I have wanted to take down the adjoining wall between our kitchen and dining room for as long as I can remember. I think initially when we bought the house five years ago, it almost seemed a novelty to have a ‘formal’ dining area and a kitchen area we can just shut away when littered with pots and pans from cooking. The reality is, an open plan setup really is the ideal family living space isn’t it? Just being able to help your children with homework while cooking dinner, chatting over a coffee with a friend while pottering. I knew taking down that wall would make such a difference.

Excuse all the clutter in this photo, it was one of those quick snap moments, thats turned out to be a photograph I’ve used a lots in my Kitchen updates!

So mind made, we needed to make plans to remove the wall, fortunately for us the wall wasn’t load bearing. This meant it was a 2/3 hour job for a local building firm and required no building regs or planning permission. Be aware, if the wall you are removing IS load bearing you will need to arrange for a suitable steel to be put in situ, your builder can carry out the work, but it will need to be signed off officially for building regulation purposes and planning permission will need to be obtained.

 

Once the wall was down we could really get a feel of the space we were working with. We had explored a lot of kitchen suppliers online, wanting something mid-range but of a  good quality. There is a lot to think about, especially weighing up the design and choice of colour options, worktops etc etc. The other matter was of course cost, setting a budget is always one of those tricky things and always be prepared to exceed it! On paper (well the spreadsheet, dare I admit it!) we are already over our projected costs. Mainly as, like I said in a recent instagram story, one thing definitely leads to another  (I am still having  dilemmas on whether to change our existing Karndean)

I will admit, we didn’t do too much shopping around. We decided, off the back of research online, to make an appointment at our nearest Wren kitchen supplier, and to date I haven’t been disappointed with the service. Armed with measurements of our newly created space and utility room we arranged to plan our kitchen. We took the children, crazy I know! BUT Wren cater fabulously for children, supplying playstation’s, unlimited water (and custard creams) they actually had a lovely morning!

Our main aim was to plan a light and bright space, to maximise the space we have, but to also create a sociable breakfast island area.

So these plans outline the lay out. You can can amend these with Wren as many times as you wish once the deposit has been paid, once the balance has been paid the plans and choices are locked in. I have decided on a contemporary shaker style, Ermine. We have planned just lower units, with exposed shelving, up stands in quartz instead of tiles, integral appliances (fridge freezer and dishwasher) and a range cooker. Im still yet to decide on design of the range, but it’ll probably be stainless steel and dual fuel. I have decided on one three drawer unit in the island, the rest cupboards.

So this is the style and colour the kitchen will be, the grey is pretty subtle and hopefully very fresh looking. The worktops quartz (not the one shown but still white, I am yet to make the final decision on these, as I am getting these from a separate supplier)

The breakfast island will have three over head pendants like this

With stools, I love these

and these

I really love the shallow belfast sinks, I think they are little more contemporary looking, so have opted for this

We are planning on a stainless steel tap, and probably brushed chrome cup and knob handles (I am yet to decide on these)

This is the Rangemaster tap I have just ordered

 

 

This is the scheme for the utility room, although I did change the door colour to a very slightly different shade of grey (Northumberland). The worktops will be solid oak (although I am beginning to wonder whether I should go quartz in there too) Fortunately the worktops wont be templated by the stone- masons until the new units are fitted, so I have time on my side to make our final decision. I plan to make the utility contrasting, with a tall larder cupboard, integral appliances (washer dryer) and deep drawers for pots and pans.

The flooring is yet to be decided, but will probably be Karndean or Amtico, I love the Rose Wash Ash in the Karndean range.

Still lots to do, the LED spot lights have now been fitted (we’ve opted for warm lighting) The fixings for the pendants and the switches have been shuffled around to include a USB charging point and zone lighting. The plastering will be done early next week. I have paint colours to choose, the last of the kitchen to be removed and lots of other odds and ends to deal with over the course of the next three weeks, before the carpenter starts. I am also aware that I haven’t included any pictures of the utility room as its currently full with boxes, I shall sort this, so that you can have a peek at what its currently like.

I have, naturally, been eyeing up lots if accessories, kitchen wear and beautiful linen, but I’m trying to restrain myself until the bulk of the messy work is done!

Feel free to ask any questions, but in the meantime, I will keep you updated!

Emily x