How to be a domestic goddess when you haven't a kitchen...

I have been thinking a fair bit about kitchens. Mainly as ours is more than a little make shift. We have some nice built in cupboards (see above right) and of course a dishwasher (I am officially in love with the dishwasher and do not know how I lived for so long without one in my life) but the remainder of the kitchen is more than a little makeshift. We have a sink unit that was left (uninstalled) by the previous owners mortgage company. I suspect with a nod to making the house 'habitable', a fridge and freezer kindly sold to us at a bargain price by a friend (hi Gem) which is covered with a random piece of worktop which we found in the garage and holds the toaster, microwave and more importantly the coffee machine. We did splash out on the fancy new cooker above (hello handsome) as I refused to cook on a camping stove for many a month. And then the same lovely lady that sold us the fridge and freezer also donated a cupboard and dining table (for free!!) that make up the rest.

It's funny really as for years my mum had a mismatch of fitted cupboards, a dresser and a random cupboard unit completed with a dining table and a muddle of chairs so I think I am definitely from my mothers school of kitchen design. Eventually though she managed to get some new doors and smartened it all up with a lick of paint, new handles and a nice worktop and it is lovely and has always been warm and welcoming and sociable. My aunt always talks fondly of dancing in my mum's kitchen on New Year's Eves and I love the thought of that in ours....

Anyway, the central heating 'project' gobbled up the kitchen budget as quickly as it gobbles gas. Well according to t'husband it must gobble gas as despite it being a lot cooler now, we are still not allowed the heating on. I have to make do with lighting the fire which is lovely if you don't leave the living room and when I do, I have to carry a hot water bottle with me like a purse. Anyhoo, the lack of any cash for a kitchen only makes me covet them more. Here are a few of my faves.

Love the pantry cupboard and that it's not too 'slick'

Love that the cupboards and the table were obviously something else before they were a kitchen and look well used...oh and the sink and the tiles...

Love the open shelves (cake stands!) but I think t'husband wants to keep everything low level...

There seems to be 'a look' developing....

Love the dresser and the lights and the chairs...


We have a clock like this so scoorrrre...

Don't think we'll get the dog but still love it...

Lovely table and a muddle of chairs..more nice lights...another great pantry cupboard...

Seems I am branching as I love grey painted units too (note to self: F&B Charleston Gray) and the work station / free standing counter.

Despite the largely monochromatic schemes of the kitchens above am also drawn to the bright colours below. All removable items so I guess I can add these if I feel the need for colour...

Oh sinky sink, please be mine...


A coffee altar....nuff said and also stainless draws....

Pretty much all pictures from Livingetc

Next steps. Purchase lottery ticket and/or find (free) cupboards that would suffice and make friends with a carpenter willing to work for free...easy!