When the now owners first looked at this two-bed family apartment in Brighton they knew they had their work cut out for them. Situated within a converted Victorian bank, it was an unloved student rental that hadn’t been touched since the 1990’s. Amongst the issues were a leaking bathroom and an outdated kitchen that desperately needed updating.

‘Most people would have been put off, but I instantly saw the potential,’ says the owner. ‘The two double bedrooms were on the small side, but the open plan kitchen and living area were huge and there was a glimpse of the sea from the front windows. I felt an instant connection and knew this was the property for us.’

Image credit: Future PLC/James French

It look a lot of patience and hard work, but the couple managed to transform the rundown flat into a family home for themselves and their two daughters. The kitchen and bathroom were both promptly ripped out and replaced, brickwork was exposed and a disused lift shaft cleverly turned into a dressing room. Along with sanding floors, repainting and redecorating, the place became unrecognisable in its now cool eclecticism.

The contracts had been exchanged in March 2020, just as lockdown began ‘It was becoming increasingly difficult to source even basic things like plaster, let alone go and look at a new kitchen and bathroom suite, so we hunkered down for a few months until lockdown began to ease,’ recalls the owner.

‘On the plus side, I had plenty of time to focus on the apartment’s look and feel, spending hours on the internet finding inspiration and putting together mood boards. So, when restrictions started to lift, I hit the floor running! Apart from help with some plumbing and carpentry, I did all the work myself.’

The kitchen

Image credit: Future PLC/James French

‘There was nothing wrong with the layout of the original kitchen,’ says the owner. Extending out the kitchen by a metre with a stud wall, has created space for a cool pink, freestanding SMEG fridge and enough room for some floor to ceiling built-in cupboards.

The open plan kitchen was then fitted out with new black cabinetry from Magnet and a long compact laminate worktop which had an overhang to create a breakfast bar idea along the length of the island.

The kitchen details

Image credit: Future PLC/James French

The kitchen was decked out in striking black and white diagonal tiles to create continuity between the floor and walls. To add a touch of industrial chic, inexpensive, stainless steel duct piping was used for the extractor fan.

‘I’m a great believer in upcycling,’ adds the owner. ‘So I saved money buying second-hand appliances including a fabulous pink SMEG fridge, which looks quite at home in the space we created for it.’

The dining space

Image credit: Future PLC/James French

Exposing original brickwork adds warmth and texture to a room. ‘In the living and dining area, we exposed the brickwork along the whole length of the right-hand wall,’ says the owner. ‘It really gives character to a room and was a look I had saved many times in Pinterest.’

‘What I didn’t anticipate however, was how messy and time consuming it would be, it felt like I was swimming in dust for days, but I couldn’t be happier with the result, it looks beautiful.’

Painting the floorboards in Dulux hardwearing floor paint, was the cheapest way to update the flooring but has had the biggest impact, the whole apartment feels fresh and bright. Using paint with a slight sheen like this reflects and bounces light around a room.

A great way to utilise small dining room ideas was also to replace some of the chairs with a bench.

The living space

Image credit: Future PLC/James French

Two large, berber rugs were bought for the dining and living areas, to help define each space, and bright colourful artwork put up on the walls.

The piece de resistance, a large disco ball, which really added to the New York loft feel that had emerged in the room. This addition adds fun to the room and on a sunny day, reflects and bounces light around the room.

The living space details

Image credit: Future PLC/James French

One of the main selling points of the apartment was the view of the sea from the front double windows.

The large Warhol Debbie Harry print gives a playful and colourful focal point. White living room ideas allow colourful artwork like this to pop out.

The mid-century touches

Image credit: Future PLC/James French

Invest in quality second-hand furniture – the design will stay relevant for years.

‘I had already started to collect some mid-century furniture,’ recalls the owner. ‘The Ercol day sofas, a Scandinavian dresser and a drinks cabinet, which I rescued from a garage and then restored.’

The master bedroom

Image credit: Future PLC/James French

The pink shell accent chair, quirky artwork and a statement woven pendant bring personality to this serene white bedroom idea.

The functional white blinds block out the light while the white voile curtains add a pretty touch.

The bathroom

Image credit: Future PLC/James French

The bathroom fully renovated, with a shower enclosure replacing the previous bath and a bijou sink unit created from a mid-century table.

To make your own upcycled bathroom vanity unit, find a piece of vintage furniture that you love and fits the allocated space. A cabinet or table is best as it should be waist height – a cabinet will come with built-in storage. Make a hole in the top of the piece of furniture for the plumbing and secure the sink in place. Fit your new vanity and sink unit into position and have the sink professionally plumbed in.

The shower

Image credit: Future PLC/James French

‘I wanted something unique in the bathroom, because sometimes these functional spaces can feel quite clinical,’ says the owner. ‘So I injected some fun with terrazzo tiles on one side and pink tiles in the shower enclosure.’

These large blush tiles create a sense of space without the pink bathroom idea feeling too girly.

Additional words: Marisha Taylor

The post Steal the urban, eclectic style of this playful family apartment in Brighton appeared first on Ideal Home.

Lusting after a dreamy island unit? A kitchen island is one of the most popular kitchen ideas, and has long topped the ‘most-wanted’ charts, and for good reason. Not only do they look seriously impressive, a well-planned island unit can make light work of delivering dinner. When asking that all-important question,  ‘how much does a kitchen island cost?’ design factors such as size, shape and special features all pay a part in the overall price.

‘The best kitchen islands create a true ‘working side’ of the kitchen. Countered with a ‘social side’ to provide seating for the breakfast rush hour or guests catching up before dinner,’ says Peter Humphrey, design director of Humphrey Munson.

Working out exactly how much all these benefits will set you back can prove tricky. It’s possible to bag a freestanding island that will add prep space, storage and room for bar stools to your kitchen layout, for less than £350 (hello, Ikea’s VADHOLMA!). Or you could go full footballer’s wife with an island longer than the average family car and loaded with exotic marble and top-end appliances.

For most of us, an island unit that comes in somewhere between £1,000-£4,500 is more manageable. As with any renovation budgeting, the key to getting exactly what you want within your means is to break down all the costs. Armed with this information, you can prioritise where you spend and where you save.

How much does a kitchen island unit cost?

We’ve identified the five main factors that will affect how much does a kitchen island cost.

1. Size

Image credit: Future PLC/David Giles

This is the big one (or not so big if money is tight!). Sure, it doesn’t cost that much more to add a couple of extra kitchen units in your island. That’s until you realise the impact that has on the worktop costs, installation, painting, hardware and so on. Don’t go too small though; even a small kitchen island needs to be practical for it to be worthy of a place at all.

Establishing the negative space, i.e. the space between the island and perimeter units/other furniture, is a good way to work out what size island would work best in your space. ‘The golden rule is to allow 1-1.2m to move around easily. But there are times when going narrower is justified – for example when the dishwasher door is open,’ says Peter Humphrey.

You can often save money by sizing your island unit to work with standard worktop sizes. This means there’ll be fewer fabricating costs when fitting the tops. ‘Joints in the worktop can also be really obvious on island units that are centrally positioned and designed to be noticed,’ says Graeme Smith, head of retail design, Life Kitchens. ‘Islands longer than 3.5m usually require two slabs of worktop material, which means a joint will be unavoidable.’

2. Design

Image credit: Caple

The more complex the design, the longer it will take to make, adding to the final bill. Standard shape islands – squares or rectangles – made using standard size/shape cabinets are your friend when counting the pennies. Curves and bespoke sizes will quickly bump up the budget because making curved and one-off cabinetry is labour-intensive.

There are ways to achieve more interesting island designs without breaking the bank. For example, curving the corners of your worktops is more affordable if you don’t curve the cabinetry beneath. So perhaps go with a curved breakfast bar with simple leg supports. Choose cupboards or open shelves instead of drawer units to free up funds for a fancier design. ‘It’s a brave move to step beyond classic rectangular designs but the pay-off can be huge in terms of visual impact,’ adds Jane Powell, kitchen designer at Roundhouse.

3. Materials

The cost of materials factors highly. You can build an island unit from standard kitchen units but if you put solid wood doors on (rather than a foil-wrap chipboard or ply) it’ll cost more. Worktops can also make or break your island budget, especially if you go for fancy details like waterfall edges. This is where the worktop flows down to the floor at each end. Worktops that require specialist templating and installation – for example stone and composites – will cost more than surfaces you or your builder can install, like laminate or wood.

‘It’s important to consider how an island looks from all angles, especially if it’s taking up a large footprint,’ says Pierce Coyne, design manager, Kitchen Architecture. If budget is tight, focus your spending where it will be seen most frequently. This is why you’ll often see statement materials like burnished brass or designer tiles on the front elevation of an island. ‘Using shelving to create attractive displays on the front of an island is a good way to make it look more impressive and add personality,’ adds Pierce.

4. Extra features

Image credit: Future PLC/Amanda Turner

Additional equipment like sinks, hobs and other appliances will add up. Assuming you were having them in the kitchen anyway, it’s not the price of the individual items you need to consider. It’s more the extra trades involved when getting them installed.

For example, a sink with a boiling water tap may require a plumber and electrician. There’s also drainage materials and potentially draining grooves cut into your worktops. Keep it simple and leave the island for prepping, serving food and socialising if money is an issue.

5. Manufacturing style

The cost of manufacturing an island unit increases according to the amount of labour involved. Bargain seekers should consider an off-the-shelf island, preferably one designed to be put together DIY style. Next up are islands made from mass produced units, which offers more flexibility with design, shape and size but are still reasonably affordable. Finally, at the top-end of the market, you can commission a bespoke island unit that’s made just for you, from scratch, using virtually any material or finish you desire.

The manufacturing style can also have cost implications when it comes to installation. A flat-pack island unit from Ikea will have no installation costs if you’re handy with a screwdriver. Whereas a large bespoke island may take several days and several trades to install.

How much does a kitchen island cost to make bespoke?

Image credit: Clayton Cabinets/Darren Chung

Anything in life that is made uniquely for you, from tailormade suits to original artwork, is always going to be more expensive than something churned out by machines. There are too many variables – size, materials, appliances etc – to put an exact figure on the cost of a bespoke island unit. You should be prepared to part with upwards of £5,000 for something special.

‘Buying bespoke is a great way to get a truly individual island design, and means you’re not constrained by the rigid dimensions or shapes of standardised cabinetry sizes,’ says bespoke maker Nick Clayton, director of Clayton Cabinets. ‘You also get a chance to be a part of the creative process and can incorporate interesting materials and finishes, like reclaimed timber or striking stones.

When buying bespoke it’s important to establish a clear budget from the outset. A good maker will detail the costs involved and will be willing to help you make savings where possible.’

Can you buy a kitchen island on its own?

Yes, you don’t need an entirely new kitchen to add an island to your scheme. As long as space allows, introducing an island unit can transform the functionality and look of your current kitchen.

Some kitchen suppliers won’t just sell you a lone island, but many will. Alternatively, you can buy freestanding islands from places like The Cotswold Company or Neptune. Don’t be afraid to try bespoke kitchen-makers. Many are happy to make individual items, like island units, and may be able to fit you in between larger jobs.

If you’re feeling handy, there are lots of DIY kitchen island ideas and upcycling tips to explore.

Does a kitchen island add value?

When assessing if the cost of adding a kitchen island is worth it, it’s important to look at what value it adds. A kitchen island is the single-most requested feature for new kitchens, which suggests they are indeed very desirable and therefore likely to add value to your home.

A well-designed, attractive island unit with plenty of space around it and room for bar stools will undoubtedly improve the value of your home, and lifestyle. Beware of cramming an island unit into a kitchen that doesn’t have sufficient space. If an oversized, cheap-looking or badly designed island makes the kitchen look cramped, ugly or unusable, it could actually put buyers off, not to mention make your life a misery.

How much does it cost to install a kitchen island?

Image credit: Future PLC/Colin Poole

It doesn’t cost anything, beyond a little effort, to install a freestanding island unit you’ve bought off-the-shelf. The cost of installing a fitted island unit will depend on who is doing it and his or her fees. If you get a builder or fitter to quote a day rate, make sure they give you an idea of how many days it might take.

Two days should be more than sufficient for all but the most complicated island design. Extra costs to consider include any work by a plumber or electrician, and don’t forget to add in the worktop fabricator’s fitting charge, if applicable.

The post How much does a kitchen island cost and is it worth it? appeared first on Ideal Home.

Floor insulation is a hot topic right now, along with other ways to insulate your home. Flooring is one of the main areas where heat loss occurs This is due to gaps in floorboards, skirting, and draughts around pipes.

‘Insulating and improving the airtightness of your floor can be a good first step on the road to a cosier home,’ says Chayley Collis at Green Building Store. ‘Ground floors can be incredibly cold, and are a major contribution to the discomfort of inhabitants.’

Insulating your home won’t just make it toasty and warm. It will also help reduce your property’s carbon emissions and lower utility bills. According to the Energy Saving Trust, installing floor insulation in a typical semi-detached house could save you around £50 per year on energy bills. This is as well as 175kg of carbon dioxide.

For thermal performance, you only need to insulate the ground floor of a home. If you live in a flat or upper floor of a maisonette, you usually don’t need to insulate your floor space. However, you should consider insulating any floors that are above unheated spaces, such as garages, as you could be losing a lot of heat through those.

Some people living in older flats or first-floor maisonettes can upgrade the acoustic performance of their floors by using floor insulation. ‘If you want to improve the acoustic performance of your internal floors, make sure the insulation you choose offers acoustic benefits,’ says Bradley Hirst, technical services manager at Knauf Insulation. ‘Mineral wool insulation works well to reduce noise transfer between living areas, bedrooms and bathrooms.’

What is floor insulation?

Image credit: Future plc/David Brittain

Floor insulation is a method of adding materials underneath floorboards if your home has suspended timber flooring. It can also be added on top of a solid floor, such as concrete. The process also involves blocking any draughts by properly sealing gaps in flooring and skirting boards.

‘The insulation materials used will resist the transference of heat and reduce the amount of warmth lost in your home,’ says Thomas Goodman, property and construction expert at MyJobQuote.

According to the Energy Saving Trust, a typical installation could cost you between £520 and £1,300, depending on the circumstances. The initial price may seem steep seeing as the saving is only approximately £50 per year. But it should last the lifetime of your house with very little maintenance cost.

What are the best floor insulation options?

Image credit: Future plc/Dominic Blackmore

We take a look at what’s available and pros and cons for each type.

Glass or rock mineral wool slabs

A semi-rigid material, glass mineral wool is made from recycled glass, sand, limestone and soda ash. While rock mineral wool is made from volcanic rock, basalt, dolomite and recycled slag from the steel industry.

• Best for Use in suspended timber flooring, as it is light, easy to cut to size. It’s more forgiving when packing between unevenly spaced or warped joists.
• The benefits As well as having great thermal performance, it’s non-combustible. So it will not add to the development or spread of fire should it occur. It’s also easy to cut, light to manoeuvre, and measurements do not need to be as exact as with rigid foam boards.
• The negatives A less rigid construction means more support is needed to keep this insulation in place. A net or battens crossing joists must first be installed. This makes it a more time-consuming installation compared with rigid boards.
• The cost An average 12 pack of mineral wool slabs will cost approximately £30 and cover around 9m².

Blanket floor insulation

Blanket floor insulation is a roll of unfaced mineral glass wool or fibreglass.

• Best for Fibreglass blankets are best used when packing between joists in suspended floors. It’s not suitable for solid flooring as its non-uniform consistency will make your chosen floor covering lie unevenly.
• The benefits Easy to pack between joists with minimal measuring. Affordable, and little expertise needed to install.
• The negatives Cumbersome to move around and glass spores are easily dislodged from the roll itself. Suitable PPE clothing is required when working with it.
• The cost A roll will cost about £20 and will cover approximately 14m².

Rigid foam insulation

Image credit: Future plc/Ryan Wicks

Foam boards are made from foam on the inside and then faced with plastic, aluminium, or plasterboard.

• Best for Rigid foam insulation can be used for both suspended flooring and solid flooring. The thickness of the boards will vary greatly depending on which type of floor it is insulating. It’s especially easy to lay on solid flooring.
• The benefits Easy to cut, shape, and move from one area to another.
• The negatives A less forgiving material than other less rigid forms of insulation. Accurate measuring and cutting is vital.
• The cost Approximately £10-15 per m², depending on the thickness of the insulation.

Foam spray insulation

Image credit: Future plc/Colin Poole

Foam spray insulation is a liquid foam that is sprayed in between the joists of a suspended timber floor. The foam expands and sets into a superior, insulating layer.

• Best for Awkward spaces or if you want to insulate your home without having to lift floorboards.
• The benefits Will completely seal between even the most uneven and warped joists without leaving any gaps. It also offers exceptional thermal resistance. There’s even a robotics company called Q-Bot that uses remote-controlled robots to spray insulation into the void under the floor causing minimal disruption.
• The negatives Can only be installed by skilled professionals.
• The cost An average floor will cost around £525. This will naturally vary depending on the size of the floor. Expect to pay more if you use Q-Bot.

Multifoil insulation

Multifoil is a type of insulation that’s made up of layers of foil as well as wadding.

• Best for Solid floor constructs, but can be used for suspended timber floors, too.
• The benefits Multifoil insulation has a long lifespan – typically 50 years. It’s easy to handle, lightweight, flexible and contains no harmful fibres. This means it can be installed without any specialist tools or PPE. If you’re worried about head height being limited after insulation and floor covering is fitted, SuperFOIL sells a particularly thin multifoil called SFUF. Measuring just 6mm in thickness, it still delivers high thermal performance. Reflective foil prevents heat being lost.
• The negatives Typically costs more than other insulation materials.
• The cost Multifoil insulation starts at around £7.20 per m².

Draught-proofing

Draughts happen where there are gaps in the construction of your home, such as floorboards and skirting gaps.

• Best product to use? Flexible fillers, decorators caulk or mastic products can all tolerate movement. That makes them great for blocking cracks in flooring and skirting boards, which tend to contract, expand or move slightly with everyday use.
• The benefits Blocking unwanted gaps that let cold air in and hot air out of your home will save warm air. That means you’ll use less energy to heat your home, and save money on your energy bills. It will help create a warm, snug living environment, too.
• The negatives Take care in rooms that need good ventilation (such as bathrooms, kitchens and utility rooms), where a lot of moisture is produced.
• The cost Budget around around £200 to add professional draught-proofing to a typical semi-detached property, according to the Energy Saving Trust. DIY draught-proofing will be cheaper.

Rugs and carpets

Image credit: Future plc/Dominic Blackmore

A rug on the floor will help you feel warm underfoot and help block up some draughts. But it won’t reduce heat loss through flooring significantly. Carpets can provide a certain level of insulation. To prevent the optimum amount of heat loss you should still install insulation underneath carpets. This ensures your home is protected as much as possible.

• Best for Use in living rooms and bedrooms.
• The benefits Carpeted floors are good insulators, especially when paired with a thick, insulating layer of underlay underneath.
• The negatives Not practical for heavy-traffic spaces or areas prone to getting wet and dirty. These include entrance hallways, kitchens and bathrooms.
• The cost Carpets can cost anywhere between £5 and £30 per m². Carpet underlay costs an additional £3.50-£28 per m².

Is floor insulation on its own enough?

Insulating your floors is a good starting point for reducing your home’s carbon emissions, and lowering your utility bills. It will work better when used in tandem with other types of insulation, such as cavity wall insulation and roof and loft insulation. ‘This is known as top and tail insulation,’ says Thomas Goodman. ‘As a rule, the more insulation you have in your home, the warmer and more efficient it will be.’

What U-value for flooring is required?

How much insulation you need will depend on the current U-value of your floor set up. According to the Energy Saving Trust, if you live in England or Wales, the floor should achieve a U-value of 0.25 W/m²K. Less if possible, to meet Building Regulation standards. The U-value is a measure of how quickly heat will travel through the floor. To achieve this standard, the Energy Saving Trust advises installing at least 70mm of high-performance foam insulation, or 150mm of mineral wool. This will vary depending on insulation material and brand chosen, as well as floor type, shape and size.

The post The best floor insulation options for your home appeared first on Ideal Home.

A DIYer has given her kitchen a totally new look by applying gold leaf to the backsplash. Kelly shared her gold leaf kitchen tile makeover on her Instagram, and it just goes to show what a difference a budget update can make.

Before, the square wall tiles in her kitchen were an inoffensive cream. Now, they catch the light beautifully while bringing a whole lot of personality to her kitchen ideas.

Before

Image credit: @pink_ink_andsage

Kelly’s open shelves are brimming with pink Le Creuset, thrifted finds and some pretty potted plants. She had also layered wooden chopping boards and trays to add visual interest to this hardworking area of the kitchen.

After giving it a lot of thought, Kelly (who you can follow @pink_ink_andsage) decided to go for gold in her kitchen. To bring her gold kitchen tile ideas to life, she ordered some gold leaf sheets, £4.79 for 100 pieces at Amazon.

To apply the gold leaf, the interiors lover bought some gilding adhesive resin, £11.59 at Amazon. This came with two brushes and protective gloves.

After

Image credit: @pink_ink_andsage

For less than £20, Kelly has brought colour and a feeling of glamour to her kitchen. We believe every room of the home will benefit from a touch of gold – or some kind of metallic element.

We love how the light dances on the surface of the golden tiles. They also create a focal point.

Kelly is updating her kitchen in stages to make it more manageable and avoid creating too much mess. Sharing the gold leaf kitchen tile makeover with her followers, she says, ‘Phase one started and I love it like absolutely love it.

Image credit: @pink_ink_andsage

‘I had my reservations but I know with the cabinets painted it’s going to look AMAZING,’ Kelly adds.

The thrifty DIYer says that she was ready to rip the tiles down and start again, but we think she’s really made the most of the existing tiles by giving them a gold revamp. Have you been inspired by this gold leaf kitchen tile makeover?

The post This gold leaf kitchen tile makeover only cost £20 appeared first on Ideal Home.