Before you knock down a wall or pick a tap finish, I want you to ask yourself a few very serious (and slightly existential) questions.

No, this isn’t therapy.

But it is renovation. And if you’ve ever lived through one, you know the line between the two is thin.

So let’s begin with this:

Are you someone who notices things? Do misaligned sockets and off-centre light fittings make your eyelid twitch? Or do you not even see the squint until someone points it out—and even then, you still don’t care?

This matters. Because if you’re the former, you’re going to need precision, attention to detail, a team that shares your eagle eye—and probably a slightly bigger budget. If you’re the latter, you might actually enjoy a process of experimentation. You might find beauty in the wonky charm of reclaimed cabinetry, where the drawers don’t glide but the wood tells stories.

And that’s not about right or wrong. It’s about who you are. And what kind of home you want to live in.

Before you design your kitchen, ask yourself:

• Do I want to create something with my own hands… or do I want to be handed a flawless finish?
• Do I light up when I save something from landfill—or when I unwrap a brand new, buttery-smooth cabinet?
• Am I drawn to quiet minimalism or maximalist play?
• Do I want to showcase inherited objects, or start fresh with a blank slate?
• Do I get guilty about consumption… or do I feel more guilty when I don’t honour my need for beauty and order?

And maybe the most important one: Do I know how I want to feel in this space?

These questions aren’t philosophical indulgences. They’re practical tools.

Knowing who you are before you renovate will save you:

• money
• stress
• arguments with your partner
• awkward conversations with your contractor
• AND a lot of time spent second-guessing decisions at 11:48 pm when your kitchen plan won’t stop spinning in your brain.

Let’s also talk about sustainability. Sustainable doesn’t have to mean reclaimed. It’s not just one look, one label, or one way of doing things. Sustainability can be vintage tiles and second-hand units. It can also be new materials, manufactured locally, responsibly sourced, or designed to last 50 years.

What matters most is that your design choices are rooted in awareness of your values, your lifestyle, your priorities. Not what Pinterest thinks you should do. A “perfect kitchen” that doesn’t suit you is just a very expensive misunderstanding.

Renovation is a deeply creative act. Even if you're not the one holding the drill or sketching the layout. You’re still the one shaping the brief. And if you're asking someone else to design your space (architect, interior designer, joiner, etc.), what will you tell them about yourself?

Good design has your DNA in it. Successful renovations are not just built with bricks and budget spreadsheets.

They're built with soul. With honesty. With clarity about how you live, what you love, and what you're building a home for.

So before you renovate, start with a mood board, yes, and also a mirror.

Want help sorting through your renovation identity crisis? I can help you turn those soul-searching answers into a real-life kitchen you’ll love waking up in.

Book a design and plan session or contact me here. Let’s ensure your next project fits you perfectly.