TBKC Essex have been shortlisted for Kitchen Design Over £50,000 Award in The International Design and Architecture Awards 2022. Read more about Head of Design, Shane Tierney, below:

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Name: Shane Tierney

Company: TBKC Essex

Position within company: Head of Design

Website: www.tbkcessex.co.uk

Tell us a little about your background in design:
Growing up in Dublin, I always wanted to work in design. I consistently produced a high level of design and artwork during my studies, which led to an Honours degree in Interior Architecture. I then studied at BFEI College in Dublin, before moving to England and finally finishing my degree at Writtle College.

After graduating, I moved back home to Ireland and after just a few weeks landed my first design job at Kube Interiors in Dublin, where I was fast-tracked through different roles to become senior designer within 18 months. This led to a promotion/relocation to England, where I helped manage the large, higher-end client demand.

In summer 2019, I was headhunted by TBKC for an exciting new showroom they were planning to open in Essex’s Stock village. The design style of the company was very appealing from day one. We had a grand opening in October 2019 and haven’t stopped since! From penthouses in London and listed mansions in the Essex countryside to celebrity houses, every design is truly unique and tailored to the client’s ambitions for their dream home.

How would you describe your personal design style?
My design style is truly ‘moody’. I aim to create an interior that will make you naturally relax, while gently hugging you. I am happiest when in a moody tapas bar in Shoreditch, so I always try to bring that feeling to my clients’ homes through the colour palette and – more importantly – the mood lighting.

Where does your design inspiration come from?
As Head of Design, I am honoured to work with some of the finest interior designers and architects in London, which is one of the notable centres of my industry. Further afield, one of my favourite designers is award winner Filipao Nunes from Mexico. I discovered him earlier this year and his style is very similar to mine, so I take great inspiration from his work.

In what direction do you feel that design is moving towards in a general sense?
In terms of design trends, I believe dark and moody interiors will continue to grow. Gone are the days of having a light clinical interior to maximise the feeling of space: the feeling of warmth and being cosy overpowers the lighter interiors, especially when it comes to open-plan living. Dark tones can beautifully frame the landscape outside. The interior lighting can zone off areas to great effect, for example, when using the dining area, the living and kitchen area can blend into the background, creating the focal point of a perfectly-set table.

Name five key themes to consider when approaching design in 2022 and beyond.

• Darker tones that create a feeling of a tapas bar, and less like a traditional kitchen.                       
• Touches of wood to introduce warmth to the design.           
• Sustainable living will start to impact the kitchen to a greater degree in the coming years.           
• Sliding doors are truly back, while bi-fold doors becoming less popular.            
• Outdoor kitchens is a trend I see continuing to rise, combining the darker tones and wood previously mentioned

If you could offer one piece of advice when it comes to design schemes, what would it be?
I believe the much-used ‘triangle’ in kitchen design is finally past its sell-by date. Now it’s all about the 180 degree approach. For example: the prep section on your island, turn 180 to your bin system; plate up section turn 180 to take out from the oven. Less important items, such as a wine cooler, should be the furthest point away, on the other side of the island, so your guests are not coming into your main cooking area. I think this will drive a lot of design layouts in the coming years – until the next kitchen gadget hits the market. It’s something I try to incorporate as much as possible when I’m planning the most effective use of space for a client.

How important are The International Design & Architecture Awards?
It is an honour to be even shortlisted for the International Design & Architecture Awards. It is incredible to have my design nominated, especially when I look at past winners such as Alison Henry, Katharine Pooley, Anna Maria and, as previously mentioned, Filipao Nunes. It will be truly fantastic to be in a room with the UK’s leading designers and, fingers crossed, I might win!

What projects are you currently working on?
A project that I’m particular proud of, and one that I am currently at the final stages of completing, is Olly Murs’ kitchen in Essex. It has been a privilege to work with Olly and his fiancé Amelia in their beautiful farmhouse home. They are amazed at how their new kitchen layout has transformed their way of living day-to-day. A once-neglected space is now the main entertaining area, thanks to the large five-metre island. We have a professional chef booked in over the coming weeks to celebrate the completion of their stunning kitchen, which now fits in perfectly with the rest of their home.

What was your favourite project to work on and why?
Definitely Olly’s kitchen. He and Amelia were an absolute pleasure to deal with from start to finish. Their interior designer Marie Stacey was fantastic to work with; I particularly appreciated her hands-on approach to every task. The final outcome was beautiful: textured wallpaper, smoked Navy herringbone tiles and a copper oxide radiator combined to create a breathtakingly beautiful kitchen. The space incorporates an amazing colour palette, and the finished result speaks for itself. The project is due to be photographed in Autumn and we’ll be sharing images across our social media channels.

What was your most challenging project to work on and why?
I like to think I’m up for a challenge! One of the most intricate projects I’ve worked on to date was a penthouse we completed last year – the logistics were definitely a challenge! So much so, that in some cases it informed the design because of the size restrictions we faced, which included closing the road, arranging several teams to be on site on the same day during Covid and of course, a very large crane! Thankfully everything went smoothly because of the sheer dedication from all the teams involved.

Which products/services could you not live without when designing?One of my go-to products is the Bora hob and extractor. The extractor fan is built into the hob which means no more overhead extractors. It is truly a designer’s dream, because you can have the hob on the island while introducing pendant lights above to create the perfect mood. Gone are the days of cooking and looking at a wall: it is all about being part of the entertainment. Over the past two years, 95% of my clients have used the Bora hob and extractor on their islands and every one of them has said it was a game changer. That’s good enough for me!

What are your aims and goals for the next twelve months?
We are now moving into our fourth year of business and the growth year-on-year has been incredible. Our focus is to continue this trajectory and to consistently produce the high level of design work that we are known for. In fact, these standards have resulted in 70% of our clients this year being recommends. We genuinely believe we are different in our approach when designing, so we want to push on with our unique style, delight our clients, and receive industry recognition such as being nominated for prestige awards like this one.

Final thoughts; tell us a little more about yourself and your daily inspirations:

Your most treasured possession?
It would have to be my golf clubs. Nothing beats a round in the evenings after a long day in the office.

Your favourite holiday destination?
I am obliged to say my hometown, Dublin, with the natural beauty of the countryside like the Wicklow Mountains and its historic streets.

Your favourite hotel, restaurant & bar?
My favourite hotel has to be Brooklodge Hotel in Macreddin Village, in the valleys of County Wicklow. It was Ireland’s first organic hotel and truly offers the finest food and drink. It’s always such an amazing experience, from horse riding and golfing, to a botanic spa and woodland scenic walks, it is amazing to have this gem situation just an hour from Dublin.

Your favourite book, film & song?
You’ll find Tom Misch on repeat right now. It’s a pleasure listening to him on a summer evening.

Your favourite food and drink?
My favourite food is tapas – of course, accompanied by a glass of wine and a dark and moody interior!

Your favourite way to spend an afternoon?
I love spending my time by the sea: swimming, on a boat or even just at a seaside restaurant.

If you weren’t a designer, what would you be?
In my dreams I would say a golfer but in reality, it would have to be real estate, possibly as an auctioneer.

TBKC Essex

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