New Kitchen, and on a budget

[atlasfever]

Background: New Kitchen cabinets, counter, etc, needed.
Location: London
Question:
I am going for a modest kitchen and I'm wondering if anyone has any suggestions based on the following criteria:

1. I am on a budget
2. Priorities: Look good. Look good. Look good.
3. I have no issue with an IKEA kitchen as I rarely cook. I can't do IKEA b/c they don't have the door panel that I want. I am going to pay for granite counters, and good faucets.
4. It is surprisingly hard to find a kitchen maker who does matte black doors. Lots of glossy, but not matte black. And, I'm looking for a panelled door (not shaker).
5. I can not afford high end custom jobs.

So, Does anyone know of anyone who does focus on this type of kitchen? Most kitchen shops that I find are for £18 to £30k kitchens. Suggestions really, really welcomed.

Thanks!

 

[LadyArowana]

Matt black on a budget might be a challenge. Howdens have a black glossy, but it sounds like you have already seen those options. A modernish grey? http://www.magnet.co.uk/kitchen-ranges/all-kitchens/Integra Grey and John Lewis also has grey.... I know, not black :lol: Companies that do bespoke will paint units in whatever you want, I had utility room units sprayed in a particular shade, if it isn't a big kitchen it might not be so outrageously expensive. http://www.roundhousedesign.com/g

 

[atlasfever]

Hi, thanks -- Yup, matte black, not grey

I did already look up Howdens, but no matte black.

I know that it sounds bizarre to say that I want matte black (unique colour request) and a reasonable quality (IKEA is fine), and then say I want it cheap. The truth is that in a central london flat, the kitchen will need to be updated in, say, 8 years, so there's just no point in spending on big cash for something that is 'meant to last.'
And, don't want to debate why I say 8 years Although my flat itself will not need updating (classic all around), the kitchen fixtures and bathroom fixtures will likely need a re-design sooner than maybe a family home, etc. Plus, with potential for renters, etc, I'd rather not over-invest.

If I were to do a glossy white kitchen, I'd head to IKEA or similar easily. Just this damn need to find matte black, traditional panel doors!

Thank you already, and for any further feedback.

 

[plasticpigeon]

Some custom made units aren't very expensive. I haven't seen anyone doing matt black, but there is no reason why the makers couldn't paint the kitchen matt black instead of a colour from a standard palette. Do you have a picture of the style of door you are after??

 

[atlasfever]

Hi there,

Here is an example. Hope it's clear from the photo.

Well, thought of getting a full ikea kitchen, so to speak, and then just have the doors done separately. I found a company online that says they can make doors to fit, lots of sizes. Just not sure how good the finish will be, in terms of even just basic durability. I suppose, though, you never really know the durability/reliability.

The only other thing is that there must be a finish that has to be applied to the front of the carcass. I am referring to that little bit of the unit that is seen between where two doors sit side by side.

Hmm, must think. I am going to try to see if John Lewis has anything like this request. I love shopping at John Lewis, it's a little amazing customer service gem in the center of the city. I could kiss the staff.

 

[Penners]

I think I would be wary of a matt black finish kitchen.

In my experience, matt finishes don't stay absolutely matt when they're in a situation where they are likely to be wiped or handled a lot. The texture of the matt finish slowly becomes worn and starts to show something of a sheen.

In a kitchen, I can see that some doors, drawers, etc. are going to be handled, wiped and cleaned a fair bit more than others. So I suspect that, after some time, you may find that the units start to look varied in their "matt-ness", with some of them still quite flat but others starting to show a sheen. You may not like this effect.

Just a thought.

 

[Owain]

buy some cheap units, melamine primer, and matt black paint?

 

[Feltwell]

I agree with Penners, I'd be wary of a matt finish in the long term. And sorry Owain, I suspect painted melamine would end up looking chipped and tatty.

Just to complete the negativity, do avoid gloss laminate worktops. I used to distribute worktops to the trade many years ago - the gloss ones were a pain, although they don't scratch any easier than a textured laminate they show the scratches much more easily bacause as they are a perfectly smooth surface the scratch catches the light, whereas on a textured laminate it doesn't. Dark coloured laminates show scratches more easily than light coloured ones as well, never worked out why!

Not being very positive here am I?

Corian or granite worktops are lovely but expensive. Timber can be nice but watch the quality.

 

[Moo]

Those points about matt doors and glossy worktops are spot on. But the actual colour is a factor as well.
When we were researching kitchens we were initially attracted to dramatic glossy black, but the display kitchen in our local John Lewis put us off - I'm sure they were cleaned every day, but a few finger-marks still made them look pretty scruffy.

 

[LadyArowana]

That's exactly what I have found with polished black granite work surfaces. The minute you touch them there is a mark! When I came to choose things myself I had a slightly mottled stone effect Corian. I am reliably informed that the super bright white Corian is also a nuisance as it shows every single spot and can be stained by things like ketchup or beetroot so it always needs to be spritzed with one of the cleaners to keep it glossy.

 

[Penners]

it always needs to be spritzed with one of the cleaners

That sounds painful - doesn't the cleaner object?

 

[Moo]

Only a man who is used to having staff could make a remark like that

 

[Penners]

But doesn't everyone have staff?

I know we're supposed to be in austere times, but there are limits....

 

[LadyArowana]

But doesn't everyone have staff?

I know we're supposed to be in austere times, but there are limits....

But staff are such a nuisance, I used to have a housekeeper and a driver and it was always a pleasure when it was their day off :roll:

 

[atlasfever]

Humour appreciated, so too the comments about matte and dark.

But, back to my question Any suggestions for kitchen fitters? reasonable sources?
Thanks

 

[piper]

Get your granite worktops from your local monumental mason. You'll need to give them a plywood template for each piece, but they will almost certainly be a lot cheaper than a fancy bespoke kitchen fitting company.
Admittedly we only got two fairly small & plain black granite worktops this way, and they may not be able to do anything very big, but this worked well for us. They cut out a square hole for a gas hob, and made another square piece with a beautiful polished surface and rounded front edge.
Many small independent joinery/cabinet making companies, and some timber suppliers also make up wooden worktops, and get a local joiner to make your doors to fit onto cheap units.

 

[Penners]

These people claim to be willing and able to beat any quote, but I don't know anything about their product range or quality:

http://www.wrenkitchens.com/

You can get kitchens from some surprising sources, nowadays:

http://www.tescokitchens.com/compare-wren.html?gclid=CMr1oMSM0rYCFerHtAodzFwAUw

Plus, of course, the usual suspects: Magnet, B&Q, Homebase, Screwfix et al. No idea about matt black though.

 

[worms]

But doesn't everyone have staff?

I know we're supposed to be in austere times, but there are limits....

But staff are such a nuisance, I used to have a housekeeper and a driver and it was always a pleasure when it was their day off :roll:

Ah yes....but also so much of a pleasure when they return to work and tidy up again!

But, back to my question

Sorry, you don't get PPUK back on track that easily!

 

[Penners]

Sorry, you don't get PPUK back on track that easily!

PPUK is always on track. It just happens to be a winding country lane with many side-turnings, rather than a boring old motorway.

Getting from A to B is always more interesting if you go via Z.

 

[JoceAndChris]

Hi Atlas. I bought our place with a cheap Wickes kitchen already in, already about 5 years old in that awful light wood they do, like this

http://www.wickes.co.uk/take-away-kitchen-cabinets/memphis/icat/kitmemphisinst/

I took off each door and gave it the lightest of sandings followed by a vacuum. Then painted, carefully, with three coats of Farrow and Ball Skylight, which is matt. I'd suggest their Off Black in your case.

5 years on, it's perfect- not a mark, scuff, smear, or chip. Make sure if you do this not to spray kitchen bleach on the doors as you could get run marks. I just use a soapy cloth once a week.

I felt like I got a new kitchen for absolutely nothing, as I get my Farrow and Ball paint free with my Sainsbury's points anyway.