For many of us, the heart of the home is a concept. For Ava Quilter, it was a mission that required knocking down walls, mastering the art of "scribing," and surviving six months with nothing but an air fryer and a dream.
Today, Ava’s kitchen is a masterclass in contemporary luxe, blending bold olive-green cabinetry with the timeless elegance of quartz worktops. But the journey to this social hub was paved with grit, DIY discovery, and a few lessons learned the hard way.
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."
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."
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:
Interested in a Calacatta Gold Superior worktop for your kitchen? Get in touch for a free, no-obligation quote today.
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.
| Challenge | Ava’s Solution |
|---|---|
| Decision Fatigue | Focus on how you want to use the space (e.g., socialising around an island). |
| Sourcing Worktops | Don't feel restricted to your kitchen cabinet supplier. Sourcing quartz worktops separately can offer better variety and value. |
| The "Living In" Phase | Lean into the slow cooker and air fryer life - the end result is worth the temporary chaos! |
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.
Interested in a quartz worktop for your kitchen? Get in touch for a free, no obligation quote today.
See how Alba Tempesta Stonelore Quartz helped transform a standard new-build into a luxurious, family-focused statement home near Doncaster.
Stonelore Verde Nuvola Quartz elevates Samantha's Georgian home renovation, adding luxurious depth to their bespoke, beautifully layered design.
Discover how Stonelore Caldo Tempesta Quartz transforms Peter and Sarah Thompson’s kitchen with modern elegance and thoughtful design.
DJ Tiffany Calver’s 1960s home is reborn with a modern-traditional kitchen, featuring stunning Stonelore quartz worktops for style & sanctuary.
Arctic Starburst
Aspen Ice
Capri White
Calacatta Gold Superior
