Kitchen makeover: 'We knew one room was better than three'

By knocking down walls to create one large space, Greer Kelly created a dramatic, hardworking kitchen that’s perfect for her blended family. Here, she talks us through her kitchen renovation...

My makeover story...

I have two children from a previous marriage and Tim’s son, Carter, is severely autistic. We like to encourage his independence, but he requires constant supervision.

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So, we decided to reconfigure the downstairs space by removing the internal walls to create a large open-plan kitchen and living space.

I wanted an industrial feel in here and fell in love with some deep blue units, but they were £16,000 and I knew if I spent that much costs would start to spiral.

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So, I tried the blue on the walls instead and then found some grey gloss cabinets in Howdens.

I was a bit unsure as grey feels overused, but I got a sample unit and loved the effect against the blue.

We considered putting units up, but I liked the empty stretch of wall so chose open shelves instead. We kept the original kitchen design as moving the plumbing seemed an unnecessary expense.

I taped the position of everything out on the floor and mocked up the length of the breakfast bar to check the proportions before the installation began.

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We then did all the manual work ourselves. We have a busy household so I wanted a space where everyone could relax, and I still come down every morning and know we’ve achieved that.

My style advice...

Add open shelving

‘I really liked the stretch of empty blue wall when it was painted, so I decided to have shelves made instead of wall units, finishing them with a vintage stain and disguised fixings,’ explains Greer.

Open shelving is a more modern – and often cheaper – option than bulky cabinets, which can make a room feel smaller. It’s also easier to grab items rather than having to open doors and search cupboards.

However, it’s a good idea to combine them with cabinets and only store your best-looking kitchenware and glasses on them.

Opt for simple styling

Greer has combined all the key elements of industrial design to achieve a pared-back, loft living look, choosing an open-plan space and brick architectural features teamed with wood and metal accessories.

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‘The brick column actually serves no purpose other than as a space separator, but I like the industrial feel it adds to the room,’ says Greer. The wire noticeboard and large Victorian-style radiator are the perfect nod to the simple, functional features often seen in factories and warehouses, where this look stems from.

Choose a U-shape kitchen

This horseshoe shape is one of the most practical designs in kitchen planning and conforms to the ‘working triangle’ rule.

‘I wanted to install a wider peninsular island to act as a breakfast bar and help define the space between the kitchen and dining area,’ reveals Greer. ‘It also allows for lots of hidden storage below and provides a place for people to sit and chat while food is being made.’

This is a digital version of a feature that originally appeared in Home Style magazine. For more inspirational home ideas, why not subscribe today?