CHOICES, CHOICES, CHOICES
Here's what I've been seeing the past few years - a client's decided this is the year to remodel the kitchen. They've watched the television shows and think they might like a countertop. Or that a certain tile looks like a perfect fit. Or that range looks looks like it could cook for forty.
How do they make it all work in their kitchen?
They tentatively enter our showroom, their eyes darting between all the displays, the walls, the floors, the lighting. They talk in low tones as they wander, aimlessly opening drawers as if hoping they might discover the secret of design inside.
Most of the time, they don't want to be bothered because they don't know the questions to ask. They're overwhelmed. There's far, far, more than they had expected. What's even worse, we're only the first showroom.
HERE'S THE PLACE TO BE
You stride through the door with pens and an accordion binder in hand. You have an agenda and a list of questions. The first set of the questions will be to test the designer (or manufacturer's rep or cabinetry rep or any other industry professional - I'm using designer for now) to see if he or she knows what they are talking about; the second set is to get to the heart of your design. If the designer passes the first test, then whip out the drawings and pictures - you're ready to go.
SOME FIRST STEPS
If you're just starting out, here's the good news: the only difference between overwhelmed and involved is time.You're involved now - you just can't get all the choices to stop swirling and settle down in your head. Don't worry. This is a natural part of the process; it'll pass.Consider trying these tips either before or after you've visited your places of choice:
I know. You're already here -- what's my point? My point is there's a lot of good stuff on the web, lots of blogs, lots of online magazines. You may already know that. For those who don't, try these for starters:
- Poke around some of my older posts -- there are quite a few tips on what to watch for before your remodel starts.
- Check out the bloglist at the right - there are so many good tips offered by these talented people, you can't even imagine.
- Search for the types of kitchen remodeling you can do: do-it-yourself, a contractor, a kitchen showroom, a design/build firm, an architect firm. Type in your question in your search engine of choice. (Mine's Google.)
- Search for consumer forums on the same search engines to hear what other folks like you are talking about. Key words - "Kitchen forums" or "DIY forums". A note of caution: not all answers in a forum are correct, and not all correct answers are the One True Way. As you keep educating yourself, you'll see.
2) Read as many articles, magazines or books as you can:
The magazine section of your local bookstore is filled with design magazines. Also look at your online bookstores. Take a look at the books I have listed in the left column (which, by the way, I do not have any affiliation with, nor do I make any money from. They are books I simply think are darn fine books.)
3) Know that when you walk into a showroom, you don't need to ask questions:
Let you in a little secret - professional designers sympathize with you.
We attend national trade shows where 300 manufacturers display over 1,000 faucets or 12 new cabinet lines or 75 new tubs or 45 new appliances every other year (I may be exaggerating a tad, but not by much.) We network, attend seminars, read multiple trade magazines,and sometimes even we feel like we can't keep up.
Repeat after me: design should be FUN! If I have the time, I want to help and to educate. I want to get you excited about your project,and excited about how it's going to fit together. So you don't really need to have a question -- most designers understand.
But...If you really want a question to ask, here's a good one:
- "I'm thinking of remodeling my kitchen but I'm just starting out. Help!"
It's a big design world out there. Just as the kitchens in the last 3 decades have exploded with microwaves and dishwashers and every color of small appliance under the sun, so has every selection for every single item you'll choose. Take your time.
Those of you who have been through this process, feel free to leave a comment with what helped you, or what tip you share with others. What did you find helpful in your search? What do you wish you had known when you first started?
