Get their look: Retro Jo’s home

 

 
 
 
 
 
View this post on Instagram
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 

A post shared by Retro Jo (@retrojo5)

Retro Jo is an Etsy jewellery shop owner and Instagrammer (she’s a host of #RetroHauls) and this is her whistle-stop tour of the ground floor of her home.

I love her use of colour blocking; something you’ll also find evident in her jewellery making. I’m also in awe of her sewing skills, her bright pink quilted seat covers are amazing – I just want to run the palms of my hand over those chair backs!

I’ve zeroed in on Jo’s stunning kitchen area in this post – we may revisit other rooms sometime in the future. The kitchen was made by by a company called Plykea (see what they did there?). They create custom doors, drawers and counter-tops for good old basic IKEA METOD carcasses to give you a one-of-a-kind space.

I really need to up my Insta-skills – I’ve still not embraced video and don’t make the most of stories and reels. I may steal Jo’s method of vari-speed, stop-motion film editing… if I can figure out how to do it… and only once our house has had a tidy!

Get their look

Some of the links on our blog are affiliate links. We may receive a small commission - at no cost to you - if you click through and make a purchase.
Prices & links correct at time of publication.

Year planner
Year planner
Cerise pink velvet quilted fabric
Cerise pink velvet quilted fabric
Vintage Finn Ostergaard ‘Albert’ lounge chairs
Vintage Finn Ostergaard ‘Albert’ lounge chairs
Orla Kiely ‘Oval’ oilcloth – grey
Orla Kiely ‘Oval’ oilcloth – grey
Intu instant boiling water tap
Intu instant boiling water tap
Kitchen units
Kitchen units
Year planner
Year planner
Cerise pink velvet quilted fabric
Cerise pink velvet quilted fabric
Vintage Finn Ostergaard ‘Albert’ lounge chairs
Vintage Finn Ostergaard ‘Albert’ lounge chairs
Orla Kiely ‘Oval’ oilcloth – grey
Orla Kiely ‘Oval’ oilcloth – grey
Intu instant boiling water tap
Intu instant boiling water tap
Kitchen units
Kitchen units
Year planner
Year planner
Cerise pink velvet quilted fabric
Cerise pink velvet quilted fabric
Vintage Finn Ostergaard ‘Albert’ lounge chairs
Vintage Finn Ostergaard ‘Albert’ lounge chairs
Orla Kiely ‘Oval’ oilcloth – grey
Orla Kiely ‘Oval’ oilcloth – grey
Intu instant boiling water tap
Intu instant boiling water tap
Kitchen units
Kitchen units

Price Points: All-in-one compact kitchens

All-in-one compact kitchens

All-in-one compact kitchens are going to be the next big thing. With the rise in popularity of things like summer houses, shepherd’s huts, she sheds and converted caravans & campervans, they’re the perfect installation if you want cooking facilities in your small space.

The three all-in-one compact kitchens that we’ve chosen to feature are all a mere 900mm wide – less than a metre! In that tiny space, the manufacturers have fitted a hob, fridge (some with freezer compartment), sink and all-important storage.

The Elfin and Bronze models look to be almost identical; both are available in a range of colours and can be further customised with the sink on the left or right of the hob, different taps and ceramic or metal hobs.

The Kaiser+Kraft model is enclosed in a cupboard. Useful if you want to conceal the kitchen and its mess and smells when not in use. It also provides more space for storage on the inside of the doors and above the sink & hob.

  1. Elfin M 090 US RK: from £750 to £957 (ex. VAT & delivery), Elfin Kitchens

    • Dimensions in mm: 900 (W) x 890 (H) x 600 (D)
    • A++ Refrigerator with internal 4* freezer compartment
    • Sink with drainer
    • WRAS approved tap
    • 30 minute safety cut-out timer fitted to hotplates as standard
    • Under-sink cupboard and soft close drawer
    • Stainless steel bar handles
    • Left or right hand sink
    • Tap upgrade available

  2. Residential Bronze mini kitchen with hobs: from £885.00 (ex. VAT), TinyKitchens

    • White powder coated steel as standard
    • Stainless Steel Sink and Worktop
    • Powder Coated Stainless Steel Doors
    • 2 x Standard Hot Plates with Cut Out Timer
    • Liebherr Refrigerator with Integral Ice Box
    • Slim foam filled doors

  3. Kitchen unit with hinged doors, 2 glass ceramic hotplates, basin at left: from £3,120.00 (inc. VAT), Kaiser+Kraft

    • Compact, functional design
    • Kitchen equipment for tight spaces
    • With a refrigerator and 2 glass ceramic hotplates

shop all-in-one compact kitchens

Some of the links on our blog are affiliate links. We may receive a small commission - at no cost to you - if you click through and make a purchase.
Prices & links correct at time of publication.

Kitchen unit with hinged doors, 2 glass ceramic hotplates, basin at left
Kitchen unit with hinged doors, 2 glass ceramic hotplates, basin at left
from £3,120.00
Residential Bronze mini kitchen with hobs
Residential Bronze mini kitchen with hobs
from £885.00
Elfin M 090 US RK
Elfin M 090 US RK
from £750 to £957
Kitchen unit with hinged doors, 2 glass ceramic hotplates, basin at left
Kitchen unit with hinged doors, 2 glass ceramic hotplates, basin at left
from £3,120.00
Residential Bronze mini kitchen with hobs
Residential Bronze mini kitchen with hobs
from £885.00
Elfin M 090 US RK
Elfin M 090 US RK
from £750 to £957
Kitchen unit with hinged doors, 2 glass ceramic hotplates, basin at left
Kitchen unit with hinged doors, 2 glass ceramic hotplates, basin at left
from £3,120.00
Residential Bronze mini kitchen with hobs
Residential Bronze mini kitchen with hobs
from £885.00
Elfin M 090 US RK
Elfin M 090 US RK
from £750 to £957
Kitchen unit with hinged doors, 2 glass ceramic hotplates, basin at left
Kitchen unit with hinged doors, 2 glass ceramic hotplates, basin at left
from £3,120.00
Residential Bronze mini kitchen with hobs
Residential Bronze mini kitchen with hobs
from £885.00
Elfin M 090 US RK
Elfin M 090 US RK
from £750 to £957
Kitchen unit with hinged doors, 2 glass ceramic hotplates, basin at left
Kitchen unit with hinged doors, 2 glass ceramic hotplates, basin at left
from £3,120.00
Residential Bronze mini kitchen with hobs
Residential Bronze mini kitchen with hobs
from £885.00
Elfin M 090 US RK
Elfin M 090 US RK
from £750 to £957

Get their look: 50s-inspired kitchen

 

 
 
 
 
 
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A post shared by Sawdust By The Sea (@ourcolourfulhive)

How do we know that this is a 50s-inspired kitchen? There are a few clues in the photograph; the chequerboard black & white tiled floor, the pastel colours of the wall, tiled splash-backs and cabinetry. Added to these are the accessories – vintage Bush radio, retro wall art, vintage storage tins and the wonderful mid century modern seat pad on that folding stool.

If you’re a fan of the era, it can be easy, and fun too, to transform a room in your house to reflect the style of the time. It doesn’t have to be the kitchen, you can apply changes to any room in your house. Use colour, furniture, pattern and vintage homewares to bring a 1950s vibe to your interior.

Get their look

Some of the links on our blog are affiliate links. We may receive a small commission - at no cost to you - if you click through and make a purchase.
Prices & links correct at time of publication.

Wood effect Bush TR 82 radio
Wood effect Bush TR 82 radio
‘Squeeze the Day’ lemon serving tray
‘Squeeze the Day’ lemon serving tray
Cuisinart multi-temp jug kettle, Light Pistachio
Cuisinart multi-temp jug kettle, Light Pistachio
Vintage wooden folding stool
Vintage wooden folding stool
Come In for a Stiff One It’s Ladies Night Everynight metal sign
Come In for a Stiff One It’s Ladies Night Everynight metal sign
Orla Kiely ‘Ditsy Cyclamen’, orange fabric
Orla Kiely ‘Ditsy Cyclamen’, orange fabric
Wood effect Bush TR 82 radio
Wood effect Bush TR 82 radio
‘Squeeze the Day’ lemon serving tray
‘Squeeze the Day’ lemon serving tray
Cuisinart multi-temp jug kettle, Light Pistachio
Cuisinart multi-temp jug kettle, Light Pistachio
Vintage wooden folding stool
Vintage wooden folding stool
Come In for a Stiff One It’s Ladies Night Everynight metal sign
Come In for a Stiff One It’s Ladies Night Everynight metal sign
Orla Kiely ‘Ditsy Cyclamen’, orange fabric
Orla Kiely ‘Ditsy Cyclamen’, orange fabric
Wood effect Bush TR 82 radio
Wood effect Bush TR 82 radio
‘Squeeze the Day’ lemon serving tray
‘Squeeze the Day’ lemon serving tray
Cuisinart multi-temp jug kettle, Light Pistachio
Cuisinart multi-temp jug kettle, Light Pistachio
Vintage wooden folding stool
Vintage wooden folding stool
Come In for a Stiff One It’s Ladies Night Everynight metal sign
Come In for a Stiff One It’s Ladies Night Everynight metal sign
Orla Kiely ‘Ditsy Cyclamen’, orange fabric
Orla Kiely ‘Ditsy Cyclamen’, orange fabric

3 steps to make your kitchen stand out in 2022

3 steps to make your kitchen stand out

When you’re looking to make improvements to help enhance your kitchen, it’s important to think about both aesthetic and practical changes. Adding curb appeal to the kitchen, and making it a more appealing and sociable room of the home is one of the best things you can do to make your home a more enjoyable place to spend time.

There are plenty of elements that you should consider when you are looking to improve the kitchen, and, if you get the process right, you could completely transform your home in the process. Making your kitchen stand out comes with plenty of benefits; enhancing space, colour and efficiency are some of the key points on which to focus. Hear are just a few of the things you could do to ensure that your kitchen stands out this year.

Go green

There’s a more conscious movement these days from home-owners to make their properties greener and more environmentally friendly. If you want to achieve an eco-friendly kitchen remodel, consider investing in sustainable materials as well as going for things like greener lighting options. It’s also important to get into the habit of conserving energy and reducing bills by keeping as many appliances switched off as possible when they’re not in use. In addition, setting up an efficient recycling and food waste system to help improve the kitchen is something we all should be doing. You could start with something as simple as a food waste caddy next to the sink or on a work surface.

Improve the aesthetics

Boosting your kitchen’s aesthetics is something that can make a massive difference to the home and the way it comes across. There are so many ideas that you can use to help you achieve this, and changing the counter-tops is a great place to start. For instance, a silestone worktop, which is made of 6% resin and 94% quartz minerals, is great looking, durable and will enhance your kitchen. You can also improve the aesthetic by opting for hardwood floors, updating cabinet hardware as well as changing the colour scheme throughout the kitchen.

Change the colour scheme

Speaking of the colour scheme, this can have a massive impact on your kitchen and the rest of the home. More modern designs typically use darker shades and look to avoid bright colours. However, using pops of colour, or bright, vibrant patterns can completely transform your property, as well as making the kitchen stand out and come across as more bright and airy. Changing the colour scheme in the kitchen can make a huge difference to the way in which the room comes across, and it can add plenty of aesthetic appeal in the process.

There are a lot of options you could consider when looking at the best ways of updating your kitchen and making it stand out from the rest. It could make a huge difference to the way you use the space and could increase the value of your home. These are some of the key things you have to keep in mind to make your kitchen stand out in 2022.

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