Examples of when rushing in and going it alone doesn't pay off.
I've been hired by clients who'd already had their plastering finished, only for me to point out that the sockets aren't in the right place. This meant that their bedside tables would have wires trailing across the wall. So do they spend more money putting it right, or live with the eyesore? They spent a lot of money on the room, but left the wires which would drive me crazy!
Other clients spent £3000 on a custom bed only to realise on installation that the roll top headboard stuck out so much out at the back it pushed the bed away from the wall and left no room at the base to pass. The alternative was to put it in front of the window blocking the light. They lived with it for 6 months and then finally sold it at a fraction of the cost.
I'm Katie Longshaw-Pye creative director at Magpye Creative Interiors an Interior Design Studio in the heart of the Ribble Valley, Lancashire. I believe that planning for lifestyle, layout and practicalities is key in starting your interior design project, wether that's a small refresh or large renovation. This will put you on the pathway to making the right decisions.
I have many more examples of how careful consideration wasn't taken and how it cost a lot of money to rectify, or ultimately the design was left compromised. Furniture is an investment and your property is your most expensive asset so why mess about? Looking at those glossy magazines with beautiful interiors, the designers make it look easy! What you won't see is careful consideration of the space, the measurement checking, the practical solution thought process, how one change to the design can have multiple knock on effects, the expert knowledge to spot issues and resolve them, and the hours and hours of planning.
This blog post is to go over one of the most costly situations a I've personally been privy to as a hired professional. An example of how if the client had brought in a professional Interior Designer first they would have saved a lot of time and money, and how they had to make compromises on the end result.
I was hired for a 2 hour Consultation; The clients had just signed off and paid for a new design for their kitchen. The new kitchen was going to be in the original position, which was in a slim corridor leading to the garden. Adjacent to this space was a larger breakfast area, and the next room was a formal dining area which got used about once a year. This room had a huge bay window with an inbuilt seating area.
ORIGINAL PROPERTY FLOOR PLAN
They were now considering taking down the central wall and wanted my opinion on what to do with the rest of the space. They were thinking about installing an L shaped dining bench central to the space (illustrated below) which would cut the room in half. Then they were wondering where to position the TV and sofa in the open area.
To note, the property also already had a large living room across the entrance hall. They were creating a 2nd large living area, but with a tiny kitchen.
CLIENT DESIGNED NEW FLOOR PLAN
The clients had meticulously planned their new kitchen with a kitchen company. Smart right? However, if you hire a kitchen company they'll send someone to measure the space which you direct them to. They'll likely not be a designer, and so likely nothing will be thought of beyond what you request. In contrast an Interior Designers job is to think of the best way to use a space, challenge it and find solutions.
Given that it was a small area the kitchen company had designed the space with stepped cabinets above both the sink and the hob, not the best looking design (makes it busy) but done to maximise the storage. The kitchen space was only 3m wide. so by the time 2 x 60cm cabinets were fitted there would be 180cm space in-between, however they'd also tried to make the most of the space by also adding a small island in between. This reduced the corridors either side to 60cm, an inordinately slim space for a kitchen. Leading directly onto the garden this would prove even further an issue; kids or guests at your garden party would be using the space to pass through regularly. You'll be opening the oven which would block the corridor space, the regular problem is the impracticality of having to stand to one side of it, worst case it could be a dangerous obstacle.
I could have immediately come up with a solution better than the clients for the space (keeping the kitchen where it was); the bay window was screaming to be utilised for a dining area, and then you'd have a living space in-between. However, it would have been a massive compromise; tiny impractical kitchen and a large walk to the dining area. This was a very expensive home and people would expect better. This was a situation where the renovation was missing the mark and devaluing the property; It would have been a disservice to not give them my full opinion on what would have been the best solution if I had a blank slate...even if that meant telling them that they'd made a large mistake. We could possibly recoup this somehow?
I had to give my honest opinion; it was completely in the wrong place!!!
DESIGNER 'Can you cancel the kitchen?'
CLIENT 'No, it's due in 2 weeks...'
DESIGNER '...shit!'
Removing the wall was a great idea, it opened up the space making it huge; a perfect alternative area for a new kitchen. This would be adjacent to the bay dining area, and leave the 'corridor' to the garden free for a snug; the kids could spill in and out of the garden without getting underfoot of kitchen activities. You could line either wall of the kitchen with cabinets whilst having a large island and breakfast bar in the centre.
The cabinets on the doors wall could be floor to ceiling to maximise the storage. I'd incorporate a secret door so the run wasn't interrupted, in the area we could also incorporate a large larder and hidden breakfast counter. To balance out the room, in contrast, I would have a run of low cabinets on the window wall. Creating all straight lines from run of tall, and straight lines on the run of low, which would avoid the eye-line going up and down creating a sleek look.
INTERIOR DESIGNER FLOOR PLAN OPTION 1
The clients instantly agreed this was a far kitchen, and far better use of the space. So now the conundrum was what to do with the purchased kitchen? This needed to be utilised somehow with minimal loss. What I'd proposed was the ideal kitchen with a blank slate (almost, I'll come back to this), but now the client had to make compromises with what he'd already purchased. I suggested utilising the purchased lower cabinets and stacking them side by side along the window wall. Obviously the client could now get a kitchen with 5 times the storage capacity and would have to purchase some additional cabinets. However, I suggested swallowing the loss and ditching the (minimal) small upper cabinets and miniature island which really were just not now needed. They agreed this would be the best plan.
Now something I haven't mentioned; the client had just had a new doors (like the below) installed at the garden access point, so this also informed the alternative layout I'd suggested.
If these weren't another wasted cost consideration I would've also proposed the below layout without hesitation. By moving the laundry room to the window wall, the end of the room would completely open up, creating a larger living area. You would though ideally commission completely different windows such as bi-folds which stretch across the entire space, creating lots of light. The preference for which layout comes down to personal opinion and lifestyle. If the clients really preferred this though...could this be another wasted cost to swallow? Or, you could leave in the original door and add a window? Compromises and additional costs. I gave them this layout proposal so that they could make up their own mind.
INTERIOR DESIGNER FLOOR PLAN OPTION 2
Clearly if a professional designer had been brought in prior to a penny being spent, the client would have gained a really comprehensive overview of the best layout and solutions in order to make an informed decision. At this point though real compromises on the best design have been made and a lot of money has been wasted. Whereas, the right kitchen would add real tangible value to the property.
A couple of months later the client sent me images of their completed kitchen. They'd been able to work with some of what has been ordered, ditched the useless cabinets (the small uppers and the tiny island), and add the floor the ceiling and island etc. They're thrilled with the results!
An Interior Designer is more than a cushion plumper and colour picker! They're trained professionals with a keen eye for space planning, understand lifestyle needs and maximising potential from a property, so an Interior Designer can be extremely valuable.
At Magpye Creative Interiors we create unique space for unique clients. To enquire about working with us to create your dream interior please get in touch.
Katie
Katie Longshaw-Pye
Creative Director | Magpye Creative Interiors
Ribble Valley
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