I'm really not happy with my kitchen, now that I've lived with it for a wee while. The design is not a good one. Despite having more cupboards I've actually got less storage due to several areas of wasted space. There is a gap of 30cm/12" between the top of the cupboards and the ceiling. I couldn't get taller units to make better use of the space.
Due to the positioning of the holes for the clips to support the shelves, I've had to take out a shelf (on the right) because it couldn't even accommodate the height of a 1 litre bottle of oil or my salt and pepper mills. The 'cupboard' above the hob houses the extractor fan but isn't much use and it gets hot when the lights are on.
Also notice in this photo that the tiny glass splashback is so useless there are already splashes on the wall above it.
This space saving caddy is just a gimmick. This is a double sized cupboard with only 1 door because it's in the corner. And the caddy pulls out so you can reach stuff at the back. Brilliant except it hardly holds anything and you can't store anything under it because of the huge mechanism. I can just about fit 2 trays and these chopping mats.
This is the fridge. There are only 2 door shelves and they only fit in 1 place. More wasted space. The vegetable drawer at the bottom is fixed and has 2 flaps on top. If you put anything on top you have to move it to open the drawer.
They couldn't fit the shelf under the sink as the holes for the shelf support were in the wrong place for it to sit under the waste pipe.
I know this is a bit moany but I used some money I inherited to get something a bit special that I wouldn't normally have splurged on. I've paid £13,000 (about $17,5000 US) for a quality kitchen and frankly it's not. It's a very nice kitchen but has so many impractical issues. I've never installed a kitchen before so went to experts to get their advice. I spent over 3 hours in total with 2 designers who took my wish list (lots of storage as it's a small kitchen) and created this. I couldn't actually see some of the things in the showroom (had to use CGI stuff) and was guided by them in my choices. My chosen dishwasher and fridge were unavailable at the time of installation so they chose a higher spec substitute for me for the same cost.
I'm going to name the company as Wren. I chose them because their units were factory built and not flat packed. But so many things came damaged I don't think that's necessarily a plus. And they've STILL not come back to fix the things I mentioned previously HERE
So, I'm taking control of it myself and will work on it to get something close to the fabulous kitchen I thought I was getting. I've ordered posh storage boxes and plate racks to maximise space. I'm removing the stupid caddy thing and the glass splashback. I'm tiling behind the hob. I'm putting up some open shelving, then I'm going to decorate it in pink and black 😎 and put down a lovely floor.
There's still 50% of the 'extra installation costs' to be paid. If they don't come back soon they can whistle for it!!!
Sorry to hear about the issues you’ve had with your kitchen but I have heard quite a few bad things about Wren kitchens before. Heather
ReplyDeleteI know a few folk locally who love their Wren kitchens but they're not 'cooks' if you know what I mean. Their kitchens look fab but they reheat a lot of ping meals!! Maybe they don't need a lot of storage!
DeleteHave you ever noticed that people on those 'Teach Me How To Stop Spending All My Money' tv programmes often have extremely flash kitchens and then admit that they don't know how to cook? I think some people view them as status symbols.
DeleteYes!! That's exactly my friend who has a beautiful Wren kitchen. She lives on takeaways and ready meals. I cook from scratch every day and need store cupboards of ingredients and a reasonable amount equipment!
DeleteMy sister and BiL had a wren kitchen - he fitted it himself and there was so much wrong with the things that were sent that he had to do lots of alterations or wait for replacements.
ReplyDeleteI've got those swing out corner shelf things in two corners, they are annoying but any alternative here would be difficult
To be fair they quickly sent replacement items. I just can't get the installer to come back and fit them!!
DeleteI'm going to store my baking stuff in the back corner in a big lidded box and put more regular usage things on top. I don't bake very often so won't be too much of a pain!
How disappointing for you. When you pay that amount of money you should get perfection and I don't blame you for holding some of it back.
DeleteOur kitchen isn't ideal as the wall cupboards are far too low to put anything under them eg a container of wooden spoons. But, we didn't have it installed and was here when we moved in, so will have to put up with it for a while.
Not a good recommendation for Wren kitchens which I've never heard of. Hope you can get it sorted out for you to be happy with it whether it's by them or yourself.
I knew it wouldn't be 'perfect' but I did want a practical space that looked good as it's a small North facing room. I'm sure it'll get sorted, it'll just take time.
DeleteI'm so sorry that you dream kitchen is closer to a nightmare! I was considering getting a Wren kitchen but will think twice about it now. About 15 years ago, we bought a kitchen from Ikea and paid for their installers (contractors). They took six weeks to fit it and it was awful - wall cupboards not straight, wonky doors etc. After a huge complaint to Ikea they sent in a different contractor who did an excellent job. It did rather put us off Ikea at the time but the quality of the kitchen was excellent, with solid wood doors. After about 10 years we thought about updating it to something more 'fashionable' but couldn't justify it as it was so solid and had years of wear left in it and still looked good. We've moved now but imagine it is probably still going strong! I remember paying £3,000 which was quite cheap then for a large kitchen. I do hope that you feel happier with your kitchen once you've sorted out the niggles. x
ReplyDeleteTo be fair it's the sub contracting to installers that seem to be my main issue and then the communication triangle between the 3 of us. It's not too big a nightmare, just very annoying given the amount of money involved!
DeleteI did look at IKEA kitchens, they were nice!
Oh dear...what a let down. We have just had our kitchen from DIY kitchens and apart from a delayed delivery (refunded) and one slightly damaged drawer carcass which they quickly replaced all has been good. The worktops we sourced separately. It was just the units from DIY kitchens. x
ReplyDeleteGlad your kitchen is all sorted. I expected some snagging issues and maybe a bit of damage in transit but yep, this is a big let down!
DeleteThis is why my two kitchens in the past were unfitted; add or take away or move storage as required; tables and cupboards could be moved around; gaps inbuilt to provide extra storage if required; room on the walls for plenty of shelves at required heights. What I have now is fitted units, dated but very solid, good quality and plenty for one. Hope you can get it sorted in time, it's miserable trying to work in an unsuitable kitchen.
ReplyDeleteYep it's a bit miserable. I can't fit all the stuff I removed back in so I'm surrounded by bags and boxes of 'stuff.' But I'll get there :-)
DeleteHi, I had the same problem with under sink storage. But then I saw on another blogger had bought an extending storage shelf from amazon.I think it was made by addis.It fit around the pipes perfectly.looking at your pipes I am sure it would solve the problem . It is very sturdy shelving.
ReplyDeleteGood luck. Tisha x
Thanks for the tip, I'll go have a look!
DeleteI understand your disappointment. I have a Wren kitchen that developed faults. They replaced the parts, paid for them to be fitted by my original, independent fitter and paid compensation. It took a while, and a lot of emails ( I refused to discuss it by phone so that I had a paper trail) but I persevered and it was sorted. I hope you get things sorted so that your kitchen works better for you.
ReplyDeleteYep, been emailing lots and writing 'as per our telephone conversation' in each one if they've spoken to me. It'll get sorted, eventually!
DeleteI can feel your disappointment all the way down here, Next time you have a tradesperson in I'd get the area above the cupboards built in to match the walls as I now hate climbing up that high to clean the inevitable greasy dust that magically settles.It will all look good when you add your colours and personality! Best wishes
ReplyDeleteYep disappointed is a good description. It's a lot of money for an incomplete job. But I'll make it work in the end :-)
DeleteSo sorry that you have so much wasted space. I wonder if something could be fashioned for above the existing cabinets.
ReplyDeleteGod bless.
I've ordered some black storage boxes with lids. I'll do nice labels and make them a feature. Lemons and lemonade!!
DeleteCan you send them (Wren) the receipt for reimbursement? This storage should have come with the kitchen! Especially if 2 experts advised you!
DeleteSorry about your kitchen but I notice your fridge door has fittings for another shelf, contact the fridge manufacturer and buy another shelf
ReplyDeleteAlso your installers should have fitted the shelves where you wanted them using small plastic brackets. Google plastic brackets to see what I mean. You could probably do it yourself but shouldn't have to
DeleteGreat minds Moira!! I've sourced a fridge spares company on Eb@y and have ordered another door shelf. The cupboard shelves are movable but the holes for the wee brackets are just in all the wrong places. It's a bit odd!
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