Up Close & Personal With Jillian Kay From Leroy Merlin

When it comes to DIY and home improvement, we can all learn a thing or two from Leroy Merlin. As a leading hardware retailer, they are constantly innovating to bring to market the latest in gardening supplies and home improvement products to help people build their dream homes. Today we have the privilege of finding out more from the Decor Category Manager at Leroy Merlin, Jillian Kay.

Tell us about your background? 

I grew up in Cape Town and started my career at Boardmans. I’ve always loved advising and updating family and friends’ homes with the latest decor and DIY trends – It always started with a subtle suggestion 🙂 I’ve been working in homeware for the past 10 years and love how the industry evolves.

Tell us about the history of your company and your ultimate focus?

The company is a European based home improvement company that has been locally grown since 2018. It’s number one in Europe and third in the world. Our ultimate dream and focus is to inspire anyone and everyone to create or recreate spaces that reflect their style and personality and to not be afraid of pushing boundaries.

What personally inspires you in your working life?

The people and the environment we work in is incredible. We’re challenged to dream and think about what would make homes the best place to be in.

What were some considerations when selecting a collection for Leroy Merlin?

We always start with the customer; understanding different home environments and challenges they/we may experience as well as analyzing trend forecasts. We then use all the research to create a collection that solves these challenges and that will appeal to different styles in the market

Planning a new forecast can sometimes be a nightmare. What are some of the common struggles you’ve had?

We look at global styles and trends to collate stories for our collections – I think the ultimate challenge is translating these trends into something that will be loved locally. There was a time where red, orange and brown were the hottest colours around which then progressed into grey, white and duck egg… It takes a while for the market to transition but when there is newness it’s always exciting to see people grab the unexpected colours and prints developed.

What is your favourite piece in your collection ? 

Our new candle range  – candles are my new go to after a day. It sets the mood to relax and reflect.

Any exciting projects or collaborations you are involved in?

We have exciting projects with our local factories and artists underway 🙂

Who inspires you?

Factory visits and seeing people creating products is always inspiring. I’m also always researching and finding local artisans and small businesses; discovering their journey is encouraging and allows me to dream bigger.

The perfect place in your home to indulge?

I absolutely love hosting so it would most definitely be my kitchen and dining room.

What are your current favourite restaurants/shops ?

Ethos restaurant for the decor and design and Kolonaki for the food.

What’s your personal Motto?

Let all that you do be done in love.

A place you visited to unwind in South Africa?

Star Dam Estate is my absolute favourite.

Any awards the company has won?

There’s a few. The latest award we received was Best Hardware store 2021 in the best of Joburg Readers’ Choice Award.

Watch this space as Leroy Merlin continues to set the trend in home improvement, locally and abroad. Visit your local store and be sure to discover more online at www.leroymerlin.co.za.