Our aim as interior designers is always to speak to clients in a way that is easy for them to understand, to help the renovation process to be as enjoyable as possible. Although we try to avoid terminology that might make it difficult for clients to understand and can lead to overwhelm and concern, there are a couple of terms that tend to always come up that we need to explain. We have already written a blog post with 10 of the most popular terms that we explain to clients during a home renovation project - but in this blog, we are going through 10 more:
1 | Fit off
The fit-off stage during a build or renovation is where everything gets installed near the end of the job. This includes plumbing items like toilets, tapware and baths, electrical items like power points, switches and lights, and carpentry items like towel rails, and toilet roll holders.
2 | Mitre joint
This is where two pieces are cut at an angle (usually 45 degrees) to form a corner. Mitre joints are a popular finish for tiles in niches, ledges and bath hobs. They are also popular to finish off benchtops where the visible front edge is to the wider than the thickness of the material.
3 | Noggins
These are the horizontal pieces of timber placed between wall studs for structural support and for the plasterboard. It is also important to put noggins where anything will be hanging on the wall (whether it's a towel rail, a TV or artwork) to ensure it is secure.
4 | Lintel
This is the horizontal support beam above windows or doors that bears the weight of the structure above. You may hear this term if you are planning to change or move windows or doors.
5 | Shadowline
A shadowline is a small gap between two surfaces that creates a shadow. This is most commonly used in joinery as it creates a modern design detail that adds depth and highlights a part of the cabinet.
6 | Finger pull
A finger pull is an alternative to a handle for your cabinetry doors and drawers. With a finger pull, the top of the drawer/door is designed with a space or notch that allows you to fit your fingers into it to pull it open.
7 | Bulkhead
A bulkhead is a section of the ceiling that drops lower. This is often used to hide duct-work, but can also be used above cabinetry to finish this off in a neater way.
8 | Joinery Carcass
This is the structure of the cabinet itself, onto which the doors and drawers are fitted. You will only see the carcass when opening these doors or drawers, and it is usually a white colour regardless of the colour of the exterior doors/doors/panels.
9 | Design Proposal
A Design Proposal is a document that outlines your interior designer's services, scope of work, timeline, cost and other details, with regards to your project. It is basically a detailed quote that allows you to understand how much it will cost to engage them, what they will provide you and how they will work.
10 | Finishes Schedule
A finishes schedule, also often called an FFE schedule, is a detailed document listing every single item, finish and material to go into the project - such as paint, cabinetry finishes, tiles, tapware, architraves and more. It will give you all the details for the project, often also including a cost for them. This is also an important document for your builder to ensure they know exactly what is going into the home.
I hope these tips have been helpful! If you want to find out more about how we can help you with your project, get in contact with us below:
Have a wonderful week!
Nina xx
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