Specification made simple: A complimentary service from Blum

Designers have busy days. They have to keep up to date with details like changing ranges or new products, above and beyond their day-to-day tasks.

When it’s time to specify drawers and motion technologies for household storage, it can be difficult to know all the complex product details. That’s where Blum’s three Specification Consultants can assist the designers and architects’ community.

Each Consultant has industry experience as well as in-depth knowledge of the Blum range. Best of all, their service is free.

Based In Auckland, Tania Bailey works with clients from the top of the North Island through to Hawkes Bay and Taranaki. Christchurch-based Kate Ward covers the lower North Island and the top half of the South Island. And the rest of the mainland is covered by Brittany Smith.

What services do Blum Specification Consultants offer?

Their main role is helping designers and architects draft a complete and accurate specification of the products required by a plan.

Kate gives an example:

“If the specifiers and their clients have been to our showroom, and maybe we've done a Kitchen Test Drive, then it's all about making sure that detail gets translated clearly. The joiner is going 

“A lot of it is just helping them understand the ins and outs of choosing certain things. We help people understand the parameters of the product, and also what's going to work best for the job.”

Tania says that designers can save themselves valuable time and avoid potential issues during production.

“Interior designers and architects might come to me and ask if a product is suitable, and I will drill down a bit deeper. I can work out the drawers’ sides and heights based on their plans and provide ordering codes for organisational accessories if they need them.

“You need to put the right product codes and the correct language on a plan, as often these are the most important things when it comes to production. Then the designer can be sure it’s actually going to be built that way.”

As well as generating a detailed specification, the Consultants can help clarify decisions. Brittany says the Blum showrooms play an important role here.

“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.”

For others, a Kitchen Test Drive may be the perfect way to trial options within a tentative plan. Kate says she often gets feedback about how useful this process is. “Somebody will ask me whether they have to pay for the Kitchen Test Drive, and I’ll say, ‘absolutely not!’ It's just part of what we do. It’s all about the value-add.”

All three Consultants are always available to answer questions. Tania says that she’s constantly in touch with architects and designers.

“Day to day, I might get phone calls asking about specific products that they are looking to include in their specification, or they might want to come and visit the showroom. I will take them through and show them different products. We usually have new product releases. So that's my role – to show them what’s possible and help them specify it appropriately.”

Kate, Brittany, and Tania are also on hand to share the latest studies and take part in industry events. However, the core of the role is straightforward – to take away uncertainty and help specifiers deliver the vision they have in mind.

Kate sums it up: “I am here to help architects and designers find out as much about product as they need to in order to help them better design kitchens.

“It’s about helping the artists understand and simplify the art, so they can create specifications that let the joiner know exactly what they're after.”

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
tania.bailey@blum.com
+64 21 526 299

Kate Ward – Wellington, Wairarapa, Tasman, Marlborough and Christchurch
kate.ward@blum.com
+64 27 481 6931

Brittany Smith – Otago, Southland and West Coast
brittany.smith@blum.com
+64 29 201 4774