It has been a decades-long mission for the owner of this house to bring the best of modern design to Dublin, so it’s no surprise that at home she lives and breathes it …
A design business that is ever-evolving and consistently pushing the boundaries is Minima on Hanover Quay in Dublin’s docklands. Founded in 1996 by Helen Kilmartin, with the aim of bringing the best in modern design to Dublin, it stands alone as the exclusive representative of many international brands in Ireland. Now, almost 30 years on, Kilmartin remains resolute in her goal of being an incredible resource for 20th century and contemporary design.
With high-end designer furniture from Cassina and Rimadesio to Knoll, MDF Italia and Gubi and more, the team at Minima also supervises the supply and fitting process from start to finish. Kilmartin has continued to successfully build her business with a second showroom at One Ballsbridge which opened in 2023 and features B&B Italia, Maxalto, Glas Italia, Lualdi doors, as well as lighting fixtures by Davide Groppi, Giopato and Coombes, and Flos.
If what we love about Minima is how it keeps up with (if not surpasses) what’s on offer in other European cities, Kilmartin’s home is similarly progressive. The period house close to Dublin’s centre she shares with husband Garreth, who also worked on it, is spread over four floors. Furniture, lighting and accessories are sourced from Modernists, Italian post-war masters and today’s leading designers.
A hint of what lies within is given at the front door with its cut-out back-lit number by Ebony & Bone and its Murano glass door handle.
The CC Tapis rug points in the direction of the kitchen on the hall return. The silk velvet console, pendant and lamp are by Promemoria, the convex mirror by Philippe Starck for Glas Italia.
In the hall, walls of polished plaster, a silk velvet console by Promemoria and a striking rug by CC Tapis set the tone. Lofty ceilings and intact period features are a superb backdrop for Kilmartin’s personal collection of contemporary pieces, some she admits, straight out of the Minima warehouse.
Mirrored cabinetry and concealing appliances creates a sense of space in the kitchen. The steel kitchen by Marco Zanusso, flooring by Michele De Lucca, stools by Ochre, lighting by Ohm and Foil by Davide Groppi, and Levantomarble topped bar counter combine to glamorous effect. The artwork is by Jared Green.
“People will surely recognise the kitchen,” she says. The steel Marco Zanusso showstopper was in pride of place at Minima for years before she put it in storage, only to resurrect it here to amazing effect, alongside a Levanto marble-topped breakfast bar counter where she perches with her morning espresso.
Bathroom fittings by Boffi.
When Kilmartin first moved in in 2018, it was to the garden level flat as work continued on the rest of the house. “It was a complete wreck,” she says, “there wasn’t even a staircase – no steps, no spindles, no handrail.” Its terrible state allowed time to plot a new stairs in burnished brass and mahogany by Barry Archer from Wedge, and to consider the layout. “I decided to keep the garden level separate, and to design the hall level as a complete suite, with sitting room and a bedroom for guests to stay in privacy, and to put the kitchen on the return where it gets light, but is also separated from both the hall living space for guests and the first floor living space where we spend most of our time.” All of the cornice restoration was done by JJ Carlow, with Paul Marlowe responsible for the polished plaster walls throughout, and fireplaces restored by Anthony Vere. The final piece of the jigsaw came when the stunning black glass clad bathroom on the second floor return was completed. With tinted panoramic windows and ceiling, micro cement interior and Boffi fittings, its brave design is a thing of beauty. Well worth the wait for planning permission. All furniture, lighting and rugs from Minima.
The dining room on the first floor with 1930s gilt mirror, mirror dining table by Vinta and velvet bench by Promemoria. Side table is by Maxalto. Artwork reflected in the mirror is by Mark Harrell. Perspex pendant is by Vinta.
The first floor living room with Edra Grand Soffice sofa, Ribbon chair and footstool in blue velvet by Pierre Paulin for Artifort. The mirrored coffee table on wheels is by Glas Italia. Wool and silk rug by Stephane Parmenter for Cogolin. Nuvola Rossa bookshelf is by Cassina.
The hall level sitting room with Promemoria Mogador sofa, B&B Italia lacquer side table, and coffee table using recycled doors. The Sejourn chair is by Gubi, and the freestanding cabinet by Glas Italia. Silk and wool rug by Thibault Van Renne. Pewter pendant by Fortuny.
The master dressing room with Rimadesio wardrobes in a mix of plain and mirror doors. The stool is by Florence Knoll. Bolli, the cat, inspired the colours of the master bedroom.
The Tufty bed is by Patricia Urquiola for B&B Italia, the Afterparty Rug by CC Tapis, the bedside tables by Patricia Urquiola for Cassina and the Moon T lamp by Davide Groppi. The artwork is by Siobhan MacDonald.
Above the kitchen, a new black glass box on a steel frame contains a fabulous shower room with tinted panoramic windows and ceiling, designed by Monica Giannatissimo of Minima and architect Adrian Hill of Wilson Hill. The construction was by Nally, with glazing by Aperture.
Dublin Design Week Drinks at Minima
Friday May 23 | 7.30pm
A number of lucky guests attending the Design Talk on Furniture & Lighting with lighting designer Niamh Barry, furniture maker Alan Meredith and Fabrizio Cantoni of CC Tapis, will also receive an invitation to the waterfront summer DWD Drinks Party at Minima, Hanover Quay, to celebrate Minima’s new collection of rugs by CC Tapis. To apply, email info@designweekdublin.com
See the full 2025 DWD programme at www.designweekdublin.com.
