masterpiece of interior decorative mural art, located in the Freer Gallery of Art in Washington, DC. He painted the paneled room in a rich and unified palette of brilliant blue-greens with over-glazing and metallic gold leaf. Painted between 1876–77, it now is considered one of the greatest surviving aesthetic interiors, and best examples of the Anglo-Japanese style. It is an amazing example of drama in an interior space.
What is your favorite material / platform / technology?
As a design firm, to find a way for clients to actually see your vision is a powerful tool. My team and I rely heavily on 3D technology to communicate our vision and design intent, and clients love to be able to walk through the space.
When do you feel the most creative?
I keep a sketch pad and pen on my bed side table as quite often when my brain 'switches off' at night, in reality it actually triggers something in my creative mind and an entire scheme can come together just as I doze off!
Which aspects of a design do you focus more during designing?
Function. For me this this is the most important part of design. Something can look amazing, but if it isn't fit for purpose, then we need to change it. Form and aesthetics will always follow.
What kind of emotions do you feel when you design?
As every design is completely different, I can feel everything from the excitement of starting a new project, contemplation that we have interpreted the client brief, and even nervousness before the final client presentation.
What kind of emotions do you feel when your designs are realized?
There is always a feeling of elation when the client loves the design concept. Nothing is quite as exhilarating as revisiting a project after the clients have been using the space for a while, and the client tells you how the design has actually improved their lifestyle!
What makes a design successful?
Listening to what the client wants, and realising their vision, giving them not only what they want, but also giving them extras that they didn't realise they needed!
From your point of view, what are the responsibilities of a designer for society and environment?
If is vital that we as designers create with sustainability in mind at all times. We want to source itms which can be passed down through generations, and which are built to last.
How do you think the "design field" is evolving? What is the future of design?
Technology already forms a huge part of our daily lives, and for designers this is no different. Our designs must integrate how we use technology in our lives and allow for the ever changing developments.
When was your last exhibition and where was it? And when do you want to hold your next exhibition?
The Inspiration Runway at Furnitex and Design, Brisbane 2016 was my last exhibition. Exhibition work is not usually a part of what we do, however we'd love to be a part of any future design expo's.
Where does the design inspiration for your works come from? How do you feed your creativity? What are your sources of inspirations?
Inspiration comes any time, any place and any where! I love to travel, and am inspired by architecture across Europe in the many beautiful churches. I also look to nature to inspire - the colours in nature really work well together, so quite often a walk on a rainy day can show colours in a different light which can in turn inspire a full colour scheme!
How would you describe your design style? What made you explore more this style and what are the main characteristics of your style? What's your approach to design?
My design style is quite unique. I do like to create something different, and don't like to have any 2 creations to look the same. My style is possibly quite eclectic, which is probably related to my earlier years working across Europe, where historically design is quite ornate, bold and colourful, combined with the last 8 years working in Australia which has a more minimalistic approach.
Where do you live? Do you feel the cultural heritage of your country affects your designs? What are the pros and cons during designing as a result of living in your country?
I currently live in Australia, however I am originally from Ireland and spend many years working and travelling throughout Europe. I do believe that working across both continents has given me a unique approach to design, as I can take the best of both cultures and create my own unique style.
How do you work with companies?
We collaborate with many different companies, both as designers for them creating spaces for them, or we work with many suppliers and trades who help us create our amazing spaces.
What are your suggestions to companies for working with a designer? How can companies select a good designer?
In todays world, it is easy to get a feel for a designer and what they produce by looking at their social media pages. It's also vital that you meet them in person or via video link, to ensure you can communicate with each other. Communication is vital between a designer and their client.
Can you talk a little about your design process?
We like to meet the client on site to be in the space, and listen 'loudly' to the client brief, as this is the most important part of the design process. we then show our interpretation of the brief via a mood board to capture the feeling of the space. From this point, we create the design concept for the client, present it with space planning and colour recommendations. After agreement and any requested changes or amendments, we document and finalise everything in writing before construction or product sourcing starts. We are on hand with clients throughout the build or install process and continue to follow up long after completion to ensure everything is as it should be.
What are 5 of your favorite design items at home?
Lighting. Living in an old Queenslander (timber) home, we are lucky to have original light fixtures (pre 1930's). Original timber flooring - a little bit worn, but still in amazing condition. Silk rugs - we found an amazing rug manufacturer who has created bespoke hand made silk rugs to cover the original timber flooring. Artwork - we are proud owners of an eclectic mix of art, from contemporary Australian Artists to beautiful pieces painted by my talented mother in Ireland - they all look beautiful together. Photos - living far away from family and friends who are still in Ireland, we have a lot of photos in beautiful frames in every room of the house so we can see our family every day even if we aren't with them!
Can you describe a day in your life?
I'm an early riser, so usually up around 0530, check my emails and check everything is on track for the day ahead before breakfast around 6. I try to carry out existing site visits as early as possible so these will usually take place from 7 until 8 or 9. New client or new site visits are always around 10 (usually so I can have a coffee with the client!) Then back to the studio from around 12 to work on either selections or meetings with suppliers and follow up on any client orders. I prefer to do any drawings or CAD between 3-6 in the evening as this is when I'm least likely to be disturbed by any trades, so I can focus 100% without distraction.
Could you please share some pearls of wisdom for young designers? What are your suggestions to young, up and coming designers?
Work hard and have a great photographer to photograph everything you do!
From your perspective, what would you say are some positives and negatives of being a designer?
The positives are that I love what I do - creating beautiful functional spaces is a lifelong dream for me. The negatives are that I really do work around the clock, I live and breathe every project and don't ever stop striving to improve with every single project I do.
Which tools do you use during design? What is inside your toolbox? Such as software, application, hardware, books, sources of inspiration etc.?
Sketch book is a must - I'm always sketching ideas! I use a few software applications - mainly CAD and Sketch Up.
Designing can sometimes be a really time consuming task, how do you manage your time?
This is the most difficult thing about design. I usually prioritise each project by completion date, and only work on a limited number of projects at any one time. It means clients have to wait longer for an appointment, however it also means that I can focus and give their project my full commitment. I also have a great team behind me.
What was your most important job experience?
My first ever consult as an intern - I should have asked a lot more questions relating to the brief, and quickly realised that asking questions and gathering information is the most important part of creating a great design.
Who are some of your clients?
Many of our clients are business people who work extremely hard and simply want someone to take the pressure of creating, sourcing and construction away from them.
What type of design work do you enjoy the most and why?
The more creative the better! I enjoy designing spaces where the client wants drama, and wants to have the WOW factor. This allows for a more unique and exciting design concept.
What are your future plans? What is next for you?
Being a new business, I am always striving to expand my customer base. I'd like to expand our design portfolio further both nationally and internationally.
Do you work as a team, or do you develop your designs yourself?
This very much depends on the project. More often than not, I tend to have a vision of how I see the space, which I will communicate to the team. Quite often the team will make suggestions, and come up with great ideas which are incorporated into the design.
Do you have any works-in-progress being designed that you would like to talk about?
We are currently working on an amazing wellness and yoga centre soon to be open in Brisbane. This is going to be an amazing design as I'm collaborating with a local mural artist.
How can people contact you?
info@designandco.com.au via instagram designandco_ facebook https://www.facebook.com/designandcointeriors/?ref=bookmarks http://www.designandco.com.au/contact/ twitter: @designandco_

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