An Exclusive Q&A with Broomside Design

Following the announcement of our Real Stories 2024 winners last month, which is an annual campaign for our consumer brand STORI, we caught up with Broomside Design owner and overall winner, Gary Short.

In this blog, Gary discusses his reasons for entering the competition, his approach to the winning design process and what it means to him being crowned our overall winner!

What inspired you to enter the Real Stories Competition?

I take great pride in our work, and it’s rewarding to share the finished project images with the suppliers of the components, who often don’t get a chance to see how the final space within the home turns out. While we don’t enter competitions with the primary goal of winning, it’s always gratifying to be recognised and acknowledged for our efforts—not only by our customers, but also by our peers and suppliers.

Rezana – Espresso & Zola Matte – Taupe Grey

Can you tell us about the vision behind this project?

This was actually the second kitchen we designed and installed for this client. They wanted to transition from their previous classic framed shaker style to a more contemporary minimalist design that would complement their new home style and décor.

Our goal was to create a cohesive space that felt warm and homely, in line with current design trends. The beautiful timber of Rezana provided the natural warmth and texture we sought, serving as a foundation for the rest of the colour palette. We faced spatial challenges from multiple doorways and sought to minimise their impact. By incorporating hidden doors into both the pantry and utility areas, we managed to maintain the desired look and feel of the kitchen.

What drew you to the Rezana & Zola Matte combination from the STORI collection?

Although the Rezana range may not be our highest volume product, it undeniably exudes exceptional quality. The variety of tonal finishes provided us with the flexibility to adjust the depth of colour and tone, The homeowners Kieran and Alex had a contrasting view on their desired tones, Kieran initially sought a deeper shade like Hacienda Black or Carbon, while Alex preferred the softer tones of Espresso and Weathered Silver. Ultimately, the more minimalist style of Zola Matte in Taupe Grey complemented Rezana perfectly, both in terms of aesthetics and budget.

Rezana – Espresso & Zola Matte – Taupe Grey

How did you approach designing this kitchen to meet the homeowner’s needs?

In designing this kitchen, we recognised that there’s no definitive right or wrong approach, especially with a space of this size. Many layout options could fulfil the homeowner’s brief. We established a core layout we were pleased with—a classic L-shape complemented by a central island—but we explored several variations. This included repositioning the sink and key storage areas to optimise functionality.

Once we settled on a layout that worked, we focused on refining every detail of the design. This included planning internal storage solutions, selecting countertop details, and creatively concealing the doors to the pantry and utility room to maintain a cohesive look. Each element was carefully considered to ensure it met the homeowner’s needs while aligning with their vision for the space.

How did you incorporate the unique features of the STORI collection into this design?

Rezana boasts such a stunning finish that we view it as more than just a kitchen door. Our goal was to move away from typical kitchen features and create a design that doesn’t feel confined to a traditional kitchen. We aimed to capture the essence of Italian style, by reducing the plinth, creating a seamless expanse of beautifully textured timber across the entire back wall. The flexibility of Made to Order sizes was essential in achieving this effect, as it allowed for a shadow gap at the floor that elevates the overall design detail.

Rezana – Espresso & Zola Matte – Taupe Grey

What part of this project are you most proud of?

I take great pride in the numerous features that have been executed successfully, all thanks to the collaboration of various teams over many months of planning. This includes the building team at Construct North, the worktop fabricators at RO Surfaces, our Installation Manager Sam, and off course, the clients—who were one of Broomside Designs’ first customers back in 2020. It’s been a dream to work with them again on this stunning self-build project.

In terms of individual design elements, there’s much to be proud of, but the worktop material, finish, and quality of manufacture stand out. Additionally, I particularly love the inward-opening hidden pantry doors, which provide full access to the room behind without intruding on the kitchen’s footprint.

What do you think sets the STORI collection apart from other kitchen ranges?

Many products on the market tend to be quite similar, but at Broomside Design, we strive to offer something distinct. Unique ranges like Rezana truly stand out, offering a superior and distinctive option. Its cross-scratched timber grain finish, diverse tonal options, high-quality manufacturing, and Made to Order possibilities make it a designer’s dream to work with.

Rezana – Espresso & Zola Matte – Taupe Grey

What does winning the Overall Winner title in our 2024 Real Stories Competition mean to you, and what benefits do you see coming from this achievement?

Winning this title is a truly proud moment for us. After being finalists for the past two years, we hoped to achieve a hat-trick this year. As a Newcastle fan who grew up with Alan Shearer in attack, it’s hard not to feel the disappointment of just missing out on such milestones!

Discovering that we were the overall winners for 2024 was an incredible surprise. I follow Uform and STORI on social media and admire the many beautifully designed kitchen projects that they share, so being recognised as the best this year is a huge compliment to the hard work our team puts in year-round.

When I founded the business, my goal was never to be the busiest but to be the best, focusing on a design-led and service-driven model. Winning this award is validation that, while we can always improve, we are heading in the right direction. I hope this recognition continues to reassure prospective clients of our commitment to high-quality design and installations, encouraging them to choose Broomside Design as their partner on their renovation journey.

L to R: Paul Simms (Uform Area Sales Manager), Gary Short (Broomside Design Owner), Caitlin Diamond (Uform Key Account Manager) and Shaunagh Devlin (STORI Brand Manager)