New Kitchen Phobia

We had a new kitchen about 4 years ago now . We knocked 2 rooms into one huge kitchen dining space with an extra wide peninsula ( Island that remains connected to building on one side) and we love the space but the mess was awful for weeks. We got ours from b and q but it's a something and cooke one.
Aubergine and cream gloss with rounded corners which gives it a retro feeling, everyone who sees it loves it .we often hear a sharp intake of breath when people first walk into it. It is beautiful !
Things we are glad we did and would not change are...
The brand ..it's great quality
Waiting for the sale...great price and a genuine sale price and 0% interest.
The colours
The layout which I measured and planned myself using a kitchen unit brochure for measurement and graph paper . Loved doing this as only I knew how I used my kitchen.

Things I would change if I did it again are..
The cupboard fronts ..Never have high gloss I'm always polishing it even when I've just done it.I
I would not have the inserts for the deep drawers I have they take up too much space.
I would not have the corner cupboard pullouts as it really wastes loads of cupboard space.
I would have a full height pull out larder unit like my old kitchen . Very useful for small items I'm always losing.
I would make space for the extra width range style cooker I wanted at the beginning.
Other than that we still love it
I would never spend silly amounts of money on a kitchen
Also if you do go to b and q or Howden don't use their fitters they charge mega bucks and the way they operate can restrict work that needs doing for some reason , we had a small independent fitter and builder .
Hope that helps a little

Heavens, I had no idea that choosing a new kitchen could be so traumatic. Hope you get it resolved soon. I have no words of advice as to me the kitchen is the one room in a house I could do without. All I need is a kettle and toaster.

Don't dismiss small local firms either. We had quotes from all the big name kitchen suppliers, including Howdens, and ended up with a local company down the road who get all their work by word of mouth. We couldn't fault the quality or the workmanship and I love it to bits.

I have had a new kitchen in the new granny annex off DD1s new build and we went to a joinery firm , the men there were great and My new kitchen suits very well , I have mostly drawers instead of cupboards , not moved in yet . I would not let men dictate , I told them what I wanted and it has worked for me and def not that price . It wasn't an easy thing to fit , we have to have space to move OH around in his big cumbersome chair , the builders moved walls and opened doors into the hall instead of into the kitchen to help

When planning a dream kitchen you unfortunately will have to make sacrifices.

When we last renovated our kitchen, using a generous severance cheque from an employer who had to let us off because the office moved away, I wanted all pull-out cupboards but they were much dearer than simple ones with a door and a shelf inside, so we have those in some places. I got round the inconvenience by keeping everything in them in plastic boxes that I just have to take out, so that nothing gets forgotten at the back.

I can sympathise iluvcruz. So many decisions to take quickly, when you've been planning it in your head for years.

Builders often seem to like doing things the easiest way for them without taking your preferences on board. Spend a few days going round the kitchen showrooms (including IKEA). You may find that what you want can be achieved at a lower price (perhaps using Howdens or another "builders' brand as there are other better quality brands used by builders). But time is short, planning a kitchen layout takes time and order times can be several weeks.

Could you decide on a kitchen brand and have the carcasses installed while you take time to choose the doors and drawer fronts?

Don't be rushed into choosing something you later regret! As you know it's a once in a lifetime investment. You may end up with no proper kitchen for weeks while you decide and wait for delivery. Could you cope with that? Good luck.

Better to live with a sink and a cooker than have a kitchen you hate. Go to some kitchen shops and get the designers to come out and give you a plan. Most will do this with no obligations. Don't use any that ask for a fee. I know a brilliant one in Wellingborough but I don't suppose you're anywhere near ?

Time to sit him down for a serious conversation I think. Neither of you want to waste the money. There will be a kitchen somewhere that is within budget and is a compromise that pleases you. If it's colour that's important show them exactly the colour you want. Something that you have thought about over so many years will be difficult in the reality but it doesn't have to be as difficult as it sounds now. Be brave, don't be railroaded. Do let us know how you resolve this, there will be a way.