Help with kitchen cabinets. Looking to immitate deVOL.

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I'm looking to imitate a deVOL kitchen but can't afford one
I've looked at DIY kitchens Norton range but the lay-on frame is 10cm, a lot chunkier than deVOL. Has anyone seen any kitchens with a slimmer onlay frame above no V groove (so the frame is flush with no gaps)? I dint want in-frame. Thanks so much!

I have been following this thread like mad.
Also trying to get that high end look on less than high end budget and have looked into shaker doors with Ikea carcasses and DIY kitchens. Crumbelina, Ikea didn't do a cabinet suitable for a Belfast/butler sink as far as I could see anywhere . What sink are you planning on having ? Also was a bit worried about not having any service gap at the back so presumably the fitter has to cut into the backs of cupboards for the pipes etc ??
Have to say the Pineland gallery looks amazing .
Piglet are you pleased with yours and was it expensive overall ?

Welcome Mcjoap!

The sink is the last thing to decide on so I'll let you know how I get on. I think a Villeroy and Boch Butler 60 sink might work as it's overmounted (as opposed to under). I have one in my utility room and it's fabulous! tinyurl.com/ycoganfv. Its in the DeVOL catalogue for £360. My problem is that we have a 800mm unit so I'm going to assemble it and then see what height we can get away with. If none are likely to fit then I'll be asking DH to amend the unit (lucky him). Will let you know how I get on.

And yes, that's right about the service gap. You need to cut though or chase into the wall (not recommended!) or have the pipes running under the unit. Again, my kitchen fitter is DH and he's going to have lots of fun with that.

Progress here is sooo slow. The hardware is delayed until mid May and we're working our way through the carcasses and I'm responsible for the construction of the interior fittings - drawers, the cleaning interior etc. Saving money is a pain in the arse when you're sitting on the kitchen floor at 10pm swearing at a hinge.

One lesson I have learned is that IKEA instructions are ALWAYS right and I am always wrong. I've learnt that the hard way - ha!

How's everyone else getting on with planning/dreaming?

Oh, and will let you know what sink unit we have with the product code.

We are off to visit classic kitchens direct in Christchurch on the weekend. They have some British Standard/ Devol look-a-likes on their gallery!!

I'm struggling with everything ! We are knocking our kitchen through into the room next door which has floorboards under carpet. I had hoped for large ceramic limestone-look-alike tiles throughout but I've heard it's not a good idea to try and tile over floorboards even with something like tile backing board underneath .
Can't decide on a double sink or single large sink that can fit baking sheets etc (large family with 4 children so meals are vast). We currently have 1.5 sink but I find the half sink pretty useless and just ends up collecting dishcloths and pan scrubbers and nobody thinks to clean it.
Our kitchen area has very little wall space so I might not be able to have eye level ovens and might have to have a cooker set into a peninsular with some sort of extractor above.
Struggling with the planning as I find it very hard to visualise a space that isn't there yet IYKWIM

H

Crumbelina,
good to hear that you are at a stage of assembling kitchen units. Yes ikea instructions are always right! I too learnt it hard way after assembling whole lot of PAX with interior fittings and drawers and other furniture.

We viewed couple of houses but no one accepted our offers. Houses are listed so much overpriced and vendors arent ready to accept lower offers. There was one which we really liked but vendors have now taken it off market. I guess they were just testing waters and not really interested in selling. Anyway, I am back to my ikea kitchen planner while waiting for structural drawings.

Hope the visit went well, Lola? Their kitchens look beautiful!

Mcjoap - I'd agree about tiling over floorboards, the grout could start to crack and the tiles may give before long. We removed all of the floor boards (we changed a first floor bedroom into a shower room) and laid down very thick plywood and flexible grout. Two years later and there's no sign of cracking.

I definitely want one large sink as it can be used for big things that can't go on the dishwasher, e.g. the highchair tray.

I get exactly what you mean re visualising the space. We demolished the entire ground floor kitchen, bathroom and first floor bedroom and had to start from scratch!

Ah, Mum, that's a shame. I hate the whole house buying process so you have my sympathy!

Crumbelina I hope the assembly is going well for you . Are you putting on your lovely doors as you go ?
I think I've nearly decided to go for the Helmsley kitchen from DIY kitchens. Are you planning an integrated fridge freezer or freestanding one ?
I can't believe all the decisions that need to be made and so many are on-line without being able to see them in real life like sinks and taps, worktops.....
I read you were getting your worktop from Diapol - do you know if they send out samples ?

All going well but still so slowly! We only really have nap times to work on the kitchen, but the units are slowly going up and we're fitting the doors as we go. Feeling a bit that we didn't hire a kitchen fitter but we'll get there!

Well done on the Helmsley choice! They're beautiful units. We've opted for an integrated fridge freezer as I don't want a big white one to spoil the overall look and I'm not a big fan of the US style ones. That said, integrated ones are quite small! We've opted for a 70/30 split - this one for around £730 in the sale: www.currys.co.uk/gbuk/household-appliances/refrigeration/fridge-freezers/samsung-brb260031ww-eu-integrated-70-30-fridge-freezer-10162910-pdt.html?cmpid=email-when-back~back-in-stock~product-details~31012018.

We've also bought an integrated undercounter freezer which feels vital now and a separate wine fridge (because I've always dreamed of one)!

Decision making is so hard! I can't believe that we bought the kitchen doors, polished concrete floor and dining table without ever seeing them. It's something that I would never normally do but the risk has really paid off!

Yes, Diapol definitely send samples. I can't wait to be in a position to order my worktop!

Oh, and I can really recommend Crosswater for taps. All mine come from them as I know they're great quality.

Crumbelina,
Hope kitchen fitting going well. We got offer accepted on a house now! It was in our budget and right price so didnt have to negotiate. It would need new kitchen and bathroom so will be back on kitchen planner after the process. Fingers crossed all goes well with buying process!

And i am making notes from your posts. Really helpful.

crimbelina how is the kitchen going?????

crumbelina even!

Hello! SO slowly still! We've had a lot on our plate recently so work has pretty much stopped and only really happens at nap time. The weather has been so gorgeous as well that we've taken a bit of time out (and had a little family party )

That said, here are some pics of the doors and hardware (although we've yet to fit cornicing, pelmets, plinths etc.). The hardware was so expensive but it absolutely transforms the doors. Will keep updating as well make more progress.

We'll done Mum2015! Hope it's all progressing well?

I found this thread and read it much of the way to Devon in in huge bank holiday traffic jams! (Obviously DH driving!).
It’s as if you’ve all seen my internet search history and put it on here! Anyway, LOVE your kitchen Crumbelina and good luck with rest of the fitting. I’m in North Kingston too!
PlainPiglet, could you post a pic of your kitchen please? Sounds fab!
We are awaiting initial builders quote for knocking down a couple of walls etc and the kitchen fitting before we proceed. So much choice, it’s terrifying!

Crumbelina,
Those doors and handles are gorgeous. We got guzumpted and lost the house. Who in their right mind are guzumping in this market
Anyway some progress on extension side, builder is most likely giving quote next week.

Oh that's rubbish, Mum2015! Like you say, who on earth is gazumping given that property prices are falling all over the place and probably have a way to go. Let's hope it all buggers up for them. We had a similar thing happen with our first house and then the rival buyers couldn't get a mortgage (this was back in 2009).

Oh and good luck with the quote. Hope it's reasonable and not too shocking.

Crumbelina your doors are lovely! we're looking at Foxtow shaker doors too for Howdens units. Have you found they've all fitted your base units perfectly, or have their been any gaps or bits where they haven't aligned perfectly? (this is what my partner is worried about!). Are you happy with the paint finish? Thanks so much

Where are your handles from please Crumvelina??

They're from Armac Martin (Cotswold collection) with an antique copper finish. So expensive but so worth it - they really make the cupboards look high end.

@housedoerupper, yes all good so far! The paint finish is fabulous too (and they send extra for touch ups if needed). The only thing I'd recommend is to check the specification (i.e. door and drawer sizes) over and over again to make sure you have exactly what you need.

Just remembered there's a couple of inconsistencies actually. IKEA recommend that an integrated fridge/freezer (70/30 split) should sit on a shelf at the lowest level of the cupboard but the lower Shaker Doors' door has been made to assume that it sits on the base of the cabinet (if that makes sense?). It hasn't really been much of a problem. Also, the sink drawer front they sent has no holes for it to fit on the drawer itself but I think that's mainly because we wanted something quite bespoke and fiddly so DH will sort that. Again it's not too much of an issue. Everything else fits perfectly, has the right holes etc. We're not finished yet (by a long way and so can update if we find any more issues).

Thanks Crumbelina, sounds great!