What is your role and how long have you worked at Mowlem and Co.?
I have worked at Mowlem and Co. for 4 years after joining from a smaller joinery company, my professional career has always involved a keen interest in the design and manufacture of bespoke furniture in particular.
As a Senior Designer I am tasked with being responsible for some of our more discerning clients, which include specialists from both the Interior Design and Architectural Industry. I also play a key role in the day to day running of the London Showroom.
What does your typical day to day look like?
It’s difficult to describe a typical day as there are always unforeseen tasks that come up which may divert your attention from the original schedule for the day. The general tasks involve a whole variety of things such as carrying out measured site surveys, lots of design work on existing and new projects along with client meetings, whether that’s in the showroom or on site.
All the projects that are undertaken are personally seen through from start to finish therefore project management takes up a large chunk of time throughout the week. Every job worked on is at a different stage of completion therefore being able to jump from design work to tasks that are more project oversight based is key.
What is the best part of your job?
The advantage of being a fully bespoke company means there are a wide variety of projects that are being worked on at the same time, each with some very unique design elements, which I find both challenging and rewarding in equal measure. We are also extremely fortunate to visit some of the most amazing properties and watch them evolve throughout the build process.
Running all my own projects from the initial design meeting right the way through to the client handover gives me a huge amount of satisfaction, as you can really see how the design and property changes throughout the process to become a finished article.
What has been one of your favourite project/s you have worked on and why?
A personal favourite was a penthouse flat which was designed in collaboration with Juliette Byrne Interiors situated in the heart of central London, although not the biggest kitchen, the amount of time involved detailing certain design features to ensure they worked within the cabinetry was meticulous so it was great to see everything come together.
Due to the location of the property we experienced major delivery challenges only being able to access the flat via an external hoist therefore it was critical to hit the deadlines and ensure everything ran smoothly logistically wise for the project.
In your opinion what sets Mowlem and Co. apart from our competitors?
Mowlem and Co. is genuinely bespoke in terms of cabinetry which means we are uniquely positioned to tailor the furniture to suit a client’s needs and budget, whilst producing genuine one off designs that you wouldn’t see anywhere else.
Although the two showrooms and factory are all separated in terms of location, there is quite an informal, family feel to the company which is great as it means everyone sees each other as part of the same team which is ultimately crucial to manufacturing and delivering the best products possible.
If you were building your own dream kitchen, what would you include in the design?
As a keen cook it would be great to have a statement island within the kitchen space with a wide gas cooktop and teppanyaki hob offering plenty of flexibility when cooking, creating a really great sociable space to entertain friends and family. I am more drawn to natural material finishes and therefore would definitely have an expansive Quartzite stone worktop showcasing the beauty of the vein patterns across the slab. I would pair it with a contrasting darker stained oak veneer for the furniture which would really show off the grain structure of the timber.
In your opinion what’s the most underrated kitchen design feature?
I think well thought out inserts are undervalued in kitchens, whether it be pan lid dividers, peg inserts, knife blocks or the more common utensil & cutlery insert – resolving the design of these to suit a client’s needs and ensuring they are in the optimum locations can really ensure that the usability of the kitchen is seamless.
What advice would you give to someone starting a new project this year?
Don’t always be swayed and feel the need to include current design trends, be mindful that some of the ‘in fashion’ design detailing may not stand the test of time and consider instead going for a more ageless finish which will still look good in 20 years time.
What are your trend predictions for 2025?
I think the industry is very aware that this year is definitely going to be all about textural and natural finishes, we have a few projects incorporating these more organic styles and I can’t wait to see the outcome, it gives a wonderfully natural and serene feel to a space. Leathered, honed, real stone worktops along with ribbed, fluted, wood furniture and natural fabric feature panels and brass metal fretwork are all very much on our design radar and I think these are all interesting trends we will see a lot of this year.
How do you spend your time outside the office?
Time out of the office is predominantly taken up with playing football for various teams throughout the week. Luckily living in South London, there is no shortage of pubs and restaurants to visit with friends.
All our designers at Mowlem and Co. in Chelsea and Jesmond are on hand with any questions you may have about creating your own amazing space.
