Thirty3

Embarking on a home renovation project is an exciting moment in a person’s life. It’s a chance to reimagine your space, bring long-awaited ideas to life and create a home that truly reflects your style and needs. Of course, with all the excitement often comes a mix of challenges, big decisions and unexpected surprises. Yet with the right planning and mindset, the journey can be every bit as rewarding as the finished result.

At its heart, a renovation is about breathing new energy into your home and creating a space that feels like you. From selecting colors that set the mood to envisioning cozy corners where memories will unfold, the process is as much about the experience as it is about the final reveal. It’s a rare opportunity to dream, design, and transform your everyday surroundings into something truly special.

Battling decisions based on value, personal preference and realistic expectation can be a very difficult task. However, I found the experience quite therapeutic and a great way not only to showcase my creative side but also to show my ability to turn an idea into reality.

Research Skills, Google and Check-a-Trade

People often talk about the “importance of research,” warning that skipping it could have devastating consequences. And honestly, in this case, I really have to agree. My research initially began about 6 months before I originally contacted my skilled tradesman. My aim was to ensure that I had some experience/knowledge before approaching builders and battling negotiations of pricing (I did not want to appear gullible or easily extorted).

Every decision I made was backed up by at least one Google search (or ten). I researched everything to understand the full scope of a kitchen renovation (what it could require in terms of jobs, labour, materials, timelines, and cost). I dug into kitchen design principles (like the famous work triangle), explored how to create a layout that’s both functional and stylish and thought carefully about how to make the space look fresh while still standing the test of time.

With knowledge comes power, and my theory of prior research certainly had a positive impact! It enabled me to feel confident in my decisions. I made good estimates, the budget didn’t blow up, the timeline stayed realistic, and the kitchen turned out just how I imagined. The budget was not minor by any means, but I made sure to buy quality where it truly mattered, and thought tactfully about how much money was being spent.

We all have our own idea of what the perfect kitchen looks like. Everybody’s tastes are different; we all have different needs and individual preferences, and what matters to some may not matter to others, but for me, cohesion, coordination and organisation are the key to creating a calming, safe space.

Kitchen

The kitchen took around 5 weeks to fully renovate. As expected, there were a few hiccups along the way, including minor delays and a couple of design tweaks we hadn’t originally planned for. That said, nothing was ever unfixable and each issue was resolved as it came up. Looking back, those small challenges were just part of the process and ultimately helped shape the final result.

The Kitchen (before)

After gutting out the kitchen, we realised I needed a new circuit board so we did a quick upgrade to the electrics. We made changes to the fenestrations, removed two windows and the back door. The large window on the south facing wall became the new space for the back door. The walls were re-plastered and the ceiling was replaced. After that, I became very much in the background while the men worked – occasionally popping in to say hello and offer the odd cup of tea (or an ice cold beer on a Friday afternoon). I’m very happy with the whole process.

The Kitchen (after)

The walls are plain white. The cupboards are manufactured by Howdens, we went for dove grey. I chose a quartz worktop (for longevity) with black kitchen appliances and a matching sink. The cupboard handles and sink tap are matching antique brass (very well matched if I don’t say so myself). I chose a triple glazed glass back door as I figured losing two windows would make the room quite dark and gloomy. I also installed a new large window above the sink area; the inner frame matched the white kitchen walls and the outer frame was black.

Master Bedroom

Painted by me, I decided on Dulux Easycare White Mist & Brilliant White for the walls. The aim was to brighten up the room whilst having a slight gradient between the shades of white, creating an illusionary shadow across the surface. I chose from the Dulux kitchen range. I wanted a paint that can be washed with a cloth and warm water without transferring onto the cloth. Fortunately, I succeeded! And the wall can be washed without leaving marks. I chose Eggshell Brilliant White for the woodwork (skirts, door and window frame). The radiator was painted with Johnstone’s Interior Wood & Metal paint. The change from sage green to white has been refreshing.

Not Without Its Challenges

Naturally, we had some hiccups along the way but from what I understand, that is very common. Fortunately, no problem was so large it wasn’t fixable, and I did not go over budget, so to me that’s a win. I’m absolutely 100% thrilled with the renovation. If I weren’t studying to become a neuroscientist, I’d probably go into interior design myself! I found this project to be thoroughly enjoyable throughout the entire process.

Future Endeavours

I do have plans to renovate the bathroom but I have to finish the hallway first. I think university is the focus for the next year.. I’ll get painting when my exam period is over and I have some free time. I’ll do some saving in the meantime. I should be able to start the bathroom next year, but fingers crossed.

If anybody would like any further information on any companies that I used or products that I sourced, please let me know in the comments below!

Thank you for reading!