KABOODLE KITCHEN
This blog is one that we are both super excited about! Our kitchen is a project we get asked constant questions so we hope we can answer as many in this as poss. Please reach out if anything is unclear. We will do a quick run-down on our experience and finish with answering your questions!
Sorry if it is a long one – We didn’t want to miss anything out.
First, let’s paint a picture for you of our original starting point. No sunlight, very small, retro lino that was uplifting, cupboards that wouldn’t close properly and very little storage – not to mention the appliances were on their very last legs (bless). However, besides the above we loved it, it had character, charm and although it was well overdue and in great need for an extensive makeover. We still wanted to ensure we kept a part of the original character – the heart. Our aim was for a clean, modern + open kitchen/living area.
– oh yes, did I mention we also took on the living room too! This was an unusual shaped, lime green, skinny awkward room just off the kitchen– let’s leave that for another day. This blog is just on the Kitchen. We will do another one soon (we promise!) on all of finer details like paint, finishing, curtains, flooring.
One last point to be super clear, yes, we are partnered with Kaboodle. However, in all honesty we chose our Kitchen/all cabinetry before being asked to come on board so after a lot of research it was already our number one choice. You literally can’t beat the price and quality.
Kitchen Vision
Light, bright, crisp, functional, neutral whites & woods, lots of storage, very open plan, no island, floating bar leaner and sun pouring in! These were our key requirements when designing our dream kitchen. We both love simple + elegant style.
Why Kaboodle?
We could get our custom one off kitchen exactly how we envisioned it at a price/ quality point we could afford! We designed our kitchen online playing around with the 3D walk through and then brought the modular pieces to fit our 3D design – so this way we were able to get the exact look we had designed online. Also, if you’ve been following us for a while you know if we can do it ourselves we 100% will and this was another appealing thing for us.
DIY! We were able to do it all, the design, choosing the style, building + installing! This also saved us a lot of money and is so satisfying! The range of finishes is awesome in both cupboard faces, benchtops and handles and the modular options are endless. Lastly, it is so cost effective – seriously a lot cheaper that all of the other places we had looked around. To sum it up – we LOVED that we could do it all ourselves from start to finish, we could create a look that was exactly as we wanted and a lot cheaper than any other option for amazing quality.
Our Process
1. First we planned out the look we wanted. Jamie measured the spaces and we found an online 3D design website which was AMAZING. It was called Home Styler and we planned our whole design on it - kitchen and living room!
2. Secondly, we started looking around and getting quotes from kitchen shops – we know that they are a very, very important part of the home, however we could not believe the prices of some quotes we were coming home with! At least double, sometimes triple our budget! We are all for quality and ensuring that it will last, however we knew we could get this for a much more affordable price
3. After being a bit deflated we searched and searched, going around nearly every store in CHCH, reading blogs and reviews until we finally settled on Kaboodle.
4. From our 3D design we had all of the measurements so we could easily choose the modules to fit our design. Once we had a rough idea we went into Bunnings and got them to ensure we had it all correct and give it the seal of approval. We would suggest going into Bunnings in the early stages and get them to help you through the whole process, they are great!
5. We started putting all of the modules together! Late nights doing this were hilarious and we had so much fun. To be completely honest the first one of each style/design always took us a while to figure out but after that the remaining were fast & easy!
6. Once all the modules were built, we then ripped out/ demolished our whole kitchen. We kept a small part of the old kitchen a series of cupboards and storage, we like to call this the heart of our space and we are so glad we kept it.
7. We then installed all our modules together/ against the wall, paying special attention to ensure they were level which is easy with the adjustable legs. It makes life a lot easier if before starting you set out your levels on the wall to guide off.
8. Next was the bench top, ours is HPL Laminate “Squid Ink” Kaboodle. It looks great and we opted for the square edges as its more like natural high end products (slate).
9. Last and most satisfying is installing the appliances and the kick boards. And just like that, before you know it, you have a working kitchen.
10. Now you can see our before & after images! It is such a huge transformation and still to this day we sit in the space and are so in love with it, we wouldn’t change a thing!
Quality
We have had so many questions on quality of the Kaboodle products. Hand on our heart we think they are amazing and we could not fault it. Obviously, you build the modular pieces yourself – so the quality is in how you build it and join all the pieces. If your worried about this step you can pay someone to do this. The materials and products themselves are great, you can feel the quality and there is no difference from a premium top of the line kitchen. As I said earlier the quality of the end product comes down to how its installed! We have recommended Kaboodle to so many of our friends and family not only for kitchens but also bathrooms and storage.
We have soft close draws and they are such a dream, we also have one tall cupboard with metal racks and I personally love it. Our bench top is “Squid Ink” and we were such big fans we have also used it in both bathrooms!
To wrap up we would 100% use Kaboodle again and would recommend it to all of our closest family and friends in a heartbeat. It is definitely a job you can take on yourselves, it is easily manageable and so rewarding!
As always if you have any questions or need help send us an email!
J&S xx
