Interview with Glen Wright

GLEN WRIGHT

WRIGHTS DESIGN HOUSE

From humble beginnings 50 years ago to the successful kitchen design house it is today, which decade saw the biggest change for what is now Wrights Design house? We have seen a lot of change over our ve decades in business, but it is the last decade that has seen the most. In the last fteen years we have evolved from a highly respected local company to one of the most acclaimed kitchen companies throughout Ireland and the UK. Having managed the company since 2001, I took the strategic decision in 2008 to relocate our retail showroom to its current location at Temple Cross, Lisburn. It was at this time that we also commissioned a major rebrand, changing from be-right kitchens, to Wrights Design House. In the years since then we have doubled our sta numbers and extended our manufacturing facility to cope with the increased volume of work. We now undertake major projects throughout Ireland and the UK, and continue to push the boundaries of design and quality of product.

Who has been your biggest inspiration? My biggest inspiration is without a doubt my father, David Wright. He started the business over 50 years ago and has always maintained loyalty to customers and suppliers, while striving to produce the best possible product for every client. He is held in high esteem throughout the kitchen industry and beyond. Since he started the business over ve decades ago there have been several recessions, and he has always ensured the company came out the other side stronger. This resolute mindset is something that has resonated with me and has helped fortify our company. Since I took full control of the company, I have initiated many changes to allow us to grow and adapt to trends and market conditions. The core values instilled by my father still form the very basis of how we do business.

When choosing your kitchen, what elements should you pay most attention to and why? There are a number of considerations.

Personal style preference is obviously extremely important, as is the functionality of the design and layout. At Wrights Design House we place huge emphasis on both. Each bespoke design is custom crafted to reflect how each client and family live in and use the space. We carry out an early site visit to analyse the space in its entirety and suggest any structural improvements that may be required to enhance the finished kitchen and see the project reach its full potential. In open plan layouts, it’s really important to carefully consider the function and flow of the room as a whole. While planning and designing the kitchen, we will also advise on ways to achieve a natural connection between the defined spaces in the room, such as designing bespoke dressers, drinks cabinets or sideboards to achieve design cohesion between kitchen and dining areas and create a harmonious scheme throughout the space. It’s so important that everything has its place, so do take time to really consider what you need in terms of storage, to ensure your kitchen works for you and your family. From walk-in pantries and hidden utility room access to breakfast stations and integrated computer desks, we can create everything you need to create your perfect space. There isn’t a hard and fast rule on whether contemporary or classic style suits your home but yes, we will advise each client on how to achieve the best from each individual space. Rather than labelling designs as modern or timeless, we are finding a real crossover in styles, where classic Shaker style doors look beautiful paired with sections of contemporary handleless cabinetry to create a blend of designs and influences, which is refreshing and extremely versatile. Shaker door designs are very popular in a more pared back interpretation of a classic, taking on an ultra slim version that suits both contemporary and period homes.

What are the most popular design features in your bespoke kitchens? Our signature chef’s pantry is a hugely popular design element that many of our clients request. The 50th Anniversary Collection continues to be very much in demand, with many clients admiring it on display in the showroom and wishing to recreate their own version, translated to suit their unique kitchen footprint. Cocktail cabinets and home bars have become more popular too, so as well as having double larders or walk-in pantries and breakfast stations, dedicated drinks cabinets are enhancing the kitchen as the core entertaining space. Custom designed with reflective mirror cladding, light reflective glass shelving and bespoke lighting systems, these cabinets make quite the showpiece, with pocket or bifolding doors adding to the level of luxe.

What are the main trends going to be for 2022 and will there be any exciting innovations customers can expect? Painted kitchens in various shades of grey and dark blue have been hugely popular over the past few years and show no signs of going anywhere but more daring colour choices are coming through for next year. Dark greens have been a very popular and much admired choice this year, paired with warm metals. More adventurous mixing of materials are set to come through in 2022, with the kitchen more of design showcase than ever before, especially after a prolonged period of time spent at home throughout the pandemic, where people have been turning to their interiors as their creative outlet.

“In open plan layouts, it’s really important to carefully consider the function and flow of the room as a whole. While planning and designing the kitchen, we will also advise on ways to achieve a natural connection between the defined spaces in the room ”

GETTING IN TUNE

The ‘Never give up’ unique, custom built, hand painted guitar was on show at the Bangor gallery. The collaboration between Irish artist Terry Bradley and Chris Moffitt of Kithara Guitars is to be auctioned in aid of Action Mental Health. To raise money for this deserving charity, Terry and Chris’ guitar is to be raffled, with one lucky winner receiving the guitar as their prize. Entries to the competition are made by donating to the ‘Terry Bradley and Kithara Guitars’ JustGiving fundraiser.

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1) Terry Bradley with Samantha Coleman from Action Mental

Health. 2) Laura and Raymond Millar. 3) The ’Never give up’ guitar. 4) Simon Cordner (Windmill Guitars), Chris Moffitt (Kithara

Guitars) and artist Terry Bradley. 5) John Purdy and Leanne Reid. 6) Pamela Cash and Jacqui Pope. 7) John and Sandra Bigmore. 8) Simon Cordner, Ashley Bradley and Chris Moffitt. 9) Jonny and Lynn Millar. 10) Melanie Denver, David and Caitriona Bailie.

Orenda are specialists in luxury sofas and bespoke furniture for both retail and commercial applications. They are a proud family-led, well-established business from Ireland with showrooms across Belfast, Dublin & now Edinburgh which just opened its doors this Summer.

Dedicated to true craftsmanship, they pride themselves on their unparalleled lead times of only 12 weeks and their steadfast commitment to quality. They continually strive to o er impeccable service and a memorable buying experience.

Their luxury furniture collection caters for your entire home, with living, dining & bedroom furniture all available. Their handmade bespoke upholstered furniture can be delivered anywhere across the UK, Ireland & Europe. All of their luxury furniture is handcrafted using kiln-dried hardwood timbers. All sofa cushions llings consist of duck feathers & down for your ultimate comfort and their top-quality, solid beech wood frames are guaranteed for 15 years for lasting assurance.

Creating your dream interior for your home can seem like a daunting task. At Orenda, their aim is to make the process as smooth as possible with their in-house interior design team being able to help guide clients through from concept to reality, whether it be for one room or an entire home. Meet their in-house designers at one of their showrooms for a complimentary consultation. This is where they will get an understanding of requirements, tastes and what you’re trying to achieve. They will have a chat about the fees involved for their services beyond this point and if you are happy to proceed then they will move onto the next phase. Upon completion of your project, your design fee will be reimbursed against purchases made.

At Orenda they also o er a full project management service. If you would prefer to hand over the reins to them, they can take care of all works for your project. Their dedicated project manager will take care of all trades work and report back to you on a regular basis with prices and completion dates. This allows them to handle your project from start to nish, with just one point of contact for you to worry about.