Week 8
Blog 10- Change of heart!
As I mentioned in my previous blog, the client wished for more colour through the extension. Early this week, my client sent me an image of a kitchen that they absolutely adored. There inspiration was an apartment project by NestSpace called Ne_on, a stunning venetian terrazzo stone inspired space, with a pastel twist.
I am constantly researching new projects and styles in my spare time, but I have genuinely not seen anything like this. In some ways it reminds me of a Miami vice/art deco style but there’s just something about it I love- it’s so unique. The base of this project is quite similar to my neutral mood board I first drew up for the client- for example the light wood cabinets, neutral floors and walls. But there is obviously a lot more colour in this.
Initially, I was like wow, would they not get a bit bored of these colours and patterns after a while? But like any other project, you can tone things down with different furnishings. Looking back at my first mood board, it is very basic in comparison to the image above-which is okay, I just think I lack a bit of confidence when it comes to presenting a very ‘out-there’ design. I think the reason I am loving work experience so far is because you don’t know what kind of brief you’re going to get next and I think its always a learning experience. Like the flat refurbishment project, I always panic at this stage, as I say I think it is just a lack of confidence but thankfully I am working along side like-minded people, which reassures me.
So, I got straight into researching and designing plans for the extension, using this new colour scheme. I started by doing some rough sketches, just to make it easier to put colours together. In my opinion, pastels can be quite difficult colours to work with as I think there is a fine line between a mature and childish design. This is where I looked into using pastel colours in tiles and furnishings and like I said previously, keep the fixtures and fittings rather neutral.
If I am 100% honest, I really don’t know if the client will like these initial ideas. This is a completely new style to me as I have said before. I am interested to hear the clients feedback over the weekend and in a way, I want to be able to improve on it. I think in terms of the main room (kitchen/dining/tv room) I am on the right path. After looking at the bathroom colours, perhaps they are too rich, verging on a more traditional colour scheme, rather than a modern take. I will also have to look at how this design will look in both extension plans (35m2 and 60m2).
Over the next week, I plan to have a final decision on the extension size and layout and also, a good idea of which colours and furnishings we are going to use. A big lesson that I have learnt so far with this project is time management. In reflection, I perhaps used too much time on the neutral mood board before checking in with the client. But hey, this is all part of the experience. I look forward to hearing back from my client and getting stuck in to planning the final design.
