OWNERS Abbie and Jonathan Hartwell
LOCATION Sidcup, Kent
APPROXIMATE BUDGET £1,700
UNITS Sale buys from B&Q

THE BRIEF To create a quick-fix solution on a super-tight budget.

FINISHES AND MATERIALS Painted country-style units, granite-look worktops, laminate flooring and tongue-and-groove panelling.

DESIGN TIPS There are a number of DIY books and leaflets around which make jobs easy as long as you have the basic skills and tools. Be sure to double-check all your plans and measurements. “On several occasions, I thought I had everything covered, only to realise I'd miscalculated,” says Abbie.

Abbie Hartwell and her husband Jonathan had rented out their home for a year while travelling. On their return, they discovered that their kitchen was looking pretty tired. “We needed a quick solution to tide us over while we saved for a more luxurious option,” explains Abbie.
Before they set foot in a shop, the couple spent two weeks meticulously drawing up plans. Neither was happy with the existing layout so they rearranged the space, swapping over the kitchen and dining areas. Then they bought units in the B&Q sale, selecting a country style with a faux-wood finish, which they painted in Fishbone from B&Q's New England range. They kept costs low by doing a lot of the work themselves, including installation and painting, and though neither had much DIY experience they turned their hands to even specialist tasks, such as plumbing in the sink and laying the slate-effect laminate floor. The only professional help they employed was an electrician.
Abbie and Jonathan kept most of their existing appliances, but gave the room a fresh look with a ceramic sink that Abbie's mother discovered in France. In place of the American-style fridge-freezer that she longed for, Abbie created her own version by building a tall larder unit to house the fridge and freezer. “We worked hard to keep the costs so low, but the results are really satisfying,” says Abbie.

Contact B&Q.

JULY 2005
WORDS LINDA GRABHAM
PHOTOGRAPH DARREN CHUNG/HUGH BURDEN