What to do with ugly grade 2 listed kitchen

8 years ago

I'm in the process of buying a lovely grade 2 listed country house. It's been rented out for a few years so although everything has been kept in good working order, the decor is horrendous. There's magnolia paint everywhere, everything's been done on the cheap, and decor wise it looks very unloved so a lot of work is needed to make it homely.
The kitchen will be the biggest challenge. To start with, the layout is poor as theres radiators against all the walls and no space to plumb in a dishwasher or washing machine. There's some cupboards which the estate agents boast are handmade. But they're not great, and don't offer nearly enough storage space. There's a lovely old Aga but I don't really like the wishy washy blue shade of the enamel. The tiles on the wall are cream and the glaze is cracked. They make me feel like I'm in a mental institution.
The floor tiles are not particularly nice but I think they may be part of the listing in which case, won't be changeable.
The oil boiler is hideous. It's huge, sticks out in the room and there's exposed pipes up the wall next to it. In our old house we moved the oil boiler outside to make more space in the laundry room. But that was simply a case of switching it to the other side of the wall. I can't see it is possible to move this boiler outside as it's not against an outside wall so the extra plumbing will cost too much. So I'm a bit stuck with knowing what to do with this room. Can anyone help with ideas? I was thinking maybe the boiler can be covered up with shallow built in cupboards that open up to allow access to the boiler, but don't know if this would be safe (does it need space around it to not overheat and let air circulate?).
The nice thing about this room is it has an east and south aspect so is filled with light most the day, and the French window opens south onto a large veranda. But that's the only really nice thing about it at the moment. I'd like to keep a traditional look but with a touch of modern/contemporary too.

Featured Answer

Brandi Nash Hicks

8 years ago

Start with repairs ,then rip off those tiles...close up the mechanicals with a closet for access

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Comments (15)

Brandi Nash Hicks
8 years ago
I don't know what the complaint is ,it think it is already charming ...and keep that cooker or send it to me
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Tani H-S
8 years ago
You could look at vinyl for overlaying on the floor if it's not your cup of tea. There are some durable and amazing ones that will update the look of the kitchen.

You could do with a builder/joiner to come and make some suggestions of how to clean the walls up - by that I mean making them less busy with pipes and things that need hiding away. Anything you can move I would look at first ie pipes outside or under the floor etc. rads can be moved.

Not sure if you intend on keeping the units but commission a cabinet/kitchen maker to make a larder unit over the boiler to hide it so it doesn't look like it's just boxed in.
Lexi
Original Author
8 years ago
Lol I know I sound like a spoilt brat. Honestly the photo's are better than the reality. I'd you look closely at the cupboards they're painted really badly, and the work tops are really worn and water stained. But a lick of fresh paint on the walls and new tiles won't be any bother. What colour should I go with to work with the floor & Aga?
It is the pipe work/boiler that's my biggest headache. But also need to do something about the cheap electric hob on the island, as the Aga isn't very practical for every day use. It's an original and although pretty, the lodgers say it never kicks out as much heat as it should. And having had a Rayburn in my old house, I know there's no way I'll want to use it during the summer as it'll make the kitchen unbearably hot.
Lexi
Original Author
8 years ago
Thanks Tani that's great :-)
A larder over the boiler is kind of what I was thinking too. I've seen some pictures of kitchens with cupboards built all around the Aga which could also be a good idea if it's built to match the existing cupboards.
PRO
smb interior design
8 years ago
I think this needs some serious space planning thought… definitely remove whatever pipes aren't necessary (you may find a few redundant), box in ones that are and create bespoke cabinetry to disguise the fact. Rads pretty easy to move (and if replaced with modern, you probably won't need so many). You could easily consider a couple of feature vertical rads or even hide standard rads behind covers that match the new kitchen units that you're almost certainly going to have installed e.g.: make it all part of the kitchen cabinetry. Not sure if you love the Aga tucked in that corner… think an island 'cook centre' might be a better option. Use that Aga wall instead as a wall of floor to ceiling cupboards perhaps (also hiding boiler). Cover floor with Amtico or Karndean, replace existing tiles with new, bring in some F&B chalky colours and strip the beams…..
Lexi
Original Author
8 years ago
Thanks for the ideas. I agree stripping the beams would be a good idea as they don't look right stained black.
I can't pull up the floor tiles as they're part of the grade 2 listing. But maybe if I change the warped work tops for a slightly darker wood it would balance out the dark red tiles?
Moving radiators and covering the ones remaining is a very good idea. We have an American fridge which we need to put in somehow so as you say, careful planning on layout is critical. I think the only option is to put it to the left of the boiler, and move the island further into the middle of the room.
PRO
Southpoint
8 years ago
Have you spoken to the Conservation Officer to see if they would let you remove the tiles if you submitted a Listed Building Consent Application? Whatever you do with the rest of the kitchen you will still have that overbearing red floor. I would speak to an independent designer. Be absolutely clear about your taste and budget and a good designer will deliver a great scheme for you.
Juliet Docherty
8 years ago
I moved into a house with a similar eccentric kitchen. Agree with Southpoint about tiles, if you could replace with large spanish terracotta tiles it would really complement the aga which would be very costly to replace. I would get a plumber out first to discuss pipework. I got quotes for replacing kitchen and they were all too high. Instead I drew a very accurate plan of what I wanted and got a local joiner to make me shaker style units out of tulip wood (doesn't warp) which I then painted with F&B. He could box in boiler and as mentioned create larder. He could even just add to what you have to keep costs down.The total cost was 4.5k and estate agents asked if it was Smallbone. If blue is your starting point (aga) then terracotta is perfect.
Tani H-S
8 years ago
Oh - you might even be able to paint (or have painted) the Aga! I would get an aga specialist out to have a look as it might just need a service to get it working well again. They do enamel paints for log burners so I'm sure changing the colour is an option if you have/want to keep it.

Tiles - if you can't remove them, you can overlay on top of them.
PRO
Amelia Pearson Interiors
8 years ago
last modified: 8 years ago
I agree we have re-enamaled the Aga in a few projects we have completed and it has worked really well.
PRO
Amber Jeavons Ltd
8 years ago
last modified: 8 years ago
Hello Spacie1977,

I think you could make this fabulous!!!.. Where boxing in is necessary I think it's a must.. Why not look at adding on to the kitchen in some way to what is in place if it's sound and solid, if needing permission it's a great way to approach the subject by letting on that you want to conserve! .. .. Possibly extend where needed and perhaps you could replace the cabinet doors?... Painted cabinetry can give a completely different feel.. With the red flooring it may be fantastic to have matt or eggshell charcoal cabinets...

You could replace the hob easily enough.. Paint the rads to whatever colour that portion of the wall is.. If you removed the tile you could either panel or paint.. Perhaps take that line a little lower to about dado height.. NB you don't need to add a dado to finish the paint work.. Just make sure the lines are really straight!

There are actually many ways you could approach this... Keep a few of the rustic charms... Maybe you want to paint every other floor tile to make it a chequered floor.. Easier than replacing...

Maybe you want a two tone kitchen... Looks brilliant and everything can be treated including tall cabinets... Brass cup handles and other fantastic fittings can take a boring cupboard and make it wonderful..

Matt paint or an eggshell. Perhaps half and half... Think Plain English! Or deVOL

Also consider 1 colour as this can also have a striking effect on a kitchen... Rub the worktop with fine wire wool and then sand lightly and oil...

Paint the french doors to stand out... Here's a few pics for inspiration to illustrate a few suggestions I made... Also consider window frames, skirting and all other woodwork which can be bold and exciting.. They don't have to be white..

The other things are accessories... Piles of wooden chopping boards.. Shiny brassy taps... How you display your crockery... All these things can add warmth and finish

: ))
PRO
AlenaCDesign
8 years ago
last modified: 8 years ago
I agree with all comments and suggestions above on what you could do in your kitchen. I also would like to give you another idea on flooring, did you consider to over lay wooden flooring? You could use engineer wood, which is practical in the kitchen.
PRO
Kiwi and Copper
4 years ago
last modified: 4 years ago
I may be incorrect and I would definitely suggest talking to an actual conservation expert. In saying that I'm fairly certain that even though you can't replace the floor tiles or cause damage to them you can cover them so a floating floor be it engineered wood or karndean should be ok.

give the listed property owners club a call they are a great independent resource and should be able to help, becoming a member is probably worth it too https://www.lpoc.co.uk
Daisy England
4 years ago
A resurrected post from 4 years ago?