In this episode of Love Your Kitchen, host Faye Newman shares six red flags to watch for before you commit to a kitchen renovation so your kitchen design works beautifully in daily life, not just on paper. She explains why function must lead form, how to spot technical gotchas (clearances, servicing, ventilation), and what “good” looks like in pricing transparency and designer collaboration.

Key Takeaways

Function before fashion. If a proposal focuses on style over workflow, walk away. Zoning (prep, cooking, cleaning), sensible worktop runs, and logical appliance positioning beat trends every time, especially in a small kitchen.

Design around real life and cooking. A good designer asks detective-style lifestyle questions: who cooks, what you cook (e.g., baking needs cooler solid surfaces and generous worktops), how you shop, and which small appliances you actually use. That’s how you get practical kitchen ideas that fit your routine.

Future-proof servicing. Build for easy access to venting hobs, boilers, stopcocks, and integrated appliances. Ventilation and access panels matter; skipping them can void guarantees or force costly tear-outs later.

Collaborate, don’t capitulate. Your designer should challenge thoughtfully, not dictate. If it feels like “my way or the highway,” it’s the wrong fit for your kitchen remodel.

Best Moments

“A great kitchen isn’t about following certain trends or aesthetics. It’s about creating a space that is… functional and perfectly suited for how you live.”

“A professional kitchen designer is a bit like a detective.”

“Don’t ever work with a company that [won’t give] a fully itemised quotation.”

“Your kitchen is for you and not your designer’s portfolio… You should never feel pressured.”

About the Host

Faye Newman is a freelance Kitchen Designer with eight years of experience in the industry. With a background in furniture design and a passion for creating spaces that reflect the essence of the home, Faye brings a unique perspective to kitchen design. Her dedication to client satisfaction and love for her craft shines through in every project she undertakes.

Connect with Faye Newman Design:

Visit: www.fayenewmandesign.com for kitchen inspiration and design resources.

Click me to join our email community for exclusive updates and tips.

Now available to watch on YouTube! Don’t forget to subscribe here and click the notification bell for visual inspiration and expert advice.

Follow us on Instagram @LoveYourKitchenPodcast for daily doses of kitchen design inspiration and behind-the-scenes glimpses.

Whether you're renovating your kitchen, looking for organisation hacks, or seeking culinary inspiration, Love Your Kitchen is your go-to resource for all things kitchen-related.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of Love Your Kitchen, host Faye Newman tours Olive & Barr’s “Barn” showroom in Tenbury Wells to unpack a London-townhouse-inspired scheme. She explores how period details (tall skirtings, dado rail, coving) pair with a bold, colour-drenched palette, Farrow & Ball Pitch Black across cabinetry, walls and ceiling, balanced by bottle-green metro tiles, a fluted Belfast sink, and a brass-topped “baguette table.” It’s a masterclass in timeless kitchen design that still feels modern, with smart choices you can borrow for a kitchen renovation or kitchen remodel of any size.

Key Takeaways

Colour drenching can enlarge perception, even in a small kitchen. Dark, single-hue rooms blur edges so corners recede visually; used thoughtfully, this creates drama and a cocooning effect without shrinking the space. Great for galley layouts when paired with layered lighting.

Period features + in-frame cabinetry = effortless elegance. Tall skirting, architraves, dado and coving anchor a timeless look; the in-frame style sits naturally in townhouse architecture yet suits modern cooking and kitchen organisation.

Material mix that ages beautifully. A living-finish brass worktop and aged-brass hardware develop patina over time, perfect for a “forever” kitchen upgrade. Match taps and wastes for a cohesive detail.

Plan symmetry where you can. A wall-to-wall run with a centred fluted Belfast sink, bin and dishwasher adjacency, dresser cabinets and a continuous shelf delivers beautiful balance and practical workflow for everyday cooking.

Best Moments

“Colour drenching creates depth and drama—corners blur, the room reads larger, not smaller.”

“A living brass surface ages with you—it’s the beauty of a working kitchen, not a showroom set.”

“Keep the sink central with bin and dishwasher flanking it—functionality first, elegance follows.”

“If an island compromises flow, choose a peninsula and never look back.”

About the Host

Faye Newman is a freelance Kitchen Designer with eight years of experience in the industry. With a background in furniture design and a passion for creating spaces that reflect the essence of the home, Faye brings a unique perspective to kitchen design. Her dedication to client satisfaction and love for her craft shines through in every project she undertakes.

Connect with Faye Newman Design:

Visit: www.fayenewmandesign.com for kitchen inspiration and design resources.

Click me to join our email community for exclusive updates and tips.

Now available to watch on YouTube! Don’t forget to subscribe here and click the notification bell for visual inspiration and expert advice.

Follow us on Instagram @LoveYourKitchenPodcast for daily doses of kitchen design inspiration and behind-the-scenes glimpses.

Whether you're renovating your kitchen, looking for organisation hacks, or seeking culinary inspiration, Love Your Kitchen is your go-to resource for all things kitchen-related.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of Love Your Kitchen, host Faye Newman chats with homeowners Sarah and Phil to reflect on their kitchen renovation two years on. This honest, real-life kitchen remodel covers design choices, delays, and how the space has reshaped daily cooking and family life. Expect practical kitchen ideas on zoning with an island, an appliance-hiding breakfast unit, a utility overhaul, and clever ways to manage light and storage.

Key Takeaways

Flow first in kitchen design. A compact working triangle (fridge–sink–hob/ovens) plus a generous island gives landing space for prep and serving.

Kitchen organisation beats clutter. A breakfast dresser (appliance garage) hides a kettle, toaster, microwave, and mixers, keeping counters clear while keeping everything to hand, especially helpful for enthusiastic home cooking.

A pantry that prevents waste. A reduced-depth larder makes every tin visible, cutting duplicates and food waste, smart kitchen ideas that work day-to-day.

Utility room that actually works. Stacked washer/dryer, a wider cupboard for hoover/ironing board, and boot storage turned a through-space into a calm organiser. (Yes, they even “measured Henry” for the cupboard!)

Prototype clearances. Masking-tape layouts and checking appliance doors (e.g., dishwasher on the island) avoided awkward shimmies later—simple, low-cost insurance during a kitchen remodel.

Best Moments

“The island… zones it really well and anchors the room.”

“Every morning… I come in and just think, I love it.”

“Delay is an inevitable part of the process… accept there will be delay.”

“Friday night kitchen discos… all getting involved with some vinyl on, it’s delightful.”

About the Host

Faye Newman is a freelance Kitchen Designer with eight years of experience in the industry. With a background in furniture design and a passion for creating spaces that reflect the essence of the home, Faye brings a unique perspective to kitchen design. Her dedication to client satisfaction and love for her craft shines through in every project she undertakes.

Connect with Faye Newman Design:

Visit: www.fayenewmandesign.com for kitchen inspiration and design resources.

Click me to join our email community for exclusive updates and tips.

Now available to watch on YouTube! Don’t forget to subscribe here and click the notification bell for visual inspiration and expert advice.

Follow us on Instagram @LoveYourKitchenPodcast for daily doses of kitchen design inspiration and behind-the-scenes glimpses.

Whether you're renovating your kitchen, looking for organisation hacks, or seeking culinary inspiration, Love Your Kitchen is your go-to resource for all things kitchen-related.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.