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Original poster

New Kitchen advice

46 replies

AimingForSerenity · 28/03/2011 18:52

We are just getting in quotes to replace our kitchen and, as I have never done this before I wondered if anyone had any words of wisdom. You know, the kind of thing that you think when you've finished that you wished you'd known before!

We have a large dining kitchen (around 18'3" x 16') but I don't want a central island unit as I like to have a kitchen table and chairs. I also want to keep my unfitted appliances (silver) and range cooker (stainless steel)

The current favourite kitchen is "rational, telaio" in "camee" (that's posh for cream)
www.rationalgb.com/collection/modern/telaio/index.php

Any thoughts or suggestions please? I'm feeling a bit bewildered

OP posts:
Freezingmyarseoff · 01/04/2011 00:24

I spent a small fortune on 25 Beautiful Kitchens. It did really help give me ideas. Also try this website here

It's annoying when they don't really listen to you. The kitchen people we used in the end were really good, because they just seemed to understand and talk sense so maybe keep trying to find another designer. They were an independent shop, but very competitive on prices.

Original poster
AimingForSerenity · 02/04/2011 00:16

Thanks flingon for the kitchen fitters site, great idea and thanks everybody else for the feedback. I visited a friend today who subscribes to all sorts of home magazines and we spent ages looking through them.

My friend feels strongly that an island unit would be impressive but I love having a kitchen table that can seat at least 6 and hate perching on high stools/chairs. Most of the lower tables attached to units leave people sitting in a very linear way.

Still not much further along but at least I am better informed for when the drawings and plans come through.

Thank you all again, and I will let you all know when the plans are in!

OP posts:
sparklyjewlz · 02/04/2011 06:49

Going back to the boiling water tap: on kitchen designer has told us that it will cost £900 (price of appliance and fitting) but they are v cheap to run. I've heard that people are impressed with them. Are they worth it?

sparklyjewlz · 02/04/2011 06:49

our kitchen designer

maryjane71 · 02/04/2011 20:25

sparkly, the qooker(sp?) apparently cost around £700 - £800 but the insinkerator are less than £300. That doesn't include fitting btw. Not sure what the difference is but I'm going for the cheaper one Smile We've had several kitchen quotes from salesman and fitters, and they've all said they either have one or would like one.

Original poster
AimingForSerenity · 04/04/2011 23:40

GGrrr! I got my first design today and it's not nice. Almost the same layout as now, just new cupboards. I just don't seem to be able to get anyone to understand what I want and come up with ideas from there, they all just seem to want to push what suits their units onto you. Am disappointed as I loved the kitchens at this place but they seem to want to make everything ultra-modern and minimal and my house and style do not suit that.

Sorry, rant over.

OP posts:
FlingonTheValiant · 05/04/2011 08:53

Hmm, rubbish. Try looking on this website The guy is an independent kitchen designer, so not trying to flog anything in particular.

He has loads of sections where he talks through design ideas and how to do it (scroll down to the bottom of that page for example).

He particularly raves about exactly what you've described, designers just changing the units.

If you get desperate you could always think about paying him to do a design for you, but I've managed to reassess a lot of my ideas just by reading his site and looking at his gallery.

If you do really want a design (and we might for the final stage) I'd definitely think about getting an independent one. It's pricey, but they take so much more into account, and theoretically you can then buy from anywhere.

GrendelsMum · 05/04/2011 08:54

AimingForSerenity - whereabouts in the country are you? I'm just wondering because we had a Rational kitchen fitted and the designs were distinctly uninspired - our previous kitchen designer was much better.

FlingonTheValiant · 05/04/2011 09:00

this

or this

are a bit different.

greenlotus · 05/04/2011 12:53

I love that site too, Flingon, but I think the guy is a laydee Grin. I wish she would come on Mumsnet!

FlingonTheValiant · 05/04/2011 15:01

Oops Blush

Please read she where I've written he then.

Sorry Majjie!

CarGirl · 06/04/2011 21:59

Flingon thank for these links they are fantastic, the best help I've had so far!

noddyholder · 06/04/2011 22:09

Plain English kitchens are lovely and well made and considering the quality the price is higher than average but not excessive. I renovate houses for a living and have never had a PE kitchen in my own house but definitely plan to!

NotaMopsa · 06/04/2011 22:11

noddy - my daughter is fab at technical drawing and she drew me to scale - a kitchen i designed based on a PE one

I LOVE it and although still pricey - it was a lot less than a PE one

NotaMopsa · 06/04/2011 22:12

noddy - my daughter is fab at technical drawing and she drew me to scale - a kitchen i designed based on a PE one

I LOVE it and although still pricey - it was a lot less than a PE one

noddyholder · 06/04/2011 22:13

I do drawings and 'borrow' some ideas too Grin Lucky you I will probably not be able to spend when the time comes as I know a local carpenter could make one for less

Original poster
AimingForSerenity · 06/04/2011 23:34

Thanks everybody. I'm off work tomorrow so am going to spend some time looking at the links on here

GrendelsMum We're in the NorthWest, not far from Preston. Are you happy with your Rational kitchen? They just seem more solid and good quality than others we have seen.

The Rational kitchen man keeps telling me "We don't do ..... anymore, nobody wants that nowadays". I can't get him to understand that I don't want my kitchen to look like a laboratory.

Off to google "Plain English"!

OP posts:
overthemill · 07/04/2011 16:37

not read all thread as its very long ! but we redid kitchen in each of last and current house and used builder to plan and fit with tons of ideas from magazines and showrooms and knowing how our family uses it. this time we got units from
unpainted kitchens and i really cannot recommend them highly enough.

ex well known hand made kitchen place in wiltshire, i believe and fantastic quality, customer service, prices and so nice! Units started from £250 I think and we got all ours for a tiny sum then painted and fitted by builder, adding more units once we had utility room build 2 years later and washing machine moved out.
my sister is having them in her new place and i will use again in next house defo

Lizzywishes · 08/04/2011 18:13

I've gone for big deep drawers rather than cupboards where possible and they're great - fit much more in. Sparkly - we've just had amtico put in and really love it. Looks good, warm underfoot and not at all clattery, as tiles can be.

clangermum · 10/04/2011 12:47

haven't read all the thread but I posted my own similar query a while back so you could search that - also one of the quirkiest bits of information I gleaned (one of those things I'd never think of) - someone said if going for underfloor heating, think where your bin is going to be and if it sits on the floor, leave that area unheated otherwise you'll have a really smelly bin.

banyouk · 10/01/2017 11:45

Which one is the best Kitchen tap brand option for Sinks?

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