Renovating is hard. Not because of all the planning and management and your home being in shambling disarray for weeks on end, but because of the decisions you have to make. I mean, it’s the most money I’ve ever spent on anything other than the house, and I’m not planning on doing it again any time in the foreseeable future. Therefore, it has to be an investment of sorts.
How does that affect my decision making? Well, it means I choose every element with a future prospective buyer in mind. You don’t want to go too trend-driven, or your investment is likely to be moot in five years. Even stuff that seems ‘classic’ now is, in all likelihood, still styled after current trends. On the other hand, if you go avant garde, you’re in danger of creating something that’s too idiosyncratic for most. It might suit you perfectly, but you find yourself having to consider other people’s tastes.
It’s just not what I thought it would be, that’s all. I was talking to the bathroom renovator about this the other day. Most people believe their renovations are going to be all about them, until they start the process and realise that there’s a bit more to it – unless they’re extremely well off, of course, and don’t need to worry as much about the longevity of their renovating choices.
So that’s how I now find myself contemplating a selection of aesthetically restrained, minimal-but-not-too-minimal, contemporary-but-not-trendy kitchen design plans. Melbourne property buyers, apparently, are looking for the full ‘lifestyle package’, and that includes a ‘gourmet kitchen’. Fortunately, I want one of those, although I’d prefer not having to make the choice between so-2019 moss green, traditional white and forward-looking bamboo veneers for the cabinetry.
What I actually had in mind was a opalescent fuchsia colour, possibly with glitter handles, but I’ve been strongly advised against it.