I contacted Nicola Damm Interior Design with regard to renovating. 

In March 2015 our family home. The home was a 1920s bungalow that had been subjected to a 1970s makeover and was in desperate need of modernising. 

Having never renovated an older home before I was cautious of budget overspends and how to manage a project of this nature. Nikki was quick to understand my concerns and not only undertook the interior design component but also fully managed the project including purchasing and management of tradespeople from start to finish. The renovations included a new kitchen, bathroom and lounge and updating interior features including painting, flooring and curtains. Nikki also provided the colour scheme for the exterior of the house. 

Nikki’s personal style is more adventurous than my own conservative style, however it did not take long to establish trust within the relationship and to find balance on both sides of the design equation. She quickly understood I needed encouragement to move beyond my comfort zone, however always gave me options and choices and included my own ideas into the mix. I was delighted that before the renovations started I was presented with a specification which was a detailed plan of every change and purchase, including full tradespeople quotes and a total price to work to. When the project finished, I did compare actuals to budget and the numbers were very close. 

The project was managed superbly! There was a multitude of tradespeople to manage, and not having to deal with the ‘small issues’ was great for my peace of mind. Nikki coordinated the team very effectively and was on-hand when decisions needed to be made. During the project there were a couple of major issues with the kitchen joinery and Nikki had the experience to negotiate and follow up when items needed to be modified or re-done to be up to standard. Nikki definitely took the lead during the renovations and the result was good workmanship, completed on time. 

Let’s not forget the personal touch too. I remember one morning popping home to see Nikki sweeping the new polished bamboo floor. When I asked her why, she said she was waiting for the plumber so decided to keep busy. Nikki also included my daughter in all aspects of the renovations asking her for colour ideas for cushions and walls. 

We had corner seating made for the dining area and Nikki said her vision was "to see my daughter Eloise tucked up in the corner of the banquet” as her favourite place to be. The banquet has become her favourite spot and works extremely well in relation to the kitchen and our living area. It was a great decision. 

The outcome is very pleasing and the renovations successful. Our little St Martins home now has an open and wonderfully comfortable feel, with strong clear lines and splashes of colour to compliment a neutral colour scheme. 

Nikki was very persuasive around some design decisions which in hindsight I can see has added value to the re-sale potential of the house. Not only would I like to recommend Nikki for her fantastic interior design skills and great communication but also thank her for her patience in explaining ideas and choices when I was unsure, and for taking the extra time when needed to ensure the project ran smoothly. 

It is a great outcome and we are thrilled with the result. Yours sincerely Oliver Huggins