Meet: Aiveen Daly, Upholsterer

Aiveen Daly originally studied Business & Russian at Trinity College, Dublin. She worked in marketing for ten years but whilst living in London became increasingly frustrated with high street furniture. She took an upholstery qualification at the London College of Furniture and quickly opened her studio in West London producing a range of couture-inspired upholstered furniture that was described by Vogue as 'incredibly chic'. Aiveen won the Best Start-up Business category in the 2007 Country Living Magazine's The Balvenie Artisan Awards.

What did you want to be when you were little?
Unfortunately I have never been one of those people who knew what I wanted to do when I was little. It is only in later life I discovered my passion for furniture and fabric.

What is the worst job you have ever had?
As a student in the early 90s I worked as a waitress in a Mexican restaurant in Moscow. Need I say more?

How did you get started in your current career?
For me this was a career change as I worked in Marketing for 10 years previously. I hit thirty and knew I wanted to do something different so I experimented with lots of evening courses until I found something I got hooked on.

What do you enjoy most about your job?
I love visiting clients in their homes and visualising what I am going to make for them.

What is the most difficult/challenging aspect of your work?
Hammering your fingers!

Who has been your biggest work inspiration?
When I left university my first job was at a magazine publisher in Sydney. My boss was amazingly dynamic, creative and confident. What's more she was such great fun. I thought that's what all bosses would be like!

Which Artisan do you most admire?
The upholsterer Alex who works with me. He is a genius.

What would be your perfect epitaph?
Died laughing.

What piece of advice have you found most useful in life?
Jump.

Where do you go on holiday?
To my partner's family in Sydney or to my Mum & Dad's holiday house by the sea in West Cork.

If you had to choose something else as a career - what would it be?
If I had my time again I would like to be a textile designer or a stock broker.