A Leeds mum-of-one has transformed her "bland, drab" kitchen into something out of a designer catalogue with upcycled materials and budget hacks.
Faye and her partner Anthony spent months hunting for good deals and the perfect furniture for their dream kitchen after moving into the new-build. Many of the items came from returned stores and sales - and one shelf is even a scaffold board that was left behind on the building site.
First-time buyer Faye said because it was a new-build, the house had "no character whatsoever" but it was the kitchen with the exposed brick and metal girder that sold the property to them. Faye said: "It gives the room a focal point and almost frames the doors into the garden.
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"When we reserved our home, we were able to choose from a huge range of tiles, splashbacks, worktops and door finishes. We still have so many ideas for this space, and it's far from ‘done’, but for now, we are really happy with the result. The kitchen is such a calm, serene space and feels so spacious."
For their kitchen, Faye and Anthony chose a tasteful combination of rustic Scandinavian design and sleek Japanese minimalism. Faye said Anthony was also a huge fan of Americana, Frank Lloyd Wright architecture, postmodernism and natural elements, which worked well with her own style.
“We did everything ourselves in the kitchen, having a perfect blank canvas to get started," said Faye, a fashion designer. "We spent just over £1,200 to furnish the room to our taste, sourcing most of the furniture from returns stores and various sales throughout the year. So far, we haven’t splurged on any items.
"Our huge shelf in the kitchen was an old scaffold board left on the building site. With a bit of sanding and wax, it fits perfectly in the space. Our next DIY project will be in the hallway leading into the kitchen and then creating some wood slat radiator covers."
The couple spent just over £1,200 on their DIY project. While it was mostly smooth sailing, they did run into one small problem.
"The only problem we had was having to shorten the lights right up to the ceiling as we assumed they would hang over the table, but are directly over the walkways," said Faye. "With Anthony being well over 6ft, this had to happen.
"Which is such a shame, but they still have an impact within the room.”
The couple, parents to 10-month-old son River, shared their renovation journey on Instagram, a platform which Faye recommended to anyone looking for inspiration. Green Lili artist and specialist in laid-back interiors Michelle Collins gave some advice for anyone looking to recreate the look.
She said: “When designing artwork for Japandi-style spaces, I focus on muted colour palettes and clean lines to create a calming space. Faye’s home embodies this zen-like interior with a light colour palette, natural materials and warm textures."
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