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5th January 2023
OM Magazine, Issue 164, January 2023
6th January 2023
Mike and Sue Taylor knew exactly the kitchen they wanted the moment they stepped into the KF Kitchens showroom: “Once I saw it, I had to have it,” said Sue. “It was just perfect for what we were looking for.”
We were the third company that Mike and Sue contacted when they started their kitchen quest – and the only one with a showroom. Suddenly, they were able to see – and feel – real life, working kitchens. It was a game changer!
The kitchen that really caught their eye was our Nolte kitchen in concrete stone – inspired by nature and guaranteed to add a touch of style to any home.
But it wasn’t simply a new kitchen that Mike and Sue were after: it was a whole new living space that would open up a large area of the downstairs of their house in Plympton and also connect the living space to their beautiful garden.
The original lay-out had a long, narrow kitchen with a window above the sink looking out to the garden; an oven and units alongside the external side wall; and a breakfast bar which faced an internal wall between the kitchen and the separate dining room. At the far end of the kitchen was a utility room that also required updating.
To create the new kitchen and living space, we removed the internal wall and built the kitchen in what was the old dining room. We transformed what was formerly the kitchen into a new lounge and dining area and knocked down a part of the external wall facing the garden to remove the old window and instal patio doors. The utility room was also given the fresh Nolte look.
The project means the couple are now utilising the full space in their home – which wasn’t the case before: “When these were two different rooms, we never used the old dining room – we called it the forgotten room,” said Sue. “And we sat at the breakfast bar, facing the wall.”
The transformation process got under way as soon as they got in touch with us: “The experience we had with KF Kitchens was completely different,” said Sue. “With the previous two companies, we were shown brochures and samples, but we couldn’t actually see what the kitchen would look like. With KF Kitchens, we could go into the showroom and see everything working. And as soon as I went in, I saw this kitchen.
“I loved the texture, it’s beautiful – and it’s impossible to leave marks on it. And then I saw the Silestone sink, and I wanted that as well. But it all came together really when Simon, the designer at KF Kitchens, came to the house. He was fantastic. Nothing was too much trouble.”
The structural work was done first so that the internal wall could be removed and supports put in, and the external wall was opened up for the patio doors. From there, it was a case of creating the Taylors’ kitchen and living space just as they envisaged it.
They chose an illuminated MatrixArt handle-less rail system for the Nolte kitchen cupboards and drawers – this is a real statement that adds to the clean line elegance of the kitchen while also bringing a homely ambience with adjustable lighting to match the mood of the moment.
The kitchen has integrated Neff appliances including a Wifi Slide & Hide oven, a Quooker boiling water tap, spotlights, and Quartz worktops that allow plenty of space for food preparation and entertaining. Another nice touch is an extractor hood for the hob which doubles up as a storage space for a spice rack: “The fitter also went above and beyond to conceal the extractor fan workings by creating housing for it within the cupboards,” said Sue.
In the dining area, Mike suggested a special light feature for the centre of the ceiling, which we were able to create – another fabulous statement piece.
The result of the work is that the Taylors now have a living space for life: “For 12 years, we didn’t even use the dining room,” said Sue. “So, we now not only have a new kitchen that will last us forever; we also have a fabulous living area – and it all connects to the garden through our new doors.
“It has made such a big difference to our home, and how we enjoy our home. It’s worth every penny.”
The work was designed and project managed from start to finish by KF Kitchens, with our skilled fitters, builders, plumber, electrician, door and window fitters, and decorator: “It was seamless,” said Sue, “the whole process was brilliant and there was a solution for everything. I can definitely recommend KF Kitchens, 100% – I really can’t fault a thing.”
