I'm getting a new Kitchen! #kitchentales

Sunday 29 June 2014
So, I'm getting a new kitchen. This is both very exciting and very scary. When we bought our house one of the main reasons I fell in love with it was the size of the kitchen. It was however somewhat dated. That was 14 years ago. We have revamped bits and pieces over the years. New worktops, flooring, sink, hob, tiles, redecorating etc but now its time for the biggie. A whole brand new kitchen.
The scariness factor comes from a number of things. First the cost. Ouch. Its a biggie. However we're only going to be doing this once and theoretically we have been saving up for it for the last 14 years... Second, are all the decisions to be made along the way. What if I make the wrong choice on something vital? What if I don't actually like the finished kitchen? Every step of the way there are choices and compromises to be made. Life has become a whirl of architects, builders, structural engineers, plans, building warrants and kitchen showrooms.
But its not just a new kitchen. We're also extending a wee bit, knocking through to join the dining room and kitchen, installing patio doors, moving internal walls and rebuilding some of the existing kitchen in the office to make a utility room. In for a penny, in for a pound. Rather a lot of pounds.
We've gone with Kitchens International for the design, supply and fit of our kitchen. From the outset I felt that they listened to the ideas I had, understood how I envisaged using my kitchen, and took on board all the concerns I've had along the way. The whole process so far has run very smoothly. Long may this continue! We've opted for a German Leicht kitchen. The design is Contino and the colour Mohair and Oak Smoke Silver. Where do they get the names from?! I wont be sorry to say goodbye to my honey pine cupboard doors, although I will see some of them again in the utility room. I certainly wont be sad to see the back of the rotating pan cupboard from hell. That wonky carousel is sworn at on a daily basis. I do have a few things that I'm very excited about, namely a Quooker boiling water tap, my handmade fused glass splashback and Kilner Jam Jar lighting.

At the moment I'm surrounded by empty cupboards and full boxes. To add to the stress we go on holiday on Friday and the builders move in on Saturday. Only time will tell if this is a good or a bad plan. They're going to feed the fish when we're away so that's a bonus. Not quite sure what we'll return to but the next person who asks if it will be finished when we come back from Italy will get a punch in the face.
This post is an entry for the “My Kitchen Story” Linky Challenge, sponsored by Fairy Platinum in association with Brit Mums. As part of the challenge I was sent a sample of Fairy Platinum to try out. The day it arrived my dishwasher broke. The law of sod. For the last 3 weeks I've been washing dishes by hand. All going to plan I'll get a chance to try them out and report back at the end of August.

10 comments

  1. Ooh that all sounds fabulous - you're a far braver woman than I! Those lights look so cool:-) I saw an add for the Quoocker today and the only thing that concerned me was if you put it on the wrong setting accidentally or one of your children and scalded your hand - is there some kind of safety mechanism?

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    1. Those were my initial concerns too but I've investigated thoroughly and spoken to people who already have them and you can't accidentally turn on the boiling water. The handle is a childproof push and turn design. Even when it is on the boiling water its dispensed in a fine spray rather than a solid jet. Not sure I'd have had one when my kids were tiny but I'm happy with it at the age they are now in terms of safety.

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  2. I'll happily have your old kitchen! Mum x

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    1. Alas it all fell to pieces when being removed.

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  3. A new kitchen! How very exciting. Commenting for myself and on behalf of BritMums and thanking you for taking part

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    1. Exciting and Scary. #KitchenTales was a great opportunity to share the story.

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  4. Looks super modern and cool, Claire! Having been through dry rot hell with no kitchen for three months I sympathise with the cupboard emptying, I still haven't got everything back in the cupboards and I keep moving things round much to the annoyance of the family! I'm sure it will all go well, enjoy your holiday.

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    1. I'll just keep repeating to myself - it will all be worth it in the end!

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  5. The plans look great! I'm glad you went with Kitchens International. The daughter of the guy who owns it is my best friend from school! Such a small world.

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    1. Don't tell me you could have got me a discount??!! ;-)

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