Ger Cooney of Ger Cooney Design talks to Build & Renovate

Interior Architect and Colour Specialist Ger Cooney of Ger Cooney Design works on residential and commercial projects. Offering a variety of design packages unique to each project. From concept to completion, his services include colour consultancy, spatial planning, 3D Design, sourcing and styling.

In addition to these services, he also runs online courses on 3D design and colour workshops.

Mr Cooney also works as a regional colour consultant for Colourtrend Paints, covering events in Ireland and the UK.

He is also a lead tutor for the Interior Design Academy of Ireland covering Interior Design courses at HNC and HND levels in Dublin and Cork. In January 2021, Ger took up the role as chair of the Munster Chapter of The Interiors Association.

“I do have a passion for colour as it affects everything, it isn’t just about the walls, it is about the materials and accessories. Colour is the first thing that you notice when you go into any room, it visibly gives you a lift and it is a transformative experience,’’ said Ger Cooney.

“There is obviously a big push towards sustainability at the moment. Since the pandemic people who may have been thinking about painting one or two rooms are now knocking through walls and building an extension, the way that we look at our houses and our homes now is very different particularly if you are working from home also. People are really embracing the warmer tones because it creates an atmosphere.

“With the big push towards sustainability, greens and neutral colours are back along with browns and terracotas because they are very natural tones.

Although there are trends, typically they come and go, I find that lately with clients they are looking for more considered interiors and they are looking for a bit more longevity with their colours,’’ enthused Mr Cooney.

“Choosing the earthy or more neutral, warm tones if it is something that they have always been drawn to, it does work very well. It is also about a sense of comfort and security whilst trying to bring the outside in. Biophilic design is huge at the moment, bringing the association in through nature is brilliant.

“Clients who are moving into a new home for the first time want to make considered choices especially when it comes to kitchen design or making sure that the colours they chose stand the test of time. They may focus on the room downstairs first especially when it comes to a new build as they are the rooms that people will encounter first. It takes time to bed in and get used to the light in the space as well as making sure that whatever you choose can be adapted down the road.

“Open plan is successful and popular but can also be tweaked to provide more injections of colour to create cosy spaces within,’’ imparted Ger.

“Our approach to interiors and living was changed greatly during the pandemic. People have realised that now they are spending a lot more time in their home that the layout may not be quite working, they may need to squeeze a home office in somewhere as well as a little sanctuary or space where they can just switch off.

“The more individuality you can bring to a space the better, particularly if it is something deeply personal to you. People are looking for something very different and they are moving away from the Pinterest boards.

Generally, homeowners are looking for something that they haven’t seen before. A bathroom or a home office are good places to play around with design options that are slightly different and that will see homeowners step out of their comfort zone.”

Ger Cooney is based in Cork and works on projects nationwide.

“The interesting thing when you work in different counties is that you do see different trends particularly with colours. It is amazing whether it is a traditional property or something more contemporary, no two places will ever be the same and interior choices will vary from county to county, province to province,’’ concluded Ger.