SERC Alumni Shortlisted for Interior Design Awards

Past students of South Eastern Regional College’s (SERC) Interior Design courses are in the shortlist for the 14th annual Ulster Tatler Awards.

Local businesswomen, Grainne Quinn, Iconic Interior Design, and Jacqueline Hamilton, Seaforde Interiors, are amongst the shortlist for the coveted title of Interior Designer of the Year.  It’s one of 16 award categories which celebrate the best that Northern Ireland has to offer in hospitality, beauty and business.

Grainne Quinn, from Leitrim in Co Down, said, “I am absolutely thrilled to be shortlisted and it is humbling when I see who is in that category.   I am just going to enjoy the buzz. I love my work, and at the end of the day, if my clients are happy, then I am happy.”

Grainne, who studied Interior Design at SERC in 2014-15 said, “I had a young family when I was studying, so I set up my business in 2017 in Castlewellan and local people will have been familiar with my store which was on the main street in Newcastle. At the minute, I work from my new home studio in Leitrim and have recently launched an online store, Iconic Online – www.iconiconline.co.uk.”

Grainne added, “The past 18 months have been unbelievable, what with Covid and Brexit turning everything upside down to say the least.  Everyone in business has had to adapt to survive and that included the interiors sector."

“During the first lockdown, I was incredibly busy.  People had time on their hands and since everyone was at home, interiors came to the fore. Since all non-essential shops were closed and I had access to suppliers, I was able to meet the demand of my clients by having orders delivered to their home. Thankfully it is back to meeting clients again and work continues to be busy.”

Grainne, who describes her vibe at quirky and colourful, specialises in both residential and commercial interiors. She hit the mark for the vibrant interior of Grainne McCoy’s (series 12 of The Apprentice) Give Us Beauty store in Newry, the Donard Bar Newcastle, Mourne Golf Club and a host of residential clients, creating everything from hotel chic bathrooms to complete interiors.

Interior Design Lecturer, Sharon Castles said, “We are always delighted to hear about our past students doing well and are thrilled for both Grainne and Jaqueline who have been shortlisted, that alone is a fantastic accolade and testament to the hard work they put into their businesses following study at the College."

“We are looking forward to extending the Interior Design programmes at SERC including a new course for the New Year in the Downpatrick Campus which will be launched shortly.”

Winners will be announced at a glittering Awards ceremony hosted by Pamela Ballantine in the Crowne Plaza Hotel on 28 October.  

Click here to find out more about the Level 2 and Level 3 Awards in Interior Design.