West Yorkshire couple Suzanne Triggs and Tom Lindley turned to KC Design House after a house fire caused significant damage to their kitchen. Here, we discover how the team
“moved mountains” to design and install a dream replacement in record time.
The Brief
In August 2023, a fire caused by a rechargeable lawn mower battery left Suzanne and Tom with significant damage to their property's ground floor, landing, and bathroom. An incredibly stressful period ensued as the couple juggled the complexities of the insurance claim with the clean-up and refurbishment of their family home, including the open-plan kitchen and dining area.
“When we’d spoken about a new kitchen in the past, we’d said we’d love to go to KC Design House, having spotted their striking showroom,” recalls Suzanne. “When we visited, we couldn’t have wished for a warmer welcome or more empathetic response to our situation.
“The previous kitchen had been in for 20-plus years, so we knew we wanted the new kitchen to be contemporary and had a colour scheme in mind. We also wanted to make better use of the space and ensure it was a blend of functionality, durability and style.”
The Design
Despite the kitchen area being badly fire-damaged, KC managing director Richard visited
the property to assess the space. Suzanne and Tom felt they underused this part of the
house in the past because it was cold and impractical, so we’re keen to improve such areas.
“Richard spent a lot of time understanding our needs and translating them into a design that would enhance the space and fit our lifestyle,” said Suzanne.
The proposed design included a Bora cooktop hob with a built-in extractor. This would allow the space between the kitchen and dining area to be better opened up, creating a clear view from one side of the room to another and encouraging more natural light to filter through.
Insulation and tanking were also incorporated to make the space much warmer and fully
waterproof - an added precaution after the area flooded while Richard was working on the design.
The Process
Though a stressful time for the couple, Suzanne and Tom looked forward to their design
meetings at KC, which they describe as a calming and uplifting experience.
“It was a traumatic time for us, and I felt in a complete daze trying to sort everything out,”
says Suzanne. “Richard and the team were so compassionate, responsive and available.
The design meetings allowed us to slow down and focus on one thing in a calming
environment. We loved that every time we went, you could see the progress being made to get the design just right for us in terms of style and functionality.”
And Suzanne was equally delighted with the installation process provided by KC.
“They project managed the whole thing and have a great team of joiners, builders, plumbers and decorators who are considerate, reliable and friendly.”
The Results
Where once there were charred worktops and smoke-damaged walls, there is now a
dopamine-inducing kitchen design that beautifully blends the property’s rustic features with Suzanne’s bold love of colour.
Keen for contrast, a statement orange splashback pops against the sleek solid-wood KC
Exclusive cabinetry in deep stormy grey. The modern, handleless design is complemented by gleaming Lapitec worktops, which bounce light around the room while providing the durability the couple desired.
An elevated breakfast bar perfectly complements Suzanne and Tom’s lifestyle, providing
space to dine, work, and socialise, while the kitchen & practical layout and modern
appliances make cooking much easier than previously.
The bold design is softened with natural, tactile materials in the Herringbone flooring, ceiling beams and exposed stone wall, which had to be dry-ice-blasted to remove the lingering soot.
Meanwhile, the couple’s passions and personalities shine through in the stylised open
shelving, vibrant pendant lighting and characterful artwork.
“Richard promised us it would be done by Christmas,” says Suzanne. “And sure enough, it
was completed on Christmas Eve so we could have Christmas dinner back at the table.
“We really found our people in KC. They totally got us and moved mountains to design us a new kitchen, bespoke to our requirements and in a breakneck timescale. We had a great rapport with Richard and Charlotte from the start and got each other’s humour. They are real people who authentically care about their projects and treated us with such kindness and compassion.
“We now spend so much more time in the space. It’s the type of kitchen everyone dreams of, and it was such a pleasure working with KC to create it. Their ability to forge relationships with their clients and understand their needs is exceptional.”
KC Client Notes
What do you love most about the kitchen design?
It makes the space work so well for us. It is now an area of the house that we want to spend time in rather than just cooking meals there and then leaving.
And what is your favourite feature of the space?
The orange splashback. It leads the eye across to the open shelves and pendant lights and feels like a style statement. I love the bold vibrancy it adds to the space.
Is there anything about the space that you would change?
Not a thing.
What would be your top tip for someone about to embark on a kitchen project?
Find a kitchen company that has the time to listen to you and to look at the space. We’ve
learnt it’s important for them to understand how you live in the space currently and how you want to live in the new space rather than just asking what colour cabinets you want.
Why would you recommend KC Design House?
The level of service and attention to detail that we experienced was second to none. They are warm, friendly, helpful, supportive and really listen to what you think would make the design work, down to the tiniest detail. We genuinely looked forward to our meetings with them.
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