BEFORE and AFTER: Kitchen Scullery

Yeah, our kitchen scullery has been partially modified to fit our appliances and a new basin. Still need to replace the counter top all the way through. We will do that when we modify the remainder of the kitchen.

Below: Before and area of the basin close up:

Below: Before and area of the appliances now fitted.


Below: Just another view

We will need to think about replacing the floor as well at some point.

GARDEN: What is a PORTAGER

So, the idea is to have a Portager or as we may say in SA; a veggie patch. But we will be breaking some of the rules and keeping the ones we like.

And you ask me, what is a portager?

Below: A classic traditional example! But as you can imagine a little out of my reach ;-)

Definition and discription:

The traditional kitchen garden, also known as a potager (in French, jardin potager) or in Scotland a kailyard, is a space separate from the rest of the residential garden – the ornamental plants and lawn areas. Most vegetable gardens are still miniature versions of old family farm plots, but the kitchen garden is different not only in its history, but also its design.

The kitchen garden may serve as the central feature of an ornamental, all-season landscape, or it may be little more than a humble vegetable plot. It is a source of herbs, vegetables, and fruits, but it is often also a structured garden space with a design based on repetitive geometric patterns.

The kitchen garden has year-round visual appeal and can incorporate permanent perennials or woody shrub plantings around (or among) the annuals.

Below: A good geometric patterned example of a portager, with a lovely entrance arch and picket fencing all around!

Below: Still very formal with paving, focal points and beautifully landscaped

Below: This portager seems less formal, but in fact, it is not at all. Here they have made due with the available space, added wooden fencing. The climate and feeding must be excellent if you look at the plants. And I just love the little garden shed with french furniture, the perfect place for an afternoon cuppa tea with some mint in!

IDEA: Open Plan Kitchen

This is such a stunning open plan kitchen! Just love it.

We have a closed off kitchen that is rather seperated from the living areas, so not really an option currently in our home, but thought I'll share it anyway!

VINTAGE STOVES RE-VAMPED

Soooooo, to keep or not to keep the OLD Stove! Only time will tell.

What I do know though is that at first there will not be cash to replace it or do any major modifications to the kitchen. Let’s hope that it is fully functional and that I will be able to use it for starters.

Paint: There is always the option to paint the stove – any accent colour that I may choose for this space. Orrrr I can leave it crisp clean white.

Dress up the wall behind: There are so many options here; paint it, tile it, railing for spatulas and spoons, pots or pans or a quote or saying I may get attached to, a book shelf for some of my favourite recipe books, an extractor fan (boring)?

Below a pretty vinal wall sticker design and with a few hooks can be rather

functional. This could go nicely above a vintage stove!!!

 Below a vintage stove turned into a pink masterpiece!

 Below: Another stunning pink gas stove. Not sure if it is old or new, but pretty!!!!

 Below: Old gass burner, looks almost like a coal stove. But what makes this picture so pretty is the back stove set agains the pink tiles complimented with the right accessories!!!!

 Below: Another photo of the pink stove in the pink kitchen - I bit too pink alltogether

I would say!!!!

 Below: Another beaut done up in a creamy peachy glow.

 Below: I do love the idea of the vinyl stickers and I am sure I can find a quote or saying that will be suited to the space of our new kitchen.

 Below: I love this white open plan informal-chick kitchen!!! Will be perfect for our holiday home one day!!!

Below: Oooooooh, how bold is this colour scheme!!! Blue and bright red!!!! With the red vintage stove.

Below: Just love this crips white gas burner stove with the pots on the wall!

Another one of my favourite vinyl sticker quotes for the kitcen!

Below: stunning classic cream stove!

KITCHEN OVERVIEW

The kitchen is south facing (no real sunlight) and is a fair size, but fairly narrow. There is a slight separation between the wash-up area and the kitchen. A breakfast nook is built in on the one side which we can most definitely make use of. The wall behind the breakfast nook is dull and barren, adding to the not so aesthetic feel. There are 3 very large windows, also barren and not aesthetically pleasing and a back door that goes into the back garden.

The kitchen doesn’t have the modern built in oven and stove; it has a very old “antique” looking loose standing stove-oven. I am not sure how good it is, but if all functions well I will consider keeping it as I think I could let it fit in with some of my ideas. At least the large windows lets in a lot of natural light and this I will use and consider with changing the interior design of the kitchen (no, not rebuilding), just “prettying” up.

There is a lot of work to be done in the kitchen. Firstly we need to fit our front loader washing machine and dishwasher, currently no plumbing and no space provided for these in the wash-up area. That will be our top priority. After this we will attend to the more aesthetic side of the kitchen, the making it look pretty. I have a few colour options in my mind. The top one is pink, but obviously looking at my friends faces when I mention this, most do not see the sense in it or how to implement it. I, in my souls eye can absolutely see it. A happy vibrant add to this currently very dull space. I cannot stand the obvious red, grey, yellow average kitchens I have seen. The other alternative is to introduce a variety of pastel colours. I would also consider a turquoise. But in this area I do want to add colour, because it is not an open plan kitchen.

I just feel that I have to create a space that I will enjoy being in and I want the room to be interesting. I quite like the farm house kitchen look, but will keep the current cupboard which doesn’t solely fit with that picture. So I will attempt a more chic look with a twist between modern and antique! Currently this kitchen is sooooooo boring.

Here is a classic before photo (taken by the estate agent).