Aztecs27
Money List Winner
affirmative.
New Kitchen Advice
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RichA
Well-known member
Who did you go to for that design please @Aztecs27?I'm sure there's absolutely no one who cares, but I'll share anyway
This is about the 5th or 6th iteration of kitchen design we've done. As we've gone between range/integrated and trying to figure out where my precious Sage coffee machine will fit in
Although the size of the extension is pretty big, the short wall where the fridge is (and the fact we have an American FF) makes getting the config we want and enough worktop space really tricky. We're really keen on a pantry for storing pretty much all our dry goods in one place, but the trade off for this is that we do end up with less worktop space on the back wall. Also trying to fit the integrated ovens in a tower config is impossible without losing out on too much worktop space too - hence opting for a range with plenty of cooking options (my only request when it came to ovens - it won't be the one pictured). For those concerned about where my coffee machine will go - the cabinet on the left will be a dedicated coffee/other stuff (possibly microwave) station.
Still unsure whether an island for additional worktop space would be useful or just get in the way.
EDIT: Oh and here's what it would look like with a peninsula. I couldn't be bothered to try and draw an island
Shape is similar to ours and I like the look of that floor to ceiling corner pantry unit, which I haven't seen anywhere.
Aztecs27
Money List Winner
Wren mate. It's massive and my wife basically designed the whole kitchen around it because she wanted it so badly haha.
If you want I can send some internal photos too.
I believe it's only available with their top of the range, range; BUT the warranty on doors and carcasses are really good and we've had to have some replacement doors that got slight knocks in transit - just ordered them on the app and they arrived a few days later, no questions asked. Can't fault them really. We even had a (relatively) massive issue where they delivered end panels without grooves (we ordered them with) - and it was sorted within 24 hours or so and the panels were with us a few days later.
RichA
Well-known member
Thanks man. Was in their local place yesterday and they're doing the measure up this week before our design appointment. Was quite impressed as a first ever visit to a kitchen shop. I went along reluctantly and was kicked out when they closed 2 hours later.
I'll DM you.
Aztecs27
Money List Winner
Tiling and grouting done, worktops in (just waiting for upstands). Pretty pleased with ourselves to be fair. Did all of the grouting myself and considering it was my first time, I feel like I did a pretty good job; it's by no means perfect, but considering the saving doing it ourselves, I'll take it.
Wife's tile laying skills are pretty decent too. She tackled the utility on her own (with my tile cutting coming in handy) and got a few final tiles to finish off there this week....BUT the kitchen is fully done and just needs kkckboards and skirting from the carpenter to finish.
EDIT: Ignore the "view" out of the kitchen window. The garage will be coming down at some point...but one project at a time.
Wife's tile laying skills are pretty decent too. She tackled the utility on her own (with my tile cutting coming in handy) and got a few final tiles to finish off there this week....BUT the kitchen is fully done and just needs kkckboards and skirting from the carpenter to finish.
EDIT: Ignore the "view" out of the kitchen window. The garage will be coming down at some point...but one project at a time.
RichA
Well-known member
We had intended to shop around the various providers but the first stop at Wren made that unnecessary.
Very impressed with their range and the skill and honesty of the designer. He's either a master salesman or just a really good guy; I'm normally immune to sales pitches so I'm hoping it's the latter.
He told us what we did and didn't need and wasn't afraid to let us know which bits of the build we'd be better off acquiring elsewhere.
Much less expensive than we'd anticipated too. Thanks for the recommendation.
Aztecs27
Money List Winner
No worries at all sir.
as I mentioned previously - the main gripe with Wren seems to be their fitters. The quality of the kitchens seems spot on.
we've had a few damaged door panels and they've sent replacements without a single question. The only "customer service" issue we've had was with the wrong end panels being provided - which, after a few phone calls, they sorted and admitted their error.
We're on the final stretch of ours now - last bits of skirting to go on in the utility and hallway and few snagging issues. Kickboards and worktops/upstands are all finalised and we're really happy with the final result. So nice to have a family space we can use.
Carpet's due to be laid end of the month in the old dining room/new day room which adjoins the new extension...which just leaves carpet replacement in the hallway and stairs (which has just been required for years, nothing really to do with the extension).
KenL
Tour Rookie
Our Wren kitchen is fab. The proof of the pudding is in the skill of the installer.
RichA
Well-known member
A good friend has recommended a local guy he knows and trusts and whose family he does business with, so hopefully we'll be sorted.
Just handy to have a builder who knows you know where he lives, rather than some anonymous sub-contractor.
