Collaroy Basin is renowned for Upper Crust pies, Larry Adler skis, GurTaj Indian, and now a new draw card has arrived, Planit Kitchens. I caught up with Kate Barker of Planit Kitchens to find out more.
What’s brought Planit Kitchens to the Northern Beaches?
This is where our founder Terry Conroy started out in kitchen design and installation. He honed his craft in Brookvale in the 1970s and 80s before moving to the Central Coast, building a great business over the past three decades with satisfied customers from Sydney to Newcastle and the Hunter. In November last year, Terry stepped away for new owner Chris Hamlin to take over. Chris is dedicated to the best possible customer experience. Seeing Northern Beaches clients having to travel to the Erina showroom was not ideal, he decided to bring a showroom to the clients and make for a far better experience, paving the way to our Collaroy showroom, a return to the Northern Beaches, where it all began.
How do you define the ideal kitchen?
One word, function. You will likely spend 1-2 hours every day, perhaps more, in your kitchen, so function is foremost. Function first, great style and aesthetics then flow from there.
Is there an optimal customer experience you can provide a client who’s setting out to install a new kitchen?
From the outset, we clarify; What do you do in the kitchen? Do you entertain? Do you love cooking? Are you raising a family? Are you right or left-handed? Do you have any mobility issues? Establish a clear picture of you and your kitchen’s purpose, what functional needs must be met and the budget you’re working with. So often, especially with the popularity of renovation shows and online forums like Pinterest, you might see something that really grabs your attention but only by working through thoughtful questions do you realise what you thought you wanted is perhaps not functionally important. Through collaboration, we work together to find the optimal kitchen design for you, then add the aesthetic touches from there.
How does Planit Kitchens differ from other kitchen design and installation businesses?
We have our factory in Tuggerah, with all manufacturing done in-house, which gives us more control over the process, not reliant on third parties. This allows us to best work with you to achieve your desired outcome. If we get to the top end of your budget, we have all the information and expertise on how to pare that back to find solutions that don’t require compromising on design, instead pivoting to come up with alternate fixtures and finishes to achieve a similar look within the necessary budget. Long-lasting partnerships are also at the heart of our business. We’re not a retail outlet, even though we have a showroom where you can purchase items as you wish, but the bigger goal is to collaborate with clients to create the best possible kitchen now and into the future.
If someone is thinking of getting a new kitchen, what should they do?
Think function first, what are the most important elements of the kitchen for you and your needs. Then come into the Planit Kitchens showroom, talk with the experts. The “choose your own adventure” nature of kitchen design is where it’s best to come in, touch and feel the materials and work out what you really do like, not what looks best on Pinterest. We’ll also be running regular renovation workshops, Design and Discover days, Q&A presentations, all designed to help everyone be as well informed as possible and love kitchens as much as we do.
Pop instore to the Collaroy showroom at 2/1010 Pittwater Rd, visit planitkitchens.com.au, follow @planit_kitchens on socials, or call 9919 0000