HEPBURN DESIGNS
About Deirdre Hardiman
I’m Deirdre Hardiman, founder and Creative Director of Hepburn Designs, established in 2009 in Dublin.
I’m a qualified Interior Architect with over 25 years of experience creating homes that are not only beautiful, but practical, considered, and designed to truly work for the people who live in them.
I hold a BA in Business from the University of San Diego and later trained in Interior Architecture at Griffith College Dublin, where I became the face of the design college’s student campaign, “The Secret to my Success.” That combination of commercial understanding and design training continues to shape how I work today.
Early Life
Ireland, Colorado & California
I was born in Ireland and moved to the United States as a young child.
My early childhood was spent in the mountains of Colorado, and that had a huge impact on who I am. The mountains, the forests, the sound of the river, the vastness, the wild horses, even dinosaur fossils — it was a very grounding way to grow up. The scale of the landscape and the colours of nature left a lasting impression on me, and I still draw on that sense of space, perspective, and natural balance when I’m designing today.
At 12, I moved to Newport Beach, Orange County, California. That brought a completely different influence — light, architecture, lifestyle, and the way indoor and outdoor living blend together so naturally. It gave me a strong awareness of how light moves through a space and how a home should feel to live in, not just how it looks.
sevilla
A Turning Point
In 1992, I moved to Sevilla, my first experience of living outside the US as an adult, and it was completely life changing.
The culture, the café life, the buzz, the music, the colour, the headiness of it all — it shifted how I saw everyday life. It made me realise that a home isn’t just about how it looks, it’s about how it feels and how you live in it.
IRELAND
Building the Business
I moved back to Dublin in 1999 and spent the next 17 years building my business there, working across everything from Georgian and Victorian houses to standard three-bed semis and apartments, as well as projects throughout Ireland.
That time gave me a deep understanding of how homes really work — particularly how to deal with light (or the lack of it), how to improve layout, and how to make spaces feel better without overcomplicating them.
It also reinforced something I’ve always believed — that a home is about family. In Ireland, the kitchen is the heart of the home. It’s where everything happens, and that understanding of how people actually live has always been central to how I design.
SPAIN
Ibiza, Marbella & Understanding Lifestyle
Eventually, the rain got the better of me, and I left Ireland for Ibiza, where I lived for almost 10 years before settling in Marbella.
Before settling here, I also lived in Madrid and Santiago de Compostela, which gave me a broader understanding of how different regions of Spain work, feel, and function on a day-to-day level.
Marbella, the Costa del Sol, and Andalucía feel like everything coming together. You have the mountains, the sea, the nature, and the architecture. You have the white villages full of charm and simplicity, and the energy and sophistication of the cities. There’s history, beauty, and at the same time a lifestyle that just works.
The light here is a huge part of it. It’s very similar to California — clear, warm, and constantly changing throughout the day. It’s something I pay close attention to in every project, because orientation and light affect everything — colour, mood, and how a space feels to live in. That understanding is especially important when I’m working with clients remotely, helping them make decisions on paint colours, finishes, and layouts from a distance, with confidence.
IRELAND
Property & The Buyer’s Eye
That same way of looking at space naturally led me to helping clients choose the right property.
Over the years, clients I had worked with would come back to me when they were upsizing, downsizing, relocating, or moving country, asking for my help to find the right home.
We would go through properties together, looking beyond the obvious — at layout, light, flow, potential, and what would or wouldn’t work long term. I was able to see things they couldn’t yet see, and also point out issues that might not be obvious at first glance.
Becoming a Buyer’s Agent wasn’t a new direction — it was simply a natural progression of what I had already been doing for years.
Global Influence
Living & Travelling
Living and travelling in different places has always influenced how I see design.
I lived in France and Greece, and have travelled extensively in Asia and Morocco. Each of those places deepened my appreciation for materials, craftsmanship, texture, and atmosphere. It’s not about copying styles, but about understanding how spaces feel, how they are used, and how different elements come together to create something that feels right.
Business Evolution & Recognition
I started my first design business, Re-Arranging Rooms, in 2002, focused entirely on reworking what clients already had in their homes. It was a simple concept, but ahead of its time, and it laid the foundation for how I still approach design today.
In 2009, I founded Hepburn Designs.
In 2011, I was awarded Dublin City Enterprise Board Entrepreneur of the Year for my concept Designer for a Day™, which was later trademarked in 2012.
Design Approach
How I Work
I’ve never found it easy to answer the question, “What is your design style?”
The honest answer is — it depends.
My design style is what fits the client, the architecture, the surroundings, and the way they live, while staying within their budget. A big part of my work is finding ways to create something that feels aspirational without pushing beyond what is realistic.
I have a very strong instinct when it comes to understanding what clients want, often before they can fully articulate it themselves. At the same time, I like to introduce ideas they wouldn’t have considered, gently pushing things a little further while still making sure the end result feels completely like them.
My mum tells people I can “see through walls”… and she’s not far wrong.
Media, Television & Projects
My work has also extended into television and media.
I worked as Head Designer with the company behind the hit series Beyond The Hall Door.
In 2012, I was approached by TV3 to create and present a design segment on Ireland AM called Makeover Mondays, bringing practical, real-life design advice to a national audience.
Following that, DoneDeal invited me to produce a digital series using entirely second-hand and sourced pieces, which aligns closely with how I’ve always approached design.
I’ve also been featured in design magazines and newspapers, and was invited by Houzz to represent them at home exhibitions.
Alongside hundreds of private client homes, I have also designed show homes, businesses, and bars.
What I Love About Design
I’ve always been drawn to how people actually live in their homes.
I love travelling — not just for well-known architecture, but for the everyday houses. How people use their spaces, how they live in them, what feels natural — that’s often where the real inspiration comes from.
I also love architectural salvage yards, antique shops, second-hand finds, and garden centres — anywhere with character, history, and something a bit unexpected.
Views, Light & Atmosphere
I never get tired of a beautiful view or the setting sun.
When I’m designing a space, I’m always thinking about what you see when you sit down, where the light falls, and what draws your eye.
If there is a view, I want to make the most of it.
And if there isn’t, then we create one — even if it’s something as simple as a tree, a small bistro table and chairs, or soft outdoor lighting that gives you somewhere to look, pause, and enjoy.
Helping People Move to Spain
I genuinely enjoy helping people who are thinking about moving to Spain.
I remember very clearly what it felt like before each move — wanting real information, not just what you read online, but what it’s actually like to live somewhere.
So I tend to share what I know, whether that’s about property, areas, lifestyle, or just how things work in reality.
And slightly randomly… one of my favourite things online is a Facebook page called Doors. I just love doors.
Closing
If you’ve seen some of my earlier videos — yes… that was me with the dark hair.
Do blondes have more fun? Jury’s still out. If you’ve made it this far, you’ll know I’ve had plenty of fun as both.
If you’re looking for someone who can help you see what works, what doesn’t, and what’s actually worth doing — you’re in the right place.