from an article published in By The Dart Magazine, October 2017
Looking for a new kitchen?
New business Dartmouth Kitchens & Interiors tell us about their new showroom in Foss Street. Andy Watson – Owner and fitter • Pauline Hook – Design Consultant • Dave Gornall – Joint owner and builder
Pauline what is your new business all about?
We design, supply and fit kitchens. We have a new showroom on Foss Street where people can come in and see the different ranges we stock and we can discuss anything from a new sink right through to a complete re-build. We are a friendly easygoing team and no job is too big or too small!
How will Dartmouth residents benefit from your business?
We can offer them a range of kitchen products for prices that suit all pockets, whether they have a few hundred or tens of thousands to spend. With our knowledge, experience and wealth of contacts, we can take people through the complete process from choosing the design and materials right through to knocking down walls, adding an extension, repainting and fitting the end product.
How far will you go to fit your kitchens?
Anywhere! We don’t have any limits. We have recently been working on a project at Newton Ferrers near Plymouth. If someone is here on holiday, pops into the shop and falls in love with a design but lives in London, we will go there.
So what is your role?
I am the main point of contact; I take the client through the process from the initial enquiry to the finished project involving the team at the relevant points.
What is your experience?
I worked as a design consultant at Wickes in Plymouth for 10 years. My patch stretched from Cornwall to Exeter. Whilst there I dealt with a range of projects from galley kitchens in small apartments to huge country estates.
Why do you enjoy the job?
I really am passionate about kitchens! I love making people’s vision a reality. I enjoy helping them get started by choosing the style of kitchen, then taking each step with them and finally visiting their house a couple of weeks or months later. I really enjoy watching their reaction when they first see the finished project.
What is the key to getting it right?
Listening. Definitely listening. There’s no point having one ear on the customer then bombarding them with your ideas. You need to work with them and get the balance just right - including as many of their wishes and ideas as you can but using your experience and professional judgement when it comes to spatial awareness, textures and colours.
Andy, you fit the kitchens, what do you like about your role?
I really enjoy going into lots of different houses across Devon and helping to improve them. The kitchen is such a key part of the home and it’s so important to make sure everything is just right so people can work around the room with ease.
Devon probably isn’t the easiest place to work?
No, I have had a carpentry company for over 20 years and am pretty used to the narrow roads and steep steps, but carrying a Belfast sink up 100 steps never gets any easier!
How did you come up with the idea of Dartmouth Kitchens & Interiors?
I have been selling these products from samples and catalogues out of my van whilst doing jobs around the South Hams. But people want to get a feel for the product, so when the kitchen shop closed Dave, Pauline and I thought this space on Foss Street was ideal for us to move into and start a new company - combining all our skills. The shop is so useful as a visual aid for the customer. We have a sample of pretty much everything we supply.
Are there any kitchen trends at the moment?
Everyone and every house is so different. We have some ultra modern customers who want everything white with slick clean lines and then others who’re really into the country cottage look.
Dave, what do you do in the business?
Some people just want a kitchen removed and replaced with another the same shape and size. In that case there isn’t much I’m required to do. Others want a completely different look which may mean all kinds of structural changes and that’s where I step in! I make sure the house is ready to have the kitchen installed. I may need to organise for walls to come down or plastering to be done. The customer could need new plug sockets or electric cables for light fittings above their new island.
Do you have a big team?
It’s just the three of us running the business but we have great connections with local electricians and plumbers. The beauty with that is we take the whole project under our wing so the customer doesn’t need to worry about all the little things that come together to make the perfect kitchen.
What attributes do you need for this job?
To be patient and methodical. Sometimes you’re on jobs with lots of other workmen and noise and you have to keep your eye on your part of the job. Other times you are in the house with the owner who is watching everything you are doing. You just need to keep a cool calm head!
Dartmouth Kitchens & Interiors will be open six days a week from 9am to 4.30pm
Tel: 01803 834961
Email: d_k_i@outlook.com
22 Foss St, Dartmouth, TQ6 9DR
See also Andrew Watson Carpentry
