I need an independent and 'creative' kitchen designer in South Devon.
alihunt
7 years ago
Featured Answer
Comments (12)
Related Discussions
Medium sized kitchen interior design on a budget
Comments (11)Hi Julian H, Wow, many thanks for your amazing inspiration! I love the idea of bifold doors, although that would take me way over my budget....but it would be lovely - and has got me thinking...! Unfortunately I don't want to lose the single door as that is the door to a small bathroom which is difficult to access from elsewhere and would then be access from a carpeted floor rather than a tiled floor, which from a muddy garden is a no. …. But with the bi fold doors, I would then be ok with blocking up my side window as per Jonathan's initial comment. Yes, moving the sink and water supply would be a pain/pricey, but it could be worthwhile seeing as everything is coming out - this is the one time opportunity. Let me have a think! Many thanks for this idea. I am trying to avoid having an extension, but maybe bi-folds could get round this and still provide a fabulous view (plus I think my boyfriend's parents are thinking of getting their bi-folds updated!!!). Many thanks again....See MoreSmall kitchen design advice
Comments (7)Hi India, first of all I feel your pain! My first flat's kitchen was even smaller than yours, but once I'd had it refitted it was brilliant for just me, so don't worry you will find a way to do it that you will love. Secondly I recommend that you approach a local independent kitchen designer/shop - your choice isn't just big shed (cheap)/bespoke (expensive): local independents should be able to help you design a kitchen using off-the-shelf units, so not necessarily any more expensive than Ikea/Howdens/etc, and you'll get a more personal service. Your Ikea design looks ok actually. The adjustments I'd make would be: - Have an inset sink without drainer (you can get dish drainers which have a lip to drain into your sink, which means when it's not in use you can put it away somewhere, sitting on end, so it doesn't take up much space). I have this one https://www.josephjoseph.com/collections/dish-racks-drainers/products/extend-dishrack-grey?variant=36470412181576. This will look much neater and will give you all that worktop space over the washing machine, when you're not drying dishes. Fixed draining boards are ugly things - I still don't have one even now I have a substantially bigger kitchen - still love my Joseph Joseph drainer which is quick to pack away when it's not in use. - I'd also change the 600mm door on the sink unit for 2x300mm doors - smaller doors make sense in a small kitchen. Or you might also consider deep drawers instead of a cupboard under the sink. - For extra storage, you could consider a top box over the fridge-freezer too. - Personally in the drawer unit, I'd have two deep drawers (with a hidden internal drawer at the top for cutlery etc) - lots of shallow drawers are frustrating as you can't get much in them other than the sort of c**p which shouldn't be in a kitchen anyway, whereas you can put pans or stack plates in a deep one. I have an Ikea kitchen at the moment, and love my deep pan drawers. I've actually had two Ikea kitchens so far. If you choose your finishes carefully, get a good fitter and really think hard about your design to make it work for you - ie don't rely on their expertise alone - they are fab kitchens, good quality with good internal organisation bits and pieces Your "dead" corner is tricky. I'm not sure whether the Howdens unit will actually open/pull out, as less than half of it is accessible - but I've never had a corner unit so not sure how they work. But they'll be able to advise you on that and again I think this is where a local independent might be able to take a creative eye to it. Worth looking whether Howdens or someone else does a 500mm sink cupboard too - in my tiny kitchen that's what I had and the round inset sink I had was plenty big enough for washing up for one person. Means you can have wider drawers next to it. Good luck!...See MoreKitchen Designer / Advise Wanted Please
Comments (3)As @Daisy England has rightly said, your Howdens plans can be really bad, I sometimes wonder if the designers have ever seen a kitchen before and like many places the designs are based around what they can sell so they're limited in choice and sizes. Also Howden's prices are set up so the person with the account (usually the builder or fitter as they get the discount) can add a margin to the costs and then also charge you on top for the installation. You also don't get any measurements on them so if you're looking to shop around then you won't have any sizes. Many independants, myself included, can compete with Howden's prices and being independant we have a wider choice of doors, cabinets (and no they're not all the same), made to measure options (not as expensive at it sounds), better drawers, better hinges, better accessories, better designs, better technical advice, better customer service because we care and better communication as we don't sell and forget. As your building work has been done you urgently need a kitchen design to work with so you can carry out your first fix electrics, plumbing, waste and gas before you lay down your floor and start plastering. Your designer needs to take down measurements which aren't on the architects drawing so ideally you need someone who is able to visit you, survey the site, run through your wishlists and then present you some design options. Regarding German kitchens, IMHO I think they're very overrated for the price and nothing special about them that can't be done in the UK for a lot less money, so i'd consider you carry on looking at German kitchens and add the ones/styles you like to your wishlist and then your independant designer can replicate it for you. If you're quite hands on at DIY then you can save more money by doing your own installation, I have many customers that do this and I'm always available (as an ex-installer) to give advice. Then to really give it the wow factor is to spend on the worktops and granite, quartz etc is all fitted for you by the supplier (go direct, google local fabricators). I cover east anglia, midlands and the south east, (based in northaptonshire) I just don't go into ULEZ areas of London. If I can be of help you can direct message me from my Houzz page....See MoreNew Kitchen Design Help
Comments (15)So, the builders are booked to carry out the open plan. Did the kitchen retailer rounds. Wren, Howdens, Sigma3, Avant Garde and AC distribution. Still to do the 3D designs, but thats all planned this week with all except Howdens. The Avant Garde are selling Symphony and Mobilturi. Heard bad reviews about Symphony units. Ac distribution are interesting as they make their own units in Wales. They appear reasonably made. Anybody use AC distribution or Avant Garde in Cardiff?...See More
alihunt
7 years agoalihunt
7 years agoalihunt
7 years ago
PROOnePlan
7 years ago
PROTulip
7 years ago
PROAmber Jeavons Ltd
7 years agolast modified: 7 years ago- PRO
Tulip
7 years ago - PRO
OnePlan
7 years ago 
Susan
7 years agoalihunt
7 years ago
Tulip