Meanwhile, we've been designing the kitchen/diner and utility room. After research and meeting with suppliers' designers, we have chosen Howden's. We don't yet know how they will work out but the initial meeting was encouraging. Other similarly priced companies want to install their kitchen units and leave gaps where they don't fit. Howdens, being primarily a joinery company, will ensure that the cupboards fit our kitchen, with infills where necessary.
The designer knew her stuff too - and we shared similar tastes, which always helps when trying to explain what's in your head.
We decided to install a Quooker system so that we can save precious worktop space by not having a kettle. We also want a couple of tambour doors to hide away other small kitchen appliances. Howden's doesn't supply these but we've found a couple of companies on-line who will supply kits to fit the space we have. Not cheap but not too expensive at under £300.
The water supply to the house, like the whole of Hertfordshire, is very hard water which shortens the life of everything, including shower heads, toilet cisterns, etc., therefore we are planning to install a water softener system.
We're looking forward (with everything crossed!) to seeing the kitchen design and hopeful that it will be within budget.
