‘Our new kitchen is modern with a heritage feel’
Creating a double-width doorway which flows into the dining room has revolutionised the use of this previously cramped 1970s kitchen. With open shelving and deep green and gold units, its owners say the space is now a joy to entertain in.
Who lives here
Abby Laing lives with her husband Matt and their daughter Luna in a Victorian semi in Ware, Hertfordshire.
Before
'The kitchen hadn’t been updated since the 1970s – it was cramped and dark and the cabinets were falling apart. Patterned tiles went up to the ceiling and the worktops never felt clean. We were desperate to redo it,' says Abby.
Did you know exactly what you wanted?
AL: Yes, our priority was to open up the space and make it brighter by knocking out the doorway between the kitchen and dining room. We wanted it to be modern but in a style that would nod to the period of the property and tie in with the rest of the house. We love the Shaker look and had seen a dark green Howdens design we thought would be perfect, as we have feature walls in the same colour in the living and dining rooms. Bringing in elements of gold was important too, to warm up the space and tie in with other gold details around the house.
How did you get started?
AL: We got quotes from a few builders as we wanted someone to manage the entire job, from knocking through the doorway and fitting the kitchen, to putting in new lighting and flooring and redoing our pantry cupboard. We looked for inspiration on Pinterest and Instagram and in magazines to get an idea of what flooring and worktops would suit the green cabinets. Before the work started, we had the windows replaced with double glazing.
Were there any particular challenges?
AL: Due to budget restrictions and planning regulations, we weren’t able to make the kitchen and dining room completely open plan as we originally wanted, so we settled for a double-width doorway instead. In order to maximise the cupboard space, we had to move the fridge into the dining room. And we needed new wiring and a new circuit board fitted, which hadn’t been in our plan.
What were your non-negotiables?
AL: A dishwasher was crucial. We also wanted to make more of a feature of our pantry cupboard, replacing the solid door with a half-glazed one and rebuilding the internal shelves. Open shelving was a must too, to display some of our many cookbooks as well as plants and canisters.
Your favourite element of the makeover?
AL: I love how the space seems so much bigger, brighter and cleaner. We’ve achieved a more open-plan feel with the kitchen flowing into the dining room – it's a space we can entertain in, and where we actually enjoy spending time.
Sourcebook
Fairford kitchen units; pantry door; oak block worktop; Belfry handles; Lamona sink & tap; cooker hood; all howdens.com
Oven, zanussi.co.uk.
Dishwasher, currys.co.uk
Metro walltiles and Henley floor tiles; all toppstiles.co.uk
Crown Sail White paint, homebase.co.uk
Fridge, gorenje.co.uk
Costs
Units £2,500
Worktops £495
Sink £227
Tap £141
Cooker £629
Cooker hood £77
Dishwasher £210
Wall tiles £80
Floor tiles £175
Paint £49
Total = £4,583
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