First of all, I must admit that I am a total "Control Freak", so it has been hard for me to delegate anything specific to this renovation project to a third party other than my Contractor, especially if could cost me additional money. So I am sure I share with the majority of the people who may visit this site, the fact that I knew very little of what I was getting into when we began our renovation project, so my condition went into overdrive as the project progressed.
My only expectations for the design of the kitchen was the blind trust that our Contractor would incorporate the general description that the architect had put on the construction plans for the installation of the kitchen and we would live happily ever after. This assumed generalization would include the cabinet maker constructing the cabinets to the correct sizes so they would be installed in their respective places in a very tight and professional looking appearance, the proper mix of cabinets and drawers so the overall storage space would be maximized, and the sinks and appliances in specific locations so the overall flow of my wife's work in the kitchen would be efficient,. BOY, WAS I WRONG!!!
My wife was very persistent about retaining Barbara Barton & Associates to design her kitchen. Being a "Fish out of water", I could not understand what value a kitchen designer could add to our project that the architect had not already considered. After numerous conversations initiated by my wife, I agreed to retain Barbara Barton & Associates (Barbie as she became know to me) to assist her in the final design of her kitchen. With hindsight, this decision has proven to be one of the best decisions I (actually my wife, she just let me think it was mine) made which has resulted in contributing to the successful renovation our our dream home.
Barbie's approach to the kitchen design is very professional and tailor made. First, and most important, she listens to how you want your kitchen to work, as opposed to telling you how it should be planned out. Barbie does not have an ego. She then takes your wishes, wants, and dreams and incorporates them into a kitchen design that will work within the parameters of what the architect has identified for the kitchen area. She has a very unique talent of working with the architect so that the designs/changes she is recommending are a compliment to the original design the architect incorporated in the plans, as opposed to a challenge which may suggest the architect's plans were not correct. She also uses this same talent to work with the cabinet makers so the final mix of cabinet space and drawers are tailor made to how the owner perceives her kitchen should be designed for maximum efficiency.
Because Barbie has such a vast experience to draw upon in kitchen design, the little things she brings to the final design plan are invaluable. Recognizing that no two households kitchen design requirements are the same, some of the specific recommendations she made for us and were very beneficial are as follows:
1. My wife really enjoys cooking and entertaining. Barbie recommended that we take one of the lower cabinets and instal vertical partitions instead of shelving for the storage of her cooking trays. This suggestion resulted in the ability to easily access the trays as you needed them, as opposed to having to lift several trays to get to the size you need.
2. Barbie designed the location of the appliances, the stove, and the sinks so they accommodated the overall flow of the preparation for the food that was to be prepared for the evening's event.
3. Barbie recommended a wider width between the kitchen island and the counter tops to accommodate two people working in the kitchen effectively without getting in each other's way.
4. We had a dead space between the freezer (+/- 12" wide x 5' tall) and the pantry wall. Barbie suggested that the cabinet company make this a pull out cabinet for spices. The benefit to us is that we can now access the spices at face level as opposed to having to reach into cabinets and dig out spices in secondary locations that are buried two or three rows deep.
5. Again, because Barbie had taken the time to inquire about my wife's cooking accessories, she knew my wife had Lecreuset pots and pans, which are very heavy. Barbie recommended that we take two of the lower cabinets in the island area, eliminate the cabinet doors, and in their place install roll out shelves. This suggestion resulted in making access to the pots and pans very accommodating.
There are may more examples of how Barbie recommended certain specifics be included in the kitchen/cabinet design as a result of her understanding how my wife intended to use her kitchen, but I trust the above stated specifics are sufficient to convey our appreciation and satisfaction of all the contributions that Barbie has made to my wife's kitchen.
To our good fortune, and the alternative sad thing that could have been had we not retained Barbie and incorporated her recommendations in our kitchen design, we never would know what we would be missing in terms of my wife fully enjoying her kitchen. I would like to also note that everything I have said about our satisfaction with Barbie's contributions to the design of our kitchen is equally applicable to her ability for bathroom design, which she also did for us.
I recognize that each household places their own value on the importance of the kitchen area as a component of their day to day lifestyle activities. If your kitchen area is of significant value to you, I wold strongly recommend that you consider retaining Barbara Barton & Associates to assist you in achieving your expectations.
For the husbands who may be involved in the selection of Barbara Barton & Associates as a kitchen designer, I would offer you these words of wisdom..."WE HAVE OUR MAN CAVE, IT'S HER KITCHEN. HAPPY WIFE...HAPPY LIFE!!!!! For the wives, you have my permission to use this quote as you see fit!!!
GOOD LUCK!!!
Mike Montgomery
Atlanta, Georgia
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