The Designerie First Floor Extension | Knitwear, Textiles, Beauty & Irish Craft

There’s something satisfying about a space that doesn’t so much change as unfold. The Designerie’s move upstairs feels exactly like that—a natural extension rather than a reinvention, as though the building itself simply had a little more to say.

With this first-floor expansion, we’ve been able to give shape to ideas that have been quietly forming for some time: more room for texture, for warmth, for objects that are both useful and beautiful, and for the kind of slower browsing that invites you to stay a while.

At the heart of the new space is our expanded knitwear and textile department, now able to breathe in a way it couldn’t before. Wool leads the story here—full, honest fibres that feel grounded and comforting. Soft merino knits sit alongside richer cashmere blends, each chosen for their tactility and their ease, the kind of pieces you reach for without thinking, because they simply feel right.

There’s a real sense of calm in this part of the floor. Everything is about touch, weight, and warmth—how something sits in the hand, how it drapes, how it lives with you over time.

One of the most special developments here is the collaboration with local knitter Leah (Note the skinny raspberry scarf on the grey vested bust)  Her work brings a quiet authenticity to the space—handcrafted pieces, designed in merino for an effortless layer of warmth and movement that carry time within them, each stitch thoughtful, each finish personal. 

We’ve also welcomed something we’ve missed for a while—furniture. A considered edit of armchairs now sits within the space, softening corners and shaping how the floor is experienced. They’re not just for display; they’re there to be used, to be sat in, to help you imagine how pieces might live at home. They also happen to be available for purchase, chosen in keeping with the same ethos that runs through everything here: understated, timeless, and built to last.

The whole floor has been designed around a feeling rather than a formula—cosy, warm, and quietly sustainable. There’s a focus on natural materials, responsible sourcing, and pieces that feel good to live with rather than just look at. Nothing is hurried. Everything is considered.

Further along, we’ve made space for a smaller but meaningful edit of baby gifting - filled with Irish-made pieces that carry a sense of place—soft woollens, beautifully woven Donegal blankets, and the sweetest little booties from local makers. Sitting alongside them is a curated collection of Irish storytelling books, and this pairing feels especially right. Titles like Ulster Fairytales and Legends, The Children of Lir, and The Salmon of Knowledge bring with them a sense of heritage and imagination that mirrors the handmade nature of the gifts nearby. There’s a shared thread here—craft, story, and memory, all rooted in something deeply familiar.

What’s been lovely to see is how naturally people respond to it. The books are picked up slowly, often with a smile, sometimes with recognition, sometimes with nostalgia. They seem to anchor the space in a different way—less about what’s new, and more about what’s remembered.

And now, something new—something we’re genuinely excited about. We’ve welcomed Pearl Beauty as a shop floor concession on the first floor, bringing their full collection of sought-after skincare and beauty products into the space. It means that, for the first time, you can browse and shop Pearl Beauty in person every day that we’re open—an easy, natural addition to the Designerie experience.

Their space is fully staffed from Friday through Sunday, offering expert guidance and a more hands-on experience. From Monday to Wednesday, the collection remains open to shop as part of the floor, allowing you to explore their range at your own pace while still feeling seamlessly connected to the rest of the store.

It’s a thoughtful addition that broadens what the first floor offers—bringing together design, craft, and now a carefully curated beauty edit, all under one roof.

In many ways, this first-floor extension isn’t about adding more for the sake of it. It’s about giving room to what was already there, just waiting for space to grow. More texture, more craft, more comfort, and more moments of enjoyment.

It still feels unmistakably like The Designerie—just a little more open, a little more layered, and very much at home in itself.