The fear
It took me many years to take the plunge to do the kitchen –It clearly needed to be done but I feared the expense, that Id be ‘bullied’ into what I didn’t want or afford. and that surely I could do the design element far better myself!
The result once plunge faced up to
My kitchen was completed just as the pandemic kicked in and I still walk in every morning re-delighted – Diane’s magic: It works so well as a kitchen, it is absolutely ‘me’ but equally not what I would have done! Why oh why didn’t I take my friends advice earlier (who also have a wonderful Diane designed kitchen)
So Why is Diane so special
Diane’s many skills starts with not delivering ‘cookie cut’ kitchens – she really listens and absorbs your particular needs and style – and is able to translate them into the finished kitchen. (its why my friends kitchen is wonderful for them but nothing like mine)
The magic then builds by adding to the mix her knowledge of what is possible and adding solutions you never thought were possible – but oh so possible and oh so appropriate (both structural and design- wise)
Budget wise she remained aware of what I could and couldn’t afford – and managed the balance of convincing me where it is ok compromising (eg not always selecting and recommending the most expensive finishes, perfectly happy to let you keep existing equipment if works) but where worth splashing out (in my case that yellow fronted dream cooker and that amazing ‘larder’ ) .
You want and need and get Diane but it is a team
With Diane came a team who are used to working with Diane and to Diane’s standards.
Timewise she and her team kept to the schedule as planned
They worked well with my builders – speaking to them as job progressed. She can recommend but in my case I already also had a great solution
A mix of in person and by remote control she subtly held my hand as the kitchen took shape, and reassured or adjusted as required
And even to the very end her ‘eagle eye’ picked out finishing issues —- and her final master stroke was suggesting using a table she had seen somewhere else in my house – oh so right
Its been a delight ! The Result, the process and the cost