The new year is well underway and as we settle into 2025, the design director at Kitchens by JS Geddes talks about the variety of work in kitchen design, following in her father’s footsteps, and her love of Taylor Swift…
The thing people might not know about me is…
Until the age of about 17, I was adamant that I would not ‘design kitchens’ for a living. Growing up, our conversation around the dinner table was always ‘kitchens’, and it always seemed boring. Well, that could not have been further from the truth! I love the industry, the people, the excitement, the innovation – the list goes on.
If I was in charge of this industry I would…
Do more to educate buyers on the merit of buying from independent retailers. I feel sometimes the large multi-nationals damage the reputation of the industry as a whole with poor customer service, poor installation and bad planning. We are two completely different offerings and need to tell people that.
What I love most about my job would have to be…
The variety. The fact that in the morning I can be with clients just embarking on their kitchen renovation process, and by the afternoon I’ll have my hard hat on visiting a site with developers, interior designers and project managers. The different people that I meet daily is fantastic, all with differing styles, aspirations and visions for their project. Variety really is the spice of life!
The work story I always tell to make people laugh is…
I dealt with my first ever client at the age of three. Being that it’s a family business, some 33 years ago, my Dad was clearly juggling childcare and being a new business owner. On a busy Saturday, I came down the stairs and asked clients who were looking around the studio if they would like a brochure and if they wanted my Dad to come out and see them to design their kitchen. I’m almost certain he did get a sale for that client.
The industry person I most admire is…
Probably my dad (Jim Geddes, seen left). I think we are in a bubble in our studios and it is not until you go to events and conferences that you can compare yourself to other KBB business. I admire his work ethic, which I think is something that has been passed onto me. I also admire his calm nature and the ability to weather any storm in our way. I really admire the way he is thought of in the industry – he’s worked hard over the last 40 years to build a successful company.
My proudest professional achievement is….
Probably being invited to speak at the KBSA conference and knowing that what I had to say was valid. When you work in a ‘family business’, there’s a feeling that you’re always seen as just ‘a daughter’, or ‘a son’ of the owner. Speaking at the conference and having my voice heard by the industry was fantastic.
One professional mistake I’ve learned from is…
There are probably too many to mention. I think the most important thing to bear in mind is always evolving from mistakes. For example, I remember I forgot to specify a waste kit for a plumber (no big deal), but it now goes onto my specification checklist to make sure the same mistake doesn’t ever happen again.
If I could go back to the day I started in this industry, I would tell myself…
Don’t sweat the small stuff. The first ten years in the industry I used to take everything very personally. I would work longer hours and get easily stressed about things I had no control over. In the last ten years I’ve tried to get a work life balance – I enjoy what I do and understand that applying ‘stress’ to things is not a help but a hindrance. I think just maturing in your career and not having to continually try and prove yourself is a liberating feeling.
The song I always sing in the shower is…
Maybe it’s not the coolest music for a 35 year old, but I have been known to belt out some Taylor Swift in the shower. I’m currently working my way through all of Taylor’s ‘eras’.