Tag: team

Joining us from the United States, our latest outstanding design intern is Toree Schulte, from North Dakota State University. Welcome, Toree, and we can’t wait to see what work you create with us!

1. What could you not live without?
Music.

2. Where would be your ideal weekend break?
Any new city where I’m able to aimlessly wander and meet new people.

3. Who is your favourite interior designer in the world?
India Mahdavi is one of my many favourites.

4. Where’s your favourite place to visit in the United States?
By far Los Angeles, CA. My sister lives there, and I absolutely love how it’s a city of opportunity, creativity, endless adventures, dreams, diversity, and culture.

5. What do you love about interior design?
I love how interior design encompasses a creative world of free imagination. Designing a built environment that is able to promote healing and evoke varying emotions to the users in the space makes my heart scream.

6. Your favourite gadget or app?
Spotify.

7. What’s on your bucket list?
Wow, a LOT of things but at the top of my list includes climbing to Macchu Picchu in Peru and visiting India during the Holi Festival and seeing the Taj Mahal.

8. How would you describe yourself in 3 words?
Passionate, creative, & driven.

9. What is your favourite saying?
“No matter what he does, every person on earth plays a central role in the history of the world. And normally he doesn’t know it.” – Paulo Coelho, The Alchemist.
More of a quote than a saying, but it’s my favourite. ?

10. What’s your stress reliever?
A night dedicated to Netflix, Ben & Jerry’s ice cream, and wine.

11. Who would you happily be stranded on a desert island with?
Bear Grylls from Man vs. Wild. I couldn’t survive a day in nature by myself, so I would definitely need a professional.

12. How would you describe your family?
Dysfunctional and weirdly close, but in a good way.

13. Where do you want to be in 5 years time?
Genuinely happy and pursuing what sets my soul on fire – design – wherever that may be.

14. What’s your favourite meal?
Sushi.

15. Where is your favourite holiday destination?
To date my favourite holiday destination would be Cairns, Australia. The coasts and atmosphere are absolutely lovely.

16. Favourite hotel in Fargo?
The Hotel Donaldson (locals call it the HoDo). It’s an iconic historical building in Fargo and contains a lot of character.

17. How would you describe your home town?
Small, charming town with a strong community that loves its American football and tailgating!

18. What’s in your handbag?
My wallet, headphones, a sketchbook and pencil, and around 8 different lipsticks at all times. You never know when you’ll need that perfect shade of nude!

19. What’s your favourite movie?
Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind.

20. What’s on your to-do list for 2018?
Explore new countries and cities, gain cultural fluency, grow more confident and independent, and develop new skills and build upon my resume with my experience at Kingston Lafferty Design.

Last Friday evening saw the beginning of the awards season kick off in style at the IDI awards in Meeting House Square, Temple Bar. With a new location, an updated format and plenty of new design talent, it was a night of sheer celebration and a chance to reflect back on jobs well done for our team.

The night, as always, was a great reminder of the creative hub growing on our small emerald isle, a reminder and huge source of inspiration and motivation for our team. As well as being recognised for their own work and contributions to Irish design over the last year, this was a chance to see the designs of others and converse with like-minded creatives, fuelling creative thoughts, ideas and future collaborations.

Team KLD were especially delighted to pick up awards for the design of Iconic Offices, The Brick House as winner of both the commercial and collaboration category. Our team were also commended for their projects Urbana Clinic and the South Dublin Residence on the night.

And so ensued a night of celebrations for team KLD, who’s hard work, dedication, and immense design talent led us to this very, very happy place…

Margaux joined the KLD team earlier this summer as a Design Intern. It’s hard to believe how quickly the time has gone from Margaux’s arrival in the bright days of summer. And now as the crisp Autumn air arrives, Margaux finishes up her stint with KLD to return home to France.

During her time here Margaux has graced us with her cheerful, can-do attitude and her immense artistic talent. And while goodbye is always tinged with some sadness, we know this young designer is destined for some great things and a very bright future. Ahead of her final day with the team we caught up with Margaux and chatted to her about her love of nature, interiors and of course sketching!

1. What could you not live without?

I could’t live without my sketchbook and a pencil!

2. Where would be your ideal weekend break? 

Anywhere close to the sea, a natural area where I can unwind.

3. Who is your favourite interior designer in the world? 

I think it is Suo Fugimoto, I like that he wants to create a relationship between the interior and exterior.

4. Where’s your favourite place to visit in France? 

Biarritz, its near the sea and the mountains. A small town but very dynamic, it’s a lovely place to be.

5. What do you love about interior design?

I love the ability to create spaces that cater to peoples needs; creating space in order to make life better for everyone.

6. Your favourite gadget or app?

My MP3, for sure ! I love listening to music all the time.

7. What’s on your bucket list? 

To travel around the world!

8. How would you describe yourself in 3 words? 

Passionate, curious, attentive.

9. What is your favourite saying? 

Do not do to others what you would not want them to do to you.

10. What’s your stress reliever? 

Talking with someone I am close to.

11. Who would you happily be stranded on a desert island with?

My boyfriend!

12. How would you describe your family? 

Kind, funny, and close.

13. Where do you want to be in 5 years time?

In Canada maybe, I’d love to visit this beautiful country!

14. What’s your favourite meal? 

It depends of my mood. But I would not say no to a Chinese meal!

15. Where is your favourite holiday destination? 

An unknown country, to discover somewhere I’ve never been before.

16. Favourite hotel? 

A hotel with a sea view.

17. How would you describe your home town?

Dynamic, artistic and a woodland – a really nice place to live!

18. What’s in your handbag? 

My pencil case, my sketchbook and sunglasses.

19. What’s your favourite movie?

I just love animation, I find it so amazing how some people can produce all this beautiful work! but it’s difficult to pick a favourite… Maybe Moana, because it is about the sea 😉

20. What’s on your to-do list for 2017? 

Find a internship abroad, somewhere I’ve never visited before (maybe Canada?) and draw, draw and draw ! 🙂

Amira has recently joined the KLD team after graduating with a firsts class honours in Interior Architecture from Griffith College. A Syrian-native, Amira’s passion for her homeland pervades her detailed and powerful designs.

The deeply humanistic nature of design is something Amira was struck by early on in her career, and it is one of the main reasons she chose to change her area of study from architecture to interior design. A deep consideration for human behaviours, characteristics and the resulting ability to create spaces with meaning is what ultimately ignited Amira’s passion for the business of interior design. We are delighted to have her on board team KLD and look forward to having her passionate, creative approach on some of our exciting upcoming projects.

1. What could you not live without?

My cat Za’atar (it means thyme in English but you can also just call him Blue).

2. Where would be your ideal weekend break? 

Walking around old Damascus, having an amazing lunch at Naranj restaurant and then getting all the necessary herbs, sweets, antiques and organic natural soaps from the old market.

3. Who would you turn to in a time of need? 

My family and husband, Sufian.

4. Where’s your favourite place to eat in Dublin?

Zakura because I love Sushi. However, I also like Angelina’s and Sophie’s for the atmosphere, interiors and pizza!

5. What do you love about interior design?

I started my education by enrolling in architecture school. However midway through I got an opportunity to work with an amazing interior designer, and that experience was what opened my eyes to this whole different world and then I realised that I loved the interior aspect far more than the architectural one. I enjoy getting into people’s minds, studying their behaviour and customising a design that reflects each client’s personality.  Architecture was more about buildings but a structure would never be completed without the perfect personalised interior to go with it.

6. Your favourite gadget or app?

I spend a lot of time on Instagram which is kind of bad. My excuse would be catching up with friends and family and finding inspiration and discovering new trends.

7. What’s on your bucket list? 

To rebuild my injured country. I am fortunate to work in a field that can have a great impact on future development. Healing people starts with healing their surroundings.

8. How would you describe yourself in 3 words? 

Ambitious, hardworking and creative.

9. What’s your favourite style of interiors? 

I have always loved Parisian interiors. I also have a thing for Islamic architecture and all of its intricate detailing.

10. What’s your stress reliever? 

Cuddly movie nights with the hubby and kitty – sleep works as well!

11. Who would you happily be stranded on a desert island with?

Genie of the Lamp.

12. How would you describe your family? 

Divided by science and art. Brought together by love and cats.

13. What would your ideal day out in Dublin consist of? 

A long hike up the mountains.

14. What would be the last meal you’d want to eat? 

Mulukhiyah cooked by my mom. (Jute Mallow or Jew’s Mallow in English)

15. Where is your favourite holiday destination? 

Istanbul! It has history, modern shopping areas, the beach and great weather. Nothing can beat a week spent in there.

16. Favourite hotel? 

I haven’t been there yet but Le Roch Hotel in Paris designed by the true Parisian Sarah Lavoine is one of my favourites.

17. Who is your favourite interior designer?

Designers* India Mahdavi, Joseph Dirand, Patrick Lewis and Studio KO.

18. What’s in your handbag? 

Everything you can think of. You never know when you might need 3 different lipsticks or rose water face mist!

19. What’s your favourite movie? 

The Grand Budapest Hotel, and all other movies directed by Wes Anderson.

20. What’s on your to-do list for 2017? 

To be a part of the amazing team at KLD and go back home for a visit.

The KLD family has grown again! A few weeks ago we welcomed Design Intern Olivia, who is heading into her final year of Interior Architecture in DIT this September. For the summer we are lucky enough to have Olivia on board the team, helping out with all the KLD projects. From photo shoots to site visits and everything in between, this super capable lady has taken to it all like a duck to water!

1. What could you not live without?

My little boy Harley, he’s my whole world!

2. Where would be your ideal weekend break? 

Paris, always!

3. Who would you turn to in a time of need? 

My boyfriend Ryan, he always there to help clear my head and give support when I need it.

4. Where’s your favourite place to eat in Dublin? 

We eat out quite a lot (as i’m not the most creative in the kitchen), but it would probably be 777, you can never go wrong with Mexican & margaritas!

5. What do you love about interior design?

I love that design can be experimental and expressive & how interiors can directly effect the mood and feeling of its user.

6. Your favourite gadget or app?

Pinterest or Instagram! I love scrolling through beautiful feeds to get some good inspiration!

7. What’s on your bucket list? 

My dream is to renovate an old Georgian house with tonnes of character and turn it into an amazing home for my family.

8. How would you describe yourself in 3 words? 

Creative, Ambitious & Happy.

9. What is your favourite saying? 

”it costs nothing to be kind” simples x

10. What’s your stress reliever? 

Meditation.

11. Who would you happily be stranded on a desert island with?

 My Best friends!

12. How would you describe your family? 

Big, loud & always there for one another.

13. What would your ideal day out in Dublin consist of?

Provided that the sun might actually be shining in Dublin, It would have to be a day at the zoo with Harley (animal obsessed).

14. What would be the last meal you’d want to eat? 

…probably pizza.

15. Where is your favourite holiday destination? 

To date, it would have to be travelling the Garden Route to Cape Town. Staying in lodges in some amazing game reserves it was definitely one to remember! This one was Shamwari Game reserve!

16. Favourite hotel? 

There’s a new design hotel opening in Ibiza 2018 that I need to stay in when it opens! Hotel Paradiso…dreamy!

17. How would you describe your style?

I feel like I’ve a split personality when it comes to my style, I’m always comfortable in black but I do love to dress up in colour at times and show more of a feminine side!

18. What’s in your handbag? 

My purse, sunglasses, keys, phone, lip balm and notebook.

19. What’s your favourite movie? 

Such a tough question…we recently went to see Gaurdians of the Galaxy 2, probably not a favourite but thoroughly enjoyed it!

20. What’s on your to-do list for 2017? 

To help out with some of kld’s exciting up and coming design projects, begin my final year in college & our first family holiday!

The newest member of our team Kendra, joins us all the way from LA! We caught up with Kendra to get to know a little bit more about her…

1. What could you not live without?

I couldn’t live without my 15 year old pup, Emma. She’s an Australian Shepard who loves food, walks, and playing with socks.

2. Where would be your ideal weekend break? 

Going home to San Francisco and bringing a picnic to Dolores Park with my dog and friends.

3. Who would you turn to in a time of need? 

My family. They’re always there to answer my call and give me advice.

4. Where’s your favourite place to eat in San Francisco?

San Francisco is big on food trucks so I love going to Off The Grid, a food truck market that takes place every Friday night. My favorite truck is called Señor Sisig, and has Filipino fusion burritos.

5. What do you love about interior design?

I love how spaces have such a direct influence on experiences and everything from size, colour, and placement can completely change a room.

6. Your favourite gadget or app?

I like SnapChat because it’s a fast and easy way to share little stories with my friends.

7. What’s on your bucket list? 

To open my own restaurant or bar.

8. How would you describe yourself in 3 words?

Thoughtful, creative, and passionate.

9. What is your favourite saying?

It’s a simple one, treat people how you want to be treated.

10. What’s your stress reliever?

I’ll always have a soft spot for board games and puzzles.

11. Who would you happily be stranded on a desert island with? 

My best friends.

12. How would you describe your family? 

Loving and extremely supportive.

13. What do you love about Ireland? 

I love how friendly the people are! I also love how a lot of the architecture is a mix of new and old design, and the city has done a really good job of integrating the two.

14. What would be the last meal you’d want to eat? 

Definitely pizza.

15. Favourite country in Europe you’ve visited?

Ireland has my heart!

16. What hotel would you recommend staying in in Los Angeles? 

The Line Hotel because it’s just the right amount of funky and pays close attention to unique detail. It also has floor to ceiling windows overlooking Los Angeles!

17. How would you describe your style?

My style is simple, laid back, and comfortable. I also love wearing fun socks.

18. What’s in your handbag? 

Chapstick, phone, gum, sunglasses, and a water bottle.

19. What’s your favourite movie? 

I’m more into TV shows, like Friends, the Bachelor and Grey’s Anatomy.

20. What’s on your to-do list for 2017?

To make the most of every moment and to take risks!