At Designful we believe the ‘dream house’ won’t make you happy…but the ‘dream lifestyle’ will.
Every person has a concept of their own ‘dream home’, a place that is just our own made to suit what we need and who we are.
We can see examples of this on television most nights, people making the commitment to build their dreams into a beautiful, lavish and ultimately expensive house with all the very latest bells and whistles. All in the hope that within its walls they will find happiness and contentment.
The common reality of these types of ‘grand designs’ are that decisions are made but soon upgraded, costs blow out, and amongst all the stress and decision fatigue people lose sight of why they chose to build a house in the first place.
What we sometimes do not seem to realise is that when we make the decision to design and build our ‘dream home’ what we actually want to design and build is our dream lifestyle.
Herein lies the Designful difference. We take the time to get to know our clients, their families and their values in order to design homes that support healthy, down to earth and mindful lifestyles. We design differently in order to reduce mortgages and environmental impact and nurture connections with family, friends, nature and community.
Be willing to reconsider your vision of your ideal house and what you think you need, because in reality some of it will come at the cost of your ideal lifestyle.
The Designful Values
'Enoughness'
We believe in the power of 'enoughness'. That knowing what you need (what you really need) is a central part of an affordable home or space. 'Enoughness' should direct and shape our design decisions and be infused throughout the fabric of your building. Because enough over excess is the key to success.
Affordability
We take budgets seriously and aim to design only what is within your financial means.
Balanced sustainability
We don’t believe in hardcore systemised ‘sustainability’ - we believe that the core of sustainability is in finding the right balance between values, size, resource use, environmental impact, financial impact and well-being.
Connected
We design to promote connection, to place, to family, friends & community, to nature, the earth you stand on and the greater world around you.
Fit for purpose
We design to a detailed, holistic brief that results in spaces that support the user functions.
Holistic
We look at the big picture, sustainability, finance, emotions, aesthetics, inside and outside, wellbeing and strive to bring them altogether.
Humble and honest
We appreciate a humble and honest use of materials and aesthetics. We conduct ourselves in a humble and honest way.
Lifestyle driven
We are concerned with your lifestyle goals so we can design a vessel to support them.
Simple but significant
We celebrate simplicity and believe that the simplest solution can be the most significant.
User oriented
We believe that people should be at the centre of the design process, that people or users should shape the buildings they inhabit. We are concerned with how buildings make us feel.