From Air Fryers to Artisanal Luxury: Inside Ava’s Olive Green Sanctuary

The Vision: Breaking Boundaries

When Ava decided to extend and renovate, she was met with the "blank canvas" paradox. With the walls down and a brand-new footprint, the possibilities were endless - which led to a bout of decision fatigue.

"It was a completely brand-new part of the house," Ava recalls. "Having free rein meant massive decision fatigue and anxiety. After four planning meetings, we finally settled on a design that prioritised family: an open-plan space where we could congregate around a central island without compromising on that sleek, integrated aesthetic."

The DIY Learning Curve

While many homeowners outsource the heavy lifting, Ava and her family took a hands-on approach. Installing the kitchen themselves over the Christmas break, they quickly realised that "walls are never straight."

From learning to use jigs for precision handle placement to mastering the tricky art of scribing, the project was a crash course in carpentry. "If we did it again and had the budget, we’d pay an installer to save our sanity!" Ava laughs. "But the pride in doing it ourselves is worth it."

The Crowning Jewel: Why Quartz?

When it came to the surfaces, Ava knew she needed something that could act as a focal point. While she chose a high-street retailer for the cabinetry, she looked elsewhere for her kitchen worktops.

"We didn’t use our kitchen retailer for the worktop as they didn’t have the choices that Gemini Worktops had," Ava explains. "After a friendly chat on the phone, I had an amazing choice and a quote that was actually cheaper. It was an easy choice."

Ava opted for quartz worktops over materials like laminate or wood for several reasons:

• Aesthetic Appeal: The natural patterns and delicate veining provide a "luxe" look that mimics marble but with far greater durability.
• Character: The 30mm thickness of her Calacatta Superior Gold quartz adds a substantial, premium feel to the room.
• Versatility: "It works with many design styles," Ava notes. "Whether we go boho, farmhouse, or modern in the future, the quartz remains timeless."

Overcoming the Hurdles

No renovation is without its "stings." For Ava, it was a frustrating cashback dispute with an appliance brand and the heartbreak of receiving two broken white sinks. However, in the spirit of true interior inspiration, she turned a negative into a positive.

She pivoted to a stainless-steel sink, which she now realises beautifully complements her brass taps and the golden tones in her quartz worktops.

Ava’s Top Tips for Your Kitchen Journey

The Final Result

The finished kitchen is a bold, soulful space. The olive-green units grounded by the shimmering quartz worktops create a room that feels both curated and lived-in. The island, topped with that stunning Calacatta Gold Superior quartz, has become the social anchor of the home.

"We have been bold with the colour choice and we are so happy," Ava says. "We receive so many compliments, especially about the island. It’s the focal feature of the whole house."

For Ava, the year-long journey from a makeshift hob to a designer sanctuary proves that with a bit of DIY bravery and the right materials, you can create a space that truly sings.