Hi Shelley, Unfortunately, it's true that different production batches of Corian will have slight variations in colour and tone. Ideally, your kitchen or worktop supplier should have kept aside a some of the Corian from your particular production batch for future repair and maintenance - otherwise the colour will very likely be different. Have you tried going back to your supplier to see if they have kept any of your Corian batch aside? Best wishes, Julie Jack Trench Bespoke Kitchens

I just wanted to share my experience because I am on a non existent budget too. I saw a picture of a bench I loved, contacted the carpenter, and he has just made me a birch ply kitchen for a total of 1600 euros, including fitting. (600 labour, 400 fitting, 600 for materials). He has kept his price low for me because he likes the project. I am guaranteed to use him now to build wardrobes, boxes, and shelving solutions as and when I have budget. Sometimes talking to individuals who work for themselves/do it on the side can result in very cost-effective solutions! I am paying 300 euros for brushed stainless steel countertops, and got a belfast sink for 100 euro including the mixer tap. Will send u a pic when it's done but my almost dream kitchen has been possible for like 2000 euros (£1800?) I wouldn't shy away from painting the units yourself as there are many tutorials online to show you how, but it is labour-intensive and eggshell paint on cabinets = drips!! You could always just get white or raw cabinets for now, and paint later when you have some cash? Make sure you use quality brushes if you go this route. Nothing more annoying than little hairs sticking in your lovely paint :-/

After reading an article about the pros and cons of all types or worktop, we went for black sparkly corian (quartz). Reason was that I wanted the look, but also the practicality. We drink wine, cook quite a bit of spicy food and use alot of grapefruit (which can damage other surfaces). It doesn't scratch, looks fabulous and I have no idea whether it would withstand a hot dish as it would not occur to me to put something straight down on a worktop. We have had it a year, no problems at all. All it needs is a polish with a microfibre glass cloth every day to keep it smear free.

If we made your kitchen, then most probably yes. But the answer is to ask whoever supplied/fitted your kitchen and get it in writing. The weakest places are generally around the joints and cutouts