Q. Do you draw just kitchens, or can you help redesign other rooms?
A. NO. Any room or problem with the layout of your home, I can assist with.
Example: The laundry is too small and there is no storage and you can't get out to the back garden or watch the children play there.
We can resolve the problems and arrive at a solution by working with what's there in terms of space, budget, and the scope of requirements.
Example: A lady came to me saying “We have a great new kitchen but the rest of the house is not working for us. We need more family space, more storage and we have a rather nice back garden that we cannot access easily. Can you help, please?”
We came up with several plans including one with en suite thru powder room, thru laundry, a three meter long linen store and opening family room all along north side to the garden, light and outlook.
Example: The laundry is too small and there is no storage and you can't get out to the back garden or watch the children play there.
We can resolve the problems and arrive at a solution by working with what's there in terms of space, budget, and the scope of requirements.
Example: A lady came to me saying “We have a great new kitchen but the rest of the house is not working for us. We need more family space, more storage and we have a rather nice back garden that we cannot access easily. Can you help, please?”
We came up with several plans including one with en suite thru powder room, thru laundry, a three meter long linen store and opening family room all along north side to the garden, light and outlook.
Q. I'm not sure what I want, can you help me?
A. This is Margot's forte. She can visualise and draw plans for several options. Then between us we can analyze which you prefer, which will suit your family, your home, your budget. Ticks and crosses all over! OR I can produce two options for you to have quoted which may then clarify your decisions further.
Example: A house in fabulous position but odd layout with third bedroom open and housing laundry! We found space for two bathrooms, three “real” bedrooms and by opening a wall we could utilise the garden adding light and air to the whole plan. Win Win!
Example: A house in fabulous position but odd layout with third bedroom open and housing laundry! We found space for two bathrooms, three “real” bedrooms and by opening a wall we could utilise the garden adding light and air to the whole plan. Win Win!
Q. I have particular preferences for my new kitchen: can you help me incorporate these?
A. Most definitely. You will have good reasons for those inclusion in terms of how YOU work in the kitchen. I will always suggest what I see as being the most functional, most refined and simplest (as the simplest is often the best!). But at the end of the day it is your space and you will live with it for long after it is drawn and built and long after I've redesigned your neighbour's, friend's and family's rooms too!
Example: “I have three drawers for a pantry” Granted there was generous other storage all around this kitchen but for a gourmet cook it was not enough supply space. We left the “bones” in place and by not wasting any space to dead corners, we were able to fit two double door full height pantries with generous fridge allowance, and still have plenty of bench top and island.
Example: “I have three drawers for a pantry” Granted there was generous other storage all around this kitchen but for a gourmet cook it was not enough supply space. We left the “bones” in place and by not wasting any space to dead corners, we were able to fit two double door full height pantries with generous fridge allowance, and still have plenty of bench top and island.
Q. We are not ready for renovations yet. Can I call you in a year or so?
A. NO! Call me now. Because I can see your lifestyle, what your requirements are and design accordingly but giving you time for “think and sleep on it”, “what if...", visualising, play-acting (pretending you are in the new space). And the pondering is good to assure you that the individual plan is correct for you.
It separates the small outlay for my plans, assists gathering precise quotes for the works and assists you with the overall budget. Accurately informed with the drawings, suitable fittings and fixtures, light fittings, appliances and tiles could be purchased ahead separating those expenses. When building commences you will be assured of every detail.
Example: Folks were needing an updated kitchen but layout was all wrong. The original home had the classic L shaped lounge, dining and kitchen completing the rectangle. These often become very wide traffic-ways with inconvenient furniture arrangements: television and heating being interrupted by anybody walking through. By playing with several options: stepping them out and imagining walls in other places, we have a plan that opens the whole area with walk in pantry, long island, wall for tall fridge, wall oven and plenty of bench beside cook top. With the plan in hand, the builder has given them a very accurate price, they have purchased appliances and tiles are on lay-buy. When the builder is ready to commence they have correct finances in place set to run.
It separates the small outlay for my plans, assists gathering precise quotes for the works and assists you with the overall budget. Accurately informed with the drawings, suitable fittings and fixtures, light fittings, appliances and tiles could be purchased ahead separating those expenses. When building commences you will be assured of every detail.
Example: Folks were needing an updated kitchen but layout was all wrong. The original home had the classic L shaped lounge, dining and kitchen completing the rectangle. These often become very wide traffic-ways with inconvenient furniture arrangements: television and heating being interrupted by anybody walking through. By playing with several options: stepping them out and imagining walls in other places, we have a plan that opens the whole area with walk in pantry, long island, wall for tall fridge, wall oven and plenty of bench beside cook top. With the plan in hand, the builder has given them a very accurate price, they have purchased appliances and tiles are on lay-buy. When the builder is ready to commence they have correct finances in place set to run.
Q. I love space incorporated into our new plans for a room for my quilting, but I want family room too!
A. I will ask lots of questions about how you do your quilting, what area, storage etc. you require, and also about who with, how often, what size quilts: the same as I would for any other hobby. “How many Jaguars in boxes do you have?” “And you wish to display it in the foyer, permanently?” ”Oh! Full size you say!!” Well, you get the idea! I gather as much information as I can to understand requirements that will make it easiest for you.
Example: Talking with Mrs. Quilter I learned about the storage requirements of an avid seamstress. It is not one item on the go at a time! A table other than the meals table is far preferable for spreading the accoutrements of sewing as it can be left for another day without having spaghetti sauce stitched in! The activities are shared with friends when a large table is provided and that it can double for party use is very convenient.
Example: Talking with Mrs. Quilter I learned about the storage requirements of an avid seamstress. It is not one item on the go at a time! A table other than the meals table is far preferable for spreading the accoutrements of sewing as it can be left for another day without having spaghetti sauce stitched in! The activities are shared with friends when a large table is provided and that it can double for party use is very convenient.
Q. We have seen a home for sale that we love except the bathroom and laundry is a tangle. We need to see if we can re-build that area and factor it comfortable into our finances.
A. Usually a look at the property assures me of how it can be improved. I can have a quick sketch back to you within a few days which you can then present to a builder for a price. Adding a small contingent to that price is wise and it can be used as a bargaining point for the sale. I believe a wise agent would have in hand my plans with a quote, prepared earlier to assist when first showing you the home.
Example: The agent had a home on a great slice of land, at a good figure but once people looked in the ensuite they tended to walk straight out. It had something to do with the yellow laminate double vanity at about 750mm above the floor. So low and ugly! (Sorry no other word for it!) My plan widened the shower, toilet area, brought the vanity up to usable height: complete with two basins. I suggested for the robe a replacement of the single hanging rod with a layout of double height hanging, shelving and shoe shelves and the sale sailed through! The prospective buyers just needed to see that it could be improved simply and significantly.
Example: The agent had a home on a great slice of land, at a good figure but once people looked in the ensuite they tended to walk straight out. It had something to do with the yellow laminate double vanity at about 750mm above the floor. So low and ugly! (Sorry no other word for it!) My plan widened the shower, toilet area, brought the vanity up to usable height: complete with two basins. I suggested for the robe a replacement of the single hanging rod with a layout of double height hanging, shelving and shoe shelves and the sale sailed through! The prospective buyers just needed to see that it could be improved simply and significantly.
"Kitchen and Home Sketch Designs Solar Principles has designed a four bedroom home in the West Country for us. The Principal, Margot, met with us and her knowledge and patience are apparent immediately. We felt she listened to our wishes and acknowledged the features that were important to us. Her suggestions for the orientation of the windows to gain maximum natural light was invaluable. Passive solar and timber flooring were a feature that we really wanted to include and Margot was able to guide us in this area with information and suggestions. We highly recommend this passionate professional who provides the ideal holistic approach."
- Dee Waldron
