Niamh O'Sullivan : Architectural & Interior Designer - Cork & Online

Dip Interior Design (distinction) 2009

B Eng Hons - Civil & Structural Engineering - 1995

Chartered Engineer - C.Eng MIEI, 2004

Winner CIT / Enterprise Ireland Program for Female Entrepreneurs, 2012

Blarney Person of the Year, 2011 for Voluntary Project Management & Engineering Services to new Community Playground

Since founding Room Renovator in 2009, Niamh O’Sullivan has become one of the most sought after and reputable architectural & interior designers in Cork & throughout Ireland. Niamh is the only Interior Designer in Ireland who is also a chartered structural engineer, giving her a depth of design & construction expertise unrivaled in the industry. She is also a professionally trained interior designer.

Niamh has over 25 years of experience in the design and project management of homes, buildings & developments of all kinds and her work has garnered several awards.

She now specialises in the design of home extensions & remodels, and in the interior design & fit out of homes and businesses to an extremely high standard.

By combining her practical and creative skills, she gives you the best of both worlds in terms of artistic flair and cost effective, functional designs. Niamh will look at your home or business from a completely holistic point of view, taking into consideration everyone who uses it.

She can help you optimise your space, improve the flow, create novel and imaginative features and unlock the hidden potential of your place and surroundings. She is focused on providing personal and practical solutions that will work well for you now and into the future.

Niamh has always had a passion for design, buildings and interiors and she loved drawing and creating from a very young age. She qualified with an honours degree in Civil & Structural engineering in 1995. She worked for a couple of large design firms in England & Australia before co-founding a successful engineering consultancy in Leeds.

She returned home to her native Cork in 2003, where she was head of structures and site development for Atkins Consulting Engineers. Her work there included design lead/project manager on a new bio-technology park, the new Limerick Greyhound stadium and the award winning refurbishment of Cobh Customs house (to name but a few). Niamh became a chartered member of the Institute of Engineers of Ireland in 2004 and she continues to maintain her knowledge and skills in this area.

While working as engineer, Niamh began renovating old properties and she designed and built her first complete home aged 29. She obtained a Diploma in Interior Design with distinction in 2009 and has continued to help people with the renovation of their homes and businesses since then.

As part of her continuing professional development as an Engineer, Niamh undertakes a lot of study in the renewable energy and sustainable building areas. This includes improvements to insulation and windows, heat recovery and air to water heat pump systems and the use of solar energy for homes. These are key components of residential refurbishment projects and she is happy to advise her clients in this area.

Choosing a professional to work with

Interior Design is an unregulated industry in Ireland. Unfortunately this means many interior designers have no relevant qualifications or supervised experience. They don't fully understand the principals of good interior and architectural design and thus make all of their mistakes on your time and money.

Interior Designers are not trained or insured to advise on construction techniques, building structure, or building, planning and health & safety regulations. Make sure to get additional input from a chartered structural engineer if you're thinking of remodeling or extending your home.

For peace of mind, always verify any qualifications and relevant experience before you engage a professional.

CONTACT

"Niamh, I wish I had met you years ago. We have so much more space and so much more storage, without adding a single square foot. We cannot believe it is the same house. We are getting great use out of the new open plan kitchen-dining- living room and the master bedroom is divine. We won't do anything without you again!"

-Sheila Mc Sweeney, Ballincollig, Cork

"We were delighted with all your ideas, they really helped us focus our plans. We're going to go ahead now with the kitchen/living area conversion first. We are going to stick to your design here, we're delighted with it and feel it will be a perfect fit for us & will be a really comfortable space to live in. I'm really looking forward to it! Thank you so much for all your help." -Cartriona Reardan, Bandon, Cork

"Niamh, the extension is wonderful. We had everyone over for Laura's communion and it was just fantastic to be able to entertain so easily. We make so much more use of the garden now as well. We couldn't be happier" - Philip and Mary O'Connell, Middleton