Saturday 2 November 2013

At last!

Finally, after 12 long years I've actually got a kitchen to call my own. I've lost count of the times I've painted over tiles, cupboards, floors even to try and improve some hideous set of units in the houses we've lived in to try and make a space feel more like home.

Woody was reluctant it has to be said. He'd have put up with our old, sad, rotten, leaking, broken kitchen forever but I'd reached my limit. I last did it up a couple of years ago but it really was beyond repair. So I went to Ikea and bought a bargain new kitchen that we can just afford and a couple of weeks back it was fitted.
All I wanted was something that when I cleaned it, it actually looked clean! There are no fancy, cheffy touches, just nice simple cupboards, with lovely deep pan drawers and proper lighting so I can actually see what I'm doing.

The Ikea fitters were superb and we didn't have to call or organise anything apart from buying our tiles and new flooring. We arranged for them to fit those too as well as a brilliant little plinth heater that warms up our galley kitchen really quickly and meant we could get rid of an awkward radiator. This meant we also got to have a fridge freezer in this end of the room rather than in the dining end which was always a hassle.
I love the tiles. They're the same as we had fitted in the bathroom last year but in here we chose a light grey grout because I didn't want to get fixated on it discolouring. It looks great!

I can't tell you how happy I feel to have a proper kitchen with appliances that work (and don't smoke or smell!) where we can gather as a family and enjoy where we are. Tomorrow all the family are coming over for a big Sunday lunch and I can't wait to cook for them and feel a tiny bit proud.xxx

16 comments:

Linnet In Oriel said...

Hi Steph,
I have been quietly reading your blog for a few weeks now and just wanted to say hi and congratulations on your lovely new kitchen! I know exactly how you feel about trying to improve inherited/acquired kitchens. Much effort with limited success. Enjoy the rest of your weekend and happy cooking. x
Shauna

Rose Fern said...

I love it! The tiles are wonderful too! I hope you'll make many meals for family and friends there! Enjoy!

Cait O'Connor said...

I really love your kitchen and also the tiles. Have a good lunch tomorrow.

Sue said...

Hey Steph,What a smashing kitchen,i hope you have many,many enjoyable hours in it,(it does make a difference to us doesn't it)?!
Best Wishes,Hope you're well
Sue xxx

Helen - sittinginthekitchensink said...

It looks gorgeous! The tiles and grout look great too. I'm intrigued by the plinth heater - we have a tiny galley kitchen with no heating at all so that sounds right up our street - I'm off to google it now! x

Anonymous said...

Oh Steph, congratulations on your beautiful new kitchen. It looks absolutely gorgeous! You deserve it - Enjoy!
Warm wishes Simone xx

Julie said...

I know exactly what you mean. We did our kitchen over almost three years ago now and it was like having a brand new house for me! The kitchen is such an important room of the house. it's a real family place so it's important that it feels just right. You've done a great job - well done!

Lisa said...

It looks so lovely. Enjoy looking at it all sparkle in it's newness!
Hope you all have a wonderful time at your first big family lunch, a great way to celebrate.
Lisa x

Rubyred said...

Oh Steph, it looks gorgeous! So fresh and clean.
Love the tiles and the work tops. I'm hoping to get new ones next year, fingers crossed!
Enjoy your lunch!

Rachel x

louise said...

It looks just lovely. I know just how you feel. I endured a make do and mend kitchen for years before I could afford a new one and now I revel in it!

driftwood said...

oh it's lovely. we had tiles like that fitted in our old house. I loved them. it all looks so nice and fresh, the kitchen really is the heart of the home x

Unknown said...

Enjoy your new kitchen, love the subway tiles and the grey grouting. I'm sure it seems like a new house. Hope you enjoy your sunday meal! I'd love to rip out my kitchen and redo it, but sadly I am unable to do it right now. Here's to many happy bakes in your new kitchen! Sharon

Ali said...

I can feel your joy from here! I have always had to live with someone else's idea of what makes a good kitchen - one day I will get to choose my own....

SandyshoesCornwall said...

Ooh looking fab! I love your style, and the kitchen looks just how I would like ours to be, I've got the tiles so far....Happy baking! x

Anonymous said...

It looks fantastic - really homely! The tiles are gorgeous and I love the effect of those under-cabinet lights. Hope you get lots of enjoyment out of it - it sounds as though you will!

Anonymous said...

Your kitchen is beautiful and you have given me hope that I might one day get mine as I am in the same boat as you have been. We had put down a deposit a few years ago on a new one then I became too poorly to have it fitted and we had to cancel. I am feeling next year must be the year we try again - seeing yours and the fact it is from Ikea will definitely spur me on to start looking again. I will be pinning a picture up on my board to remind me!!