Mike & Lesley, South Hams

The Design Challenge

The area now used as the kitchen and living space was once two separate rooms: a smaller kitchen with a single window overlooking the garden, and a conservatory. A wall with a door between the two, leading into the conservatory, blocked the light. "We had our oven, hob and kitchen cupboards against the separating wall, which was keeping all the light out of the kitchen," explained Lesley.

The couple, who live near Noss Mayo, decided that the best solution was to remove the wall and conservatory entirely and construct an extension with bifold doors, large windows, and a feature glass lantern in the ceiling. With the layout sorted, they then needed a kitchen company willing to work alongside their own contractors during the build.

After visiting four kitchen companies, Mike and Lesley selected KF Kitchens, partly based on a friend's recommendation. "They were the only ones who were interested," said Mike. "Within two hours of our first appointment at their showroom, Nathan had designed a layout on his computer for our kitchen and provided a rough estimate." Once the extension was finished, the couple returned to finalise the design.”

The Solution

Mike and Lesley selected a Nolte kitchen in Platinum Grey, featuring a Nolte island with anti-fingerprint doors in Black Green, a colour chosen to harmonise with the lighter greens seen from the garden. Caesarstone worktops were supplied by Mayflower Stone, and Karndean flooring finishes the design.

Integrated appliances are all Neff, including the fridge, main oven, oven with microwave, hob with extractor, dishwasher, and washing machine, alongside a Liebherr freezer. Several of the appliances are smart operated. The Quooker tap provides cold, sparkling, and instant boiling water. KF Kitchens also designed and fitted a utility room to match the kitchen, with all installations, decorating, and flooring managed by their team of contractors.

The island takes centre stage in the layout. "We also wanted an island because it gives us the cupboard space we lost when the old wall was taken down," said Lesley. "And it meant we could have the hob here, which I find very sociable because you're in the middle of things." Practical details were considered throughout: the sink is positioned close to the hob, and a corner where a conventional cupboard wouldn't fit was addressed with an up-and-over door that opens outwards by pressing the bottom corner.

Installation & Completion

KF Kitchens handled all installations, decorating, and flooring, carried out by their team of contractors working alongside Mike and Lesley's own tradesmen on the extension. "I'd certainly recommend KF Kitchens because of their knowledge in designing a kitchen and because as a team, they're able to come up with solutions when needed throughout the project," said Mike.