Interior design and lifestyle influencer Melanie Cooke has beautiful new Gemini Quartz worktops, upstands and splashbacks in her refurbished kitchen - and an innovative floating shelf in matching quartz.
Mel’s had a busy few years, she is currently on maternity leave from the NHS where both she and her husband work as physiotherapists. Working on covid wards, her kitchen project was a very much needed distraction from the daily grind.
She took time out of her busy schedule as a mum, house renovator and Instagram influencer to talk to us about her kitchen transformation journey and explain why she chose Gemini Worktops.
“The design of our kitchen is the most important thing in the world to me.
It’s quite a small room, but I’ve spent a year planning the design and researching suppliers and materials.
Gemini Worktops are affordable and they had exactly the quartz that I wanted: I chose Calacatta Gold Superior.
I love it because it looks exactly like real marble and I’m so delighted with the finished look!
Our kitchen is now a light, bright room - a place where you want to just sit and be.
The floor was on different heights with steps up and we’ve changed it so it’s all the same level.
Everything flows better, and my daughter Florence can now navigate it on her walker!
When I was working on my first house, I got lots of inspiration from online influencers, so it’s amazing to now be doing that myself on Instagram.
DIY and getting a look for less is my main niche. I keep it realistic, share my tips and help people have the confidence to try things themselves.
I’ve shared all my research and quotes, which people have appreciated because I’ve helped save them so much time and money.
My best advice when doing up your kitchen is to do lots of research and create a detailed plan - it’s so important to be organised.
I’m very glad I discovered Gemini Worktops - they’ve been so supportive with everything I wanted.
The customer service is excellent and the finished worktops look stunning.”
Mel was keen to implement a shelf idea above the cooker hob and underneath the extractor, she had seen featured on designer websites and asked the team at Gemini to make this dream a reality.
It takes extra attention to detail to template and fit quartz floating shelves – plus you need to be a bit handy with DIY or have a friendly builder or kitchen fitter who can recess the brackets – made by Gemini – into the wall.
The finished look, along with a countertop larder cupboard, was exactly what Mel was after and she has transformed her drab and normal kitchen space into a restorative place of calm and serenity for her young family.
Follow Melanie on Instagram at @banish_the_beige.
