Elfat Darwich
‘Schmidt Fulham designed my kitchen. Few visitors fail to remark how stunning it is!’ – Floyd Barnes
In 2014 Elfat Darwich was planning a new kitchen for her family home. Little did the dealer in Middle Eastern art and antiques realise that she was taking the first step towards a radical career change that would see her become owner of the independent Schmidt Fulham kitchen showroom.
‘When I visited the major chains and mentioned my budget, and that was always the initial question, the interest in me was non-existent,’ recalls Elfat. ‘Schmidt was the exception. The team was welcoming and worked with me to refine my ideas and still meet the budget. The result was superb – I loved my kitchen.’
With the outbreak of the Syrian Revolution, Elfat lost touch with her artisan suppliers. ‘Out of the blue, my husband suggested taking a Schmidt franchise,’ she says. ‘I knew how to run a business and I could learn the logistics and design software at Schmidt’s own Academy. In December 2016, the contract was signed.’
Schmidt was founded 85 years ago in Alsace in what was Germany (post-WWII it was France). ‘That heritage gives us a wonderful combination of German precision and French flair,’ explains Elfat. ‘We are a one-stop shop: we have kitchens in every style from functional to luxurious, a choice of 24 carcass colours and 90 finishes and my expert team can design for challenging spaces. Also, we source the appliances, do our own site surveys and use trusted fitters.
‘So much of our business comes from personal recommendations and that reflects our commitment to old-fashioned service. From the first showroom tour and the subsequent Discovery meeting when we discuss the project in detail, we build a relationship with the customer.
‘We’re happy to arrange out of hours meetings, we give honest, practical advice and we approach every kitchen as if we were designing for our own homes. We’re passionate about creating spaces that perfectly fulfil our clients’ wishes.’
Schmidt Fulham
82 Wandsworth Bridge Road
Fulham SW6 2TF
020 7731 2090
info@schmidt-fulham.com
https://www.home-design.schmidt/en-gb/showrooms/city-of-london/fulham
https://www.instagram.com/schmidt_unitedkingdom/