‘Our Wren designer created a dream kitchen that gives us a pinch-me moment every day’
Wren’s exquisite range of kitchens and its designer’s creative vision provided Katie and Kalen with a beautiful room that they can’t quite believe is theirs…
When Katie Wood and her boyfriend Kalen found their new home in 2021, they fell in love with it, even though the house hadn’t been updated since the 1980s. So the couple geared themselves up for a full renovation, paying particular attention to the kitchen-diner which, says Katie, ‘was very old and desperately needed some life injecting into it’. Despite having never done a renovation before, Katie immediately saw how to transform the tired room into a more vibrant space. Her solution was to remove a wall to create a brighter, more welcoming room to entertain and relax in. Katie and Kalen wanted a kitchen that was functional and stylish, but conducive to creating a relaxed atmosphere. ‘I’ve always felt that the kitchen is the heart of the home,’ explains Katie, ‘so it was really important for me to get it right.’ They needed help envisioning it, though, so Katie sought out the guidance of a designer to help them choose a style and colours, as well as ensure that their ideas were realistic. The quality of the units was another important factor for Katie and Kalen and they found what they were looking for with Wren. The couple also felt they were supporting a local business as ‘we live quite near where it all started for Wren, in Barton, North Lincolnshire’, says Katie.
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Wren designer James got to work bringing Katie and Kalen’s vision to life, and they were delighted with his help. ‘James kept in touch throughout the process and sent over the 3D render for us after the initial design appointment,’ Katie recalls.
To visualise their kitchen the couple used Wren’s VR experience during their first visit to the Wren showroom. ‘ To see your design go from a drawing on a computer screen to something you can walk around with
cupboard doors you can open was a truly amazing experience,’ says Katie. ‘It really allowed us to get a feel for how the kitchen was going to look in our home, as well as how functional it would befl’
Katie had always had her heart set on a black kitchen with walnut worktops and she found exactly what she was looking for with Wren’s Infinity Plus Shaker Raven Matt kitchen. ‘I had never seen one like this before,’ she reveals, ‘but I knew it was something I wanted as it would help me create an industrial look that I could extend into the rest of the home.’
Despite some doubts from friends and family regarding Katie’s decision to opt for such a dark kitchen, Wren designer James, shared her vision. ‘James worked very closely with us to bring our ideas to life on his computer, which was surreal as it was exactly what I had imagined. He also used any spare gaps and spaces to slot in more units to maximise on storage.’
The couple’s friends and family may have needed a little convincing regarding the black and walnut design for the kitchen, but Katie and Kalen never had any doubts and they absolutely love it. ‘It has been installed for over six months now and I still stand back and admire it. Sometimes I almost have to pinch myself, as I just cannot believe how my original visions have been brought to life so brilliantlyfl We also have plenty of cupboard space and it works well for us, especially the matching utility units.’
‘My favourite feature has to be the breakfast bar,’ continues Katie. ‘With the Shaker-style frontals and décor panels, it really draws attention, and with the rustic-style bar stools it really is the heart of our home.’
The couple’s new kitchen has become the focal point for a lot of their socialising too. It’s a stylish space where guests can come and join Katie and Kalen – along with their latest addition: rescue puppy, Rae – for evening drinks. ‘ The space can be transformed from day to night by using the white spotlights hanging over the bar,’ explains Katie. ‘ They’re practical as task lighting for cooking, but the warm bulbs also help to create an extremely cosy vibe and the perfect atmosphere for entertaining, hosting date nights and unwinding at the end of the day. The kitchen means everything to us,’ she continues, ‘and it is the room in the house that we’re most proud of. We couldn’t be happierfl’