Ceilings and design � week two in the kitchen

After a quieter week last week, the crash and bash is back with the demolition of the old external wall to make way for the new kitchen. The Flexi Bins are out to catch all the debris and the absence of the kitchen reveals that all is still not sorted with the levels. Smith and Sons notice that the wall is a little uneven as well and need to engage in some serious nogging (filling) to make it flush and ready for the new linings.

Matt and Rowena�s interior designer Sonya from Sonya Cotter Design is back again to lend a hand with colour co-ordination and design. Matt and Rowena have opted for a flatpack kitchen for quick, cost-effective installation. Stewart Scott Cabinetry supplied the cupboards and also offer an NKBA-accredited design service. To save space in the kitchen, Sonya suggests they use sliding doors in the cupboards, and make one of the panels into a blackboard while the other has durable Horizon Lining White Cloud. Sonya knows that Rowena wants a light and bright kitchen � and the chalkboard is a great way to make the kitchen into a playful, informal space.

With the cabinetry and benchtop both white, Sonya suggests an orange splashback in Horizon Lining Sunset (which comes in 8 contemporary colours) to further brighten the space. The splashback is only 1200 by 800 but it�s definitely enough to make their otherwise white kitchen �pop.� Rowena got a little frightened by the orange and had a brief attack of the �play it safes� but eventually put her trust in Sonya�s expertise. Sonya also took the time to show Rowena how to match up the black chalkboard, white cabinetry and orange splashback so Rowena will feel much more confident about matching colours in future.

Through good planning, Matt and Rowena have more or less kept the original layout and so saved themselves the major cost of moving any plumbing or electrical around.

Tips and tricks

Hire an interior designer. Unless you fancy yourself as a serious pro (think hard about this one) you�ll find that your end result will hugely benefit from the input of an interior designer. It will probably save you money in the end as you avoid the countless design pitfalls
Lighting and colour co-ordination. Go in and talk to a lighting specialist about what you will need. There are so many different types of light bulbs and lighting layouts and unsympathetic lighting can render all your great design choices redundant.