New kitchen, with some old items…

Imagine starting with a blank canvas but getting to splash it with vibrant colours, personalized touches, and a few beloved vintage pieces. That’s what we aim for every time we dive into a new kitchen project. Our latest adventure was with Layla, the proud owner of a stunning new kitchen in Nantwich. Here’s how we turned her kitchen dreams into kitchen reality.

You should love your new kitchen and feel like you have full ownership of everything about it. And that’s how Layla now feels. She wanted a bright kitchen that felt bigger than the old one. With the exception of the brick effect tiles in the kitchen to match a theme throughout the rest of the house, we went light, bright and beautiful in the design process.

led's installed under wall units
Brick effect, a common theme throughout the house.
old aga cooker
Our client wanted to keep the AGA (above), Belfast sink and black ceramic floor (below).
black ceramic kitchen floor
belfast kitchen sink

Layla’s new kitchen wishlist

During our kitchen survey and consultation, our client, Layla explained that she wanted to brighten up her kitchen space and somehow make it feel like a bigger space. However she did want to keep her AGA, the kitchen island, Belfast sink and existing black ceramic floor tiles, all apart from the sink being dark in colour.

Embracing the Dark Side… With a Twist

Oh, and did we mention the massive black American fridge freezer? It was another must-keep, but it needed a new spot in the kitchen. Layla also had a trusty microwave that couldn’t hog the countertop space anymore. Plus, storage – you can never have enough storage!

Don’t forget the microwave!

The microwave also needed to stay but not where it was on the work top, taking up valuable space. Finally we were tasked with creating more storage space.

Another brick in the wall

From a décor point of view, although the overall effect needed to be lighter, Layla wanted to introduce a brick tile. The main reason being brick is a constant feature throughout the rest of the house.

Our kitchen design solution

With our thinking caps securely on, we dove into designing Layla’s kitchen. After brainstorming, researching, and a few cups of coffee, we nailed down the perfect mix of materials, textures, and colours.

The plan

Next step the kitchen plan view. We input the dimensions, referred to the client specification and proceeded with the task. We use the plan drawings to build the CAD renders that we present to our clients.

Fridge and storage

First on the list: relocating that huge fridge freezer. We moved it to a corner near the window, which opened up the space beautifully. We also added a sleek lift-up cupboard above it for extra storage and a seamless, built-in look.

Belfast sink and the AGA

To free up more workspace, we shifted the Belfast sink away from the AGA. And that microwave? We tucked it into a wall unit, liberating valuable worktop real estate.

Clever Storage Solutions

We got creative with storage, adding wide pull-out drawers and an L-shaped corner base unit. We even used 350mm deep wall units instead of the usual 300mm, squeezing out extra space. Smaller plinths (kickboards) gave us taller cupboards, and all these tweaks combined to create a storage haven.

black fridge freezer
Relocated American fridge freezer.
belflast sink in situ new white kitchen.
Belfast sink moved slightly further away from AGA.
built-in microwave oven
Microwave built-in to wall unit to free up worktop space.

Light and Bright Décor

To balance the dark floor and brick tiles, we chose light-coloured doors and countertops. This not only brightened up the space but also complemented the black AGA and fridge. The neutral palette means Layla can add pops of any colour she likes for a personal touch.

Let There Be Light

Lighting is crucial in a kitchen. We installed new LED lights under the wall units and in the ceiling, and added three chic pendants over the island. Each lighting option is on a different circuit and dimmable, allowing Layla to switch from bright task lighting to a softer, dining ambiance at the flick of a switch.

By blending Layla’s beloved old items with fresh, modern touches, we created a kitchen that’s both functional and fabulous. Now, every time Layla steps into her kitchen, she feels like it’s truly hers – a perfect blend of past treasures and new delights.

Before and after, from survey and design concepts to kitchen completion

Conclusion

Layla is delighted with her new kitchen and she says we were a delight to work with… aaww thank you Layla 🙏

So what did we learn and have to take away from this project. Well, to start with, you don’t have to throw everything out when you renovate your kitchen. If the fridge freezer still chills and the oven still cooks, and they look beautiful, build them into the design. Besides it’s better for the planet if you do!

Further reading

https://holtskde.uk/small-kitchen-in-ightfield/
https://holtskde.uk/your-team/
https://holtskde.uk/laundry-made-easy/

Like what you see?

If you like what you see and would like to have a chat with our design team about your new kitchen needs just give us a call on 01948 302340 or fill out the short contact form below, we’d love to talk and hear what you have in mind. Speak soon 😊

Witten by Holts KDE on | Tagged: AGA Before & After Kitchen Design