![\"\"](\"https:\/\/blog.captainsglen.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/DSC00940.jpg\")
Random dresser in the corner<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/li> ![\"\"](\"https:\/\/blog.captainsglen.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/DSC00941.jpg\")
Heater on the wal<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/li> ![\"\"](\"https:\/\/blog.captainsglen.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/DSC00942.jpg\")
Breaker panel in the corner<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/li> ![\"\"](\"https:\/\/blog.captainsglen.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/DSC00943.jpg\")
Outline of the mirror<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/li> ![\"\"](\"https:\/\/blog.captainsglen.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/DSC00944.jpg\")
<\/figure><\/li>![\"\"](\"https:\/\/blog.captainsglen.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/DSC00945-1.jpg\")
Storage shelves<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/li> ![\"\"](\"https:\/\/blog.captainsglen.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/DSC00946.jpg\")
Corner window and sink<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/li> ![\"\"](\"https:\/\/blog.captainsglen.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/DSC00947.jpg\")
Sink<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/li> ![\"\"](\"https:\/\/blog.captainsglen.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/DSC00948.jpg\")
Styrofoam ceiling tiles<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/li><\/ul><\/a><\/a><\/a> <\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\nThere were multiple issues to be addressed before this could become a kitchen:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
- \n
- The window didn’t close<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Electrical supply inadequate for an oven and hob<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Styrofoam ceiling tiles present quite a fire risk<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- The floor is trashed<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
During the very first visit in November of 2003 I met with a local builder and arranged to have the windows replaced and some electrical work done which would include running an oven circuit to this room. The target was to have this completed before the next trip in April of 2004 – fairly aggressive timing considering the pace at which most builders approach jobs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Sure enough when we arrived in April most of the work had been done, but they’d messed up the electrical and run the circuits to the wrong room – the existing kitchen on the second floor rather than the blue room on the first floor. The builder owned the mistake and had a sparky out pronto to fix things so I could get on with installing laminate flooring – something I couldn’t complete until they’d finished pulling floor boards to run wires.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/blog.captainsglen.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/DSC00985.jpg\")
Plaster ceiling very rough behind the tiles<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/li> ![\"\"](\"https:\/\/blog.captainsglen.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/DSC01123.jpg\")
Painted a cheery yellow<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/li> ![\"\"](\"https:\/\/blog.captainsglen.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/DSC01124.jpg\")
New window, cabinets in progress<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/li> ![\"\"](\"https:\/\/blog.captainsglen.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/DSC01125.jpg\")
Using the existing plumbing for the new sink<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/li><\/ul><\/a><\/a><\/a> <\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\nI had originally thought to sand and refinish the floors, but decided they were too rough to save. We sourced a chestnut look floating laminate flooring from B&Q, along with their very cheapest kitchen cabinets and doors. For this first family visit to the flat we rented a van from a commercial rental agency in Aberdeen, meaning we had to get to them after flying overnight from Seattle to Heathrow, and then Heathrow to Aberdeen – a long day!<\/p>\n\n\n\n
This was all early in our ownership of the flat, and money was a consideration, so in addition to inexpensive cabinets – under \u00a380 including door for most of them – we went with a very inexpensive electric cooker from our neighbors at McPherson’s.<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/blog.captainsglen.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/DSC01154.jpg\")
Profoundly adequate cabinets and cooker<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/li> ![\"\"](\"https:\/\/blog.captainsglen.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/DSC01157.jpg\")
Finished sink corner<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/li> ![\"\"](\"https:\/\/blog.captainsglen.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/DSC01162.jpg\")
<\/figure><\/li>![\"\"](\"https:\/\/blog.captainsglen.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/DSC01391.jpg\")
Wall storage above sink<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/li> ![\"\"](\"https:\/\/blog.captainsglen.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/DSC01392.jpg\")
<\/figure><\/li>![\"\"](\"https:\/\/blog.captainsglen.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/IMG_1294-scaled.jpg\")
<\/figure><\/li><\/ul><\/a><\/a><\/a><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\nThis first version of the kitchen lasted well, with only a few updates over the years, including a dishwasher in 2016 and this rather nice wallpaper in 2019.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/blog.captainsglen.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/2019-05-17_12-07-20_000-1024x683.jpeg\")
Wallpaper added in 2019<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/li> ![\"\"](\"https:\/\/blog.captainsglen.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/2019-05-17_12-07-25_000-1024x683.jpeg\")
<\/figure><\/li>![\"\"](\"https:\/\/blog.captainsglen.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/2019-05-17_12-07-34_000-1024x683.jpeg\")
<\/figure><\/li><\/ul><\/a><\/a><\/a><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\nVersion 2 – 2021<\/p>\n\n\n\n
After 2 1\/2 years in which we could not visit the flat we were primed to make changes when we finally revisited in October of 2021. I had wanted to replace the cooker for some time, as I really missed the convection oven I am used to at “home”, coupled with the door being so close to the floor which definitely got old. Not to mention that the very old school electric hobs were tedious to work with, they took forever to heat up and to cool down.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
A plan evolved based on what I could research online, and what could be sourced quickly once we arrived. I settled on a nice wall oven and induction hob, both to come from our neighbours at A M McPherson, and kitchen cabinets to come from Keith Builders Merchants<\/a> which I ordered online before we left.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
These are still flat-pack, self assemble cabinets but they’re more robust than the original B&Q units. The worktop is now 38mm instead of 25mm.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/blog.captainsglen.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/2021-10-30_12-20-07_750-1024x768.jpeg\")
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/blog.captainsglen.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/2021-10-31_13-56-41_092-768x1024.jpeg\")
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/blog.captainsglen.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/2021-10-31_13-56-45_621-768x1024.jpeg\")