As our economic boom continues, Irish consumers have more and more opportunities to see and buy good quality and well-designed products. While it could be argued that we are becoming increasingly sophisticated in our tastes, the question remains whether good taste is reflected in this buying confidence. Can good taste be defined? We put to the question to the following arbiters of style as they ready themselves for their busiest few days of the year.
Con Doyle, a wood-turner based in Co Wicklow who will be exhibiting his bowls, platters and cheese and chopping boards at Showcase:
"I'm told I have good taste but I never trained as a designer. As far as my work is concerned, the pieces are clean, unobtrusive items with no frills which aren't necessary for their function. I used to work as a cabinetmaker and I worked mainly with mahogany which has a beautiful soothing appearance. Now, I work with Irish woods which are more vigorous. Ash, for example has beautiful brown and white qualities and it is lightly figured so you don't need to embellish it by gouging or carving it. My approach to work is reflected in my house where everything is kept as plain as possible with a lot of wood inside. "Overall, I feel wood should be allowed to speak for itself as it's so beautiful.
"I have been exhibiting at Showcase for over 15 years and I feel the visual quality has improved in leaps and bounds. There is a lot of work which is more decorated than mine but the artistry in these pieces is delicious."
Les Reed, chief executive of the Irish Crafts Council:
"There are seasonal styles, which change from period to period in a year and then from year to year, which are a question of fad and fashion. However, there is classical good taste in design which is supported over a long period and recognised as such. All taste is arrived at by consensus. When a number of people have all agreed something represents good taste, it then becomes good taste. If I'm the only person saying a particular object is beautiful, nobody will accept it as good taste, but the amazing thing is the number of people who do agree on what is beautiful. In fact, it is amazing that there is as much agreement as there is disagreement about what is beautiful.
"Museums are full of objects and artefacts that have been defined as things of beauty. For example, the Gold Collection in the National Museum keeps attracting an audience and even though the pieces are not things we would wear today, they still influence today's style and design and are still regarded as objects of beauty."
Rose Cubitt of Cubbitts, a Cork city based manufacturer of shillelaghs, blackthorn sticks, St Brigid's Crosses, lace and other Irish souvenirs:
"Our end of the market is the green, shamrocky side of things made in Ireland at a reasonable price. We don't sell any imports but it's bread and butter merchandise really. Forty per cent of our sales are to America and another 40 per cent are sales to Irish shops which will end up in America. My own view of good taste is when you under-do things rather than overdo them and keep things in harmony with each other. Simplicity really is the key to good taste."
Judy Greene, potter and owner of Design Concourse, a retail outlet for Irish craft and design with an interior design service in Galway city. Judy Greene will be at Showcase as a buyer for Design Concourse and as an exhibitor for her own range of pottery:
"From my perspective, quality always comes first and foremost. If you buy something for your home, you want it to last. Personally, I hate clutter and too much of one thing. A little says a lot and simple design is the best. "I like minimalism. I believe if you are mixing things, you should do so by colour or theme. Good taste doesn't have to be expensive. Personal flair to mix and match - just as in clothing - is very important. There is a lot more good taste around nowadays. We have been exposed to a wider variety of things through travel and are more demanding as a result. People are much more discerning about what they want to buy.
Lynn Elliot who will be exhibiting the Lyn Mar spring/summer collection at Showcase:
"For me, good taste is a combination of style, flair and personality and knowing yourself well enough to know what suits you as an individual. More often than not, it is a case of knowing that less is more and keeping in touch with what's in fashion. Buying and wearing clothes which don't date too quickly is an element of good taste and wearing the same colour throughout. Dressing in shades and tones of the same colour rather than mixing bright and dark colours or strongly contrasting colours is a key to good taste as is sticking to classical colours."
Showcase Ireland, the 23rd International Craft, Gift, Fashion and Interiors Fair, opens tomorrow and runs until Wednesday at the RDS, Dublin. 9.30 a.m.-6 p.m. Trade only. Tel: 01 2958185