Looking for kitchen inspiration? Be inspired by this gorgeous transformation – and, if you like this, take a look at our other kitchen transformations.
After two years of unsuccessful house hunting, Olivia and Daniel Lynan decided that creating their dream home, rather than buying it ready-made, was the only option for them. The couple needed to demolish an internal wall and open up the rear of the house to create space for sliding doors leading out to the garden; with its large patio it is perfect for summer barbecues.
The owners: Olivia Lynan, a menswear buyer, lives here with husband Daniel, a studio manager
The property: A three-bedroom, Victorian end-of-terrace cottage that was once part of the Harewood Estate, in Leeds
Total project cost: £31,934
Olivia and Daniel love to entertain so were keen to link the kitchen-diner to the outside space using aluminium sliding doors from Express Bi-folds, in Leeds
The couple chose an Indian limestone flooring to run throughout the space, from Terzetto Stone. The wooden table and chairs are from Pad Furniture, in Leeds
Demolishing the wall between the original kitchen and dining rooms has created one open-plan space that links to the garden through sliding doors. The Shaker-style oak kitchen, from Howdens, has been painted in a stone colour. The worktops are black American walnut, from Worktop Express, with contrasting grey granite on the island supplied by Olivia’s family’s masonry business. Metro tiles, B&Q. Induction cooker and hood, Rangemaster
The couple discovered an original fireplace hidden under layers of plaster. We started chipping off the plaster at the bottom and expected to find a low lintel, but we were delighted that it’s a really high lintel that will be the perfect space for a wood-burning stove one day,’ says Olivia
Laura Crombie is a journalist and TV presenter. She has written about homes and interiors for the last 17 years and was Editor of Real Homes before taking on her current position as Content Director for Country Homes & Interiors, 25 Beautiful Homes Period Living and Style at Home. She's an experienced home renovator and is currently DIY-renovating a 1960s house in Worcestershire. She's been quoted on home design and renovating in The Times, The Guardian, The Metro and more. She's also a TV presenter for QVC and has been a commentator for Channel 4 at Crufts dog show.
