From a run-down property to a bright and beautiful space, this kitchen makeover is a true labour of love. Fancy a tour?

As I make my way from Surrey to Poole on a gloriously sunny day, the gorgeous scent of freshly cut flowers and basil – my props for the day’s activities – waft together harmoniously. As I drive, I think about how I’m looking forward to meeting Dot Brook, whose kitchen we’re on the way to style and shoot.

I first came across her through her Instagram page, ‘The faffing nest’, and watched in amazement as she conquered the pitfalls and challenges of taking on a renovation project – completing most of the work herself, including assembling and building her own kitchen.

Intrigued, I had to know more, so I got in touch – and here I am, a couple of months later, writing all about it. I hope you will find her story as inspiring as I do. In fact, it makes me want to go out there and wield my own wood saw. (Although I think it’s safer for everyone if I refrain.)

Let me set the scene: the photographer is setting up her camera, and I am in my florist era, assembling the bouquet as I begin talking to Dot to find out where her kitchen makeover journey all began…

Tell me, Dot, how long have you lived here?

My husband Stef and I bought the house in December 2023 after a very long buying process. It was pretty run down when we found it, but we were instantly drawn to the peaceful cul-de-sac and the garden, which felt like a hidden gem despite being in the middle of a busy suburb. We always knew it would be a renovation project, but we loved the location so much that it felt like the right move.

One of the first things we did was replace the original single-glazed windows at the front, which sadly meant saying goodbye to the stained glass, but we knew we’d bring back traditional charm in other ways. We also updated the boiler and heating system, and tackled the bathroom and bedrooms to modernise the space.

Tongue and groove became a bit of a theme throughout the house, along with the colour green – much to my husband’s amusement. He often says, “Oh look, another green room.”

The biggest transformation was the kitchen area. It started off as a small galley, while the dining room next door was being used as a guest room by the previous owners. Instead of extending, we knocked down the dividing wall and installed a steel beam to create an open-plan kitchen-diner. We also cut down the brickwork at the back and added bi-folds and a large picture window, so the view into the garden is the first thing you see when you walk in.

So, what was the kitchen like before?

It was the original galley kitchen. It was very narrow and hadn’t been touched much since the ‘60s. The laminate worktop was bleached from the sun, and the vinyl was peeling off the MDF cabinets.

Where did you start with the works?

Well, we did most of the work ourselves to save money. We brought in a structural engineer, and our builder removed the load-bearing wall and installed a 3.5m steel. Then, we removed the old kitchen ourselves and kept the plumbing in the same place to avoid extra costs.

We worked closely with our electrician to create a simple but clever lighting system – adjustable downlights instead of strip lighting, and wall lights over shelf lighting. And we saved the fancy sockets for areas on show and used plain white ones everywhere else.

And when it came to actually designing the kitchen, did you know what you wanted from the get-go?

Yes, I had a really clear vision from the start – I wanted a full wall of tall units. A few kitchen suppliers tried to talk me out of it, saying it would feel overwhelming, especially in a north-facing room. But then I spoke to Huse at Smile Kitchens. He really listened, and managed to recreate exactly what I had in mind. It felt so refreshing to work with someone who didn’t just push back, but instead helped me design something that looked like it came straight off my Pinterest board.

We chose Smile Kitchens’ Eddison doors in a lovely neutral taupe shade. The tall run includes an eye-height AEG oven, a butler’s pantry on one side, and an integrated Hisense fridge-freezer and pantry cupboard on the other. It’s symmetrical and practical – exactly what I wanted.

What were some of the main must-haves? And where did your ideas come from?

Pinterest was a big source of inspiration, but I tried to stay grounded – not everything you see on there is practical or affordable, especially when most of it is American. A few must-haves: an integrated bin in the island, but with no awkward overhang on the worktop so it’s easy to lift out.

Cup handles and knobs instead of anything that collects dust. A venting hob was another big one – it meant I didn’t need to buy an extractor, and I could keep the space over the hob open. We ran the venting pipe under the floor before laying it, and it vents straight outside.

Did you enjoy the kitchen makeover process?

I loved it. I’m a Type A personality [someone with traits like ambition and drive] and I enjoy obsessing over small details – cabinet symmetry, how to maximise awkward corners, all of it. Huse was brilliant, patient, and enthusiastic. I gave myself plenty of time to get things right and didn’t rush any decisions.

We installed the kitchen ourselves, which was… let’s just say, a very different experience. I definitely enjoyed the design stage more. My dad helped me fit the kitchen, which was special. He’s incredibly knowledgeable and made sense of all the instructions when I couldn’t. Honestly, if he hadn’t given up ten days to help, I think the kitchen would still be in boxes.

Can you talk me through the layout and why it works?

I tried every layout possible, but the back wall naturally suited a full run of tall cabinets. The corner of that run meets the cooking area where I added a corner pantry.

The sink stayed under the window, where it had always been, to save on plumbing costs. Since I went for an electric hob, I wasn’t restricted by gas lines, so I could place it wherever made sense. I decided to keep the island free of appliances – I wanted it clean and clutter free. It’s 1m x 1.95m, which gives me loads of space for crafts or hosting a good charcuterie night.

Now that the kitchen makeover is complete, how do you feel about the space, and how would you describe it?

My style is quite eclectic – I like what I like, even if it doesn’t all match. But in the kitchen, I worked hard to strike a balance between bold and classic. The creamy cabinet doors soften the drama of the worktop, and I stuck with cooler tones and smoked bronze details rather than the trendier brass finishes.

I knew I wanted tongue and groove somewhere, so I chose a cabinet range with T&G end panels and added Easipanel above the splashback, which I painted Lick Green 19. We added oak shelves on hidden brackets for a clean look – I love styling them, they change the mood of the room depending on the season.

The tea and coffee station is another favourite – a little boutique café moment for guests. Even though we don’t have a coffee machine, it’s fully stocked for any type of tea or chai.

Do you think you’d change anything?

The only thing I might change one day is the wall colour – not because I regret it, but because I like how colour can completely transform a space. A fresh lick of paint is such an easy way to make the kitchen feel new again.

There’s also one small drawback – I’m far too short for the top cupboards. They now house spare vases and birthday supplies, which I promptly forget about. So I keep buying more; which may or may not be an excuse for another trip to Homesense.

How did you find the kitchen makeover experience overall?

I really enjoyed it. I’ve learnt so many new skills and gained a better understanding of how to design a space with layers, depth, and detail. I’m excited to take what I’ve learnt and apply it to future rooms as I continue to refine my style.

Any funny or memorable moments along the way?

Plenty. We laid the herringbone flooring ourselves – but only after the kitchen installation, so we had to work around the cabinets. It was Christmas Day, and I found myself on all fours, belly full of dinner and red wine in hand, trying to line up herringbone planks that just wouldn’t behave. Not my finest hour.

Photography: Kayley Trippick

This house tour was featured in the July 2025 issue of Kitchens Bedrooms & Bathrooms magazine.

Enjoyed this post? Click here to tour Zoe Hardman’s retro, Ibiza-inspired kitchen

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