For John and his wife, Emma, their semi-detached family home in Leeds, built in 1913, isn't just a place they live - it's the anchor of their lives. Having moved in back in 2003, and with their children now grown and, in their twenties, the house has evolved with them. But like any truly loved and lived-in home, it was due for a magnificent second act.
This latest renovation, a deep dive into the heart of the home - the kitchen - goes far beyond the cosmetic. It’s a testament to the family's desire for a space that is as structurally sound and high-performing as it is visually stunning. This project represents a shift from their first, more constrained renovation decades ago, which simply involved knocking through the wall between the original tiny, dark, and traditional kitchen and a small adjoining room. The current transformation is a monumental undertaking, touching every surface and structure.
The ambition for this second renovation was a truly open-plan, social living space with floor to ceiling bi-fold windows that flood the room with so much light. To achieve this, several major structural elements were addressed. The entire floor was underpinned - a crucial foundation for the room's new aesthetic. Above, a substantial RSJ (Rolled Steel Joist) was installed, allowing them to completely remove the structural wall that separated the existing kitchen and the formal dining room. The former dining room door was also eliminated, seamlessly connecting the new, expansive space.
The footprint of the room has been drastically altered to maximise light and flow. An old back door was removed entirely, a change that also necessitated a moment of genius to accommodate a certain furry family member. Mike, the family cat, now enjoys an ingenious, bespoke cat-flap system. It’s been cleverly integrated into the space beneath the stairs, which leads to a second cat flap on the exterior wall - a two-stage system only a cat would master! This attention to detail, even for the smallest resident, speaks volumes about the care poured into the project.
The undisputed star of this newly enlarged room is the kitchen island. It’s the embodiment of the family’s long-held desire for a truly social, central cooking space. More than just a functional unit, it’s a design sculpture featuring breathtaking waterfall drops at each end. The precision of the mitred corners is spot-on, creating a flawless, continuous flow of material from the vertical drop to the horizontal surface.
Functionality is elegantly woven into this centrepiece. The induction hob is perfectly set within the island, allowing John or Emma to casually cook while facing directly into the room and interacting with guests. This design decision successfully shifts the act of cooking from a secluded chore to a communal, engaging activity.
The choice of work surface was paramount in achieving the premium, clean, and monochrome aesthetic the couple envisioned. John, who has had granite in other homes, was clear on why he chose quartz for this project. "Quartz gave me the tactile finish I wanted, as well as the durability," he explains. They selected an ultra-white quartz from the Minerox Collection to provide the crisp, pristine look that underpins their sophisticated design.
Interested in a Ultra White worktop for your kitchen? Get in touch for a free, no-obligation quote today.
The wall-run of the worktop showcases the truly bespoke nature of the stone. Spanning 3.4 metres in length which goes beyond the standard maximum length of a quartz slab of 3.2m length by 1.6m wide, the surface features a very discreet, almost invisible join towards the side wall. This exceptional length of continuous material enhances the room's seamless, high-end feel.
The craftsmanship is meticulous. The polished curves around the sink are precise and clean, and the integrated drain grooves are perfectly machined. However, it's the subtle details that truly elevate the installation to a masterclass in precision fitting:
John's reaction to the finished installation speaks for itself. "I was so impressed. When the installers came in, it just fitted like a glove. It was perfect." He made a point of highlighting the incredibly fine join between the worktop and the cabinetry, ‘noting the less-than-1mm caulking’. This minute detail is a key marker of a superior installation, as John observes: "Referring to other kitchens I had where the joins were very obvious... attention to detail matters to get the optimum finished look."
The premium, polished interiors are grounded by the warmth of the new oak herringbone floor. This timeless pattern adds a layer of heritage and texture that beautifully juxtaposes the sharp, modern lines of the ultra-white quartz. The monochrome palette, with its clean lines and reflective surfaces, ensures the new kitchen is not just functional but also a true expression of elegant, contemporary design.
John emphatically stated that out of all the trades involved in this significant renovation, the worktop installation was the best, a true testament to the exceptional fit and finish achieved.
This second-round renovation is far more than an update; it's a complete reimagining. John and Emma have transformed a series of small, divided rooms into a spectacular, unified space - a modern, social hub that respects the history of their 1913 family home while positioning it beautifully for the next chapter.
Interested in a quartz worktop for your kitchen? Get in touch for a free, no obligation quote today.
Arctic Starburst
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