Design & Style How To Guides Essential Interior Design Tips

Date Published:

10/06/2008

Budget

'Introverts and extroverts are equally strong, opposite traits on the personality spectrum, and both can be an external mask. The colour/style chosen for our homes tends to be less emotive than such strong personality traits. For example, the extrovert may arrive home exhausted from a hectic day and need a calming environment to unwind in, while the introvert may need areas of the home to be bright and invigorating to set them up for the challenges of the day ahead.'

She says the main deadly design sin - and a trap which people frequently fall into - is when they forge ahead with a project when their designer or other professionals have advised them that their budget is too small to complete the project.

'Many clients feel they can complete the project in less time or by spending less than the professionals advise. However, we only advise a higher budget or that they allocate more time because we know that is what their brief requires. It is a hard lesson to find out that more time or money is needed when the project is in progress, as by that point clients are likely to have no choice but to find extra time/money at any cost to complete the project or risk it all grinding to a halt and being left unfinished.'

'I can't say strongly enough - invest in the planning if you want to be in control and stay in control. Designers are adept at working to tight time scales and within challenging budgets, but please do take our advice; we are here to work with you, not against you! If you're worried a designer is only pushing up the budget to earn more, then don't choose a firm that earns based on a percentage of the project spend, as you may question their motives if the budget spend increases - even though this is likely to be an injustice on the designers part.'

Planning

She says that before you get an assortment of builders in to provide quotes, you should make sure you have a detailed tender document for the work force to quote against.

'If you have detailed drawings, schedules of work and so on, there should be no reason why the builders estimate can't be firmed up as a quote. Never take on a team purely on a day rate basis, as you are removing their incentive to get on with the job and you may question their hours on site.'

She says that when designing a room, the design itself has to work, it must suit the individual needs of all those who regularly use the space, be multifunctional to reflect the changes in how we live and work and enhance the lifestyle of those who live in the space.

A kitchen, for example she says, is the hardest working space in our homes and also the most costly to refurbish in isolation, so it is vital to streamline the use of the space and make it more efficient for use.

'Some clients have a love for cooking and desire a large range cooker, which becomes the focal point. Others want the speed, convenience and health benefits of a steam oven, and a place to check their email while waiting for their dinner to cook.'

Taste

She says there are no rules as to what colour scheme works best in a kitchen - or anywhere else in the house - it's how you pull them together to co-ordinate and contrast that matters.

'The colour scheme not only depends on the individual but what their motives are for fitting a new kitchen. If it is for re-sale value, then a more widely accepted, less personal design scheme is recommended. If you want to make a statement in your dream home, where you intend to stay for many years, then your wishes can come true, as the effects on the re-sale value will not be relevant!'

On kitchen flooring, she says the main thing to consider is the stain resistance of a kitchen floor.

'A kitchen floor has to stand up to wear and tear and against a multitude of usually staining products such as oils and red wine. A floor which absorbs stains will also absorb bacteria and so those which repel stains are also likely to be more hygienic. Floors which are susceptible to staining can be sealed, but in our experience we'd advise clients to avoid such floors - the reality is they're hard work, high maintenance and may leave you disappointed. There are plenty of materials on the market that offer the same look without the drawbacks.'