Design on your home: Got a refurbishment project but don’t know where to start?
Call in the experts, writes Sarah Milne.

While many of us are happy to flick through countless glossy magazines, imagining how perfect life would be if we had the perfect home, anyone who has actually embarked on a refurbishment project will know that while the end product may look fantastic, a huge amount of work has gone on behind the scenes to create it. Choosing the soft furnishings and wallpaper may give you the most pleasure, but there is also hard graft involved. But is calling an expert worth it?

Becki Linley is Creative Director of Edinburgh based design service Trendenza, who have recently launched a new showroom in Marchmont. She explains the services that they offer. “Trendenza primarily work on creating interior schemes for city professionals, modern families as well as commercial clients, such as showhomes. The most important thing to make clear when a client initially approaches us for help is that we look at every project on an individual basis – everyone has different needs, both in terms of their style and the level of practical assistance needed.”

The company offers a range of services on many different levels, from advice, to complete project management of a scheme, which could entail anything from a new bathroom to a complete overhaul of a family home. But the first stage in any project is a consultation to establish exactly what the client wants, as Linley explains, “At the first meeting, we’ll sit down in the showroom and find out about the client – what the project is, what type of work they’re after. As a nation of magazine junkies, most people will have a vague idea of the look they would like to achieve, without actually knowing how to go about sourcing the right products.”

The consultation process is the ideal opportunity to establish realistic expectations – there’s no point aspiring to an all-white glossy kitchen if it’s usually inhabited by sticky fingered toddlers and wet dogs. “One of the most important questions we ask is about the clients’ lifestyle – it is extremely important to the types of product we will suggest. We also find out about their key likes and dislikes, and most importantly what budget they have available.”

What people think they want and what they actually want can be very different. “Ideas of what’s modern and what’s contemporary can often be polar opposites of what actually ends up making it into a project – we’re here to give the clients as many options as possible and choose the best solution for their lifestyle.”

Once the décor has been decided, it’s time for the clients to hand over the keys and Trendenza can get with the real work. An average family bedroom could be stripped, redone and ready to go in around ten days, says Linley, while a larger project, like a three-bedroom family home could take from six to eight weeks, depending on the level of work and finish to required. Pricewise, that average family bathroom could be completed for around £8,000 to £11,000.

Investment in a project manager can pay off in less obvious ways too. Trendenza can deal with ordering all your material and liaise with the tradesmen involved (working with a regular and trusted team to ensure the best service), so all the admin is taken care of and best prices achieved. There’s no need for you to spend time chasing plasterer, or waiting for a delivery that never arrives. And should there be any off-plan occurrences on site, it’s dealt with before you know it. As Linley says, “I admire anyone who decides to take on any project themselves – there are so many variables involved and issues to deal with on a daily basis. We are constantly on site and available to deal with anything that arises – constantly updating the client. Communication is a big part of our service and it really is key to the success of any project.”