An open outlook
Removing a brick pillar helped create a charming kitchen/dining room
Removing a brick pillar and bar was just the starting point for creating a characterful kitchen/dining room.
When Suzi Sweeney, 42, husband Steve, 41, and their children Ben, nine, and Charlotte, six, moved into
their four-bedroom home in Chester, they intended to update
the existing kitchen layout. However it wasn’t long before they
devised a more ambitious plan.
You waited a year before starting the kitchen…
Yes. Serious updating of the whole house was needed so we decided to start with the bathrooms and work our way down. This gave us plenty of time to think about what we wanted from the space.
The previous layout was awkward
Yes. The kitchen was limited to a confined area behind a brick pillar and bar to allow for a compact dining area. It was scruffy, lacked storage and the only access to the garden was through a side door.
What did you want to achieve?
The layout wasn’t working for us and the exposed brickwork, pillar and bar had to go. We wanted a spacious, light room that we could relax and socialise in. My wishlist included large patio doors and an island!
Tell us about the layout
Our initial plan was to rework the existing kitchen. But we then hit upon the idea of opening up the space into the adjacent dining room and moving the kitchen forward to allow for a utility room.
What did the job entail?
Fitting large steel joists in place of the demolished supporting pillar and dividing wall. As part of our larger renovation, we replaced all our windows, including the new patio doors. That took longer than anticipated – around four months. We used local tradespeople.
Any setbacks along the way?
Our builder was recommended by a friend and everything ran fairly smoothly, although we were surprised to discover an internal waste pipe that is now discreetly boxed in next to the run of high-level units. Hanging the clock on the final day also delayed things, as we drilled into a cable and had to have all the electrics repaired!
Describe your design ideas…
For our 1980s house my inclination was to go modern, but we eventually opted for timeless Shaker-style units, hardwearing finishes and a relaxed look with a large island. A mix of recycled furniture added character.
Why did you choose local firms?
Several large kitchen companies drew up plans but none inspired us – although the process did help us clarify what we wanted. In the end we chose a small independent company who finished to our specification, giving us a bespoke painted kitchen without breaking the bank.
Are you happy with the finished result?
Yes, it’s a great family space – I wouldn’t change a thing and can’t quite believe I’ve gained a utility room into the bargain.