Approach to kitchen design and planning
Professional freelance kitchen designer Graham Vandeleur-Smith is based in Dorset and provides kitchen plans, kitchen designs and kitchen design home visit consultations.
Freedom of choice and impartiality
A professional kitchen designer allows freedom of choice for the client. I had been designing and selling kitchens for 17 years and often felt that some clients were not getting the full choice available as I could only offer what I sold. I realised that it would be of more help to many people if I could suggest products or companies that would allow the client more freedom. The only way I could see this would work was to become an independent freelance kitchen designer and provide impartial advice for my clients.
Whilst I was designing kitchens, bedrooms, bathrooms and studies I gained a vast ammount of knowledge with regard to both design and installation of furniture. I had many years working with handmade bespoke furniture manufacturers that produced extreemly good quality furniture and this made me very aware of what can be acheived when the best product is used for the right project. This does not always mean using the most expensive - more a case of researching which company provides the most suitable product within a budget appropriate for the project.
Hand drawn plans and artisit's impressions
Through the years I have always prefered hand drawing my plans and my clients have too. I see many computer drawn plans and visuals and don't get very excited with them I'm affraid. I have had to use some of the CAD systems around and agree that they are quicker to use which is obviously an asset, but I still prefer the look of hand drawn. As I am drawing I am thinking of the room and if the fitter will have any problems installing the furniture, not how the "package" works. I use the computer a lot for photographic work and word proccessing but still sharpen my pencils for drawing!
Kitchen design in the UK and the Channel Islands, Isle of Man and France
I live near Dorchester in Dorset and travel the length and breadth of the country designing kitchens for clients who like the idea of working with a designer who is interested in the best design for them and who will listen to their needs. A lot of my kitchen designing is done in and around London and Surrey but Cambridgeshire, Hampshire, Sussex, Nottinghamshire, all of Scotland, Jersey, Guernsey and the Isle of Man and even France all get to see me quite often too!
Designing for Dorset Kitchen companies
The majority of my work is for private clients who are either replacing a kitchen or extending or building new houses so my work is quite varied. I regularly attend trade shows and exhibitions to keep me up to date with the latest happenings in the ever changing kitchen industry.
I am not financially conected to any kitchen company. I work closely with Handmadekitchens-direct and I will recommend them as they offer a full and flexible product range. I am the independent kitchen designer as shown on their website and although we have a very good working relationship I do not get paid nor receive a commission from them as I am working for their clients, not their company.
