What is your business called and where are you based?
Our business is called Timber Creations and our workshop is based in Enniskerry, Co. Wicklow, close to Powerscourt Waterfall.
How long have you been in business?
My colleague Darren and I started working together about six years ago, so we’ve been in business since 2013.
What do you specialise in?
At the moment we specialise in all kinds of carpentry. I do a lot of bespoke furniture, wardrobes, kitchens and all general carpentry.
Tell us about your own personal background. How did you start training in this area and how did the business start?
I started in this business later than most carpenters. I went travelling for a few years and then started my apprenticeship when I was about 23. Darren and I both did the full apprenticeship and while we were with FÁS we both won the Carpenter of the Year Award, so we were in contact with each other from that point and we were aware of the set of skills that we had. We had also known each other since we were kids, but Darren started his apprenticeship much earlier, probably when he was 16 or 17. When we had both made a good start to our careers we decided to get together and go into business.
Can you tell me about the trends you’ve seen in customer demands in the past year?
Trends come and go, and we see that all the time in the work that we do. A few years ago, timber finishes were very popular, particularly walnut. Now things have changed, and people are requesting different types of painted finishes. A lot of customers want to have their timber kitchens resprayed in matte or a satin finish.
Is there any colour that’s particularly popular at the moment?
It’s all 50 Shades of Grey at the moment. Grey is king this year and it seems to me that there are a million different shades of grey that suppliers have made available to customers.
Have changes in the wider construction industry changed your offering in any way?
There are always new materials entering the market and you certainly see that reflected constantly in Chadwicks and in The Panelling Centre. I think it’s probably true that trends in materials are evolving fastest in furniture design, with different panels, colours, textures, grains and various other things like that. And there are also changes happening in kitchens and flooring. If you were to compare the quality of laminates ten years ago with what we have now you would really see the amount of progress that has been made in improving quality. The range of available colours has increased dramatically too.