A high tech, high spec kitchen

Mrs Dyke commented:

“The rest of the house was done, but we had an old conservatory at the back that really needed replacing. As the kitchen was relatively small, we opted for an extension that would link to the kitchen and open up the space.”

Once the couple had decided that a major makeover was on the cards, it was a matter of finding the right company for the job.

“We found Kitchen Design Centre quite quickly. What drew me in first was the company’s website – it’s very clear and we enjoyed seeing the case histories on there. The pictures of the completed kitchens really draw you in, so we decided it was worth coming over from Chester to have a closer look. We weren’t disappointed: the show-room was lovely and the staff were really friendly.

“We did go to another couple of companies but they didn’t come back as quickly or efficiently as Roger, our designer at Kitchen Design Centre. Once we’d spoken properly to him, we knew we didn’t want to go anywhere else.

“I was pretty clear about my preferences, and he was good at interpreting those into a design that would work. The visuals Roger prepared for us really brought the project to life; we could hardly believe our kitchen could look so good.”

The couple’s taste runs to the minimalist, and they were keen for their modern kitchen to feature clean lines, reflective surfaces, and a stylish monochrome scheme.

Roger’s design was realised using the Hacker Neo range in high-gloss magnolia and terra oak, with worktops in bold Star Galaxy – a polished black granite with rich bronze flecks. A large number of pull-out drawers and bi-fold wall units with chrome D-handles offer a wealth of storage without breaking up the smooth lines of the room.

Easy-to-clean glass panels in pale aqua sit beneath the wall units, adding a subtle touch of colour and reflecting yet more light. An undermounted sink in bright white porcelain sits beneath the window, while a smaller ceramic sink has been installed in the utility area.

Warm oak panelling runs through the kitchen and extension, which is home to a comfortable day room and diner, while the beautiful natural oak floor ties in neatly.

But while the kitchen itself is truly stunning, the appliances play a starring role. The Dykes have opted for a truly high-tech, high specification kitchen with a wide range of quality Neff kitchen appliances.

The kitchen now has a combination microwave, two circo ovens – one of them with steam assist, two warming drawers, a top-of-the-range flex induction hob, a dual temperature wine cooler and a Cirrus extractor built into custom-made bulkheads. And in the utility area, there’s a tall, built-in fridge-freezer, a Neff washing machine and a Baumatic integrated tumble dryer.

The lighting throughout the three rooms has been a major investment: plinth lighting, under-cupboard lighting, back-lighting, down-lighting and even bulkhead lighting – you name it, and this bright, airy kitchen has it.

Mr and Mrs Dyke couldn’t be happier with the results:

“The kitchen is even better than what we wanted – it’s far exceeded our expectations, and it’s improved the way we live. Opening up the room has been a big change, but having such a wide open space is wonderful – we spend a lot of time sitting at the bar, just spending a bit of time together whether that’s cooking or just watching a bit of TV.”

The couple are full of praise for Roger and Kitchen Design Centre, too:

“Kitchen Design Centre were so good. During the project, there were some trying moments but Roger and his team were very good at coping with any curve balls thrown at them. Roger was so professional and patient – he was always there at the end of the phone or emails, and we’d recommend him to anyone.”

Although they adore their new high-tech kitchen, the couple are still getting to grips with their choice of kitchen appliances. Mrs Dyke joked:

“The new appliances are brilliant but I need to sit down and actually learn how to use them! We went along to one of Kitchen Design Centre’s recent NEFF Masterclasses so we could see how a professional gets the most out of these gadgets. For now, I’ll just stick to polishing them!”