Furniture designer Duncan Russell's arrival on the scene is noteworthy, both for the quality of his work and for his subtle carving and moulding of wood. After getting a diploma in Furniture Design and Craftmanship at a Liverpool college, Russell worked in England for many years before moving to Castlewarren, Co Kilkenny, last year. He works mainly in European hardwoods such as oak, sycamore, cherry, chestnut and ash. At Showcase, his most outstanding piece was a large oak chest of drawers with a lovely curvy top in chestnut. Other pieces of interest include a large Welsh open-topped dresser (£3,200), simply stylish oak-framed mirrors (about £75 and £300), CD racks (about £340)and a television table with undershelf (£700). Russell works mainly to individual commissions and can be contacted at Baurnafea, Castlewarren, Co Kilkenny, tel 0503-22361 or 087-2283345. His CD racks are on sale in Whichcraft, Lord Edward St, Dublin.
Paul Coleman is a sculptor by trade and his foray into lighting design is something of a novelty for him. His minimal square, circular and rectangular wall-lights are instantly likeable. Coleman's chosen materials for the lights on display at Showcase included stainless steel, copper, sandblasted glass and slate. Slits in the stainless steel and copper allow slivers of light to come through pieces of stained glass. Table lights and uplighters are also part of the current Pol Designs range. Prices range from £150 to £820 approximately. Paul Coleman of Pol Designs is at 15 Ferncarrig Rise, Sandyford, Dublin 18, tel 012940633.
The use of iron in interior furniture a few years ago seemed initially like a passing fad, but has become a staple in our design diet. Paddy McCormack's new treatment of hand-forged iron adds an interesting variation to this theme.
An Irishman who specialised in musical instrument making following a diploma at the London College of Furniture, McCormack diversified into furniture making while living in Christchurch, New Zealand. Back in Ireland less than a year, he is now creating iron and wood pieces in a workshop in Ashford, Co Wicklow.
His mirrors, priced from £160 to £420 are my favourites. However, his use of wood with wrought iron in coffee tables (£400, £1,100) and chairs (£400) is interesting and very functional. There are also chairs made solely from wrought iron (£350), lamp stands (£120, £190) and as many wrought iron candlesticks (£50 to £70) as you'll ever need.
Paddy McCormack's hand- crafted iron and wood furniture and interior ware is on sale in Urbana, 43/44 Temple Bar, Dublin 2, tel 01-6778144. Selected pieces also available in The Kilkenny Shop, Nassau St, Dublin 2. Seapod forms by ceramicist, Julie Shiels look like huge pearls which have been taken from the depths of the ocean and pulled out of shape. Julie Shiels' passion lies in these individual series of sculpted ceramic masterpieces which she displays each year alongside mugs, jugs, bowls and other pottery.
Made by rolling out the clay into coils and then burnishing the pieces before firing them and re-polishing, this year's seapod series is simply exquisite. Julie Shiels seapods (from £70 to £400) are available at her shop, 18 Bath St, Irishtown, Dublin, open Thursday to Saturday, 10 a.m to 6 p.m, tel 01-6671745, and at The Bridge Gallery, Ormond Quay, Dublin, and in Keane on Ceramics, Kinsale, Co Cork.
