‘OUR KITCHEN WAS TINY – NOW IT’S THE HEART OF THE HOME’
An extension transforms this precious area
What was your vision for the kitchen? An open-plan-living vibe that would make the space the hub of the home, where we could cook, eat, relax and entertain. We’d never tackled anything on this scale before, so I saved images of everything I liked online on Pinterest. Our builder, Iain Mclaughlin, project managed and kept a tight rein on our budget!
Were there any deal-breakers?
Yes, I wasn’t prepared to compromise on the Crittall-style doors – aluminium just doesn’t have the same slim profile as steel. I wasn’t keen on having a TV so we got a Samsung Frame TV, which looks like an artwork when it’s not on. The Fisher & Paykel fridge I wanted was out of our budget so I got a secondhand one for a quarter of the price.
How extensive was the building work?
We were pretty much demolishing and rebuilding two-thirds of our house at the back as part of a total refurbishment. At the start of the six-month build we had no kitchen, toilet or running water and we lived there while working full-time, stuck in our living room and bedroom.
Did the project run smoothly?
Unfortunately not! Our first plasterers didn’t turn up, our second set failed to carry out any work but our third team was amazing. These delays threatened to derail our timescales.
Describe your design style…
Industrial design that still feels welcoming and homely. I like an elegant, timeless look that lets the materials tell the story rather than the accessories. We’ve used metal, wood, brick and foliage to create depth and texture. Lighting is also crucial, so we have task lighting and also ambient lighting for a relaxed mood in the evening.
Is there anything you’d change or do differently? I would always use my builder/project manager’s recommended tradespeople rather than booking others just because they’re a bit cheaper.