‘IT WAS SUCH A HUGE PROJECT’
Jessica’s main priority for her new extension was to create a sociable kitchen-diner to cook, eat, play and relax in
This is our third renovation in four years – we like to keep busy!' says jessica. ‘When we bought this house it was pretty run down, and we knew we wouldn’t be able to live in it while the work was being done as there was just so much to do, so we moved in with my mum for about 10 months.
What we really wanted was a sociable kitchen-diner that would incorporate my must-have bifold doors. This meant extending the existing kitchen into the garden and out to the side of the house to get the space we needed.
My vision
The house had so much potential and we just wanted to get it right. We had an architect draw up some plans to include a kitchen-diner, utility room and a small office for Mitch. We got three different quotes from builders and went with the one we thought would do the best job, who had also been recommended to us by family and friends – an important factor when taking on such a big build. Once the plans were approved, Mitch got started on some of the groundwork to reduce costs. Then the builders and tradesmen came in to do the rest of the work, which left us with the fun task of decorating and furnishing.
Making it work
We wanted the design and style of the kitchen to be quite modern, in keeping with the rest of the house. At first we were going to go for a neutral kitchen, but having looked around at local companies and for ideas on Instagram and Pinterest, I felt that a darker, two-tone style kitchen would work better for us. Our builder had an account with
howdens and we really loved the Fairford design so we went with that in a mix of slate Grey and Antique White. We used the grey shade for most of the units but went for the cream on the island for contrast. We had the appliances built in for a more streamlined look.
To make sure the room would feel warm all year round, we decided to have underfloor heating fitted under ceramic floor tiles. After a bit of searching, i found these lovely marble-effect ones from B&Q, which were a fab price and pulled the whole space together.
Styling the room
With the main elements in place it was all about the accessories, but not before i went a bit mad and painted the back wall in a bold mustard colour. i wasn’t sure at first, but felt that the room needed something strong to give it a focal point, and mustard is one of my favourite colours. i'd planned to make a table from scaffolding planks but found a fab version at Next, which came with a hairpin bench.
overall, i love the space. it's the perfect place to cook and socialise and we keep adding more decorative touches. We're always tinkering, but i think we’ll stay put for a few good years to come.’