The homeowner had always wanted a pink kitchen as a child and was finally able to make it a reality after knocking through two rooms of her house in London
Flo from Streatham wanted to create a larger "communal space" to invite friends and family over, and while she was at it wanted to create a pink kitchen which she always dreamed of(Image credit: Channel 4)
A homeowner has spent £25,000 transforming her "tiny" kitchen into her own pink paradise with clever zoning and a peninsular island.
Flo, a digital communications officer from Streatham, bought her three bedroom house from her parents for £495,000, but decided to increase the size of the kitchen by knocking down an internal as well as giving the space a pink make-over.
The renovation was featured on George Clarke's Old House New Home, and we take a look at the kitchen extension ideas you could take from her project.
Knocked through old kitchen and into the hallway
One of the major problems Flo wanted to solve was the cramped downstairs. At 946 sqft the house wasn't small, but Flo felt the space wasn't used well.
Flo stated: "I couldn't be more excited to have my own space but as a first home I wanted a big communal social space."
The layout when she bought the home had a hallway that she described as "big and useless", whereas the kitchen was "tiny".
"It's too small," she said. "Ideally when I've got family and friends over, I'd like to be able to cook and socialise at the same time. And that doesn't allow for that."
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She decided to knock down a number of walls downstairs to extend the kitchen into the large hallway to create more space.
However, on the show George Clarke warned against an open plan design and recommended keeping a wall between the kitchen and living room saying: "Open plan living only works when you've got the space between the different zones."
Flo stated she wanted the kitchen to be used for inviting friends and family over, which she couldn't do previously as her old kitchen was "tiny" (Image credit: Channel 4)
How her dream pink kitchen became a reality for £25k
With the walls knocked down Flo started work on the interior design, and she was clear with her peninsula kitchen ideas that she wanted a pink theme.
Flo said: "I like pastel colours. It's always been a dream of mine to have a pink kitchen, so why not do it."
She started by painting kitchen cabinets and painting the wall between the kitchen and living room pink. Meanwhile, a large mural was added to a large section of wall with a pink background. Pink light fixtures were installed for her kitchen lighting ideas, and so not to overdo it on the pink, Flo opted for an orange sofa.
Flo said it was always a "dream" of hers to have a pink kitchen (Image credit: Channel 4)
End result is 'stylish and fun' with clever zoning
Flo said upon completion: "It's come out exactly how I wanted it. The space just works so well in terms of hosting and having people over. It's exactly how I've wanted it.
"My younger self would be so pleased that I followed through and actually got a pink kitchen."
George commented on the colours saying they were "stylish and fun" and said: "I love the way you've defined different zones, I love the mural on the wall."
George Clarke said he loved the mural on the wall in particular (Image credit: Channel 4)
Also added bright colours when renovating staircase
The £25,000 renovation didn't stop at the kitchen, and neither did the bright coloured theme.
Flo decided to paint her staircase and hallway in a similar fashion to her new kitchen. Flo stated: "I'm thrilled with it. It looks great, but it fulfils the function that I need it too."
George commented on the staircase and runner stating: "I love how you've picked up tones of colour which you've used elsewhere."
He praised Flo for her work saying what she did was "brave and fun" and stuck to her budget, whilst getting exactly what she wanted. You can read more on how to paint stairs in our guide.
Flo painted her entire staircase and runner in a similar fashion to her kitchen, which includes pink painted steps and bannisters (Image credit: Channel 4)
News Editor Joseph has previously written for Today’s Media and Chambers & Partners, focusing on news for conveyancers and industry professionals. Joseph has just started his own self build project, building his own home on his family’s farm with planning permission for a timber frame, three-bedroom house in a one-acre field. The foundation work has already begun and he hopes to have the home built in the next year. Prior to this he renovated his family's home as well as doing several DIY projects, including installing a shower, building sheds, and livestock fences and shelters for the farm’s animals. Outside of homebuilding, Joseph loves rugby and has written for Rugby World, the world’s largest rugby magazine.
