The next generation

When your mother is the CEO of the National Training Group (NTG) for the KBB sector, and a designer herself, there are high expectations of your first kitchen showroom. But Rob Mascari says he is relishing the opportunity to put all his experience into practice, in a retail environment. He already has experience in construction, installation and property development, but admits that owning his own showroom has always been his goal. I actually started the business as an internet-based service and sold a few kitchens that way. But the long term plan was always to open up a studio. Then about 18 months ago when the recession hit, it became the right time to buy somewhere, as it was a competitive market in terms of setting up costs.

The right time

Once the decision had been made to buy, picking an area to set up shop was the easy part. Keeping his business local to where he lives was a priority, both personally and professionally. He explains: Personally, obviously, it is great to be able to get to work quickly. But also Ruddington attracts the right target market for the products I want to sell. Also, there is not really a lot else in the area. There are a lot of villages and no-one to cater for them. This is the affluent side of Nottingham and people come into the village for the local amenities. So it is ideally placed and also gives us a large catchment area.

After discovering a disused office building, Rob spent three months re-wiring, re-plastering, repainting and re-furbishing. And because he only needed the lower floor of the space, he decided to let out the upstairs to the NTG.

With the NTG training facilities now situated above his showroom, he hopes to be able to set a good example to the kitchen designers of the future. Rob explains: Because my mum runs training courses and she is based above my showroom, it means she can show her students the actual ideas behind her principles. Training and continual professional development is vital to the ongoing success of kitchen designers. I also try and attend any relevant courses available.

The high life

The high-end purchaser is the type of customer Rob has set his sights on and designed his showroom around. I have always liked the high end of the market and I chose Rot Punkt due to the quality of product and flexibility of range, he divulges. And he has looked to show how these products can help to create a lifestyle through his large main display. I don’t believe that you need loads of displays, you can show what you need to with just one well thought-out display. The main showroom design was always intended to demonstrate a lifestyle rather than a multitude of doors styles. Everyone knows what a kitchen door looks like, it is what you can do with it to create the lifestyle that consumers are looking for.

People want big family rooms with all the gadgets and the main display is set up to show them just what they can have. It is wired through with the latest technology, remote controls for blinds, sound system and TV. I am also looking to fit remote control worktops, at a later date, which can be extended and retracted at the touch of a button. From my experience, consumer demand has developed the need for designers to integrate audio visual concepts into the kitchen space. Good product knowledge is key. The customer wants more than a simple TV hung on the wall, Rob enthuses. He continues: Every cabinet in the main display has a different purpose so that customers can see what can be achieved.

True to his word, there is a small room within the showroom, for those who prefer a classical kitchen look. Featured in here, Rob is showcasing a handmade,painted wooden kitchen, made by a local cabinet maker in his workshop. It boasts granite worksurfaces and a Belfast sink.