Positively Yours Read Online Free PDF Page B

honest, when we put a bid in on this house we initially planned to redesign the whole thing, from basement to attic. But now, with the recession, we’ve had to makecutbacks, and our budget’s been slashed. But we still want to alter the important rooms.’
    The recession was certainly affecting many clients’ plans. But if Ciara and Mark’s budget had been cut Erin was still happy to help. She’d learnt over the years that if she did even a small job for a client and they were happy with it, then months, or even years, later they would come back to her. Times were changing and any work was good.
    Once the couple had decided on Paula as their architect Erin’s work had begun. And after seeing the house a few times she’d felt she knew what needed to be done. The main thing Ciara wanted was a bigger kitchen. The current one was small, dark and unattractive. But there was a tiny dining room connected to it, and Paula felt that knocking these two together – and, if possible, extending out into the south-facing garden – would change the whole house completely. Kitchens were the heart of any home, and like many other clients, Ciara wanted an open-plan room that would be a cooking and dining area – and provide family space, too.
    After getting the initial brief, Erin submitted some sketch proposals. At this early concept stage she was used to meeting her new clients many times as they tried to agree on a plan and design. And, to be honest, she felt that the more she met them, the more she’d understand their needs. Ciara and Mark were a pleasure to deal with, and after a few weeks they finally applied for planning permission for the proposed extension to the kitchen and family room. It would take another two months for the permission to be granted, but while they waited Erin started getting kitchen quotes, and putting together ideas about how she thought the place could be finished. She was prepared to help Mark and Ciara with window panels, colour schemes and kitchen designs – whatever they wanted.
    Erin had called to the house today to show Ciara some ideas for kitchen flooring. Tiles, timber and stone were all options,and the couple needed to narrow their choices before Erin talked to her suppliers.
    â€˜This room is like a blank canvas,’ said Erin as she took out her camera and showed Ciara examples of other, similar jobs she had worked on. ‘We really are starting afresh. I like to keep things pure and simple. Of course you will need soft furnishings too, but let’s start by choosing the correct kitchen units, windows, floors and colours.
    â€˜I know the room will be completely different from how it looks now, but we do still want to try to retain some of the character of this old house,’ Ciara said.
    Erin smiled. It was a relief to see someone as young as Ciara with taste. She was often surprised and disappointed by how many people wanted to tear down and destroy older houses, only to turn them into modern, soulless bachelor pads, full of blacks, greys and over-the-top plasma TVs.
    â€˜Don’t worry, I know exactly what kind of look we should be going for,’ said Erin, as she accepted a cup of tea and began showing Ciara her ideas.
    As the girls chatted, Erin could see Ciara glancing at her engagement and wedding rings.
    â€˜They are beautiful. Did you pick them yourself?’ Ciara asked, staring at Erin’s sapphire, diamond and white-gold engagement ring, and the matching wedding ring.
    Erin was delighted with the compliment, and smiled as she recounted how John had proposed to her.
    â€˜We were on holiday in the South of France, and I had dragged John to Monte Carlo for a few days, as I just love Grace Kelly, and wanted to see where she had lived. So we visited the Cathedral of St Nicholas where she is buried, and after laying some fresh flowers, we decided to take a walk. The views from there are just beautiful. They look right