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PAUL MURPHY, AKA the Mindful Maker, is a furniture designer and maker based in Cork. Originally from the Beara Peninsula, Paul makes items such as tables, candleholders and chopping boards from Irish elm, sycamore and beech at his workshop in benchspace Cork. Here he speaks to Ruth O’Connor about his work.
Tell us more about yourself – how did you get into furniture making?
My rural upbringing on the Beara Peninsula in West Cork informed my innate understanding of nature’s gifts as a child. Growing up on a small farm, the culture of making was ever-present and material intelligence was nurtured and passed down through the generations. Storms left beautiful driftwood in their wake and shaped the people and the landscape around me.
Wood has always been my medium, and, having taught woodwork for many years, a personal and professional crisis changed my life dramatically. When I was emerging from the chaos of the time, I returned to college to learn furniture making. Following my heart and finding my passion has been part of my healing.
What drives your business as the Mindful Maker?
I have three wonderful sons Jack, Ciaran and Tomas, and my work is part of my legacy to them and to my future grandchildren. Transforming wood into carefully designed furniture and homewares while allowing the natural beauty of the timber to shine through gives me a great sense of satisfaction and fulfilment.
My dream is that my furniture becomes part of my customers’ legacy for their loved ones too – heirloom pieces that stretch backwards and forwards in time.
What have you learned so far in business?
I have learned so much on my Mindful Maker furniture business journey. I’ve learnt to listen to the material and to my customers but also to follow my heart, to be present, to keep creating and to enjoy the journey. Asking for help when needed, though it’s not always easy, is also a good idea.
What has been the most challenging time for you in business?
The making and craftsmanship aspect of my work is one thing, but the administration and the wearing of many different hats as a sustainable business owner takes a little getting used to. My Local Enterprise Office has been a constant beacon – a lighthouse – very supportive in advising me and guiding my journey.
What sets your products apart from other items on the market?
The cornerstones of my brand are heritage, tradition and sustainability. I always seek to allow the wood’s natural beauty to take the limelight. Traditional designs and methods rooted in our heritage are the hallmarks of my work.
Sustainability is also one of my core values and wood fallen in nature’s storms is my ideal medium. All my work is from native Irish timbers including Irish Oak, Ash, Elm and Yew as well as spalted Beech and Sycamore. I work mindfully and the finished pieces are timeless and stylish and naturally grounding with a sense of connection to nature and our Irish heritage.
With a name like the Mindful Maker, I’m mindful of the environment and sustainability in terms of the provenance of the timber I use – taking something that could be left to waste and crafting it into an everlasting heirloom. I’m also mindful of heritage and tradition and utilise time-honoured furniture making techniques keeping heritage craft alive.
How has the Irish consumer responded to what you do?
People have really connected with the Mindful Maker brand – they love the meaning and message each piece brings.
Where do you look for inspiration?
I take inspiration from the rugged beauty of the Beara Peninsula, the grain and features of native Irish timbers and from traditional vernacular Irish furniture design.
Describe your workspace.
I work at benchspace Cork. My workshop/ studio space there is a treasure trove of precious native Irish timbers. I recently acquired some amazing 5,000-year-old ancient Irish Bog Oak. It is a privilege to work with natural materials and I feel a responsibility to use them well.
Describe a typical working day.
I endeavour to have a structure and plan for my days in the workshop. Very often the grain and beguiling features of native trees can dictate the course of a piece as well as the pace at which I work. I love getting lost in the mindful process of reading the grain, crafting and designing.
How important is collaboration to what you do?
Collaboration is something I would love to explore more of with architects and interior designers. I am so lucky to be part of Cork Craft & Design and DCCI with some amazing artists and makers who I hugely admire.
What has been your proudest moment/ favourite project so far?
I am very proud of the collections I have created, including Mindful Heritage: milking stools and coffee tables; Mindful Chopping: chopping and serving boards, and Mindful Moments: candle and tealight holders. Some of my proudest moments have been completing commission pieces – especially larger kitchen tables and benches – family heirlooms to be part of family homes.
I am so proud to have stockists such as Avoca, Forest & Flock, Irish Design Shop, Joyce’s Craftshop and Cork Craft & Design to name but a few.
I’m delighted to have exhibited in the Lavit Gallery, Fota House, St. Peter’s Cork and at the National Design & Craft Gallery in Kilkenny, as well as at the Glucksman and Ballymaloe seasonal design fairs. I’m also pleased to be a recent graduate of Enterprise Ireland’s New Frontiers Entrepreneurship Programme at the Rubicon Centre in MTU.
Being part of Cork Craft month, August Craft Month and the DCCI Made Local campaigns is always fantastic too. These do amazing work to promote Irish craft and design and to celebrate our rich culture of making.
If you weren’t doing this what would you be doing?
If I wasn’t doing what I am doing I would probably be in architecture or fashion – definitely working in some other creative field.
What’s next for you and your work in 2025?
August Craft Month is on at the moment and has an amazing lineup of demonstrations.
I have huge ambition for my brand and business, and would love to continue to build on the strong relationships I have with loyal customers and the craft and design shops and galleries which stock my work. I’m also keen to expand my reach and to spread the word of Irish design and craftsmanship nationally and internationally.
Address Book:
See Paul’s work online at mindfulmaker.ie.
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