Shopfront: That a small square object such as a cushion should become the focus of attention for new design talent is not as great a mystery as it might first seem.

From a designer's point of view, the great thing about starting out with cushions is that they're an easy way to demonstrate your own stylistic vision.

John Kiernan is a graduate of the Grafton Academy but decided against fashion and got into designing interior accessories instead. He now focuses solely on cushions. "I think of them as textural art," he says, "they're a talking point in themselves." Although he designed a range of cushions for Habitat, he now works mostly to commission (from €65).

Approaching cushion design from a fashion perspective, he uses materials such as fake fur and tweeds, or feathers and beading, that are usually only paired in clothing. Techniques take a similar twist, with fabric slashed so another underneath comes through.

Barbara Jennings is another cushion maker - although as a textile designer, she also makes bed linen and table runners. She too designs to commission, using clean shapes inspired by architecture and colours screen-printed on luxury (but hard-wearing) fabrics such as Irish linen.

Because she tends to use several colours in each cushion, they can fit into many interiors.

John Kiernan: tel 087 647 8570

Barbara Jennings: tel 01 8329008.