After cultivating 16 years of industry experience, Wilson took his extensive expertise, skills and passion, and ventured out with his very own business. In the two years since its formation, Applied Joinery has provided Cheltenham and the greater Melbourne area with knowledge and services that are unparalleled – offering a wide range of joinery options including design-build, project management, renovations and more. “The company is in its infancy stages. We have only been operational for just under two years. I like to think that we specialise in functional and affordable joinery options,” he says.

Like any project, renovations are a journey that require involved collaboration, open communication and honest transparency about what can be achieved within the space. The magic happens when all these factors come together – fusing your well-thought out ideas and preferences with a dedicated professional’s expertise and suggestions, allowing you to create something truly unique and perfect for you and your family.

BEFORE THE BLUEPRINTS

The first conversation is crucial to setting the project up for a successful collaboration. Beginning with no clear vision can be an enjoyable and liberating place to start – allowing you and your builder to bounce ideas off each other. But chances are, if you’ve looked at your space long enough, you have plenty of design directions floating around your head. “The first thing I ask clients when planning a kitchen or bathroom renovation is if they have any inspiration. It is a lot easier to design something for a client if they have a particular style in mind,” Wilson explains.

While it may not be the most exciting topic, every project has its limitations, and it’s essential to address them early on.

According to Wilson, what many clients don’t realise before beginning the process is the time, effort and budget required to complete certain projects. “This is a conversation that must be had at the first initial consult. You need to understand what the client can afford, so I ask them the question of what their budget is. Once I have this information I can design to suit,” he relays. In essence, the first part of the process should involve narrowing down a few design ideas – ones that are clearly within your well-defined budget.

GOLDEN RULES

When starting the renovation process, it can be helpful to know the outline of the path ahead. An important element of creating a dream kitchen or bathroom space is the balance of function and aesthetics within the design. Wilson assures that this is relatively easy. “I ask the clients what they want most of their kitchen and then design around that without forgetting the Golden Triangle,” he expands.

The Golden Triangle is a kitchen layout principle aimed to increase efficiency and streamline cooking processes. It dictates that the three primary work areas – the sink, refrigerator and stove – should create a triangular formation. “I try and follow the triangle rule as much as possible – making sure that there is good access to walk around the space,” Wilson says.

However, he acknowledges that the kitchen he is producing is for the client, so essentially, they have the final call on all design decisions. “I’ll break any rule if the client wants me to. I try to offer my professional opinion as much as possible but at the end of the day I am here to provide the client with their desired outcome. I don’t believe they make mistakes as it is their own journey and as a contractor, we need to help them achieve what they would like,” he believes.