Before & After: The truth about 1930's house kitchen renovations
Fifi McGee | Renovation Courses & Interior Design
4 years ago
last modified: 4 years ago
Hello All
Amazing to see some of your beautiful home transformations on Houzz. We are super thrilled with our kitchen diner renovation/transformation in our 1930's semi and thought that this would be a good place to share it all since we're proud of the work!
It wasn't an easy job by a long stretch and was certainly the sources of a lot dust, sweat and tears but we got through it and now have a space to live in that we'll love for a long time. You can see more pics and read about our choices extensively In this blog post if you are interested.
Fi
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Comments (18)
Sue S
4 years ago
Sam Potter
4 years agoRelated Discussions
Need help with small 1930's kitchen/diner design
Comments (29)We had a similar project and gutted the house. Rewire replaster all walls and ceilings. We restored the original parquet flooring and then new carpets everywhere else. Knocked through between kitchen and dining room, new garage roof. New doors and work surface but kept the original kitchen units. Kept the bathroom but put in a new floor. Did this for about £10k. Now 18 months later we're looking at extending the kitchen diner into a big open plan room going out the back as you have suggested but also out to the side. Our neighbours have done similar and we think we can get it done for about 30-40k not including the kitchen. The side extension means a fair bit of structural steel so if you don't do this then it saves a fair bit - our other neighbours have done this. We want an open but defined space so we're looking at keeping a pillar (also cheaper) then having an L shaped kitchen diner around a more relaxed sitting and entertaining area. The idea being that for dinner parties you mill around and have drinks in here before going to eat. Also can have friends round for coffee etc while the front living room remains the primary TV watching area. We'd keep a small boot room off the back for the dog, a pantry in the middle and a toilet at the front. See below for some pictures that illustrate our plans. These are mine and just awaiting our architects plans. In summary I'd get it up to a basic standard until you've got a bit more then go big, although as you say with your cheap labour you might get what you want for the money!...See MoreBefore and after, 1930s house restoration
Comments (22)thanks everyone! lkirk44 the blue wallpaper is by blendworth and the pattern is called Hex from their Wedgwood collection. it's a really lovely wallpaper!...See MoreUnusual 1930s House Renovation Project - Ideas? Help?
Comments (17)Jonathan, AMB, thank you ever so much for your advice and designs! We had been toying with the idea of pulling the garage forward. Back in the early 2000s, planning permission was rejected for a double garage in the opposite corner of the driveway but a sensible solution would be to come forward next to the neighbouring property, no light issues and should not upset the 'street scene'. I've always been keen on moving the stairs but associated costs have dampened my spirits a little. That saying, in there current guise they are incredibly steep and dangerous for the young and elderly. A new configuration may well improve the landing space/flow on the first floor. I completely agree about the driveway, my initial thought was grasscrete but we'll never have more than two cars... if that. With us eventually getting some gates up, that could be quite an inviting space. I've been watching a lot of house shows and they always mention about being able to see the garden from the front entrance which you have captured in that floor plan. Phases of work is a strong debate and you are not wrong AMB. I guess once we have a final plan, the phase of the works should fall into place. The fireplace was a family heirloom of the previous owner, took it out his grandad's property apparently! In terms of decor, we want to embrace the character of the property with an added modern twist. We are very keen to incorporate a hallway for the very reasons you mentioned. Thanks again for your comments and suggestions, all very useful....See MorePlayroom in 1930’s house layout
Comments (14)Hi linds, Lovely house by the way! My mother in law has a similar space that they used to struggle with. Similar to some of the other comments, the beauty of the space is that you have defined spaces that can be opened out or closed off. Decorating them differently will help give them identity. I may have missed the point but which room do you enter from the hallway? An option would be to convert the front room to a playroom. A lovely radiator cover would allay your fears of them burning themselves on the radiator. You could have a colouring table, the library shelves are perfect for displays. You could even turn the table into a DIY Lego table? Using the middle room as your living space. Tv, sofas and grown up area. Great for entertaining as it is connected to the dining space and kitchen. I really think you could make your space great!...See More- PRO
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Fifi McGee | Renovation Courses & Interior DesignOriginal Author