Ciara is a designer working in one of our studios at IceHouse Court in Barking. Since studying Soft Furnishings at Sir John Cass Department of Art Media & Design in 2008, Ciara has brought her company Waffle Design from strength to strength. Ciara’s made to measure curtains and blinds service continues to thrive – a current bespoke projects include a 7 bedroom private home renovation in Putney and a commercial development in Marleybone. She uses premium fabrics for a high end finish on all her projects. In order to understand her products from beginning to end, she recently went on a trip to India, to look at how some of the fabrics and rugs she uses for her collections are made. Find out more about her trip to India here.

Alongside understanding each step of the process, it was important for me to understand and experience the way of life here. I never realised the time involved or how many skilled hands have played a part in the making of a single WAFFLE rug. A fantastic trip on so many  levels, which much more still to explore for the future, I look forward to my next visit.

Ciara has an exciting calendar of events lined up for 2017 starting with  MidCentury Modern in Dulwich on March 19th and a product launch at the Woven Showroom on Fulham Road, where they will be showcasing Waffle rugs.

WAFFLE will launch a new design collection at her POP UP shop in Clerkenwell for Clerkenwell Design Week- a showcase of leading UK and international brands and companies presented in a series of showroom events, exhibitions and special installations that take place across the area. She will also be exhibiting at Dulwich Festival in May.  Her work has been published in Grand Designs Magazine, House & Garden and Elle Decoration, to name a few. 

Waffle Design is growing as a business on strong values of quality and professionality. Since this IceHouse Court Studios are fairly new, they have had a lot of attention from Open House, a visit from the London Mayor Sadiq Khan and the launch event with BOLD magazine. Ciara has always thrown herself into every opportunity to network locally, and is a fantastic example of why we need affordable artist space in London.

As any young, growing business, it’s really important to keep costs down and it’s great to have a space here where we’re enabled to have a rent that’s a very reasonable rate.

photo by Agnese Sanvito

Bow Arts is committed to supporting communities and artists, offering affordable, top-notch creative workspaces at 12 sites across London to help creatives to thrive and grow their practices. If you’re an artist, designer or maker who’s interested in our studios, find out more and apply here!