Kitchen & Bath Business March/April 2023 - 14

L UXUR Y
DE SIGN
Assessing Client Wants
Asking accurate questions defines the scope of work and ensures a perfect designer-client fit
BAKES & KROPP Fine Cabinetry defi nes luxury
as a belief in excellence, which begins in our approach.
We honor our clients with a high level of
respect for their needs in the team we cultivate,
the care we take in our work and the way we treat
their homes. In most cases, this is what draws
clients to us in the fi rst place. With that known,
we prioritize communicating our care, caliber
and experience in the market to harbor the right
relationships with clients.
PLAY THE QUESTION GAME
From the fi rst meeting with a homeowner, asking
the right questions is key to success. We employ
a highly individualized approach in which each
introduction is tailored. New or younger homeowners
may appreciate a more preliminary, getto-know-you
approach to better understand our
value and capabilities. A more seasoned homeowner
might prefer to dive into their personal
wants, needs and visions for their space. In either
case, we follow their lead to directly address their
needs in the design concept.
Next, we want to ensure we are the right partner
for them. We urge the client to review our website
and present a portfolio to spark inspiration. We
begin by asking, " What excites and speaks to you? " which helps open the
fl oodgates and uncovers their specifi c desires. From there, Bakes & Kropp
guides the client through the process, explaining the project parameters and
how the design team will deliver. As experts in the space, we provide value
in steering the client in the right direction based on their expressed wants.
DIGGING A LITTLE DEEPER
Concurrently, we explore the budget. In this phase, it is imperative to
demonstrate the intrinsic value of working with a luxury brand. We highlight
the quality of our materials, the caliber of our craftsmanship and our
expertise in the market to ensure the client they are being off ered a bespoke
luxury service, along with the end product of a luxury kitchen. Th is discussion
can be tricky, as many of us are conditioned to not speak so openly
about numbers and fi nances. We direct simple, straightforward questions
to ease into the conversation like, " Do you have a sense of where your budget
parameters are for the overall project? " When the homeowner cannot
provide parameters, we lean on instinct, guided by years of experience, to
feel out whether or not the collaboration is viable.
BELOW Ellen Schott of Bakes &
Kropp and her team designed
this kitchen with crafted
Classic Meridian cabinetry
in white and pearl walnut
fi nishes. The built-in LED
lighting adds to the natural
light that fl ows through ample
sliding doors and French
windows. Photo courtesy of
Bakes & Kropp
A LUXURY PROJECT IS BORN
Once budget provisions are established, our client's dream kitchen truly
begins to take form. In general, the modern kitchen has expanded in many
ways, especially in the luxury sector. Now there are secondary dishwashers
and sinks, coff ee makers and even secondary cooking positions. Most
kitchens have a signifi cant seating or congregation area as well.
Th ere's a lot more that goes into a kitchen than there used to be. A big
part of incorporating a client's needs is identifying their functional preferences
to decide how the space will operate. Do they cook often? Do they
need a 60-in., a 48-in. or a 36-in. range? Do they prefer to have the ovens
underneath the range or in a tower? What kind of and how much refrigeration
do they require? Th ese are just a few guiding questions to lead the way.
With a functional layout mapped, the luxury aesthetic is then built out
further. Guided by the inspiration provided in the discovery stage, Bakes
& Kropp curates the fi nest materials and fi nishes to strike the right balance
for the homeowner's needs. In this phase, we learn even more about
the client's high-end tastes. We often get requests for intricate metalwork
and accents, which adds a layer of styled elegance. Th e color palette is also
extremely important for homeowners aiming for a sophisticated look. Rich
colors with depth instantly elevate the look of a kitchen, especially against
opulent fi nishes. Perhaps the most common request, however, is top-grade
appliances. We work with our vendors to always provide the best in the
market, suitable to our clients' needs and wants.
In the process of luxury kitchen design, the questions are endless. Knowing
how to ask the right ones can yield exemplary results.
By Bob Bakes, Head of Design, Bakes & Kropp, bakesandkropp.com
14
/ MARCH-APRIL 2023


http://www.bakesandkropp.com

Kitchen & Bath Business March/April 2023

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Kitchen & Bath Business March/April 2023