This week we invited Richard, from our Notting Hill showroom, to take part in our series – ‘Harvey Jones Expert Q&A’.
1. Tell us a bit about yourself and what you do.
My name is Richard Wolfe and I am a senior kitchen designer based in the Notting Hill showroom. I have been in the kitchen industry all my life, with my father owning his own company back in South Africa, so I have always been interested in design and architecture. I have been working at Harvey Jones for over five years now and have loved every minute of it; I get to design beautiful kitchens and meet different and exciting people.
2. What is your design mantra?
Focus on entertainment. I try to design all my kitchens to revolve around entertaining, as most of my clients have big social lives and families. It is always best to design in a way that suits their lifestyle.
3. What is your kitchen at home?
My kitchen at home is very simple with a modern feel to it. I would really like to get my hands on it and design a slightly more contemporary kitchen, similar to the new Arbor range, but I will have to get this past my wife first.
4. What inspires your work? Where do you go for inspiration?
Inspiration can be found anywhere – I am often inspired by magazines, other projects or even just the reactions of my clients. I often watch design programs and spend time looking at social media to ensure I’m aware of all current trends. I also like to use my past experience to come up with new ideas.
What are your first considerations when designing a new kitchen?
Lifestyle is the key consideration when designing a new kitchen. You need to understand how your client lives in order to design a kitchen that will suit their day-to-day needs. From initial discussions with the client, you are able to get a better understanding of their requirements and then create a useful design.
6. What projects have you found the most rewarding and why?
I find every project rewarding; they are all different in their own right and it’s great to see a happy client at the end of it all.
7. What do you try to avoid?
In terms of design, I always avoid placing a sink on the island. Sinks are best out the way and out of sight. The island is all about creating a space for entertaining and a social space to gather after a day at work with a glass of wine.
8. How has kitchen design changed over the last five years?
More customers are opting to introduce splashes of colour; five years ago different finishes and colours were a no-go! Now I am seeing bold colours with different finishes.
9. What kitchen trends do you predict in 2019?
I think bold colours and different accessories will continue to be the big trend for 2019. People are always looking for clever storage, I think this will continue to grow.
10. Do you have any tips for homeowners embarking on a new kitchen project?
I would strongly suggest to homeowners who are embarking on a new kitchen project, to start visiting kitchen showrooms so you can gather quotes and find out what is good value for money. A kitchen should last a lifetime, focus on the quality of the furniture and not much on design at the initial stage.
For more design inspiration, request a copy of our brochure here or browse our blog and page for recent case studies. Alternatively, book a complimentary consultation with Richard in Notting Hill, or in your local Harvey Jones showroom to discuss your kitchen design with our expert designers. Book yours here today.
