FAQ

The cost of a detailed plan for your kitchen renovation is a tiny fraction of what you will spend on a new kitchen.

There is nothing worse than spending many thousands of dollars on your renovation and then finding out that there isn’t quite enough storage, or the drawers aren’t quite the right size, or there aren’t enough drawers, or the microwave is not in quite the right position, or you forgot to allow a space for the coffee machine.

These are just a few of the multiple problems I have encountered in my work. 

Having a detailed design will ensure you think about everything you want in your kitchen. An experienced kitchen designer will regularly/often raise ideas that you have not considered.  

Getting the design that is right for you is not about paying the most you can. Rather, it is about getting the best value you can for your budget.

I will work with you and your budget on a design that will give you the best value selections and give you the greatest impact.

Design drawings are also critical for recording exactly what you want and communicating this to the person/people building your kitchen.

Each tradesperson who works on your kitchen needs to know what is expected from them and how their work fits in with all the other components.  

My kitchen design service also provides 3D models so you get to ‘test–run’ the design before putting it into production.

As your designer I constantly tweak and adjust the layout of the benches and cabinets, their proportions, their colours, their handles and so on. Nothing is left to chance or guess work.

I continue creating different iterations until we ‘nail’ the right design for you. Then you can be confident in the investment you are making.

I work as an independent designer so I work for you to design the kitchen you want.

Custom made kitchens are available, and often involve flat-pack cabinetry. They can be cost-effective but they are not tailored to your needs. You end up with a kitchen that suits the needs of the company, not necessarily all your needs.

I provide you with design drawings that you can take to cabinet makers to obtain quotes.

I also work with a cabinet maker and tradespeople who I trust to do a quality job.

A full kitchen renovation includes many design elements, which then leads to the need to make a lot of decisions.

A good designer sees the project as a whole and also pays attention to the fine details.  

As an Interior Designer, I create a cohesive, harmonious design that integrates with the adjoining rooms and the style of your home.

At the same time, I also make recommendations and present options for smaller, but really important details, such as the position of the bin, the shape of the handles, and different paint finishes.

Each on its own is a small detail, but collectively, when taken altogether, they contribute to a beautifully designed kitchen that also functions well. 

A key to getting the right kitchen is considering how your new kitchen will integrate with, and enhance, your home.

I spend as much time as I need to work through all the design decisions and customise it to create something special and unique for your kitchen. 

Not all cabinet makers have the time to visit a client multiple times or have numerous conversations to work through all the details. Furthermore, cabinet makers usually specialise in the carpentry, not in how the kitchen will integrate with adjoining rooms. 

Some companies have time limits on the consultation; some will not share design drawings unless you sign up with that company. This means you need to be confident with the first design.

My service considers the project as a whole. This may include a lighting plan, tile selection, flooring, paint colours of the walls and even the kitchen stools.

All my designs consider the adjoining rooms, the style of the house and the way you and your loved ones like to spend time in the kitchen.

Renovating a kitchen can require as many trades as required to build/renovate a house. For example, if the kitchen design included opening up a wall, adding a tiled splashback and repolishing the floorboards, you would typically need a builder, a cabinet maker, a plumber, an electrician, a tiler, a floor sander and a painter to complete the project.

I work with trusted people who provide these services. I co-ordinate requirements with the cabinet maker to ensure your kitchen is completed in a timely manner.

I can remain your design consultant until the project has been completed. This means I will work with the cabinet maker to co-ordinate all the pieces of the kitchen puzzle. This is my preferred way of working as I enjoy seeing a design come to life and ensuring that it is successfully delivered.

If you decide this is the right model for you, there is no extra cost to you. You still own the design drawings.

You are also free to take the drawings to a cabinet maker of your choice to get your kitchen built.