‘It’s a great space to hang out in as a family’

Hannah and Tim Donnelly turned three poky rooms into one big kitchen-diner where they can keep an eye on their kids while getting stuff done

How Hannah and Tim did it

‘Just over a year after moving in, we decided to knock the kitchen, dining and breakfast rooms together, and extend into the garden to create a big space. The front living room felt a long way from the kitchen and, although it is cosier in there, it doesn’t get a lot of sun, so we wanted this room to be a complete contrast. The whole project took four months, and we were without a kitchen for nearly eight weeks. The builders sorted the electrics and plumbing, and kitchen company Factory Kitchens & Bedrooms fitted the new units and worktops for just £800. The original floorboards were quite dark, so we had them sanded and varnished for around £700. The result is a really light and airy open-plan space where we can all be doing different things without being on top of each other.’

before

KNOCKING THROUGH AND EXTENDING THE KITCHEN HAS CREATED A BRIGHT AND MULTIFUNCTIONAL FAMILY SPACE. ‘THE DESIGN INCORPORATED LOTS OF WINDOWS, PATIO DOORS AND ROOF LIGHTS, WHICH MADE THE ROOM BRIGHT AND AIRY ENOUGH FOR THE DARK-COLOURED KITCHEN WE...

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