A designer kitchen on a budget? Only Nina.

Renovations usually have our bank accounts screaming at us before the project is even finished; but with some careful thought and meticulous planning, there are ways in which you can spread your money further. For tips, inspiration and transformations – keep reading.

Nina’s kitchen makeover, from dark and gloomy to fresh and neutral, features our Antique Brass hardware

Meet, Nina. A self-confessed DIY addict, who always has a project on in the background. Whether it’s a small coffee table build, or an entire rooms worth of a paint job – she loves to take it all on. 

A unique home

Independent, creative and passionate about interiors, Nina has completely renovated her two storey, Manchester apartment all by herself. She has owned this property for four years now, and says her taste is always growing and evolving. Her home is a Grade II listed building which still boasts most of its original features. From the vast high ceilings and wooden beams, to the great decorative window frames – it sure is a unique home to be proud of.

Her interior style surrounds that of a neutral palate. Nina admits that bold colours and loud patterns  feel all too much for her home. She prefers to be surrounded by calming tones and minimal décor, which is evident when you scroll through her Instagram page, @nina_moves_in.  

Nina’s background in marketing and social media means she is used to being imaginative and resourceful – it’s all part of the job. So, when it came to her recent kitchen makeover, it took a few  months of planning and research to find ways in which she could completely transform the old monochrome design into a new, neutral hub. 

New Kitchen Vibe

“I’d particularly grown to love neutrals and beiges over that past 12 months, and the kitchen was the  only part of my open plan living that stuck out as a super dark corner; especially during the winter months. I wanted the whole space to feel a sense of harmony and, although each area had its own  purpose, continuity was still important.”

Starting with a moodboard, Nina spent a lot of time on Pinterest, Instagram and flicking through interior magazines to find the kitchens that attracted her the most. Colour palettes included beige,  creamy grey and stone – shades that worked perfectly with the existing granite worktops.

Whilst pretty, Nina’s former kitchen felt dark in the winter. It did feature our lovely Black Knurled hardware, though 🖤

Wrap on a Budget

After seeing a few other homes on Instagram using a company called Cover Styl’ to upcycle existing cabinetry, Nina decided to contact them for more information. Interestingly, upcycling with Cover Styl’ can provide a transformation that is 50 to 70% cheaper than a traditional kitchen renovation. For a smaller budget, this option is perfect, and one that won Nina over straight away. 

“Realistically, I didn’t have the budget for a brand-new kitchen, but I was desperate for a brighter kitchen that aligned with the rest of my home. I looked into a number of options before choosing Cover Styl’, which also included painting and spraying the cabinets, but with such a busy lifestyle, this just wouldn’t have been feasible for me.” 

After reviewing numerous vinyl samples, she selected colour code ‘K7’ in their matt finish, then arranged a measuring assessment, followed by an install date. The project was in full swing, so Nina got stuck into the finer details…

Pretty in Antique

When it came to handles and pulls, Nina already had a company in mind – yours truly, Plank Hardware. Her previously charcoal kitchen had our KEPLER Knurled collection in black, which is still one of our bestsellers. Having had a great experience with our products, she was eager to invest in our Antique Brass collection, which will also assist in brightening up the space and adding a more  timeless edge to the kitchen.

Nina chose the BROOKS Knurled Cylindrical Knob for her wall cupboards, and the KEPLER Knurled T-Bar for the fridge-freezer and island drawers. We love how it complements the creamy-grey of the new cabinet finish, creating a modern finish on a conventional colour.

The finishing touches

“The vinyl installation took two full days, which is way less than I expected, so this allowed me to  begin my favourite part of any makeover – the styling! I’ve kept everything neutral (of course), with  a mixture of natural and soft textures.” 

Nina incorporated two large wicker lamp shades from La Redoute, some glass storage jars from Neptune and a recipe book by Soho Home. 

“I adore how this project turned out – it’s everything I dreamt of, and is almost identical to the inspirational imagery I gathered at the very start! Plank Hardware really helped me to finish off this project with a sleek and stylish edge. The prices are so reasonable, especially in comparison to other competitors, and the quality is outstanding. I definitely class myself as a huge Plank fan, and will always recommend to friends and family!”. 

If you’re a minimalist admirer and planning your own renovation project, why not read up on the 2022 trends according to interior designer Jenna Choate of Interior Fox? Whether you’re tackling an upcycling job of your own, or a complete room overhaul – we have plenty of inspiration to get those creative juices flowing.

Soundtrack to her reno’

Here's a few of Nina's favourite tracks, that have kept the tempo high during even the most challenging spots of the renovation journey. Enjoy.

Thanks to Nina for joining us for a TEA BREAK. Why not follow her renovation journey at @nina_moves_in?

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