Well I’m delighted to have been invited to participate in the Problem Solved Blogs and I hope that you find the contents of the pieces I write over the coming months both useful and informative.
To introduce myself, I am Tim Foley, owner of the website www.kitchensfitted.co.uk and aside from our very popular forum that assists those buying and fitting kitchens and our website articles detailing how to fit a kitchen, we provide and install bespoke quality surfaces nationwide. My background is entirely in kitchens from spending almost 30 years as an installer to working as a contractor leading teams of installers around the country, to that of Project Consultant to a number of TV Shows such as Better Homes, 60 Minute Makeover and New Homes or Old, a Tonight with Trevor McDonald Special.
Anyway, enough of me and I’m happy to make your acquaintance dear reader.
I hope our relationship will grow into one of trust and that you find my blog both knowledgeable and entertaining.
Over the years I’ve worked with many designers, some of whom you are most probably familiar with, such as Derek Taylor, Julia Kendell, George Bond, Leah Martinelli, and my personal favourite, John Amabile. Unfortunately I never yet had the opportunity to work with Alison Cork but am fully aware of her excellent reputation and I suppose you could say that in writing this blog on Problems Solved, this ambition is now being realised.
I have to say that as someone who is charged with bringing their designs to life, you have to first understand Designer Lingo which is akin to a Mancunian learning Swahili having spent most of his life conversing in a Salfordian twang. Words such as “Ambience” and “Eclectic” seem favourites and in my role of having acted as an interpreter to an often bemused audience of tradesmen, standing tools at the ready and eager to go do the work, I have had to obtain a grasp of understanding what the hell a designer is saying and what they actually want me to do.
My theory is this, and for fear of alienating myself from the host of designers who may be reading this, it really is only my personal opinion.
To overcome their refusal to accept any practical barriers of how their ideas and designs can come to life, designers decided upon continuing a method of confusing the poor fellows charged with having to carry out their portraits on the actual landscape. In 1733, William Kent, considered by many to be the father of modern design, was heard in conversation with his chosen builder for the prestigious Berkeley Square development in London and became increasingly irritated and frustrated at the builder’s tutting responses when trying to convey his ideas for his latest masterpiece. It was in reaction to the builders “Sorry mate, but it just can’t be done” that William decided to introduce the manipulative, baffling yet effective method that has since been tilted “Designer Lingo”. “Darling”, he responded, “don’t you realise that the contrasting elements of your creation will counteract the light balance and give rise to the eclectic ambience in order to neutralise the pomposity of the piece” The builder, looking totally bemused yet heartened by the new found respect shown him, responded, “Ok, but it will cost you” not realising that he himself had just become the pioneer of what is contrastingly now known as “Builder Blagging”.
And so with my practical background and an understanding of designer speak, I will, in the coming weeks, introduce you to a number of products that excite me most for use in the home. Rest assured I will attempt to convey the benefits of highlighted products in a fashion that you will understand – eclectically of course.
Tim.
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