Our Process
Step 1: First meeting
The first step is to get to know you, as well as the general framework and the bigger picture of your project. We’ll take the architecture of your home into account, as well as the spatial situation, functional requirements and your personality. It is crucial for the designs to know your preferences, habits, lifestyle and family situation. Your personality respectively affects the design and the solution for the overall project.
We like to be prepared, it is very helpful to see your new build or renovation plans before our first meeting. This helps us to envision your project and turn up with ideas that would suit the space.
Please also bring any inspiration to this meeting, this can be a colour scheme, a Pinterest board, or any other ideas you may already have.
Step 2: Design
In close cooperation with you, we first develop the overall concept:
Key decisions are made - materials, work surfaces, storage spaces and many other details are defined. Our main goal is to find an arrangement that supports your routines around your home.
All plans are individually hand drawn. We give you as many options as you want, and you can mix and match elements to create your own individual space. We have as many meetings as needed during the design process, as we believe everything can be altered while the plans are still on paper.
The result is what we call the Master Plan, which is tailored to you. It defines everything down to the smallest detail, surface finishes, lighting, fittings, hardware, appliances, even the height of your wine glasses and the size of your record collection.
Step 3: Quote and terms
Once we`ve finalised the Master Plan, we will provide you with a detailed, itemised quote.
We invoice over 3 payments. 50% before the manufacturing process, 40% before the install, and the final 10% + installation costs after the completion of your project.
Kouzina, our preferred appliances retailer, offers a comprehensive consultation and demonstration in their showrooms. [link] We can offer a detailed quote for all your appliances from Kouzina.
We work with a group of trades people we trust and can recommend to you, but we also work with your preferred trades people.
If you should decide to not proceed your build with us, we will charge a design fee of $1,500.00 - $2,900.00 depending on the complexity of your design carried out so far
Step 4: Manufacture/Crafting your project
We ensure the perfect fit for all your joinery by comprehensively measuring your site before the manufacturing process starts. We can then provide you with a timeframe for your project, including installation dates.
We create everything individually by hand in our workshop. Our skilled team are focused on blending traditional craftsmanship and knowledge with innovative technology. We work with a wide variety of materials; veneer, solid wood, matte HPL surfaces, hot rolled stainless steel, linoleum, natural stone, concrete and many others.
We explore the limits of what is possible, find new ways to improve our sophisticated designs and challenge ourselves to exceed anything we have ever done before.
Step 5: Install
The installation of our kitchens, bathrooms and furniture is always carried out by the same team who has crafted it.
We have meticulously planned every joint, edge, and recess – the overall design can only unfold in its full potential if the installation is planned precisely.
The logistics of the transport, the choreography of the construction and the solution for the last details on site must therefore be carried out in accordance with the planning.
“Achieving the impossible is a frame of mind”.
Step 6: Follow up
During and after the install, we walk through your house together and look at all the important details in order to make sure everyone is 100% satisfied.
After 3 months we will contact you as a follow up to make sure everything is working or if minor adjustments are needed.
All our projects have a 5-year warranty on materials, finishes, and functionality.
We mainly use Haefele and Blum hardware which come with a 30-year lifetime warranty.
"The design on both projects was really important to us because of the limited space we had available and the unique nature of our home, which constructed from straw bale. Klaus was fantastic to work with, we found the process to be really interactive, and at times demanding, which is exactly what we wanted. The final design on both projects exceeded our expectations.
The quality of workmanship and overall appearance is of the highest standard and exceptional. Klaus's craftsmen ship is in a class of its own which results in an intangible quality of excellence.
The installation and project management ran smoothly and on time. It was a pleasure to have Klaus, Annette and the team from Living Design for company while they were on site.
We have more projects that we wish to accomplish and we already know who we are going to choose to work with, Living Design."
Regards,
Maria & Cameron Rodgers, Tasman Village Cottage
Summary
- We do everything but ordinary
- You are fully involved in the design process – it is your very own space, you work and live in it.
- There are no `one size fits all` solutions, everything is tailored to your circumstances
- We measure the height of your glasses, the diameter of your plates, count your record collection…
whatever is relevant to make sure everything fits in the space - Our team has specialist knowledge in new & different materials
- The materials we use have to stand the hardest quality control – they have to survive our own working environment
- We don't just chalk up and talk up – we stick to our promises
- The very best quality – Custom made FOR YOU