Island Living

A new kitchen has meant a whole new lifestyle for a Ribble Valley couple, who stepped out of their ‘traditional’ comfort zone to create a living space that is stunning in design and ultimately practical.

Rosemary and Jeff, who live in Langho, installed their old kitchen over 20 years ago and recently decided it was time to update it.

Historically the couple have always opted for traditional design and initially, they agreed that something similar would suit them.

Having shopped around, they approached Kitchen Design Centre at Brownhill where they spoke with designer Roger Astin, who went on a site visit.

“The original kitchen was quite dark and oppressive. There was a peninsula with an oven fitted into a brick column which I discussed removing and therefore changing the layout,” said Roger.

“Rosemary and Jeff wanted to stick to traditional style so I put a design together based on the look they wanted.

“I also created another completely different design with a very modern twist with my vision of what we could offer, and what would best suit Rosemary and Jeff’s lifestyle.”

Meanwhile Rosemary and Jeff sought the advice from their three children, who live and work in London.

Rosemary recalled: “My daughter said, ‘Mum when you buy a kitchen, you are buying a lifestyle’. I didn’t really know what she meant, but when I saw Roger’s design I totally understood!”

While it was completely different from their original remit, the couple loved the streamlined German Hacker white gloss units, the quartz Silestone work surfaces and the way Roger had created an open plan arrangement, which made the room much lighter.

Bi-folding glass doors opened the kitchen to the garden, while a uPVC conservatory was knocked down and replaced with a contempory ‘studio’ and seating area.

“Rather than have separate little rooms which confused the space, we opened it up which completely changed everything.

“It has certainly changed their lifestyle as their new open plan kitchen is so user friendly, comfortable and easy to clean,” said Richard, who liaised constantly with Rosemary and Jeff throughout the building and installation work.

“To say they are delighted is an understatement, they are over the moon with their new kitchen. It has completely changed their outlook.”

Rosemary added: “We had visited various kitchen shops in our search for ideas – one had traditional kitchens on the first floor and very modern ‘island living’ kitchens on the ground floor. I am a very practical person and I could certainly see the logic of the layout, so when I saw Roger’s design it all made sense.

“It is very minimalist but also practical and workable, very hygienic and low maintenance and it has cut down cleaning time considerably. It is so far removed from our original idea and lifestyle – it was a bit of a shock to the system but now the kitchen is complete, it has inspired us to change other rooms in the house – there’s no looking back now!”