While social media, internet and our friend’s house provides us with the abundance of inspiration and references, we seldom or never know the story and process behind them.
Story, in this case, which refers to budget and costing. While endless supply of budget enables us to explore more possibilities and materials, I have always believed that it does not always lead to better solutions.
Yes, no one will complain about the luxury of having no budget. Yes it may lead to a subjectively prettier home. Yes we need a certain amount to create a certain solution, but once the optimum solution is achieved, anything past that may just be self-fulfilling.
Here are some results of cost-savings measures that we have undertaken in parts of the house, with the intention of not making them look like one. After all, that is what design is all about.
Cost-saving measure: Instead of full-height cabinet/ carpentry, a dry (Gypsum) wall is used to create the full-height effect instead of leaving them as low cabinets.
Cons: Reduction of storage compartments.
Pros: Apart from the obvious cost savings, this solution creates a full-height effect in one of the more prominent spaces in a home. It prevents the low console from looking like loose furniture pieces.
Cost-saving measure: Void below the Kitchen Island top instead of it being covered.
Cons: Reduction of storage compartments, which may not be an issue if there is a full set of Kitchen cabinet nearby.
Pros: Recesses below Kitchen Island are always crucial in providing sufficient leg room and also a space to tuck in bar stools. This major recess allows seating to be on both sides of the island.
Cost-saving measure: Shelves instead of full covered cabinet above the counter top.
Cons: Items will be exposed and may also create visual clutter.
Pros: Sometimes, this makes us realise we only ever use the first row of the shelf which is more accessible, especially for everyday use items.
Cost-saving measure: Using paint to create the headboard illusion.
Cons: Lacking a wood textured focal point/ feature in the Bedroom.
Pros: As any timber cladded headboard is more of an aesthetic addition anyway, this method sometimes help avoid visual clutter around the bedside and push the strong visual feature away to other carpentry elements in the Bedroom, namely wardrobes.
Sometimes having budget limitation helps the project to move forward, taking advantage of the added clarity of elements in the house design that are absolutely necessary vs. nice to have.
Till then.
