‘WE KNOCKED DOWN WALLS FOR SPACE AND LIGHT’ Three small rooms have become a family-friendly kitchen-diner
Transforming three small, dark rooms into one large area created a fantastic family-friendly kitchen/diner
Tell us what was wrong with the original kitchen
It was small, dingy and just not fit for purpose, given we’re a busy family of four with two dogs! You couldn’t see the garden directly from the kitchen either, which was something I’d wanted. Also, the dining room was separate so we ended up spending evenings straining to hear what was happening in the next room – it wasn’t very sociable. And the dining room and utility area were dark – this can often be the case with terraced houses, but by knocking down a couple of walls we found we were able to create somewhere with plenty of space and light.
How did you want to be able to use the room?
I was keen to create a large family area where we could all move around freely, without tripping over the dogs. The idea was to be able to cook and eat in there too, with a decent seating area where the kids, or anyone else, could chill while meals were being prepared. I also wanted a view of the garden from the kitchen – and to be able to see right through to the garden from the front of the house.
What was your timescale?
As we were going to be without a kitchen, the job had to be done as swiftly as possible, but without cutting corners. It took 10 weeks which, considering the scale of the work, was excellent, although at the time it seemed to go on forever. We weren’t able to move out during the work so I cobbled together a makeshift kitchen in the living room, complete with camping stove, but we did eat out quite a bit. The dust was unbelievable. It travelled throughout the house despite our best
attempts to seal off the work area. It got everywhere and seemed to settle for weeks. But we gritted out teeth and got on with it!
Who was in charge and what did the structural changes entail?
We used local builders who’d been recommended. I project managed it with them, and ensured the work met all building regulation standards. Taking down the walls between the kitchen and dining room and the kitchen and utility room were the main structural changes and were more problematic – and expensive – than expected as we had to put in extra steel to support the chimney breast upstairs. On top of that, the rooms had to be replumbed, rewired and replastered, and a boiler was fitted. We also laid a new floor and installed a side window and back doors.
Were there any compromises?
I’d wanted a wall of full-height units, but it meant pulling down a chimney breast, which was major work. We’d also have needed a Party Wall Agreement, so decided against it as it would have delayed the project. I got my cupboards, but behind some of them is the chimney breast so a few of the units are only deep enough for a cup! It works well though as I’m quite small and hate having to reach into deep cupboards.
Did you have any disasters?
The concrete island was quite a mission! The designers ended up pouring the concrete twice as the whole island moved and bowed with the weight the first time round. And it took a week to dry, which held everything up further. Also, it wasn’t fun running upstairs to wash up in the bath! Then our bespoke back doors were delayed so we were in semi-darkness for a few weeks until they arrived.
How would you describe your style?
Very eclectic. I love mixing new with old, contemporary pieces and antiques. I’ve also got a massive crush on pink and green used together. I’d gone for a dark ceiling in the living room and loved it so I had the same in the kitchen, but to ensure it didn’t overpower the room, I kept the walls and cupboards white.
Anything you’d change?
In an ideal world, taking the chimney breast out would have given us deeper storage cupboards but, as I’ve said, they’d be harder to reach into. What we have is perfect – I’m really delighted with it.