Sybil - the Entrepreneur - The Hunt Museum

Sybil – the Entrepreneur

February 2021 – Sybil the Entrepreneur

Sybil with purple hair in a patterned dress paints at an easel in a floral-decorated room. The scene feels serene and creative.

Throughout her career Sybil Connolly reinvented herself, using her power & imagination to change. In the 1970s and 80s, Sybil Connolly turned to other areas of design, with fashion having moved to the mini-skirt, which was not to her taste. Sybil changed tack to interior design, ceramics and crystal ware.

 

Sybil with purple hair in a patterned dress paints at an easel in a floral-decorated room. The scene feels serene and creative.

Starting the Empire

In 1957, aged 36 Sybil launched her own couture line at 71 Merrion Square. “The house that linen built”, as she called it. Furnished in eighteenth-century antiques, the house was her design headquarters for the next 40 years.

Sybil sitting at a wooden desk with an open book, smiling warmly. Shelves with decorative plates and a vase are in the background, conveying a welcoming tone.
Sybil wearing a white blouse and pearl necklace, sits on a floral couch. The room is adorned with elegant décor and a warm ambiance.
Cosy living room with yellow walls, floral sofa, and pink cushions. A classical portrait hangs above. Shelves display ornate plates; flowers add brightness.
Cosy living room with floral-patterned sofas, a brick fireplace, decorative plates on yellow walls, and a pink-draped table, creating a vintage feel.
An ornate table displays seashells, a vase with white lilies, and decorative plates. A framed painting and wallpaper enhance the classic, elegant setting.
Elegant dining room with a dark polished table set for a meal. Fruit, glasses, and candles are arranged. Floral wallpaper and a lit fireplace add warmth.
Vintage kitchen with copper pots, patterned tiles, and hanging utensils. Fresh vegetables on the counter and shelves create a cosy, nostalgic atmosphere.
An elegant bedroom with a vintage style. A canopy bed draped in white and blue floral fabric, adorned with a crucifix above. Ornate fireplace, patterned wallpaper, and soft lighting create a cosy atmosphere.
Cosy living room with soft yellow walls and floral curtains. A tea set on a tray rests on a white bedspread. Warm lighting and elegant décor create a serene atmosphere.
Woven baskets and terracotta pots on a marble table surrounded by lilies, roses, and a blue vase with floral patterns. Soft, rustic, and serene ambiance.
Red shelves display colourful, decorative plates and teapots against a blue-and-white striped wall. The arrangement conveys a vintage, eclectic feel.
Elegant dining room with a dark wood table set for a meal, surrounded by floral wallpaper and green drapes. A fireplace glows warmly.
Elegantly decorated room with a vintage chaise longue, floral wallpaper, framed art, and a floral lamp. A basket of pink flowers adds charm.
Three people smiling while standing in a doorway framed by a brick arch. They appear cheerful and are dressed in formal attire, conveying warmth.
Georgian-style dark green door at 71 Merrion Square, Dublin, with ornate glass fanlight and white pillars. Elegant and historical feel.

Remote Working 1950’s style

Sybil was deeply invested in showcasing and preserving Irish textile art. She employed over 200 Irish women, weaving tweed from their cottages in Co. Donegal, and up to 54 handmaking Irish lace.

A group of women and young girls in early 20th-century attire are focused on lace-making at long tables in a wooden cottage, conveying a studious atmosphere.
Two women in vintage clothing are engaged in lace making outside a rustic stone cottage with a thatched roof. The mood is calm and industrious.

Ceramics

 Sybil was commissioned to design a range of Tipperary Crystal for @tiffanyandco in the 1980s. She introduced the “weave” range in bone china manufactured by Celtic Weave China, Donegal. These were influenced by Belleek.

A focused man wearing glasses intricately sculpts a delicate flower on a textured, square cake using a tool. The scene conveys precision and artistry.
Hands meticulously sculpt a delicate clay rose on a wooden table. A tool shapes petals, conveying focus and artistry. A small stick lies nearby.
A detailed, woven texture clay box with a sculpted rose on top, all in shades of grey, sits on a wooden table, evoking a delicate, artistic feel.
Small clay sculptures, including flowers, leaves, and a woven pattern, are arranged on a wooden surface. The image conveys a sense of creativity and detail.
A white, intricately woven porcelain container with a small arched opening and a textured lid, resembling a basket. It casts a soft shadow on a plain surface.
A set of three stacked white dinner plates with textured, geometric patterns on a smooth surface, all aligned neatly against a plain background.
White ceramic bee skep with a woven texture, featuring a single rounded entrance. The design is intricate, evoking a sense of rustic elegance.
White teacup and saucer with intricate woven texture, set against a soft grey background. The delicate design conveys elegance and simplicity.
A crystal cut glass bowl with intricate diamond patterns, sits elegantly on a reflective surface against a plain white background, exuding sophistication.
A clear, ornate crystal glass with a diamond pattern rests on a reflective surface. The intricate design conveys elegance and sophistication.
Crystal champagne flute with intricate diamond patterns, standing on a smooth surface. The glass reflects light, creating a luxurious and elegant feel.
A clear, intricately engraved crystal glass with geometric patterns under bright lighting, casting reflections and conveying elegance and sophistication.

Interior Design

Sybil was consulted for the decoration of The Swiss Cottage in Co.Tipperary in 1989. Always the Entrepreneur, excelling at anything she put her mind to.

A charming, rustic cottage with a thatched roof and wooden lattice details stands behind an ornate black iron fence, surrounded by greenery.
Charming cottage with a thatched roof and intricate latticework. Surrounded by lush gardens with blooming flowers. Bright, serene atmosphere.
Vintage-style room with intricate patterned wallpaper, matching furniture, and a draped dresser. Diamond-paned windows add a quaint, nostalgic feel.
Spiral wooden staircase with brown railing curves upward in a dimly lit room. Adjacent is a closed brown door and large window. Serene atmosphere.
Aerial view of a spiral wooden staircase with curved banister and vertical spindles, creating a dizzying, elegant pattern, evoking vintage charm.
Cosy attic room with patterned wallpaper, featuring a daybed adorned with floral cushions. A small desk, chair, and a window open to a green view.
Elegant vintage room with floral wallpaper, large windows with sheer swags, a wooden table set, and a cosy table for tea. Soft natural light filters in.
Elegant vintage room with patterned wallpaper and framed portrait above a fireplace. Large window with sheer drapes, antique chairs, and a small table. Soft lighting creates a nostalgic ambiance.
A sunlit room features mural-covered walls depicting an exotic landscape. A vintage lamp sits on an elegant wooden table, creating a serene, historic atmosphere.
Cosy attic room with floral-patterned daybed, vintage lamp on a wooden table, an ornate fireplace, and small window. Warm, inviting atmosphere.
A quaint cottage with a thatched roof, surrounded by lush greenery and flowers, under a clear blue sky. It conveys a peaceful, picturesque countryside vibe.

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