New kitchen costs

Phirefly

Until recently, I was settled on having gloss white doors like VB's kitchen. They do look nice, but I tend to agree with Mr, Phirefly's view that in 5 years' time they'll be the equivalent of today's naff ubiquitous light traditional ash that we're all ripping out.

What's the alternative though? I really like the bespoke looking solid chunky wooden doors which will one day look the business in our barn conversion but until then, our little urban kitchen needs something a bit more utilitarian... Which leaves Mr. P and I at loggerheads over black gloss (his choice) or Avant Ebony (my call)...whats going to appeal still in 5 years' time?

Doozergirl

poet123 wrote: »

You could say you were undecided between two particular kitchens obviously pick the least expensive one you can find from the "other "retailer and get the kitchen you want from Wickes reduced down to nearer the cost of the cheapo kitchen. Your leverage is that you are actually prepared to buy a kitchen at all in these uncertain times. Tell them price is paramount and let them think you will have to "settle" for a cheaper kitchen and watch the price of the one you really want come tumbling down. Keep asking for time to mull it over and keep appearing in the shop to look,and seem to be doing the figures. It is all a game,make sure you are the winner!

Bang on

There are massive discounts availabe at these retailers, simply for asking. The price that they give you, even after all their mickey mouse sale discounts can be reduced further. It's not embarassing - we've never been turned down simply by saying "So what can you take off that?". And what is even easier is actually properly haggling. You offer them a price and you don't budge from it.

Honestly, I spent £2400 on Stargate from Diapol and all the units came in at £4500 (minus my £1000 in Tesco vouchers!) and they were one of the pricier MFI ranges, so if I were using the same amount of granite as you, the same kitchen would have come in at around £3000 at MFI - and you're saying that it's coming in far higher than that. The price started at around £9000 in B&Q and played the two off against each other even though we preferred MFI - as a result we saved £4500!

So what I'm saying is that you can get cheaper. Ignore all their sale offers and go in harder. Get over being rubbish at haggling - this is a massive purchase and the discounts are out there to be had. Have them! I absolutely love asking for discounts now - I used to make H do it but I push him out the way these days because it's such a buzz!

poet123

Me too I loved it!!! overall on units/appliances and granite worktop we saved thousands.

Doozergirl

Phirefly wrote: »

Until recently, I was settled on having gloss white doors like VB's kitchen. They do look nice, but I tend to agree with Mr, Phirefly's view that in 5 years' time they'll be the equivalent of today's naff ubiquitous light traditional ash that we're all ripping out.

What's the alternative though? I really like the bespoke looking solid chunky wooden doors which will one day look the business in our barn conversion but until then, our little urban kitchen needs something a bit more utilitarian... Which leaves Mr. P and I at loggerheads over black gloss (his choice) or Avant Ebony (my call)...whats going to appeal still in 5 years' time?

What's Avant Ebony? Is it Matt? There are some Matt kitchens starting to creep in that I think might pick up in popularity.

I think gloss has a way to go yet, it's always around - we had a plain silver gloss kitchen 9 years ago and white 5 years ago. It's sublte changes rather than major ones that occur in kitchen fashion. There's been a gradual darkening of the wood that's in fashion, curves become slabs etc.

It's more expensive but I say that drawers are the way of the future. Replace all base cupboards with oversize drawers - they look really, really good all set up together and they are infinitely more practical - you can, without a shadow of a doubt get more stuff in them than you can a cupboard! And you can actually see what's in them.

TomsMom

Phirefly wrote: »

Until recently, I was settled on having gloss white doors like VB's kitchen. They do look nice, but I tend to agree with Mr, Phirefly's view that in 5 years' time they'll be the equivalent of today's naff ubiquitous light traditional ash that we're all ripping out.
What's the alternative though? I really like the bespoke looking solid chunky wooden doors which will one day look the business in our barn conversion but until then, our little urban kitchen needs something a bit more utilitarian... Which leaves Mr. P and I at loggerheads over black gloss (his choice) or Avant Ebony (my call)...whats going to appeal still in 5 years' time?

Shoot... that's top of my list for my new kitchen . I suppose shaker style is on the way out too

OK, someone give me some ideas then please. Long, narrow kitchen as can be seen here on my blog on page 2, Wednesday 24 September. Can be quite dark as seen on first picture. The end where the door is will be the dining area, the gas fire has been removed and we already have a light ash table and chairs and there will be a pendant light over. Carpet will be removed :rotfl: (We're not living there yet, just purchased and renovating.)

So, need something light, painted cream country type style just wont go with the house. Want modern but don't like the slab doors, want drawer-line units. Need something classic I suppose as this kitchen will be in for a very long time! HELP!!!!!!!!!

Doozergirl

Just buy what you like if it's what you like. Nothing you buy will be the height of fashion by the time you decide to change it so who cares! Buy something you can live with.

With the lack of light I think I'd go for cream gloss. Shaker style will always be around - just the colour of what's fashionable will change.

In my house, I couldn't care less what 'goes with the house'. My house goes with me On developments I'd scare people with my new found freedom though!

Alias_Omega

Were in the process of buying our house, and the first thing that needs replacing is the kitchen.

We have had someone in to plan the thing, and that gave us an idea, but were really stuck on the layout.

If we intend to rent the house out, we have the option to put in a cheaper kitchen which will be about £2200 all in, or go with the planned kitchen for £4k.

The other problem we have is with the location of the gas pipe. As we wanted a gas hob, this can cause a problem as the hob was the other side of the kitchen. Not a problem if someone is coming to fit the kitchen as they would move it as part of the job.

But to fit a kitchen yourself, get a joiner in for the worktop cuts (3 of them) then to get the plumber to the job is going to be a nightmare.

Not only to find one, but to get one to come out and do such a small job...

Phirefly

Doozergirl wrote: »

Just buy what you like if it's what you like. Nothing you buy will be the height of fashion by the time you decide to change it so who cares! Buy something you can live with.

With the lack of light I think I'd go for cream gloss. Shaker style will always be around - just the colour of what's fashionable will change.

In my house, I couldn't care less what 'goes with the house'. My house goes with me On developments I'd scare people with my new found freedom though!

All very true, if we were going to be here forever (the way the economy's looking - you never know!!) I wouldn't care less about it and just go for what I like. The reality is, we'll probably be moving on in 5 years or so and the house will need to have a broad appeal. I'm concerned that black units could be offputting to some.

This is Avant Ebony...



Basically a horizontal grain gloss. We have a super-bright south facing kitchen that could take that kind of drama I think. Its just starting to appear in the diy barns now too, so no doubt in a few years time, it will be the white slab gloss of today - by that I mean a generally popular style that people 'understand' and are comfortable with, without looking too dated.

Interesting the the point you raise about 'what goes with the house'. I have quite eclectic tastes and generally like to mix and match whimsical pieces with modern minimal style. Our house is very compact, urban and contemporary though, so in doing it up I've found myself sticking to minimal, slick styles which 'go with the house' rather than what I envisage in my dream conversion by the sea. For example, in the living room I've stuck to a very strict palette of grey, scarlet and gloss white, which suits the house but I might have been a bit more relaxed with it in a different environment. I suppose thats quite akin to a developers approach.

That said, I can see myself recreating my Phirey bedroom and bathroom wherever I end up, I love them so much!

vansboy

TomsMom wrote: »

So, need something light, painted cream country type style just wont go with the house. Want modern but don't like the slab doors, want drawer-line units. Need something classic I suppose as this kitchen will be in for a very long time! HELP!!!!!!!!!

Those fotos are a bit tempting, for Doozergirl to come a running, please issue a Health n Stop Her warning, in future!!

OK, so you don't want our white gloss, but what about the magnolia, that MFI & B&Q as well as Wickes, all seem to have? It is glossy & slabish, but was certainly one of the finishes, we actually liked, when we did the looking around, bit.

Can't remember which store, but one of them did look a bit too yellow, so needs taking a door sample home, to check in your lighting conditions, whatever you choose.

As for Avant Ebony - Ikea seem to be doing loads of their living/bedroom ranges in a similar colour & looks good, but eith a BIG but... think you'd need a light & large room to take it well.

VB

Lawrence_Crowther

Phirefly,
Your kitchen looks great. The Stainless Steel top looks fantastic. Where did you get it from and what was the cost?
I'm looking to buy quartz surfaces for my kitchen, blac sparkly ones are the boss's choice but I agree with another poster that these will not be as trendy in a year or two.
That said. it's not me making the decision so can anyone point me in the right direction for quartz at a good cost.
Any help is much appreciated.
Lawrence