pimp an IKEA kitchen?

[MissWing]

Hi all, IKEA kitchens seem to get good reviews, esp for the price.

We're considering getting one and then putting an engineered stone worktop on top (compac probably). Then adding Jeff appliances from the John lewis outlet/ boots electrical. With Franke sink and taps.

Is this going to work?

Is it daft to put a whole bunch of mid-high end stuff (worktops etc), on IKEA carcasses? Eg will our stone and the sink outlive the kitchen?

We're planning to get our builder to fit it.

V grateful for your views!

What's this about a johnlewisoutlet??

We did this a few years ago. Still looks great. I saw a Poggenpohl kitchen I liked and based it on that. Ikea stainless steel island made from their drawers and cabinets, and floor to ceiling units in matt white. I had a few unit fronts made from elm but the are the minority.

We then have a Smeg sink, posh taps, Smeg hob on island etc. Worktop cost the most - pure white silestone from a local stonemason.

I like modern kitchens so didn't want to spend £££ on dove tail jointed made by artinsal fairies units that I am likely to want to replace in 10 years time.

We did this - ikea units and handles (love my larder units and all my multiple units of pan drawers - can't stress this enough) but sourced everything else from elsewhere - quartz work tops, franke sinks and taps, neff appliances including flex induction hob and a super powerful gas wok burner, boiling water tap (my favourite), wine chiller and plumbed in Samsung American fridge freezer (Dh's favourite due to ice and filtered cold water on tap so to speak). I prioritised my work tops and appliances. A huge number of architects and designers do exactly the same.

Thank you talkingpeace.

I wouldn't go as far as saying we 'pimped' our kitchen but we did buy ikea units and doors and then spent more elsewhere to get Neff appliances, Franke sink and taps and solid wood worktop.

25 year guarantee on the base units.

Ikea have changed their kitchen system recently so can't say how it compares good or bad to the old one (Metod now rather than Faktum)

Sleepdodger, google John lewis home outlet. It's by Swindon. They sell ex display appliances with12 month guarantee.