When we hired builders for our kitchen extension we chose a shell-only contract. This allowed the builders to complete the structural work quickly while we took on most of the internal finishing ourselves. It’s saved a considerable amount of money, but progress has been slower because all the work has to fit around our full-time jobs. Most of the installation has happened on weekends and during holidays, so we’ve had to sacrifice a summer break this year.
We started with a rough concrete subfloor and bare plaster walls. Graham handled the plumbing while I painted. After that we fitted the flooring and began installing the kitchen units. Since the old kitchen was removed a few months ago, we’ve been living with very basic facilities — a small electric hob, a microwave and a temporary sink in what will become the utility room. It hasn’t been ideal, but we’ve managed, and the project is finally nearing completion. I’m certainly ready to say goodbye to microwave dinners for good.
The space
Previously I shared the layout plan for the extension. Our main design objective was to keep the kitchen feeling light and open. The room benefits from natural light entering from the front and rear, as well as from roof lights above. The vaulted ceiling enhances the sense of space and introduces a lot of height; I’m looking forward to choosing a statement pendant to hang from the apex.
The flooring
Although it’s common to run the same flooring throughout a home for continuity, we decided not to use the oak herringbone planned for the living room in the new kitchen. That choice was partly budget-driven, but also because the extension has its own character and we wanted to emphasise that difference. We selected a light, Scandinavian-inspired floor and ordered untreated brushed larch. The supplier was very helpful and offered useful guidance on selecting and finishing the boards.
Larch is technically a softwood, but it performs similarly to many hardwoods and is more durable than most other softwoods. It has an appearance close to Douglas fir but is more cost-effective. To achieve the pale, neutral finish we wanted, I treated the boards with a lye solution to reduce yellow tones, then applied two layers of a clear protective oil, starting with a lightly tinted base coat and finishing with a natural top coat. The process is labour-intensive but allowed us to control the exact look and feel of the floor.
The Doors
We chose crittall-style aluminium patio doors supplied by a local installer. Aluminium gave us the look we wanted at a lower cost and with better thermal performance than steel. Getting the proportions and mullion spacing right took some time, and while the doors were a significant part of the budget, they transformed the space and we’re thrilled with how they look.
The kitchen units
We spent a long time deciding on kitchen units. Ultimately we used ready-made base carcasses from a well-known flatpack retailer and ordered bespoke doors, plinths and drawer fronts from a specialist cabinet maker. The base units were straightforward to install; we fitted them over a single weekend. One thing to note is that many flatpack unit ranges do not include service gaps, so if you have pipes or services to conceal, plan for that in advance.
We chose not to install full-height wall cabinets. Instead we’ll use open shelving to display favourite tableware and keep the room feeling airy. We’ve also added a number of electrical points for wall lights, so there are still lighting decisions to make before everything is finished.
If you’re wondering about the boarded opening above the plumbing where the sink will go, that will eventually be a window. We have a slightly unusual idea for it, so watch this space for a reveal.
My kitchen moodboard
1. Wall light – Inspyer Lighting | 2. Radiator – soak.com | 3. Door – Doors To You | 4. Worktop – Caesarstone | 5. Tap – Abode | 6. Kitchen units – Husk | 7. Pendant light – Heal’s | 8. Mug – Sue Pryke
Still to do…
There are a few remaining tasks before the kitchen is complete. We need to fit the column radiators we’ve chosen to match the rest of the house. An internal door is still to be installed; we’ve picked a black industrial-style door to echo the patio doors. Finally, we’ll select appliances and worktops, and finish off the lighting. There’s plenty to keep us busy in the coming weeks, but the end is in sight and we’re excited to see it all come together.