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Kitchen dithering

64 replies

AButterflyLightsBesideUs · 03/03/2016 11:06

I had some great pointers and suggestions the other week on here, and we are a few steps forward but still feeling very indecisive.

We've nailed the actual design, ie. layout/unit sizes, that's great. We are not doing so well on the look.

I think we have ruled out solid wood (just can't take the stress & maintenaince) & laminate wood effect (not sufficiently convincing) as worktops.

We'll be continuing our warm rustic oak effect floor through the kitchen from other rooms.

After suggestions from MNers we are looking seriously at quartz worktops and have a raft of samples being sent from DIY kitchens where it is surprisingly affordable.

Unit wise, we are going white (I think!). But matt or gloss? Handles or handleless? Slab or shaker? This is where it all gets a bit confused.

I think I really like this look which we could acheive with the Luca range at DIY kitchens - not sure about matt or gloss though? Would gloss get fingerprinty if you have no handles?

Also considering a handled kitchen and got a sample door of this. Think this is DH's preference, he thinks handleless is a bit "unfinished" looking, I think this one could be a bit meh.

This morning I've had a wibble and wondered if it's all a bit minimalist... and looked at this Shaker style painted. This is stupid isn't it? The groove will fill with filth and piss me off won't it?

I want easy clean for definite. The base units will be almost entirely drawers if that makes any difference?

And worktop colours? Definitely not super dark black/graphitey colours, it's not the brightest of rooms (due north). I do love the idea of white/ish quartz but is it a nightmare? Does it get tea/wine/turmeric/coffee stained easily? Thought maybe a grey like this? Speckled/lightly speckled effect obv has it's advantages in the case of stains over time.

Wise MNers help me before DH bludgeons me to death for my endless dithering!

OP posts:
errorofjudgement · 05/03/2016 16:00

Thank you, it's good to hear positive stories.
We've chosen to keep our current fridge freezer, but it's freestanding with open space next to it so we can hopefully upgrade in the future. I love the American style fridges- v jealous!

MiaowTheCat · 05/03/2016 16:30

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

AButterflyLightsBesideUs · 06/03/2016 08:20

I know a few of you were looking for walk in corner larders - looks like you can also get them from DIY kitchens too - saw this in the FAQs:
walk in corner larder units
Just incase that helps anyone! or complicates their decision

OP posts:
AButterflyLightsBesideUs · 07/03/2016 13:18

didireallysaythat thanks that's pretty much exactly what we need. Shame its £200+! I'm wondering if we could construct one ourselves, but that might be stupid...

Right, we've come full circle. We are back on oak worktops. Priced it and it's third to half the price of the quartz. It'll look lovely and if we trash it we will have to sand it down and try again. And if we really trash it we can replace it 2-3 times before it's cost us the cost of quartz.

By the way, if anyone has been considering Maia, don't. I ran a fork across the sample in homebase and it was like drawing in butter - scratched to buggery at the gentlest touch.

OP posts:
didireallysaythat · 07/03/2016 20:06

butterfly yes the price is silly. The mechanism is what you are paying for I guess - the foot pedal moves a 600mm door out a bit like a regular drawer and kitchen drawers are more expensive than cupboards because of the mechanism. I reckon you could try and make your own. Not sure if hafele would be cheaper.

MiaowTheCat · 08/03/2016 12:22

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

ExtraHotLatteToGo · 16/03/2016 16:25

I have found my people 😊

twinklestar01 · 08/08/2016 04:07

Hello, wondering if anyone can help pls. I've had the Luca gloss range from DIY kitchen and it has chipped very bad on the plinth after yes 2 months believe just by using a normal brush to sweep, have any use had seem issues for lacquered gloss door's...might be making g a big complaint to the to them.Angry

namechangedtoday15 · 08/08/2016 09:55

I've had the Luca kitchen for about 2 years (but the matt version) - we haven't been particularly careful with it (busy family, 3 children etc), its just been taken out by builders as we're having an extension, using part for the utility room and sold part of it on gumtree (buyer couldn't believe it was 2 years old). It still looks like new.

twinklestar01 · 08/08/2016 10:21

Thanks Is the Luca Matt painted, think I went for the wrong kithen. Does any one else have any views on lacquered gloss and it's durability please...thanks

Mum2KSS · 11/08/2016 15:30

Go for your gut instinct and don't worry about trends and fads - I went for what I wanted (cream gloss) and it makes my heart sing every time I walk into the kitchen - who cares if it's out of date soon - not me!

Kitchen dithering
Kitchen dithering
darreldixonishot · 13/08/2016 11:50

Twinkle I would contact DIY kitchens , send them some pictures maybe, from what I can see about them online their customer service looks really good!
Mum ~ love your kitchen!

professionallurker · 14/08/2016 22:09

Where is your table from Mum2KSS? Like!

Mum2KSS · 14/08/2016 22:24

Thanks pro it's from Lee Longlands

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