OUR processes.
So we can create the perfect home for you, we need to get to know you. We are designing the space for you so we need to find out who lives here how you like to live, what you like and dislike and the outcome you are hoping to achieve. The more information you able to provide us with the better.
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As our designers offer Interior Design, Landscape Design and Home Design our processes vary a little for each individual design process. Please scroll down until you find the relevant information.
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We offer our design services as individual services as well as complete packages. If you just want a garden design that's fine but if you want a complete package that's perfect!
INTERIOR DESIGN.
Step 1: Initial Consultation
Once contact has been established we will meet with you to discuss your project. We will spend up to an hour with you, walking through your home (or looking at the plans in the case of a new build) and assess the scope of work.
During the consultation we would love to see any ideas you may have i.e. scrap books or Pinterest boards. We will get you to complete a questionnaire so we get a better feel for your style and what it is you are hoping to achieve.
The all important budget will be discussed at this meeting and we will give you an approximation of hours required and a quote for time.
We will talk about the timeline for the project and which other professionals or contractors are involved.
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Finally we will talk about the key concepts and decide upon a brief.
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Example of a sitting room mood board.
Step 2: Offer of Service
After the initial consultation an offer of service will be sent to you outlining how we propose to move forward with your project and the costs associated with this.
Step 3: Design Stage
We will come up with design concepts for you and these will then be presented in the form of a mood board. This board will show you the type of flooring, colours, furniture, and accessories we are proposing for your home and you will now start to visualise how your home/room will look.
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Once we have agreed on the direction of the design we then look at the kitchen and bathroom design and any other design elements such as built in shelving. We have the expertise to produce conceptual CAD drawings of such areas.
We then specify the hard fit out, including flooring, paint colours, cabinetry, lighting, hardware - basically all the fixed items that are permanent.
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We produce for you a detailed specification of these items that ensures all details are on hand for anyone working on the project.
With the construction of the hard components underway we can now focus on the Soft Design. These are the movable elements in your home such as furniture, rugs, curtains, blinds, cushions, art, house plants and other pieces that complete an interior and will make your house feel like a home. This process is also conducted with an eye on the outdoors. We like our interior pieces to complement the exterior ones.
Step 4: Procurement
Once we have agreed on the furniture and accessories for your design we will provide you with prices and will arrange the purchase and delivery of these items.
Step 5: Project Management
Example of an Interior Floor Plan
Example of a 3D drawing
We can organize the subcontractors and see the project through to completion. During this stage invoices will be sent out on a regular basis.
Step 6: Styling
Now that your new home/room is nearly complete we can offer you a styling service. We will come in and place your furniture and arrange accessories and add those final finishing touches.
LANDSCAPE DESIGN:
Step 1: Initial Consultation
Once contact has been established we will meet with you to discuss your project. We will spend up to an hour with you, walking through your garden (or building site in the case of a new build) and assess the scope of work. We generally don’t provide any design ideas during this first meeting.
During the consultation we would love to see any ideas you may have i.e. scrap books or Pinterest boards. We will get you to complete a questionnaire so we get a better feel for your style and what it is you are hoping to achieve.
The all important budget will be discussed at this meeting and we will give you an approximation of hours required and a quote for time.
We will talk about the timeline for the project and which other professionals or contractors are involved.
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Finally we will talk about the key concepts and decide upon a brief.
Example of a landscape mood board.
Step 2: Offer of Service
After the initial consultation an offer of service will be sent to you outlining how we propose to move forward with your project and the costs associated with this.
Step 3: Concept Design Stage
We will come up with design concepts for you and these will then be presented in the form of a scale plan and a mood board.
The plan will detail the concepts for your property but will at this stage not delve into exact details. The mood board includes plants, furniture, garden structures, lighting options and other important considerations that allow you to visualise how we think your garden should look.
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Depending on your ability to read plans we may incorporate some elevations and cross sections to help you understand our designs. We can produce colour copies as well as producing more detailed plans of main areas such as pools and pool houses, courtyards and outdoor rooms to help achieve this.
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Here is an example of a typical concept plan that outlines our ideas. It is important to agree on a concept before progressing to more detailed designs.
Example of a landscape concept plan.
Step 4: Working Drawings
Working drawings are the plans that are used to construct your new landscape. They are used by contractors to quote for the work. They are an integral part of any design, without them you can not get quotes.
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They range from structural plans for deck, pools, pergolas, fireplaces, paving and other hard landscaping to lighting and irrigation plans so third party specialists can quote.
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They also include planting plans so that the nurseries can quote for supplying the specified plants for your new garden. Securing your plants early on is essential so that they can be delivered when required.
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Other materials are quantified in this section, such as weed mat, mulch, garden art, water features, sheds etc. so that they can be included in the budget and installation.
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If there are any requirements for consent then plans for these specific consents are included at this time. Retaining walls, swimming pools and certain garden structures require either a building consent or a resource consent and we can work with selected engineers to make sure the required documents are lodged with the council as required for a smooth and seamless project.
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If you intend to install the garden yourself and are happy to work off the concept plans alone then this is a good economic option as you get the main ideas at this stage which are fluid so can be edited by you for your project depending on budget and availability of materials.
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However if you have no intention of installing the garden yourself and want a third party landscape contractor to install your garden we highly recommend ordering the working drawings so each contractor can quote for exactly the same garden giving you a number of options based on price and timing.
Example of a landscape elevations.
Example of structural details for contractors' quotation.
Step 4: Procurement
Once the design is completed we can liaise with our network of suppliers to secure plants and materials. We aim to procure your items locally wherever possible and prefer to supply quality over price as the higher the quality the item the longer it will last in Marlborough's harsh summer climate where we receive the highest sunshine hours and the highest UV light levels which are a key factor in deterioration.
Step 5: Project Management
We can organize the subcontractors and see the project through to completion. This makes sure that the work is conducted as per the plan and to the expected quality. It is all too easy for unsupervised contractors to cut corners which leads to a lessor quality finish for the same price.
home DESIGN.
As each home is as unique as its owners we take each project on it own. The processes will be similar to those of the Interior and Landscape Design processes but will include designing a house concept at the outset prior to developing details.
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If you are wanting to live in a house that is a little special compared to all the others out there then you have come to the right place. Your home really does dictate your lifestyle. Bigger is certainly not always better. But smarter is always better from whatever argument you support.
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We take great pride in being able to design a concept home that is truly unique - our home designs are based upon these key foundations:.
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Aesthetic: Never compromise the quality of the architecture. All homes must look and feel unique and exceptional.
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Sustainable: Always source materials from sustainable sources. Work with suppliers who care about our planet.
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Carbon Zero: Generate your own power. Incorporate grid tied or off grid generation solutions to off set power use.
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Automate food production: Incorporate an aquaponics system which provides all your fruit and vegetables with minimal input.
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Power Usage: Use science for a passive solar design for heating and cooling, use energy efficient lights and appliances.
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Inside Gardens: Design integral spaces for plants so they can purify the air and provide a calming atmosphere.
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Sympathetic Landscape: Each home must sit in the wider landscape making it even more beautiful than prior to building.
Please note that these processes are a guide only and each individual project may vary.