This recently purchased four-bedroom family home needed some thoughtful changes to suit the lifestyle of a busy, bustling household – with young children and a dog in tow! Following our initial consultation, the goal was clear: to design a kitchen space that would bring the whole family together at mealtimes, making it easier to supervise the children and enjoy quality time, rather than being separated into different parts of the house.
The property was full of charm and character, featuring leaded and stained glass windows, original fireplaces, and intricate timber details throughout. Our clients were keen to retain these traditional features while introducing a modern open-plan kitchen and a cosy living area where the family could relax together. They also had a firm deadline – everything needed to be ready by Christmas, as they were hosting eleven guests for the big day.
With this in mind, the project was carefully planned with contingency time built into the schedule. We began by removing two structural walls between the hallway and dining room. One of the challenges was an existing supporting pillar, which carried the weight of the staircase and landing above. Given the budget constraints discussed during our consultation, we initially proposed constructing a timber feature wall to incorporate the pillar into the entrance of the new kitchen-diner. This solution was both visually appealing and cost-effective.
Location
Bebington, Wirral
Project essentials
- Solid oak worktops
- New kitchen
- Bespoke lead stained glass window
- Open plan kitchen
However, once the structural walls were removed, the clients were so impressed with the open-plan feel that they opted to go a step further and remove the pillar as well. With the Christmas deadline still in mind, we worked closely with our structural engineer to quickly implement a revised plan for safe removal and to keep everything on track.
We also moved the entrance further back to create more usable living space. As a unique and personal touch, the new entrance wall was fitted with a bespoke leaded stained-glass window, chosen by our client – adding a beautiful modern twist that tied the new and original parts of the home together.
A U-shaped shaker-style kitchen with solid oak worktops was then installed, complementing the home’s warm, traditional character. The layout encouraged interaction throughout the room, with one section featuring multi-level worktops to accommodate a functional workspace and a raised breakfast bar – ideal for casual family meals and entertaining.
The work was completed well ahead of Christmas, giving the family time to settle into their new space and prepare for their holiday celebrations. The result was a warm and welcoming open-plan area that balances family-friendly practicality with timeless charm – perfect for everyday living and memorable occasions alike.
A happy customer
“We commissioned Open Plan Space to do a knock-through for us, as we wanted a more spacious, open-plan, family friendly environment. The high level plan consisted of removing the wall between our kitchen and living room in order to open up the rear living area of our home, and we are thrilled with the results.
As part of the work, Open Plan Space removed our old kitchen, knocked down the wall, added an RSJ, fitted a new kitchen, added new flooring, built a new doorway, and plastered the new walls. Their work was careful and detailed, they were dependable, timely, were always cheerful, and they communicated with us during every step in the process. They also subcontracted the electrics, plumbing and new worktops to excellent craftsmen and seem to have top rated professionals in their network; very impressive.
We selected them to carry out the works because their quote was detailed and highly competitive, their timeline was clear and we had received a recommendation for them. We were not disappointed; the quality of their work was excellent and we love our new living space. We are happy to recommend Open Plan Space.”
