Living it up by the sea

Clowance

We had a new kitchen 4 years ago after old kitchen extension demolished and new bigger whole width of house room substituted. After paying for the extension we had to economise on kitchen, so bought a nearly new woodgrain effect one for one side and bought units for a shorter run on the other side and had doors made (gloss blue) for the b & q units. So its not matching, deliberately. We also got two full height pull out narrow units and one narrow cupboard, but that is less useful as its hard to get to the back. However I think the whole lot came to around 6000 including a 900mm cooker,  a secondhand American fridge freezer. Washing machine and tumble dryer are stacked next to dishwasher/microwave and all are in a folding door cupboard, but I must admit I rarely close the doors as needing to get to one often, usually dishwasher (also known as the cupboard to store dirty crockery!). All appliances are freestanding as I prefer this when replacing, and fitter was OH. 

uralmaid

@louby40 kitchens aren't cheap - its all the add ons which mount up. It's not just the units.  The same with bathrooms. Hope you will be pleased with it when it is all done.

sheilavw

I purchased my kitchen from Howdens approx 2 and a half yrs ago. Managed to get them down to 6k, my Daughter ordered it on her business account. It included hob, oven, fridge freezer and integrated wine rack. I went for oak work tops and belfast sink. I got a local joiner to fit it. I still love it!

Nebulous2

We've done two kitchens ourselves, using DIY kitchens. They sell solid carcases, not flat packs.

 Both of them were a lot of work, but we got what we wanted and we were happy with both. You learn lessons doing it and always end up with "Next time we will......" 

uralmaid

Morning everyone. Hope you remembered to put your clocks back.  Yesterday I spent some time in the garden and decided I need a potting shed.  We have a 1 acre garden but it is split into various sections.  From the back door we have the first part which is lawned with borders and a mini fish pond.  Running down the side of this part of garden there are a large shed, a very old former pig sty used for storage and another brick low garage type building used for housing all hubby's wood for his various projects.  Then there is a large hedge which runs along the back of this bit with arches cut into it. Through there is a very large part of the garden which we tend to just cut paths through and leave the rest to nature and it also has a lot of trees - some of which we have planted since moving here - we love trees.  To the side as you go through the arch leads to another part of the garden where we have another large store and a polytunnel.  The polytunnel - I hate.  Whatever I have tried to grow never seems to work and it is a long way from the house.  So last year I bought a small lean to glass grow house which I put in the first part but because all my pots, compost etc are in the polytunnel it is a pain.  So yesterday I did some research and found just the right size potting shed for what I need.  This will go in the same area as the grow house and will make things much easier. So hopefully I will be able to "potter" to my hearts content.  I just need hubby to build it up once it arrives.  

Humboldt

Hi @uralmaid I loved reading the description of your garden, and now have garden envy lol. Enjoy the potting shed.

uralmaid

@Humboldt thank you.    

Murphybear

Dustyevsky said:

'Incomers' are people who arrive in a village and don't actively contribute to the running of the various events and clubs etc that go on. Once they do, it's noticed, and they cease to become outsiders, though they may never be regarded as locals.

Here, in Devon, I hail from a town 10 miles away, and I speak the lingo, so I've never accepted the incomer tag, just that I'm not 'local.' From a practical point of view, it seems to make little difference. I'm treated well and so is my wife, probably because both of us became involved in running village clubs and worked alongside many people with similar objectives. At first, it was hard for me to find a place where I fitted-in, and my skills were valued, but the chance came along eventually.

There are sometimes particular things that seem the preserve of 'locals;' one being the running of the village hall, where the committee has been the same for many years. It might be indelicate to attempt debate over matters like that, but I don't find matters like planning for a new housing estate to be a problem area in discussion. The more far-sighted villagers recognise the need for new blood, especially since Covid damaged so many recreational activities, some permanently.

We lived in Devon for 14 years.   It’s my idea of heaven.  We hopped over the border a few years ago.  Dorset’s pretty nice as well 

bluenose1

Your garden sounds idyllic @uralmail, feel like I can picture it with your description. We always say if we win the lottery we will move so that the bedrooms and garden are bigger. Though not much chance of that seeing as I don’t even put the lottery on….
There again could win the big one on the premium bonds.
When I do get a new kitchen I will be getting it from DIY-Kitchens again. Think I have said before my favourite (at the moment) is the slimline Bramley range, my cousin is visiting there this week as she is getting an extension, so I have asked her to take loads of photos. 

uralmaid

@bluenose1 I expect pics when you get your kitchen done. I will keep everything crossed for you for the lottery and the premium bonds - although you will have to get in line for the PB's cos every month I am convinced I will win the big one and have a shortlist of houses I intend to buy if I do. I was convinced I would win this month as the draw was on my birthday and in fact I did win but only £50.  Had a lovely couple of days in Yorkshire with my daughter and broke the back of the Xmas pressie buying.