Kitchens

Kitchen renovation case study (2002)

The brief: turn a run down, north-facing galley kitchen into a welcoming and practical family kitchen/breakfast room.

Budget: as cost effective as possible

The kitchen units were removed and replaced with Ikea white shaker style units with a beech wood worktop over. Bespoke wooden shelves fitted in place of high level units in order to open up and give the galley area a feeling of space and greater width. An island effect breakfast bar (with shelves and cupboards under) also provided a designatd preparation area facing the breakfast area, while zoning off the kitchen area and positioned to allow space to fit a table with six chairs around as a dining overlooking the garden. The increased feeling of space was completed with mediterranean styling to complement the light reflecting white units and warm/natural feeling wooden surfaces. Two shades of crackle glazed turquoise tiles and off white tiles were arranged randomly on the walls, continuing the meditternean feel and the floor was retiled with terracotta effect 30x30cm tiles (cheap and cheerful from Wickes). The walls were painted white to reflect light as much as possible back into the back walls which had no windows. A new spotlighting track was fitted to ceiling area of both the dining area and the galley area providing task and general lighting to each area.

Kitchen restyle case study 1 (2005)

Brief: modernise a raised ground floor kitchen to 2 bed maisonette ready for resale

Budget: Minimal financial outlay possible

Existing beech MFI units and granite effect worktop were retained. The lead was taken from the green wall tiles to worktop - which were a classic colour and style and therefore not necessary or cost effective to replace. It was decided that the lino on the floor was the most dated item and therefore was replaced by Amtico (slate effect vinyl flooring) the design of which was carefully chosen to pull together the existing colours of charcoal, beech wood and green ceramic tiles. Some stainless steel accessories were used to accessorise the kitchen in a slightly more modern style but as these were taken with the vendor on selling, the cost could be offset against further usage and not taken from the restyle budget which therefore only had to cover the Amtico flooring (at cost) and fitting.

Kitchen restyle case study 2 (2007)

Brief: modernise a dark ground floor kitchen in family home to to create a more pleasing living space before future planned extension.

Budget: Minimal financial outlay possible

The kitchen lacked windows (and therefore light!) The poor light levels were immediately addressed by replacing a stable style door with a glazed door to match other doors to porch area. The existing plain wood units were repainted with a heritage colour to complement the existing worktop and cork flooring (not replaced owing to practicality, rather than aesthetics) in keeping with the character of the buildling. The existing tiles were also repainted a heritage colour complementing the units. Curtains and their fixings were removed and the windows left bare to maximise light levels; this was possible due to the private aspect of the windows. So for the price of the paint and reusing some vintage posters and wall hangings bought in the past, the resulting injection of colour detracted from the low light levels adding energy and character to a dated, bland space.

Kitchen renovation case study 2 (2010)

Brief: relocate kitchen from existing area of listed property (obtaining all necessary planning permissions etc) to a new extension creating an ergonomically designed family kitchen and eating area in a one storey extension with glazing to one side of structure.

Budget: tbc

This project is in its early conception stage but progress and details will be updated in the portfolio as the project progresses.