Kitchen Reno Diaries with Liz
With Liz's advice on creating a beautiful minimalist, modern organic style kitchen with a nod to deVOL, you will be mapping out your floor plan and researching colour schemes in no time.
Talking time 
How long did your kitchen renovation take?
My kitchen renovation plans, started before covid hit in 2020. Living in a conservation area, with great neighbours, a real community feel, the best coffee on the doorstep this house is a kind of treasure which are disappearing at speed.
Having found this special Edwardian home 20 years ago, and watching my children grow up here this house means so much to me on an emotional level.
The previous kitchen we inherited was from IKEA which, after a long life, started to need replacing. The kitchen space also wasn't located brilliantly as we needed to cross the full width of the house to reach the freezer for example so it really was a case of do we patch up broken parts or go all out!
Overcoming obstacles 
With regards to hurdles, our structural engineer suggested adding the largest steel beams possible to support opening up the whole room which in turn meant drilling holes and an awful lot of plaster dust in our adjoining living room. Having no back wall to our house for 3 months, and navigating this project single handled certainly did test my resilience.
My first consideration was finding an architect, and I was recommended to Rob at Now Architecture who successfully realised my vision. Our next task was presenting our plans to planning, who I was pleasantly surprised liked the look and thought it would add to the property. I then sourced a builder who was recommended by a friend in construction, to ensure he could meet my intended timeline. At this stage, I began obtaining various quotes whilst juggling family illness and running my business, kickstarting this huge renovation journey on just one income. The pressure was intense.
Unfortunately, things did not work out as intended with a local independent kitchen retailer I chose to purchase my kitchen furniture, appliances, stoneware and brassware from. With a deadline of Christmas, I eventually received a handful of appliances including a sink, wine fridge and carcasses of the cabinets in April. The missing items were kindly gifted by the wonderful makers, Hillview Kitchens. At that point I quickly offered my services I can trade ‘in kind’ including word of mouth and an editorial feature rewarding his kindness with other referrals. Due to repetitional concerns, and out of goodwill our tap company also gifted this item. My carpenter also made wooden shelving but didn't charge us, what really shone through in the face of adversity was the kindness and integrity businesses do have in the industry.
Determining the floor-plan 
Pairing Neutrals + Oak 🪵
The ethos for this space was paired back and minimalist, with hidden appliances. With other rooms in our house rustic and steeped in deep colours, I wanted a zen contrast in here where working with light was central to our decision making. For the island, I wanted a practical focal point - ideally a space you could sit at so decided to make it wider and add bar stools. My sources of inspiration for the kitchen and pantry originated from deVOL, Pinterest and Scandi kitchens.
For the pantry, I chose linen/natural materials paired with Ironbridge Aged Brass Shelf Brackets and an Aged Brass Hanging Rail. In terms of lighting, I didn't want any down lighting just sectional so opted for up and down weighty lights in the roof paired with occasional lighting lamps.
The aged brass hardware really was the finishing touch which made the scheme come together.
Product Shown | Classic Aged Brass Bow Handle
Funding your own kitchen revamp 
Compromises I had to make included not opting for the full up-stand to save costs.
The heart of the home 
Having this space to entertain clients and family has made the world of difference. My plan to host a board strategy day, bringing people from all over the world into my new kitchen/diner, is happening in January 2025 so it is really starting to deliver objectives and the pain of the build is starting to diminish!
Hindsight is a wonderful thing 
Words of advice I can offer for anyone embarking on a similar journey, My wonderful DJ and artist friend, Craig Richards, advised 'Don't compromise, if something doesn't look right in the space take it straight back out again!' I really enjoyed the design aspect of this project, and could definitely see myself doing it for someone else applying all the learning along the way. Including, ripping our old perfectly functioning dishwasher out as I instantly regretted getting rid of this.
Finishing touches like the aged brass really do make all the difference – don’t compromise on the detail.
Practical advice to others would be to demand credit card terms wherever you can with suppliers – it will protect you!
And get a good sound system…..everyone loves a kitchen disco! Mine even has a disco ball!
For me, this was not just a renovation project but represents an emotional upheaval and life experience all in one.
