What it was like renovating my own kitchen
There was a moment, halfway through construction, when I wanted my ugly old kitchen back.
I did not see that coming. I design kitchens for a living, so I thought I knew what a renovation involved. What I didn't expect was how emotional it would be to watch my own kitchen come out, piece by piece. Every time something was removed or changed, I felt it. I missed the old girl, and all the memories we had in that kitchen.
Watching my girls eat breakfast at the bench. Making pasta with the family. It turns out a kitchen holds far more than appliances and cupboards.
So why did I renovate my own kitchen?
Because it had run its course. The kitchen was over 20 years old and it looked very tired. More importantly, it wasn't working. The spatial planning was off, the appliances were starting to break down, storage was a constant problem, and it was hard to move around the space with any ease.
Then there was the sink. It sat on the island bench, which made the whole kitchen look cluttered all the time. It's something I see in a lot of older kitchens, and it's one of the first things I'd change for a client. In my new kitchen the sink sits against the back wall, which leaves the island clear. It was time to take my own advice.
Taking the time to plan
I spent a few months planning and designing before a single cupboard came out. That meant drawings, layouts and a lot of thinking about every way I would actually use the space. From demolition to the final kitchen install took about two and a half months.
I also decided to project manage it myself. That meant I was in control of the timing and of which trades I used. Living through a renovation can be daunting and stressful (it is!), but being across every decision made it easier to keep the design intent intact.
The trades were the best surprise
If I'm honest, the best surprise of the whole process was the trades. My designs tend to ask a lot of them, with more craftsmanship and more artisan skill than a standard kitchen, and you need the right people to bring that to life. Mine were accommodating, polite and easy to work with. Whatever I asked, they had a can-do attitude. There was no resistance at all.
That attitude came in handy with the fireplace. It's part of the living and kitchen area, and it wasn't planned. I decided on it on the fly while the trades were on site, with no drawings, just vocal directions. It's the one part of the project that skipped the months of design, and the trades simply made it happen.
Bringing nature in
I've always loved natural finishes, and this kitchen is full of them. The marble and the onyx are used across the benchtops, island and splashback. I love the way they look and feel, and the colour and texture they bring. Then there's the timber veneer on the cabinets, which adds warmth and softens everything around it. Nature just does it better, and I love bringing it into the home.
The result is a kitchen that works the way I live, and that actually looks and feels like the design I had in my head.
Was it worth it?
Yes. It was emotional, it was a little stressful at times, and I wanted my old kitchen back for about a minute. But I love my new kitchen, and the best decision I made was simply to go ahead and do it.
If you're thinking about a kitchen renovation of your own, I'd love to hear about it. Book a complimentary call and let's talk through it together.
