From One Plykea Kitchen to Another: A Newcastle Renovation
After loving their first Plykea kitchen so much they installed another in their new home. This time they chose ash-veneered birch plywood, Swarf red oxide handles and a yellow Formica Tenere worktop to brighten their characterful terraced house.
Can you tell us a bit about your home?
'It’s a 19th-century terrace built into a hill, and it’s definitely not for everyone - there are steep steps down to the house, and the main living area is in the basement. Everything’s a bit on the wonk, but we love it, and the payoff is the amazing views over the Ouseburn Valley.'
What were your main goals for the renovation?
'We wanted to make the most of every inch of the space—adding hidden utilities, extra storage, and an island that lets us cook while still feeling connected to the living area. We also wanted a layout where the kids could easily join in with the cooking.
Because the kitchen sits at the darker end of our open-plan room, we kept the things light with ash fronts, added undershelf lighting, and a few spotlights so it hopefully feels bright.'
If budget was a concern, what were you prepared to spend on or save on?
'We ordered samples of a few different woods and really liked some of the pricier options, but in the end we went with ash because it fit our budget. We’re actually really glad we did — we love the grain and the overall look.'
What influenced your worktop and tile choices?
'We chose Formica because we wanted a good choice of colours, and it had the best range. We’d had Formica in a previous kitchen and it wore and washed really well, so we decided to stick with something we knew would work. The tiles were partly a budget decision, but also we just couldn’t find anything we liked more. In the end we went for something simple that we hopefully won’t get tired of.'
How did you find working with Plykea?
'This is our second Plykea kitchen, and both times we’ve had a great experience. Fiona really listened to what we wanted and suggested clever ways to use the IKEA cabinets to create full-length, wall-to-ceiling units. We changed our minds a few times along the way, and she was always incredibly accommodating. The personal service and the quality of the products really set Plykea apart.'
What advice would you give to someone planning a kitchen renovation?
'Always get samples and lots of them - woods, colours, handles. We spent so much time laying out different colour ways and debating over what worked best. Also booking an IKEA design appointment helped us to get the plan in good shape before sharing with Plykea. Having someone come and measure the space was reassuring.'
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If you’re planning an IKEA kitchen upgrade, plywood kitchen, or custom kitchen fronts we’d love to help.
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