McCarron & Co Resident designers Mark Brook and Andy Barette
How long have you worked at McCarron & Co?
Andy since January 2012 and Mark came on board later that year before the Chelsea showroom was officially opened.
Could you offer a brief overview of your respective roles?
As Creative Director, Mark is responsible for the styling of our three main showrooms, which involves everything from choosing the paint colours of the furniture to seeking out the wonderful dressings that adorn the various displays. On a day to day basis Mark calls upon his considerable experience to design beautiful interior spaces. As Senior Designer, Andy designs as well, and will take on anything from a galley kitchen in Chelsea to the interior remodelling of a super yacht.
What is the most enjoyable aspect of your jobs?
Being able to design without parameters. Many studios profess to being bespoke, but the reality is they still conform to set sizes and a fairly inflexible structure. It’s extremely rewarding to be able to pretty much fulfil almost any brief that a client gives us. On a day to day basis it’s enjoyable just coming to work and being part of a close knit creative team.
Creatively, how much freedom do you have to express yourself at McCarron & Co?
It really is a case of if it can be dreamt up, then we would generally have a good look at making it. That’s not to say it isn’t good to have a number of staple projects going to the workshop, it wouldn’t be possible to run the business on the basis of every project being of a special nature, but the freedom really is there when the need arises.
Can you explain how you start working on a new project ?
We do invest a fair amount of time meeting clients, and taking as precise a brief as possible. We would always encourage a new client to visit one of our showrooms, to fully understand what sets us apart. We would then work on a design and thoroughly encourage the client to come back to the showroom for the presentation.
To date, what creation of yours are you most proud of and why?
Probably the creation of the Chelsea showroom itself. It has received high acclaim, and for such a modest space we have managed to demonstrate the full spectrum of the McCarron & Co bespoke kitchen furniture skill set.
How crucial is the McCarron & Co workshop in Wiltshire to the business?
Hugely so. Aside from the fact that our clients are buying a British hand-made product, we are able to take prospective buyers on a tour of the workshop which always tends to delight. The fact that the workshop is set in the heart of the beautiful Wiltshire countryside and a stones’ throw away from Bath is certainly a help too.
What are you currently working on, and what launches can we expect in the A/W season?
We are finalising designs on a number of overseas projects in Paris, Geneva and Norway. Style-wise is a current push towards darker colours both in painted and veneer choices. Also a layering of textures even in small spaces which with clever lighting creates added interest.
McCarron & Co
84 Fulham Road
Chelsea
London
SW3 6HR
020 7584 5736