A recent study has indicated that fish swimming in the Great Lakes have tested positive for antidepressants. No wonder they are called Great Lakes! So what causes depression in fish? Does everyone know that we are going to eat them eventually, after preparing them in our own kitchens (or maybe in a restaurant)? Grim future. Objective, “Bless us and splash us!”1 I say, instead of having them depressed all day, let them feel good about themselves while swimming. Also, think about the savings from eating the doped fish. You won’t have to fork out your copayment for your own supply, you can get it for free along with a good dose of Omega-3.
Which leads us to prepare those flaky things. Although I have been giving advice freely for the last 25 years and have designed many award-winning kitchens, honestly, I am not much in the kitchen department. To be politically correct, my wife refers to me as a person with domestic problems. However, even if I find myself deficient in using a kitchen for its primary function, I know how to design them so that others can. We can thank the Pratt Institute and the NKBA for that.
I can’t think of anything that makes these poor fish happier than being prepared in a newly renovated kitchen. Fortunately, there are many skilled kitchen designers in the area who can create a functional and aesthetically pleasing kitchen for both people and fish. Designs that now include not only a cooking area, but also an eating area, a meeting area, and a homework area.
Most successful kitchen designers charge for their initial work, however their fees and pricing structures vary widely. I know of companies that charge between $ 100 and $ 1,000 or more for this service. Usually this sum can be applied towards the purchase of cabinets and I would not recommend hiring a company that does not adhere to that policy. After all, a good design takes a lot of time, effort, and creativity, so why should they give it away? Remember, you get what you pay for.
It could be argued that if you don’t like the design and / or estimate that you have wasted your money. I don’t entirely disagree with this, which is why I recommend finding a company with a minimal upfront design fee. This lower expense certainly doesn’t compensate the designer for all the time they have to put into creating their dream kitchen, but it shows a commitment on their part, indicating that they are serious about the project.
Some companies have a tiered design fee, which includes a low initial design charge. If, after reviewing the design, you want to proceed with the project, they have a secondary fee (sometimes called an advance) for additional work on the design or for delivering the drawings to you. This appears to be a fair compromise. The designer charges a minimal fee, confident that they will create an exciting design, within the budget you specify. You get a chance to review the design and see how much the renovation will cost, before spending a lot of money.
I say we leave the Great Lakes as it is. And while fishing can be fun for some, since I don’t like to touch fish (or worms), I suggest you buy these medicinal wonders at the seafood store. Just be sure to eat a few before construction begins and it will all seem a lot less stressful.
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1 Gollum (Smeagol), in Tolkien, JRR “The Lord of the rings”. Allen and Unwin, London 1966.
