The Story

These clients came to see me with an initial Ikea plan and a sketch of how they wanted the overall look in terms of open shelving and colours.

I was able to advise on how to achieve this look by creating boxes that both surrounded the Ikea wall units and created the open shelving.

We worked out how the installation should be scheduled. Some of the final dimensions would be uncertain until most of the units were in place, so the client left with enough information for his fitters to be able to do this.

The clients also wanted Formica on birch ply worktops. I put them in direct contact with a trade supplier who delivered directly to site, saving them money and me from having to carry them up three flights of stairs…

Once most of the units were in place, I visited the site to take measurements and to chat through any issues that might have come up with the fitters. I found they had reduced the width of the extractor and hob units in to fit everything in neatly. I was able to take exact measurements for these doors. Another vital measurement was the height of the long low unit above the oven and fridge/freezer units. This had to line up with the top of the wall units next to it.

The materials required had been delivered to the workshop before my site visit. Because we had previously agreed a schedule, I was able to start straight away. The ply boxes were made first, then taken to a spray shop for lacquering. Whilst this was happening, I made the doors, drawer fronts etc. I delivered everything two weeks after my first site visit.