SIMPLY STUNNING…

The kitchen of a detached five-bedroom family home in the Ribble Valley has been transformed in a project that has created a new living space that is simply stunning. Photography: Vanessa Fry

Having visited several prestigious kitchen showrooms across the North West, Steve and Rachel turned to Katie Green at Heart of your Home Kitchens whose showroom is just a stones’ throw from their home in the Ribble Valley.

When the couple and their two children moved into their five-bedroom detached home in West Bradford they inherited a contemporary high-gloss cream kitchen that was far from ideal in terms of work-space, as Rachel recalls: “I managed to put up with it for six years, which I think is pretty good! But then I saw a Shaker-style kitchen by Heart of your Home Kitchens in Live Ribble Valley magazine.”

The couple had a good idea of what they wanted from their new kitchen and explained their vision to Katie who produced CAD drawings of the proposed new living space.

“We wanted to open up the space to form a large kitchen and dining area, so we knew walls had to come down. We didn’t want a kitchen that’s just a kitchen, we wanted a room that all the family could enjoy.”

In the original hall, dining room and kitchen, a total of three walls were either knocked down or modified to create the workable space needed for the project. One of the walls at the far end of the kitchen has now been replaced by huge bi-fold doors that open up onto the garden, bringing the outside in and creating a light and airy space.

Steve and Rachel then chose their cabinetry from Heart of your Home’s 1909 collection.

“After putting up with the high-gloss units for so long I knew I wanted something classic and timeless so the Shaker style units from the 1909 collection were perfect!” adds Rachel.

Rachel and Steve chose cabinets in Chalk and a large central island in Stone: “We originally chose Cashmere – we are north facing so it can be slightly dark, so we asked Katie for her advice and changed to lighter tones.”

“She was brilliant, she came back instantly to us. That’s the beauty of working with Katie – she is so efficient and stays in touch constantly, even at weekends.”

Rachel and Steve decided not to have any eye-level cabinets apart from a tall pantry unit that features sensor lights when the doors are opened and a matching Chalk full-wall feature TV and display cabinet, that works perfectly for the whole family: “Steve and both the children are big football fans so the TV was a must! It works really well,” says Rachel, who liaised with Katie throughout the project.

“At one point I was worried that the island unit was going to be too large but Katie assured me it would be fine, and it is!”

Incorporated on the island unit which is illuminated by pendant lighting is a discreet pop-up socket and USB port – perfect for a 21st century family who love their technology! There is also a state-of-the-art Quooker boiling water tap and to complete the look, three rose-pink pots to co-ordinate with the soft pink velvet chairs that are situated at the end of the island.

The pink is mirrored in the display cabinet with rose-pink vases, the overall effect being a beautiful, aesthetically pleasing living space that flows well and is both practical and beautiful.

A herringbone Karndean floor was laid in soft Mountain Ash, while over the dining table an unusual ‘bubble’ clear class pendant light takes centre stage.

“We got on so well with Katie. She was definitely on my wavelength,” says Rachel. “Katie’s fitter Mick was amazing – he is so precise with everything.

If ever I had any doubts, Katie would talk us through them explaining everything. Whatever time it was, she would always respond to emails quickly which is really reassuring. She oozes confidence in what she does – she really knows what she is talking about,” adds Rachel, who loves cooking in her new kitchen.

“I enjoy cooking a lot more now! The old kitchen was pretty dysfunctional but now I have lots of space! It’s been a labour of love that we have really enjoyed. As for Katie, she goes over and above what you would expect – she has been brilliant!”

Delighted that the couple are thrilled with their new living space, Katie adds: “The brief was to create a bright and airy space – to bring in as much natural light as possible as Rachel’s previous kitchen was quite dark.”

“The whole of the downstairs kitchen and dining room has been remodelled. We totally changed the layout of the kitchen adding a bespoke mantel and a large central island. Rachel was a little worried that the island would be too large but she followed my advice and it has worked out perfectly.”

“With the herringbone flooring and dry rose accessories, the space looks absolutely beautiful!”

Heart of your Home Kitchens
Backridge Farm Business Centre
Twitter Lane
Waddington BB7 3LQ
01200 444540
www.heartofyourhomekitchens.co.uk

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