Name: Rachel O’Hanrahan & Sarah Kerley
Company:HESTIA
Position within company:Co-founder & owners
Website: http://www.hestiadesign.ie
Tell us a little about your background in design (education, experience, etc)
Hestia is an award-winning interior design studio that offers a comprehensive range of services from concept to completion. We implement innovative solutions that alleviate the stress often associated with the interior design process.
Design Duo Rachel and Sarah, are located in Dundalk, Co. Louth, we are proud members of the Interiors Association. We prioritize building strong relationships with our clients and are dedicated to delivering a personalised service that consistently exceeds expectations.
As a multi-disciplinary interior design studio, Hestia collaborates with clients both nationally and internationally, transforming spaces through exceptional design. We specialise in interior design for both residential and commercial projects, inspiring clients to rethink the possibilities their spaces offer. Our approach enables clients to visualise the end scheme, with our 3D design drawings before we even begin.
Committed to environmental sustainability, we offer online consultations that not only reduce our carbon footprint but also enhance accessibility for clients around the globe. Additionally, we maintain an economical approach to design, providing bespoke joinery, kitchen design, custom furniture, and made-to-measure curtains and blinds sourced from our extensive fabric collections.
Our success is rooted in our ability to listen to and understand our clients’ needs, allowing us to bring their visions to life in a functional and aesthetically pleasing manner, ultimately saving time, money, and preventing costly mistakes.
Rachel has worked in the design industry for over twenty years, inspired by her love of colour and texture. She has a great eye for detail and simply loves working with fabrics and colours, curtaing the perfect colour palette across the design scheme. In England, she graduated from Huddersfield University in 2003 with a BSc (Hons) in Textile Design; since then She has worked for Marks & Spencer’s in-house design team, M&S home, an interior designer for Laura Ashley, and a Visual Merchandiser for high street Oasis clothes store and other interior design houses to name a few. Rachel is a trained Classical master Feng Shui consultant, with her degree, experience and qualifications, Rachel offers a comprehensive interior design package.
Sarah is an experienced design professional with a passion for creating exceptional commercial and residential spaces. With a Bachelor’s degree in Visual Merchandising and Display from Dublin Institute of Technology and as a Feng Shui Master, Sarah has been creating eye-catching displays and putting her creative interior design flair to use for over 10 years. Throughout her career, Sarah has had the opportunity to work with some of the largest retail groups in Ireland, including Harry Corry’s head office, Mango, Debenhams flagship store, and Arnott’s Selfridges Group, alongside an Interior Design firm. As a creative, innovative, and experienced interior design professional, Sarah is dedicated to providing stellar customer service, design excellence, and inspiration to your space, whether you need to create a beautiful retail display or are looking to create a stunning interior design, she is sure to provide you with the perfect solution.
How would you describe your personal design style?
Hestia’s design style is quiet luxury and timeless classic design, characterised by a harmonious blend of understated elegance and organic textures. We gravitate towards designs that exude calmness and simplicity, where every element serves a purpose and contributes to the overall serenity of the space.
This approach often involves a palette of soft, neutral colors paired with high-quality materials like stone, wood, and linen, which not only enhance the aesthetic appeal but also provide a tactile connection to nature. Our style embraces clean lines and open spaces, allowing for natural light to flow freely and create a peaceful ambiance.
Hestia believe in creating environments that feel effortlessly luxurious yet inviting, spaces where functionality and beauty coexist seamlessly.
What was your favourite project to work on and why?
Our recent Japandi Primary En-Suite bathroom project was a favorite for Hestia, because it perfectly encapsulated the blend of Japanese minimalism and Scandinavian functionality, creating a serene and harmonious space. The challenge of designing a long and narrow room pushed us to think creatively about layout and functionality, ensuring that every element served a purpose and contributed to the overall aesthetic.
The addition of a Japanese plunge bath became the centerpiece, offering a luxurious retreat that our overseas client truly appreciated. This element, combined with the bespoke shower seat, and long floating vanity unit exemplified the careful consideration of comfort and cultural influences. The project was not only about aesthetics but also about crafting a space that reflected the client’s lifestyle and values.
The successful completion of this design earned us an award, which was a testament to the hard work and dedication that went into every detail. It was rewarding to see how the thoughtful integration of cultural elements and innovative design solutions created a bathroom that was both beautiful and deeply personal for the client.
Which products/services could you not live without when designing?
At Hestia, when it comes to designing spaces, there are several products and services that we find indispensable. First and foremost, lighting plays a critical role in setting the mood and enhancing the aesthetics of any space, so collaborating with innovative and local lighting companies like Mullan lighting, is essential.
In terms of furniture, we value pieces that combine functionality with timeless design. In our design studio, Hestia offer bespoke furniture in an extensive range of fabrics, we provide a diverse selection of furniture that fits seamlessly into various design styles, offering both comfort and style.
Our French supplier Casamance and Misa, offer fabric collections often include versatile and sustainable options, which are important considerations in our projects, but we could not live with out the easy clean options.
