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Kitchen And Dining Room Remodel

Kitchen And Dining Room Remodel

Trudy Cross, who runs homeware company Tin Design, lives in an Edwardian terraced house in Westcliff-on-Sea, Essex, with her husband Barry and their children, Amelie and Joseph. Transforming three small, dark rooms into one large area has created a fantastic family-friendly kitchen-diner.

Tell us what was wrong with the original kitchen

It was small, dingy and just not fit for purpose, given we're a busy family of four with two dogs! You couldn't see the garden directly from the kitchen either, which was something I'd wanted. Also, the dining room was separate so we ended up spending evenings straining to hear what was happening in the next room – it wasn't very sociable. And the dining room and utility area were dark – this can often be the case with terraced houses, but by knocking down a couple of walls we found we were able to create somewhere with plenty of space and light.

How did you want to be able to use the room?

I was keen to create a large family area where we could all move around freely, without tripping over the dogs. The idea was to be able to cook and eat in there too, with a decent seating area where the kids, or anyone else, could chill while meals were being prepared. I also wanted a view of the garden from the kitchen – and to be able to see right through to the garden from the front of the house.

What was your timescale?

As we were going to be without a kitchen, the job had to be done as swiftly as possible, but without cutting corners. It took 10 weeks which, considering the scale of the work, was excellent, although at the time it seemed to go on forever. We weren't able to move out during the work so I cobbled together a makeshift kitchen in the living room, complete with camping stove, but we did eat out quite a bit. The dust was unbelievable. It travelled throughout the house despite our best attempts to seal off the work area. It got everywhere and seemed to settle for weeks. But we gritted our teeth and got on with it!

Family-friendly kitchen/diner renovation in Essex for £15,000

Fiona Walker-Arnott

Who was in charge and what did the structural changes entail?

We used local builders who'd been recommended. I project managed it with them, and ensured the work met all building regulation standards. Taking down the walls between the kitchen and dining room and the kitchen and utility room were the main structural changes and were more problematic – and expensive – than expected as we had to put in extra steel to support the chimney breast upstairs. On top of that, the rooms had to be replumbed, rewired and replastered, and a boiler was fitted. We also laid a new floor and installed a side window and back doors.

Family-friendly kitchen/diner renovation in Essex for £15,000

Fiona Walker-Arnott

Were there any compromises?

I'd wanted a wall of full-height units, but it meant pulling down a chimney breast, which was major work. We'd also have needed a Party Wall Agreement, so decided against it as it would have delayed the project. I got my cupboards, but behind some of them is the chimney breast so a few of the units are only deep enough for a cup! It works well though as I'm quite small and hate having to reach into deep cupboards.

'Sometimes you have to compromise, but choose your battles! I gave in over removing a chimney breast because of added expense and time. But never skimp on the contingency fund – there are always unexpected costs you can't dodge.'

Did you have any disasters?

The concrete island was quite a mission! The designers ended up pouring the concrete twice as the whole island moved and bowed with the weight the first time round. And it took a week to dry, which held everything up further. Also, it wasn't fun running upstairs to wash up in the bath! Then our bespoke back doors were delayed so we were in semi-darkness for a few weeks until they arrived.

How would you describe your style?

Very eclectic. I love mixing new with old, contemporary pieces and antiques. I've also got a massive crush on pink and green used together. I'd gone for a dark ceiling in the living room and loved it so I had the same in the kitchen, but to ensure it didn't overpower the room, I kept the walls and cupboards white.

Family-friendly kitchen/diner renovation in Essex for £15,000

Fiona Walker-Arnott

Anything you'd change?

In an ideal world, taking the chimney breast out would have given us deeper storage cupboards but, as I've said, they'd be harder to reach into. What we have is perfect – I'm really delighted with it.


KEY UPDATES

Spot lighting: Trudy has hung an industrial-style bulb over the work surface near the hob for extra light.

Washable walls: Hardwearing satin finish paint behind the cooker is a practical choice and can be easily wiped clean.

Wooden flooring: White oak runs throughout the food preparation, dining and relaxation areas, creating a unified feel and leading the eye to the garden beyond.

Family-friendly kitchen/diner renovation in Essex for £15,000

Fiona Walker-Arnott

Smooth surface: The concrete worktop on the island unit gives an on-trend industrial edge to the scheme.

Natural display: Foliage and flowers add organic colour to the scheme.

Clever zoning: Trudy has separated different spaces by choosing darker shades in the food prep area, with a nude pink reserved for the cosy seating spot.

Tall story: A bank of floor-to-ceiling cupboards maximises storage and does away with the dust trap on the top of units.


THE NEW LAYOUT

With three rooms knocked into one, it's now possible to see to the back garden from the front of the house. The linear nature of the layout is minimised by zoning the various functions within the space into food preparation, eating and seating areas. A kitchen island maximises preparation surfaces, while still allowing a flow of traffic around the room.

Family-friendly kitchen/diner renovation in Essex for £15,000 - layout

Nancy kwak

WHAT IT COST

  • Kitchen units and doors, £9,200
  • Concrete worktop, £3,000
  • Cooker, £999
  • Sink, £265
  • Copper tap, £160
  • Flooring, £1,500
  • Radiator, £40
  • TOTAL = £15,164

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    18 small dining tables perfect for compact spaces

    Adler Butterfly Drop Leaf Folding Dining Table and Four Chairs

    Fold and Store

    Adler Butterfly Drop Leaf Folding Dining Table and Four Chairs

    John Lewis & Partners johnlewis.com

    £229.00

    This folding dining table and chair set is ideal for smaller kitchens or dining room spaces. Crafted from wood with a natural lacquered finish, it comes complete with four coordinating slatted chairs that can be stored conveniently. It also sits on castors so that you can simply move it around and adjust it to suit your needs.

    Table: H75.7 cm x W32-132 cm x D85 cm

    Padstow Square Extended Dining Table

    Extendable

    Padstow Square Extended Dining Table

    marksandspencer.com

    £399.00

    Constructed using sustainable wood, this table is great for compact spaces as it's extendable from 80cm to 160cm. It's finished with a low-sheen lacquer for extra durability.

    Dimensions: H73 cm x W80 cm x D80 cm

    MADE Essentials Izzy Wall Mounted Dining Table, White

    Wall Mounted

    MADE Essentials Izzy Wall Mounted Dining Table, White

    This clever little table in an ash veneer with a soft blue interior acts as concealed storage – the interior shelves can hold your tableware and kitchen essentials. Come dinnertime, it folds to seat two people. It's multifunctional furniture at its best.

    Dimensions: H78 cm x W56 cm x D17 cm

    Heath 2-4 seater walnut folding table

    Console To Dining

    Heath 2-4 seater walnut folding table

    Look out for clever designs that have another use like this stylish oak dining table that converts into a console table! Even at full size – it seats 2-4 – it's still perfect for smaller homes and it also comes in oak. This is a really practical choice and will look great with bright accessories.

    Size: W45 cm x H75 cm x L120 cm

    House by John Lewis Crescent 2 Seater Dining Table, White

    Smart Square

    House by John Lewis Crescent 2 Seater Dining Table, White

    House by John Lewis johnlewis.com

    £59.00

    Neat and tidy, this contemporary white square table for two is perfect for small open plan spaces and it's lightweight design will give you an uncluttered feel. The table is made from MDF with a lacquered finish and the black metal frame legs gives a stylish statement.

    Dimensions: H73 cm x W70 cm x D70 cm

    Compton Ivory Dining Table and Bench Set

    Small Bench

    Compton Ivory Dining Table and Bench Set

    This is a great space-saving idea because the benches fit neatly underneath the table when not in use. Crafted from a combination of solid oak, oak veneer, pine and MDF, this is a good solid set that would be great for families. Debbie Drake, Head of Design at Dunelm, says: 'Bench dining tables, whilst being both stylish and practical, are a great option for saving space in your kitchen or dining room. Opt for a square or rectangular table, which can be pushed flush against a wall and used as a side board when it's not dinner time.'

    Dimensions: H76 cm x W 135 cm x D80 cm

    MADE Essentials Rhys Dining Into Coffee Table, White

    Coffee to Dining

    MADE Essentials Rhys Dining Into Coffee Table, White

    If you don't want to choose between a coffee and dining table, this ultra-modern gloss-white finish table with powder coated black legs will offer you the best of both worlds. From a low-level coffee table, simply pull the table upward and extend come dinnertime.

    Dimensions: H76 cm x W120 cm x D90 cm

    Maison – Extendable Dining Set – Grey

    Scandi Style

    Maison – Extendable Dining Set – Grey

    It can be useful to have a table that does extend, so if you do move to a large space you can use it. This stylish Scandi-looking design with a white resin-based laminate top gives a light and airy feel and looks great against a white wall as it blends in, helping to create an illusion of space. The wood effect legs pair well with the contemporary top giving it a modern feel and it's available as a set with four chairs.

    Table: L.106-136 cm x W.80 cm x H.75 cm

    New Starburst 120 cm Round Dining Table

    Small and Round

    New Starburst 120 cm Round Dining Table

    Circular tables work brilliantly visually due to not having any edges. A top tip is to look out for styles that have cleverly placed legs so that you can easily tuck in chairs. Karen McLaughlin, Head of Category Furniture at Very, explains: 'If your dining area is small or limited a round table will help keep the space open rather than constricting you and will avoid protruding corners.

    'Armless chairs can visually enhance the space and enable you to easily store them underneath the table. Keeping the tones light will allow the space to feel airy and bright.'

    Dimensions: H74 cm x W120 cm  x D120 cm

    4-8 seater oak flip top table

    Flip Table

    4-8 seater oak flip top table

    Made from solid American oak and oak veneers, this flip top table converts from a small four-seater square table to an eight-seater rectangular one in an instant.

    Dimensions; W90 cm x H76 cm x D90 cm

    Alfreda Folding Dining Set with 4 Chairs

    Foldable

    Alfreda Folding Dining Set with 4 Chairs

    With this neat and functional space-saving dining set, the chairs can be folded and stored inside the table, which can also be extended.

    Overall table dimensions when fully extended: H120 cm x W80 cm

    Argos Home Stone Effect Bar Table & 2 Bar Stools

    Breakfast Bar Style

    Argos Home Stone Effect Bar Table & 2 Bar Stools

    Argos Home argos.co.uk

    £133.30

    Perfect to use as a freestanding breakfast bar in the kitchen, this bar table creates an instant worktop and dining space. The two metal stools tuck under easily to make the most of your space.

    Table size: H105 cm x W60 cm x L120cm

    Argos Home Lyssa White Gloss Table & 2 Grey Milo Chairs

    Sleek

    Argos Home Lyssa White Gloss Table & 2 Grey Milo Chairs

    Argos Home argos.co.uk

    £66.00

    Perfect for smaller spaces, the high gloss finish and angular silhouette of this table reflects the light. The easy-wipe surfaces are also a dream to keep clean – win-win!

    Table size: H76 cm x W80 cm x L80 cm

    Cambourne Stowaway Dining Set

    Circular

    Cambourne Stowaway Dining Set

    If space is at a premium, this circular dining set might just do the trick, thanks to a sturdy wooden construction and fabric covered bench chairs that neatly tuck underneath when not in use.

    Table: H70 cm x W90 cm x D90 cm

    Reenan Dining Set with 2 Chairs

    Bistro style

    Reenan Dining Set with 2 Chairs

    Perfect for breakfast, this bistro table features an underneath shelf for magazines and newspapers. The compact design ensures less space is taken up and it's ideal in a kitchen.

    Dimensions: L80.5 cm x W38 cm x H74 cm

    Means Dining Set with 2 Chairs

    Streamlined

    Means Dining Set with 2 Chairs

    A great space-saver, this compact table – made from MDF – is cleverly designed for the chairs to nest neatly within the table frame when not in use.

    Dimensions: L90 cm x W47 cm x H 72.5cm

    Extendable Dining Table

    Drop Leaf

    Extendable Dining Table

    Small yet perfectly formed, this round solid hardwood dining table has two small leaves that mean you can pop it against the wall in a corner when not in use. It could also be used as desk outside meal times if you work from home.

    Dimensions: H74 cm  x W120 cm x D120 cm

    Helena Glass Dining Table & 4 Grey Chairs

    Glass Topped

    Helena Glass Dining Table & 4 Grey Chairs

    Argos Home argos.co.uk

    £200.00

    The advantage of a glass topped table is that it allows light to flow through it, not only does this give a contemporary feel, it also makes it an ideal choice for small dining areas. The beech-look legs add a contrast. Choose dining chairs that have similar style to create a cohesive look.

    Table size: H75 cm x W80 cm x L120 cm

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    Kitchen And Dining Room Remodel

    Source: https://www.housebeautiful.com/uk/renovate/homes-makeovers/a31190978/open-plan-kitchen-diner-westcliff-on-sea-essex/

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