Homeowners looking to update their kitchen and include a certain style or item and can be inspired by famed chef, Rosemary Shrager (www.rosemaryshrager.com). Rosemary wanted to a do exactly that and so called upon Granite & TREND Transformations to help transform two downstairs rooms, comprising of a kitchen and dining room, into an open-plan kitchen-dining-living combination.
The company behind the top that fits on top was already well known by Rosemary as the design and installation team completed the worktops at her cookery school; so she knew the team would be able to assist her in implementing a sentimental material into her kitchen scheme.
Although Rosemary had a beautiful kitchen prior to the makeover, it was not to her taste, and functionally, it did not work for her needs. She required an island, for creating recipes and for filming for her TV shows; a large hardwearing stainless steel sink for all of her large pots and pans; a 3-in-2 hot tap, for instant boiling water; and a place where she could store chopping boards. Rosemary also wanted to integrate a stunning piece of Georgian marble, which has been in her family for 40 years, into her new kitchen design. She wanted something “middle-of-the-road, functional and trendy”. Rosemary commented, “Granite & TREND Transformations had a designer, and when I spoke to him, he was the best designer ever. He took something really important to me in my life, and my kitchen life, took it and transferred it into this contemporary kitchen. It is a workable piece of art.”
The design team at Granite & TREND Transformations recommended the new Arabescato worktop to transform for the kitchen units, as the colour matches the original marble, and slate cabinetry (Rothwell in Supermatt Dust Grey) which echoes the dark veining in the Georgian slab. The total cost for the doors and worktop was £15,000. The units were designed with big drawers for plenty of storage space and fitted together carefully to ensure a gap was left to store away trays/chopping boards, so they would be easily accessible without cluttering the kitchen space. The original marble was incorporated into the scheme as a countertop on a sideboard. The team even included shelving from the 1950s, which were stripped back, brought into the kitchen design and filled with spices and herbs. Then, they tied the whole scheme together with handleless cabinetry, as Rosemary thought handles “would have looked a bit too bitty”, which gave off a beautiful clean and fresh finish.
The complete kitchen installation took around two weeks which included cabinetry, doors, panels, mechanisms, worktops and appliances, while the whole transformation took four months; a wall was moved, the floor was replaced, and plastering, painting and wiring were also needed to extend the kitchen into another room.
After the entire kitchen transformation was complete, a professional photographer took snapshots of the new open-plan room which highlight the elegance and stunning simplicity of the new scheme. “Everything has been thought of,” said Rosemary, as she reflected on the “timeless and classic” colours that will still be the same in 20 years’ time. “I feel like I’m walking into my dreamland! I would use Granite & TREND Transformations again, without question.”
To achieve a similar look or to discover how the Granite & TREND Transformations team can incorporate chosen items into a kitchen scheme, homeowners can visit one of Granite & TREND Transformations’ nationwide showrooms and speak with one of the design consultants.
With a multitude of products and accessories, experienced design consultants and installation specialists, Granite & TREND Transformations is the one-stop place for kitchen makeovers. For further information on Granite & TREND Transformations, please call 0808 149 5914 or visit granitetransformations.co.uk.
