Kitchen Plan
When Christine’s sister relocated to the Lakes, she and her husband Malcolm leapt at the chance to buy her beautiful Saddleworth bungalow. Set in a peaceful cul-de-sac, it’s a world away from their former home, whose front door opened directly on to a busy street.
Now, with a garden, and a conservatory that looks out over the local countryside, Christine and Malcolm can enjoy the quiet life – socialising with friends, spending time with their grown-up son and just settling down with a good book and a cup of tea.
Christine commented:
“When we moved in, we left the kitchen as it was. It was really good quality, so we didn’t see a reason to change it. As the years went by, we updated the rest of the house room by room, leaving the kitchen until last.
Are you ready to make your dream kitchen a reality?
“Then we ended up thinking that, if we were going to spend money updating all the appliances, we might as well go for something that was completely new – and completely ours.”
“Then we ended up thinking that, if we were going to spend money updating all the appliances, we might as well go for something that was completely new – and completely ours.”
Prior to the refurbishment, Christine and Malcolm devoted a lot of time to building up a clear picture of exactly what would work for their kitchen:
“We’d been and looked at lots of places, and we narrowed it down to three. What actually tipped it in Kitchen Design Centre’s favour was the fact that our designer, Suzanne, wouldn’t go along with our idea of having a peninsula.
Finished Kitchen
“The other two companies were happy to go ahead with the design we’d drafted ourselves, but Suzanne came up with the idea of a breakfast bar instead – and we realised that was actually just what we needed: honest, professional guidance.”
Christine and Malcolm tasked Suzanne with creating a kitchen that would make life easier – quick to clean, safe to use and with plenty of storage.
Suzanne rose to the challenge, incorporating lots of pull-out storage into the design rather than traditional base units so that cookware can be neatly tucked away when not in use.
Cupboard fronts in Neo Shiny Magnolia from the Hacker range reflect light in the relatively compact space, their easy-clean finish helping to brighten the room, while long-line stainless steel handles offer ease of use and a modern, clean feel.
A glass splash-back in vibrant aubergine adds a bold touch of colour while its smooth, hard-wearing surface needs nothing more than a quick wipe-down to get it sparkling again; warm wood-effect panelling provides a stunning contrast.
The circular breakfast bar maintains the flow of space, while the edges of the work-tops have been rounded off to make the kitchen safer for Christine and Malcolm’s son, who has epilepsy.
A selection of Neff appliances combine practicality and safety: an induction hob featuring four rings in a line means less reaching, while an eye-level oven with an ergonomic sliding door minimises Christine’s chances of burning herself, and rules out the danger of tripping.
The microwave and warming drawer, also at eye level, reduce the need for bending and lifting, meaning that the kitchen will remain practical and user-friendly for Christine and Malcolm as they get older.
Smooth Corian counters in Sandstone embrace a neat moulded sink, complete with an Abode Fliq Monoblock Tap in Chrome, with little switches for hot and cold water flow. A slim-line 45cm Neff dishwasher fits neatly under the counter between plentiful soft-close drawer units, while a built-under three-drawer freezer, and a separate 70/30 split fridge-freezer, provide ample space for food.
Box light shelves illuminate above and below, giving a warm glow but still with plenty of visibility. Discreet LED lights fitted under the wall units provide an extra level of brightness when desired, allowing Christine and Malcolm to change the mood of the room as they like.
The couple were full of praise for Suzanne:
“Suzanne was brilliant – always available when we needed to chat, and so nice to speak to. Conversations were always very much a two-way thing so we felt involved all the way along.
Malcolm also made a touching observation, saying:
“We’re a working-class couple from working class backgrounds. Neither of our families ever had much, and this is the first kitchen we’ve had that’s got everything properly arranged – just as we want it.”
Christine was quick to agree, adding:
“One of the things I really appreciated about Kitchen Design Centre is that they never looked down on us because we’ve got quite a small kitchen. In some places, we really got the impression that we weren’t very important to them because we perhaps weren’t the biggest clients they’d got.
“But with Kitchen Design Centre, from the minute we walked in, we got the feeling that we were just as important – and just as valued – as anyone else. Everyone we dealt with from start to finish was just lovely.”
Are you ready to make your dream kitchen a reality?
"It’s such a beautiful kitchen – everything’s so smooth and rounded that I can’t help stroking it every time I walk through!"
"When I first spoke to Christine and Malcolm, they had their heart set on a design that incorporated a peninsula bar. But when I went to view their kitchen space, I could see immediately that it wouldn’t work."
"I drew up some designs that included a breakfast bar to make use of that open floor space without cutting off the flow of the room. We blocked up one of the doors for extra space, and the kitchen has turned out beautifully. It’s a lovely homely room: sleek but cosy – which is exactly what Christine and Malcolm wanted."
Our Summer Sale is officially ON! ✨
If you’ve been dreaming about a new kitchen, there’s never been a better time to make it happen. From timeless designs to modern family spaces, now is the perfect opportunity to save on the kitchen you’ve always wanted.
Visit our showroom or link in bio to get in touch to find out more.
AS SEEN ON GEORGE CLARKE’S BEAUTIFUL BUILDS: FROM DATED LAYOUT TO DREAM ENTERTAINING SPACE
When Katherine and Andrew purchased their property, they always knew a full renovation would follow.
With both the outdated kitchen and untouched garden requiring significant transformation, the project soon became part of Channel 4’s George Clarke’s Beautiful Builds – it was an opportunity they felt perfectly aligned with their vision for the property.
While searching for a local kitchen specialist, Kitchen Design Centre immediately stood out thanks to its long-standing reputation, glowing customer reviews and welcoming showroom experience.
The brief focused on creating a sleek, contemporary kitchen that would feel open, social and highly functional, while complementing the wider architectural renovation of the home.
The finished design delivers a beautifully balanced space that combines clean lines with luxurious detailing.
One of the standout features is the striking worktop design. The waterfall edge peninsula creates a bold focal point within the room, while the continuation of the material across the side panels introduces a seamless, premium aesthetic.
Functionality was equally important throughout the design process, with carefully considered storage solutions and high-quality appliances helping to simplify everyday living. Among Katherine and Andrew’s favourite additions is the Neff oven, praised for both its versatility and pyrolytic self-cleaning function.
The completed result is a sophisticated contemporary space that completely transforms how the home looks, feels, and functions, perfectly reflecting Katherine and Andrew’s original vision from the moment they moved in.
More details in our bio
SUMMER JUST GOT EVEN BETTER FOR YOUR DREAM KITCHEN!
You don’t have to keep waiting for your dream kitchen. With flexible finance options on kitchens over £20,000, it’s ready when you are. Spread the cost of your kitchen plans and move forward in a way that works for you this summer.
With our exclusive Quooker offer, when you purchase any Quooker Tap and Tank system with a kitchen over £20,000, you’ll receive a FREE Quooker CUBE worth £1,250, plus free installation worth up to £384, and 4 free CO₂ cylinders worth £70. It’s everything you need to enjoy chilled, filtered, sparkling and boiling water straight from your tap.
And when you step into our showrooms, there are even more opportunities waiting for you, including exclusive savings on selected ex-display kitchens and up to 50% off selected stock appliances. Don’t miss this rare chance to secure something special, with design and value combined.
That said, like all great things, these summer offers are only available for a limited time — once they’re gone, they’re gone!
The kitchen isn’t just a place to cook — it’s the heart of the home.
At our Kitchen Design Centre, we believe your kitchen should be the centrepiece of your house, where style meets functionality and every moment matters. From morning coffees to family dinners and everything in between, your kitchen is where life happens.
That’s why we design spaces that bring people together — beautiful, practical, and tailored to you. Whether you’re dreaming of a sleek modern look or a warm, classic feel, we’re here to help you create a kitchen that truly feels like home.
Visit us today and start designing the heart of your home.
Kitchen Design Centre is proud to feature on George Clarke’s Beautiful Builds which features Katherine and Andrew’s Manchester build this Thursday 11 June , 8pm, CH4
We can’t wait to watch it!
Book A Free Design Appointment
