Cork woman's colourful cushions and textiles inspired by times in her life
Grainne O Connor with some of her 'Oh Yes' cushions.
A Fermoy woman who believes colour has the power to moderate and change the mood and vibe of an area has launched her new collection of outdoor cushions and accessories under her brand ‘Oh Yes’. The collection also includes gorgeous seatpads, throws, bunting and more.
Gráinne O’Connor developed the collection in response to outdoor furniture being the only area of a home that didn’t seem to be interesting or spring to life with a pop of colour, and something she had come across with her interior design clients.
Speaking about the reaction to the water and fade repellent items, Gráinne said: “The reaction has been phenomenal, I’m really, really pleased - it’s the colours - people are reacting to them.”
Even though she has 30 years experience working with fabrics and clients, both in their homes and in the hospitality sector, she said it’s still a process to come up with something like this, and that the brand name just encapsulates everything behind the creative part of the process.
“We all have grey or beige furniture outside, unless it’s imported at huge expense. Over the years, I’ve had cushions that haven’t lasted the season, because they don’t last outside,” she said.
She added that the creativity side is “quite instinctive, I can look at fabrics and get a gut feeling, a ping or a fizz almost in my body, and then from that, I think does it work or not and if not, it’s immediately discarded and I will combine all of this with my commercial hat.”
The collection comes in three captivating colour stories - zesty orange, fresh turquoise, and radiant yellow - and all can be worked with six unique patterned fabrics that can stand alone or be mixed and matched.
Many of the designs are inspired by times in her own life and warm core memories, which evoke feelings in the customers who buy them and make them part of their lives.
She speaks about going on a Mediterranean cruise with her “gal pals” and how every place had a beach and they just “dove into the sea”.
Another is inspired by seeing one of Monet’s paintings in real life and how the sheer scale of it was tranquil and almost life-affirming.
She acknowledged that people are a lot more particular about what they spend their hard- earned wages on, but that investing in a tranquil and beautiful space outside to enjoy year round, is worth it.
“All of our money is precious to us, we don’t want to go and buy something once and then discard it, we all buy disposable stuff now and again, but with these, there is zero waste in the production and it’s supporting local jobs and the cushions are a talking point.
“Putting the cushions out can help people to set the scene and lift the mood in a quiet space and change the vibe of a space,” she explained.
Accessorising and decorating a home is not unlike how we armour and ready ourselves for the world in how we present ourselves.
“In life, we put on our earrings and shoes and jewellery - it’s the same with furniture - we can make a space our own,” Gráinne explains.
Before Covid, an outside space in Irish homes was seen differently, people were always waiting weeks for summer and then getting a few sunny days here and there.
“Now, I have a box in the sitting room with blankets, cushions, candles, and would even be outside wearing my Dry Robe in April - we live in Ireland, we are used to wrapping up and layering up and I think, no matter the weather, we are enjoying the outdoor spaces - we don’t have to wait for sunshine.”
With the launch, Gráinne said it was a case of putting herself out there.
The cushions, in many ways, are a mirror of Gráinne’s own vibrant character as she says herself: “I’m 55 and I am fab. I have two wonderful daughters and I’m very proud of them, I have a wonderful mother, Mary O’Connor, she is 71 and has always been and still is a very stylish lady - they champion me and advise me and if they love something, my daughters will say ‘slay’, and I’m at a point where you can take it or leave it - people love them or they won’t, but my heart and soul has gone into them - it is a reflection of me.”
While women are clearly supporting Gráinne, she doesn’t forget about her three brothers and great friends who have always had her back.
She said that in life, just as in design, some days you just need to get out the “blue eyeshadow and pick the brightest lipstick. Colour really lifts my mood - we love it and we need it. I use colours and patterns quite a bit to moderate my moods,” she said.
Looking to the future, she says it’s “full steam ahead now”, and Gráinne hopes to add one or two more lines to the collection and keep building on what ‘Oh Yes’ has to offer its customers.
See www.ohyes.ie
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