A Dream Home need not be a Nightmare – Clara Bee

For interior design and property refurbishment project management specialist, Clara Bee, the focus is always on delivering a positive client experience on every project, as a recent client testifies.

Set in the heart of Battersea, Douglas’s five-bedroom family home had waited 17 years for much-needed modernisation – remodelling the space to suit a maturing family was a priority. This was a significant project covering everything from replacement kitchen and bathrooms, remodelling floor layouts and redecoration throughout, to rewiring and updating home technology.

But Douglas knew he needed help to realise his vision for the perfect family home. Even with clear ambitions and budget, a busy life meant finding time to co-ordinate and manage the project was
a real challenge, so he turned to Clara Bee for help.

A costed plan: Clara Bee worked closely with Douglas to understand his vision and create a clear, costed plan. “They listened to our ideas. Getting strong input as to what was practicable and
achievable was particularly valuable,” Douglas explained.

Creative solutions: The team devised a plan for a problem second reception room, which was dark and under-used. Combining the room with an enlarged kitchen and dining area created a beautiful, light-filled space where separate utility, storage, larder and comms areas are concealed behind stunning antique glass.

Trusted suppliers: Clara Bee co-ordinated architects and structural engineers to develop formal drawings, calculate structural requirements and navigate planning legalities – before drawing on
its network of reliable local suppliers to select the right professionals for the job.

Communication: Expert project management was vital to timely delivery and cost control, and Clara Bee took the lead in confirming deliverables, challenging outputs, identifying and explaining risks, and managing budgets. “They went above and beyond with daily site attendance and regular calls,” Douglas confirmed. “We had such high confidence in the team because we could see the parameters set by the budget.”

Beautiful design: Clara Bee’s interior design expertise dovetailed with the family’s vision for their renewed home to create beautiful living spaces. “Clara Bee really helped by letting us be the customer; buying and using things we wanted to, the team’s involvement being tactically and carefully managed to the greatest effect.”

Reflecting on the project, Douglas is in no doubt about the value of working with Clara Bee: “We have gained a room, love the space, our friends are extremely complimentary and our teenage daughter actually wants to have her friends here, which says it all! The whole family is delighted and our house now brings a smile to our faces.

“Clara Bee took our vision, shaped it with us, and delivered it all in a beautiful way. Previous experience of projects had been stressful. But, while this project was far more complex structurally, delivery was as seamless and stress-free as possible.”