Jan 2003: It begins...

We started the process on the day after Boxing Day 2002 after watching too many DIY programmes on Discovery Home and Leisure. What we forgot is that they have lots of help and bits edited out ...

Stage 1
Alison working almost single handedly to strip back as many layers of wallpaper and paint as possible. Note the attractive dark green and beige decor circa 1930s (?)

Meanwhile Andrew was ripping the kitchen units apart and dismantling the plumbing.

Some more of that lovely green/beige. There was even another colour scheme under that !

Stage 2
Sealing the bare plaster of the newer part of the kitchen (a 1980s extension).

Stage 3
After a hectic two days' work the new work top and sink is in place and plumbed in.

A detail of the plumbing (all push-fit joints I must admit)

Space ready and plumbed for the dishwasher and washing machine.

Stage 4
Machines in place and some tiles starting to go up

Tiles round a lot of the kitchen but small window sill needs re-plastering.

Detail of those lovely tiles !
Electrical socket disconnected.

Stage 5
New electrics in place. Lots of extra sockets and cool under wall unit lighting.

Unit doors back on.

Stage 6
Slap a bit of paint on and Voila !
New bamboo blind

Tiling not finished in that corner but the window sill has been replastered (by yours truly).

Stage 7
A page from our new designer kitchen brochure ?
No, all our own work !

Sealing strip applied to back of work top and sealant to the top of the tiles. Bootiful!

Note the scales (refurbished by Alison) which were 1980s red now matching blue.

Detail of the beautifully applied sealing strip. Alison did that too...


Stage 8
Microwave wall-mounted to free worktop space.

Even more electrical sockets
Bit of gloss needed round the sockets

Small windowsill in process of being tiled


Check out the Kitchen Phase 2 to see what came next!



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