A Bromley kitchen transformed by new-found space
David and Mary came to us as new customers, because, with their children gown and settled in their own homes, David and Mary felt it was time that their kitchen reflected their lifestyle together as a couple.
My wife and I visited GBK&I at Polhill and were made to feel very welcome by Jack. We were very impressed with the showroom and the quality of cabinets on display compared to other places we had visited. To cut a long story short, Jack gave us complete confidence that GBK&I would take care of everything and project manage the whole job.
Eating, working, socialising …
Our brief was a total revitalisation of David and Mary’s kitchen space, to bring it up to date with modern, practical appliances – but, more than anything, to make it a useable space.
High on their list was seating in the kitchen that could be used for casual dining, working and, of course, socialising. However, David and Mary were keen to ensure that the seating area didn’t dominate the space – they wanted their kitchen to feel spacious and uncluttered.
Jack had the vision on how to reconfigure our kitchen design to make it more efficient, to incorporate all our requirements and feel more spacious, which was something other designers had not thought to do.
Making good
David and Mary’s kitchen was part of a conversion of their property that had taken place some years ago – their former kitchen and garage had been knocked through to accommodate their current kitchen.
There were a few historic issues that were brought to the fore when we assessed the work for their new kitchen, such as water ingress and some aspects that hadn’t been completed to a high standard.
We completed a full renovation of every aspect of the kitchen. From new ceilings, re-plastering of walls, new electrics and lighting, to the plumbing, radiators and flooring – we ensured all of these aspects were taken care of properly.
We were very impressed with their workmanship and the professionalism of Bill, our fitter, and his team. We were expecting a lot of mess but are pleased to report that it was minimal, considering the amount of work involved.
Clever with space
We are always looking for ways to make the most of every inch of space, and, also, to make every aspect of our design aesthetically pleasing – even when its purpose is purely practical.
A good example of this in David and Mary’s kitchen is where we reduced the size of the bulkhead that concealed the waste pipe and softened it with an attractive curved profile to make a feature of it.
Another innovative aspect is the hidden within was the understairs cupboard – it was an ideal space for a walk-in pantry cupboard – always a winning addition to any kitchen.
Jack and Vince could not have been more helpful during our decision making and were very patient as we spent a lot of time going over what would or wouldn’t work for the size of our kitchen, as they wanted it to be perfect.
Borrowed light
David and Mary chose classic frameless, shaker style cabinetry. The ash doors and drawer fronts are painted in Farrow and Ball’s ‘Borrowed Light’ – the subtle hue is the perfect choice to bounce around the natural light and enhance the feeling of space.
The drawer and cupboard carcasses are oak – ensuring durability for years to come.
Steel grey ‘leathered’ granite worktops and upstands complete the understated, spacious feel.
Inspiring appliances
Appliances make a new kitchen the inspiring and practical space it needs to be – after all, it should be a functional space as well as a beautiful one!
David and Mary chose a range of appliances by Miele including a microwave combination oven, warming drawer, fridge freezer, dishwasher, washing machine and tumble dryer. The washer and dryer are both cleverly hidden behind cabinetry.
The revolutionary Bora Pure hob and extractor fan will prove to be a wonderful addition to keep their new, spacious kitchen steam and odour free.
The subtle yet stylish Franke sink and tap work perfectly.
We are over the moon with the end results from the quality of installation, cabinets, worktops and the recommended appliances, which all look superb.
Style continuity
The warm parquet wooden floor installed by A J Rogers gives a sense of continuity with the wider home, which in turn enhances the sense of space.
Elegant bar stools from the London Road Furniture Company complete the look.
GBK&I promised to return six months after installation, which is all part of their service, to adjust any natural movement with doors etc once everything has settled. We have complete confidence in their aftercare service.
We have installed hundreds of kitchens in Bromley. If you would like to explore the possibilities for your kitchen, call us on 01959 53 22 33 to book a design appointment.
Alternatively, visit our showroom to get inspired.
