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Our dream kitchen

Blogging, Location

Our dream Kitchen

On our journey (oh god I used that word) to our dream kitchen we went through many grand designs, stopped off at Hell’s kitchen, and even sampled a dollop or 2 of The great British break-down! If you love before and after shots and a good tale of kitchen carnage, blood, sweat and tears then stick around my friend. As we started our renovation I thought it was weird how you never hear good stories of home renovations. You know ones that are easy, stay on budget or don’t take ages. There is a reason for this…they don’t exist!

Our dream home

We moved into our beautiful forever home in August 2016, when our daughter was 6 weeks old. Some said we were brave or nuts or both, but to be honest we had no choice. I will never forget one of the removal men catching me expressing breast milk in our old shed in the garden mid move – I’m not sure who was more shocked, him I suspect! The next few months were some of the best and toughest we faced as a couple. With 2 amazing children both under 2, a large Edwardian house covered in scaffolding, squirrels in the chimneys, a drive that was a bomb site and at times no windows.

Overall it was a long sorry tale of sleep deprivation, woe is me competitions and general sentiment of “what the hell have we done!”. Once we recovered from this and the kids were no longer in nappies the thought of a kitchen renovation terrified me. So we put it off and put it off. Originally we said we’ll tackle it in 2-3 years. Fast forward 5 years later and we could put it off no longer!

A few of the problems we encountered were suspected Aesbetos, damp rot, building regulations, a Carpenter with a triple hernia, multiple floor screeding, 13 week delivery periods, frustration and severe anxiety.

Suppliers and Inspo

I have to say a big thanks to Gemma Hill, my amazing client who kindly let me draw huge amounts of inspiration from her kitchen renovation. Her pantry is the stuff dreams are made of. To see more of Gemma’s incredible kitchen click here to see my blog featuring her home.

A few of the amazing companies that helped us create our dream kitchen are also:

Kitchen Solutions

Farrow & Ball 

Jim Lawrence lighting

Lacanche and Crittall windows. 

Before

 

After

10 Comments

  1. Laureb

    This kitchen is an absolute work of art, I really hope all the pain of creating it is seeping away

    Reply
    • Kika

      Thanks babe, no pain no gain! thanks again for your comment x

      Reply
  2. Tvmumof2

    Wowzerrrrrrrrrs!

    Reply
  3. Lucie

    Absolute dream kitchen Kika. Love the panelling on the dining end wall. It took a long bloody time but you must be over the moon with it

    Reply
    • Kika

      thanks honey, the panelling is such a feature, we love it! finally…x

      Reply
  4. Mumof2

    Wowzers that’s amazing! You have given me so much inspo!

    Reply
  5. Dave Jackson

    Wow, absolutely gorgeous!!!

    Reply
    • Kika

      thank you so much Dave, really appreciate you taking the time to comment.

      Reply
      • Kika

        Thanks so much Mel for you comments, I’ll be here when you need gin, inspo or a shoulder xxxx

        Reply
  6. Sarah

    It looks absolutely bloody FABULOUS, as I always knew it would! Well done to both of you – all the hard work has paid off, for sure xx

    Reply

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