Robin Maharaj: ‘If you take a longterm view you won’t go wrong’
Robin Maharaj, director at Kilkenny Architectural Salvage and Antiques
I used to work in the financial services sector in London. While living there I bought a derelict property, and I worked on the house with a focus on using reclaimed materials, and returned it to its original glory.
After moving back to Ireland in 1998 I bounced around with a few ideas but the dream of running an architectural salvage yard was always there, so we set the business up and thankfully 22 years later I still enjoy it now as much as I did back then.
In any given day we will be purchasing, selling and researching. If we are out buying, we will bring those items into the yard, get them photographed, cleaned up, out on display and online.
As well as having a large warehouse for people to walk around we have a great website and a strong social media presence that allows us to showcase our items.
I don’t think there would be any project that we would call our favourite. In any given week we could be working on a small cottage renovation, to a new A-rated home to a five-star hotel.
Each project will have aspects to it that will always stand out.
We wouldn’t be tied to a specific style. The important part for us is to have such an eclectic mix of items that we can tailor to pretty much all styles. One day we might be selling an art deco sideboard, the next could be a solid oak parquet floor, or often we find people come with a preconception of what style they want and then they see a piece in our warehouse that they just fall in love with and find ways to make it work as part of their project.
When it comes to the architectural salvage and antiques world a very close friend of mine, John Dixon, is always the first to come to mind.
John has been running one of the most successful antique businesses in the UK for over 30 years (Georgian Antiques).
His knowledge and focus on quality and professionalism are unmatched, which is why year after year people travel from all over the world to visit his warehouse in Edinburgh.
People are really focusing on recycling and re-using items. We play into this trend perfectly in that a large proportion of our items are salvaged.
People want to find more sustainable solutions for their projects. That could be as simple as buying a second-hand piece of furniture or perhaps focusing on solid timber flooring versus engineered flooring due to the environmental benefits of going with an all-natural timber.
My family are number one. I’m very lucky that in running a family business I get to work with my three sons every day.
I have always had an affinity to art deco.
We get just as much enjoyment working with a young couple who have just bought their first house and looking to put their own stamp on a property as we do from the larger projects with pubs, restaurants and hotels.
Of course, the large projects are important from a financial perspective but seeing a young couple leave with perhaps one of our custom-made timber tables and knowing that will be the family table is very satisfying.
Focus on quality. There are lots of quick-fix items out there, but they won’t last.
We always believe in doing things right once and you will never have to think about them again. Of course, budgets dictate everything but if you can take a long-term view you won’t go wrong.
Also, on visiting a salvage yard like our own you will be amazed at how competitive the prices are and the opportunities that people get that they may feel are beyond their reach.
