06 April 2010

Lend Kelly a hand


My great friend Kelly Morrisseau is researching a new book and a new website she's launching this summer and Kelly needs your help.
Yes, this is for my book, but also for my new website coming this summer. (Didn’t know I was going to have a new website? Now you do. *grin*)

For those of you contemplating a kitchen and bath, I’ve got a couple of questions:
  • If you’re just starting out, what do you want to know? What's overwhelming?
  • For those already into the process, what do you wish you’d known at the beginning?
  • For those of you who've finished, what do you wish you could tell your beginning self?
I’ve got a core go-to group that I’ve asked, and  now I want to ask you.  Some of their responses have been:
  • Where do I start?
  • Where can I get the most bang for my buck (and how do I compromise without damage?)
  • How do I get past looks and hype to the reality?
  • How do I get the Taj Mahal on a suburban budget?
Okay, I condensed the last one from about 15 identical responses and gave it my own twist. I think that title’s going in my book, right along with a chapter called “Faucet Wedgies, and Other Plumbing Mistakes.”

Yeeeesss, I could have said something about how the restaurant-style sinks and faucets don’t always fit in a regular counter depth, but why? (If you think this is going to be a serious book, you might want to move along. I think we should have some amusement with our information, no?)

I’m finding my experience a hindrance: what I think everybody knows, they don’t. I’m too far along to see what you need.

I'm going to leave this at the top of my blog for the next few weeks. Help, please.
So please consider heading over to Kelly's blog, Kitchen Sync, and letting her know what you think. Thanks.

9 comments:

  1. Kelly makes a good (and foundational) point, as she solicits fresh takes on tackling a kitchen design - so often we, in the biz, bring too much "past" with us when we look at the present. New eyes, unprejudiced perspectives can be invigorating and stimulating. The old "can't see the faucet for the Brizo"...

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  2. I agree wholeheartedly and I applaud Kelly's willingness to get some feedback to correct what ever she can't see for herself.

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  3. In my opinion, one topic almost always overlooked is designing kitchens for when kids are in the home. Through experience I discovered things in my past and present kitchen I would have changed if I could once I had a child. Example, wall ovens versus a range (being able to open the oven w/out having to shield the child at the same time). Another example, induction cooktops being safer for a kid helping cook versus gas (pots still get hot I know). Yes, kids grow up and will be gone in a few years down the road, but for many years they'll be underfoot.

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  4. Great points and they have the potential to become a chapter in and of themselves in Kelly's book

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  5. thanks Paul for the coverage -- A book from Kelly sounds amazing and I too love her "take it to the streets initiative."

    If you had a chapter to handle -- what would it be?

    great one. jb @BMoxieBMore

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  6. Thank you, Paul. You're a hero of the revolution, truly.

    Being able to ask readers what they would like has been inspiring -- isn't this a great time to live in? What I'm finding is myself saying, "Of course! Of course!" but I would have never thought of the ideas on my own.

    (Thank you too, Rich.)

    Sharon, that's an excellent point about the appliances. It's something that I've discussed with clients but remember for a book? Not a chance. So, thank you!

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  7. Kelly: A hero of the revolution, I love the sound of that. Thanks for manning the barricades with me then.

    JB: If I had to write a chapter it would probably be about how to separate the hype from the reality --how to cut through marketing speak and spend your money wisely.

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  8. Congratulations Kelly on your exciting endeavors. Paul, what a gem you are for the spotlight.

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  9. Shining that light seems to be my calling. Thanks Laurie.

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