Creating the Heart of the Home: A Kitchen Transformation by IW Kitchens

At IW Kitchens, we believe the kitchen is the true heart of the home – a place for family, connection, and creativity. When a young family in Hythe approached us to reimagine their small and outdated kitchen, they dreamt of a larger, open-plan space that would not only meet their immediate needs but also grow with them. They envisioned a kitchen that was stylish yet highly practical, blending beautifully with their evolving family life. Here, we share the journey of how we turned their vision into reality.

Customer:

Ashleigh Gunga-Wilks

Location:

Kent

Budget:

£14,500

Total Cost:

£14,500

Project Duration:

2 weeks

Kitchen Range Used:

Salarno

Style:

Vinyl Wrapped

Final Kitchen Specifications

Material:

MDF

Door Thickness:

18mm

Finish:

Vinyl Wrapped

Door Design:

Shaker

About The Project

Our clients, a young family with a new addition to their household, found their existing kitchen too cramped for daily living and entertaining. They sought an open-plan layout that would seamlessly connect with the rest of their home, offering both generous working space and a warm, inviting atmosphere.

Central to the design brief was the inclusion of a freestanding range cooker, the use of rich Iroko timber worktops, and a classic shaker-style kitchen featuring the Salarno door finish in a robust vinyl wrap. Their aim was not simply to upgrade their kitchen, but to create a timeless space full of character and enduring quality.

This is what the kitchen looked like before

The Process & The Kitchen Design & Build In Progress

The project began with a thorough consultation, where we explored the family’s needs, design preferences, and the practical challenges of reconfiguring the existing space. With a clear understanding of their aspirations, we moved forward with a detailed plan that would involve significant structural alterations.

The first step was the removal of the old kitchen, followed by strategic structural work that included knocking through a wall and blocking up an old doorway to create a more fluid, open-plan environment. A key phase of the project involved the installation of a steel RSJ to support the newly opened space. During this stage, we encountered an unexpected hurdle: hidden radiator pipes were discovered when digging for the concrete pad for an additional steel post. Thanks to our experienced team, we quickly adjusted the steelwork design to accommodate the pipes, ensuring the project stayed on track without compromising structural integrity.

Once the structural elements were in place, our electricians and plumbers reconfigured the wiring and pipework to suit the new kitchen layout. The space was then meticulously plastered, creating a fresh canvas for the kitchen installation.

The new kitchen, featuring Salarno vinyl-wrapped doors, solid Iroko timber worktops, and a thoughtfully selected splashback, was then fitted with care and precision. Following installation, the final electrical and plumbing works were completed, including appliance fitting and comprehensive system checks to ensure everything functioned perfectly.

Here you can see the work involved and what the space looked like as things progressed.

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The Results

The end result was a stunning and functional kitchen that instantly became the hub of the family’s home. The freestanding range cooker now serves as a striking centrepiece, while the Iroko timber worktops bring warmth, durability, and a subtle nod to the family’s African heritage. Originally considering oak, the family embraced our recommendation of Iroko, appreciating its resilience and deep, rich beauty.

The open-plan design created a welcoming, light-filled environment with ample workspace and storage, perfect for both everyday family life and social occasions. Throughout the project, the clients were engaged and involved, allowing us to tailor every detail to their vision.

Their feedback spoke volumes about their satisfaction, highlighting not just the quality of the finished kitchen but also the professionalism, support, and expertise provided throughout the process. It was a pleasure to guide them through their renovation journey, and the resulting kitchen is a space they will enjoy for many years to come.

At IW Kitchens, we are proud to have delivered a transformation that exceeded expectations and truly created the heart of this young family’s home.

We worked with Iain at the start of the year on a big kitchen renovation project. It involved knocking through a wall, a strip out and kitchen installation. Iain managed the whole process from start to finish, managing all of the suppliers (from structural engineers, to plumbers and electricians). The work is to an amazing standards and Iain is an absolute pleasure to work with. We were very new to any sort of renovation work and he really held our hands and gave us amazing advice the whole way though. Iain also helped us with the upgrade of a very dated bathroom. Helping us design the space and sourcing the materials. We would highly recommend Iain’s services to anyone who is in need of a new kitchen or bathroom. Thank you again for all of the amazing work!