When Louise came into some inheritance, she knew it was the opportunity to indulge in a new kitchen and chose Test Valley Kitchens & Bathrooms Ltd to bring her dream kitchen into reality. Sat in her new kitchen, Louise takes up the tale.

“It was a no brainer really. Well, it was between a new kitchen or a conservatory, and I went with the kitchen. I’d been talking about doing the kitchen for a long time. It was around 25 years old and hand-built out of MDF and to be honest, was falling to bits. Doors were falling off, all sorts of stuff. With the inheritance, it was always going to be a new kitchen.

“I knew the company and Ray Goodridge, so I was happy to go with them. The first thing they did was take me to a showroom to see what was available and we talked about what I wanted to achieve. I think the style is similar to what I had before and I went with a different layout, with extra units to make the most of the space.

“I chose these corner cupboards that pull out so you can use all the space that was just wasted before, and stuff would get chucked in there and while you planned to get it out one day, in reality it was never used. With two corner cupboards that fully open out it is useful space.

“The installation went very smoothly indeed, and the project was very well managed with everyone lined up from the electricians and plasterers to the painters and decorators and of course the fitters. It was all timed well. 

“You do resign yourself to living with a microwave and fridge in the lounge for a few weeks until is done, but the actual job went very smoothly and wasn’t intrusive. The trades were all good lads, very friendly and even did a couple of extra jobs for me. I had a couple of big Butler sinks which I’ve replaced with a smaller double sink. We’ve saved the old sink and they put some brackets on the wall so I can have it in the garden.

“I do recommend them on social media, Facebook especially and always share their posts when I see them. To anyone thinking of using Test Valley Kitchens and Bathrooms I would say they were very efficient, very friendly and worked hard. The project went very smoothly and was finished on budget and on time – well actually it did go slightly over budget after I chose a better fridge and the granite cost a little bit more than expected. Everything I wanted though and I’m very happy with my kitchen.”

“The kitchen is the heart of a home. Probably the one room we all spend the most time in together for meals and making memories. It is a lovely room now, a large family kitchen with a table in the middle.

“I’ve had the kitchen for over nine months now and I have to say it has made everything much more of a pleasure. It has taken the chore of cooking and whatever you need to get, it is just over there in easy reach. It’s made life a little simpler in the kitchen and easier too.”