Designer Kevin is named as ‘one to watch' in 2019

FORMER Southern Star employee Kevin Corcoran has been listed by The Irish Times as one of the 50 people to watch in 2019.

It says the 31-year-old homeware designer, who was born in Denmark, but is now based in Skibbereen, ‘is on a mission to make us fall in love with concrete.

‘Alongside his day job as a graphic designer, Corcoran is cementing his role on the design stage with his awarding winning Concrete Forest,’ said the paper. 

‘Because of how widely concrete is used, people can forget what an incredible and versatile material it is,’ says Corcoran passionately. 

‘What you can achieve – different textures, forms and finishes – is endless. With the right technique and processes, you can take something considered a coarse, ordinary material and transform it into something smooth, polished and refined.’ 

The results, including highly desirable pots and candle holders, can be bought online, and in outlets including the West Cork Crafts shop in Skibbereen, Designist in Dublin, Tree Bark Store in Galway and the Glucksman Gallery shop in Cork. 

Kevin isn’t the only homeware designer in the family: his wife, Lily, has her own print and homeware company called Petal to Petal.

Now experimenting with new designs, Corcoran also works with interior designers, and recently made concrete table tops for one of his favourite restaurants, Café Paradiso in Cork.