Kitchen conundrum
felicity_e86
7 years ago
Hi there- we are currently renovating our 1930s semi that had been extended by the previous owners. We have knocked through the small kitchen into the dining room and after 8 months of microwave meals are just getting round to designing the kitchen. My other half does most of the cooking and would ideally like a double eye level oven, a large range style hob and an America fridge freezer...the only thing on my wish list is a dishwasher! 
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felicity_e86
7 years agoRelated Discussions
Kitchen worktop conundrum :(
Comments (5)It sounds like wood worktops just aren't for you and in the long run I'd probably suggest replacing them. If it's just not on the cards financially at the moment then here's my method for keeping them in good nick: Clean the worktops with warm soapy water, dry, then apply mineral oil (also known as liquid paraffin which is used to treat dry skin and can be taken as a laxative so entirely food safe) on them every day till the wood stops absorbing it - usually 3-4 days depending how dry it is. Then place a clean empty glass jar in a pan of hot (not boiling) water, melt pure organic bees wax with mineral oil, leave to set then apply to the counters with a soft cloth. Instructions here: http://www.woodworkersguide.com/2010/01/30/a-beautiful-beeswax-finish-for-cheap/ The benefit of this is every time it starts feeling a little dry or you get patches on it from water/food etc you can clean with warm soapy water, dry, then touch up with more of the wax and it blends it in beautifully (plus as mentioned its fully food safe). You'll also notice after going through this process that drops of water will now 'pool' on the surface of the wax rather than soak in. Keeping the worktops topped up with wax every 6 weeks or so really helps keep them looking great. I do also use a combination of glass surface savers and trivets for hot items. The maintinence of wood worktops is always going to be higher than melamine or quartz type surfaces but personally I love the character of wood tops. This method is only suitable if the surface hasn't previously been treated with poly or varnish but given the description of the stains etc on yours it doesn't sound like it has. My understanding is that once water has turned wood black there's not a lot you can do except sand it (depending how deep the stains go this might not be practical). Or as in your case since its just around the sink you could maybe buy a larger under-mounted sink, cut out the blackened part and install so you are less likely to end up with water sitting on the wood for long periods of time. Hope this helps!...See MoreAdding a bedroom+shower, moving a kitchen - layout conundrum!
Comments (31)Dear all, If you want to add a bathroom, you have to start there and work everything else round it. The reason for this being that you usually have to feed into the existing soil pipe. The soil pipe in this case is on the left hand outside wall. Without knowing if you can put another one on another outside wall ie the rear, which is probably unlikely, you have no option but to place a bathroom as close to the entrance on the left as possible. Obviously you could change the system in the new bathroom to a macerator style toilet, and technology has come a long way with regards those, but they are not for everyone. It may be possible to change the shape of the kitchen, remove the back entrance and push the front wall back, ( maybe not, as i presume it's instrumental in holding up the mezzanine ) If it were possible in theory:- You could - move the kitchen wall back to make more room in the lounge. Add a bathroom with pocket doors ahead of you when you come in and split the lounge down the middle. You could also have a pocket door entrance from the bedroom to the bathroom jack and jill style. That bedroom would also get the balcony....See MoreLayout Conundrum
Comments (4)Maybe try to rethink the space as ‘interesting’ rather than ‘tricky’! :-) Personally I think rooms that aren’t a boring rectangle offer more opportunities for layout - they just may take longer to figure it out. Is there anyway to block up one fireplace (although I don’t think it necessary) or to increase light through the addition of another window in the dining or lounge area? I imagine the wall between kitchen & living room is a structural wall, especially with the stairs in close proximity so removing that may add significantly to the cost & complexity of that option....See MoreFloor plan conundrum - please help to solve!
Comments (13)Hi Claire, I think I would keep the kitchen area and island on the left where the current utility is, I’d move the kitchen/music room door over to the left to allow for large larder style cupboards at each end and bench seating centrally along the right wall. The island and table would need to be slim. I’d make the dining room a playroom/snug and split the current kitchen into a study (near the kitchen) and a small utility/cloakroom near the living room. Possibly making the window overlooking the current breakfast room a door. Back to the new kitchen/diner…..rather than large sliding doors to the garden wall of the music room you could have window sitting for a table that is placed across the width, the windows could open right up so it’s like sitting outside…the island will then need to be a peninsular off the current dining room wall but you might squeeze a couple of stools at a curved end…....See More
Daisy England
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