HOME PROJECTS by season season
Spring refresh
INVESTMENTS
“Installing a new kitchen is often motivated by living with an old kitchen over Christmas,” says Jasper Middleton, design director of Middleton Bespoke. Starting the process in spring ensures the new kitchen is functioning for summer gatherings. Bespoke kitchens take around eight weeks to create and the company allows two weeks for installation. The hand-painted counter tops take about two weeks and the kitchen installation up to a month.
If part of a new extension, construction may take around three months and Middleton advises considering architectural details whilst plans are flexible. “It’s also good to have given thought to the location of the sink and cooker, as these are key areas. That said, with Aga cookers now available in room-vented options, their location is more flexible. The same applies to down-draught extractors, which don’t need to be positioned on an external wall.”
Another project to complete in spring is a conservatory or orangery, ready for summer use. David Salisbury’s sales director, Karen Bell, suggests contacting suppliers early as delays have been common since the pandemic. “Ensure you meet a designer at your home so the individual characteristics of your property are considered and complemented in the design,” she adds.
SEASONAL SHOPPING
Bi-fold and external doors are in constant use over summer, so spring is an opportune time to have them installed. Richard Dollar, managing director at The Sash Window Workshop, recommends making enquiries early (at least five months in advance), and to keep production timely, he recommends considering requirements in advance. “Are
