The Internet is an incredible resource but there’s no substitute for talking things through with an expert. Especially when that person has years of knowledge in the industry and understands the finer points of spatial design.
That’s why Blum has a three-person team of Specification Consultants who assist designers and architects throughout New Zealand. They’re on call to advise the specification community on products, arrange a showroom visit or kitchen test drive, and assist with detailed specifications for the joiner to follow.
Tania Bailey looks after designers and architects from Northland to the Hawkes Bay and Taranaki. Assisting clients from the lower North Island and the top of the South Island is Kate Ward. And for the rest of the South Island, Brittany Smith is the person to call.
We asked them to describe their roles and how they can help their customers on an everyday basis.
Blum Specification Consultants. From left: Kate Ward, Tania Bailey and Brittany Smith.
What type of clients do you work with?
Kate: “Architects, interior architects, graduate architects and independent kitchen designers, giving advice and answering queries on products as well as helping write hardware specifications.”
Tania: “Registered architects, architectural designers, interior designers, kitchen designers and office or practice managers. Day to day, I might get phone calls from architects asking about specific products they are looking to include in their specification. Or they might want to come into the showroom, so I will take them through and show them different products.”
Brittany: “Architects, architectural designers, independent designers, kitchen and interior designers. I also look after a few joiners through mid-Canterbury and the West Coast as well.”
How can you add value to the process?
Brittany: “The main one is helping with the specification of a plan. For instance, a designer might know that they want LEGRABOX, but they need help defining Blum drawer heights. Or maybe they really want bottle storage, so they’ll ask me for our solution to this. I can also help with codes to add to their specification.”
Tania: “Assisting our specification community with using the correct product language will ensure their specification is honoured in the production stage. Architects will often ask for help in choosing the drawer system, motion technology, selection of hardware direction with cabinetry size and possibilities.”
Kate: “We can really simplify the process of choosing the best hardware for a job. A quick phone call can save you time trawling the internet!”
Anything else you’d like designers to know?
Tania: “Come into the Blum showroom and bring your clients too. It will save you so much time in the long run.”
Kate: “Taking architects and designers and their clients through a Kitchen Test Drive in our showroom is really advantageous as we are able to nut out many of the hardware details in one visit.”
Brittany: “Sometimes architects have issues with clients making decisions, and perhaps they don't have access to a showroom with all our products on display. Sending homeowners directly to Blum allows us to take them through all the ranges and accessories.”
If you have a job in mind that could use their expertise, or just want to get to know your local Specification Consultant, contact them with the details below.
Tania Bailey – Northland, Auckland, Waikato, Bay of Plenty and Taranaki
[email protected]
+64 21 526 299
Kate Ward – Wellington, Wairarapa, Tasman, Marlborough and Christchurch
[email protected]
+64 27 481 6931
Brittany Smith – Otago, Southland and West Coast
[email protected]
+64 29 201 4774
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