So in honor of St. Patrick’s Day, I share my fascination with Irish design…..

…..starting with the love of the land…..

In Ireland, you see architecture – like this ancient relic of high culture – seeming to grow up out of the ground, as if by the hand of God – the hand of Nature…..

But it happens as much in low culture – a cottage hugging the moor…..

Even roads and paths seem to have grown out of the earth.

There is love of nature at the heart of Irish art and design.  Consider this wool throw…..

knitted in the “Aran pattern” – symbolizing the “ladder of life”…..

…..or the famed Irish lace…..

such as this one, with a delicate orchid pattern…..

or this chrochet lace coat dress….

with its soft, flowing pattern and cut.

Even Irish jewelry has a natural sensuality…..

This piece follows the curves of the hand.

So it only follows that Irish architecture and interior design would intrigue me as well…..

Far from the noise of the shamrocks and the kelly green, Irish design is simple and understated…..

…..elegantely homey…..

cozy and soft…..

But also sometimes sexy and sophisticated…

glam – in a natural way…..

…..and sometimes – with a touch of green

Happy St. Patrick’s Day!

- marcelle

1.  Ballybunion Castle via redbubble.com

2.  Irish cottage via bing.com

3.  via pdphoto.org

4.  via irish-handcrafts.com

5.  via sweetpeapath.tumblr.com

6.  via vintagetextile.com

7. via wwwjewelry-guide.com

8.  via unexpectedcontractor.blogspot.ca

9.  via google.com

10.  via saidosdaconcha.blogspot.com

11.  via ravelry.com

12.  via clodagh.com

13.  via rothschildbickers.com

14.  via orlakiely.com