home & garden
Local Experts
Meet James Hoolahan
In this edition, we talk to James Hoolahan, owner of Merlin Cabinets, specialists in the design and manufacture of luxury kitchens. Originally based in Rafferty Road, Mandurah, in February 2012 the company relocated to larger premises in Thornborough Road and installed a new luxury kitchen showroom. When did you start Merlin Cabinets and what was your background before the business? I started Merlin Cabinets in January 2005 with just myself and one apprentice. I had previously worked as a joiner in the UK plus had also gained valuable experience working in various areas of the timber and furniture industry around Europe. The intention has always been to grow the business to become a leading operator in Mandurah and the surrounding areas and we now have a team of eight. This team includes designers, tradesmen and apprentices, providing what we believe is a unique service to the Peel region and beyond. What are the key areas that Merlin Cabinets specialises in? We specialise in creating luxurious functional kitchens, making best use of the current technology in the industry. Our design process focuses on practical storage solutions as well as visual appeal. Custom cabinets are made to fit each individual project instead of using standard size cabinets. How has the industry changed since you started the business? New technology is always being introduced into our industry especially with the storage hardware that is now available. Full extension draw systems are now a must in any modern kitchen along with easily accessible food storage zones. Stone tops are now more popular than ever and certainly more
affordable than a few years ago. What are the current trends in kitchen design? Current trends we are seeing in kitchen design include high gloss doors, particularly in white and in some timber grain colours. Engineered stone benchtops with under-mount sinks and handle free kitchens with aluminium or stainless steel recess rails are also popular. Electronic servo assisted draw units from manufacturers like Blum, and LED lighting are popular features too. Have you introduced any new machinery or design technology into the business recently? We have always been a business that has strived to keep up to date with developments in the market and this has been reflected with our recent purchase of a new CNC (Computer Numerical Control) machine. This has not only speeded up our manufacturing process but also allowed our team more time to concentrate on design and installation. What are you views on future innovations in kitchen design? I believe technology will continue to improve and increasingly play a major part in our industry. With companies like Blum continuing to spend huge amounts of money researching new ideas and design improvements, there’s an exciting future ahead. We find trends tend to go in cycles and with new textures and finishes being developed all of the time, who knows what the next trend will be! For further information on installing a new kitchen with Merlin Cabinets, call 9584 2822 or visit the showroom at Unit 3, 14 Thornborough Road. 26