Another kitchen post!

alex_163163

So after what seems like forever looking at different kitchen showrooms, I think I'm slightly closer to deciding what kitchen I'm going to go for, so I just wanted to run a couple of things past the more knowledgeable people of this forum.

We know we want a matt shaker style kitchen, so I seem to be swaying towards a painted timber (ash) door (as opposed to a grained effect foil wrapped door).
So far the ones that I've seen and liked the best are Chippendale painted timber and Lochanna Clarkwell ranges.
Can anyone shed any more light on Chippendale kitchens for me? I've read they come flatpacked, rather than rigid built, but does this effect the carcass quality/ durability?
Our budget is around £13k please bear in mind.
£14k is to cover 7 base units inc pan drawers, 3 wall units, a bank of units inc pull out larder, built in single oven housing, free standing fridge housing, worktop, appliances, sink, fitting of kitchen.

In terms of worktop - this is where I'm struggling the most! So any advice appreciated.
We were originally going to go with a laminate worktop (a wood effect one), but then our door colour changed and wood effect wouldn't look right.
Now my issue is that I don't think laminate tops trying to look like granite/ quartz etc, do as good a visual job as laminates trying to look like wood. The only one I have liked so far is a worktop by Bushboard. Can anyone offer any insight into them? From my reading it seems to me that Duropal is the 'no.1' laminate worktop, so how does Bushboard compare?

I also like a solid surface acrylic worktop by Minerva. Does anyone have any experience of Minerva? It is £1300 dearer than the laminate however 😕 , so probably stretching the budget a bit too far.

Any thoughts welcome on the above, and if there is something else I should consider.

Thanks for reading!

phill99

Bush board are really a budget brand and they sell a lot into the sheds.


Duropal are very good.

alex_163163

Ah thank you! I will take that into consideration and try find a similar colour/ design in the duropal ranges.

Jenniefour

Durapal. They do have some that look like stone tops rather than the obvious pretending to be stone. Get into a showroom where you can have a good look at them, and get a sample of the ones you like to take home. Then you can see what it looks like in the kitchen. Different lighting in showrooms can be deceptive. If you can borrow a drawer front or cupboard door of the kitchen ranges you fancy even better.

Doozergirl

We have Minerva tops and like them a lot.

The light colours can stain (don't leave curry on them!) but the stains actually disappear quite quickly. They can be polished too anyway.

We chose because we felt their marble looks like real marble but would probably behave better and ultimately stain less permanently.