I’ve wanted to get a new kitchen for 12 years. I replaced the bathroom a year after I bought this house and that was pretty traumatic. Being without a WC for a fortnight was a test of resourcefulness and memories of that time remain.

I’ve hesitated about committing, but after an initial conversation with a joiner last September (yes, 9 months ago) and multiple visits to 2 kitchen showrooms, the units arrived at 8.30 on Tuesday morning. A small skip arrived soon after. The worktops arrived on Wednesday afternoon. Downstairs is pure chaos. It’s like my house has been turned upside down and shaken vigorously.

I started packing my seldom used kitchen gear up about a month ago and by 8am on Tuesday I had boxed and bagged up the last of my essentials and moved them upstairs.

The joiner started work last Wednesday, dropping the ceiling and putting up plasterboard. He started ripping the old kitchen out.

All I have left in the kitchen is my fridge freezer and washing machine.

He started assembling the units on Tuesday. He’s a great joiner and I have no doubt about his skill and workmanship. On Wednesday afternoon I commented that one of the side panels looked shiny.

He said yes, that’s the finish. So I said but that’s shiny, it’s gloss. He said no, that’s the finish, it’s what they call white. 🤨 Long story short, we checked the packaging and GLS WHITE is printed clear as day on all the boxes. My heart sank. I asked for matt white. After some discussion, we called it a day. He said he’d check his paperwork.

The wrong finish has been ordered. We’re back to square one. I’m living upstairs mainly, where I have a kettle, microwave and toaster. With no sink since Wednesday I’ve got my head around washing dishes in the bathroom. It’s weird but I’ll make it work. Thankfully it’s salad season and I’m pretty resourceful when it comes to food preparation and menu ideas. I’ve factored in one takeaway meal from my favourite place next Sunday when I get back from my wedding.

Everything takes twice as long and I can’t find things. Practice is really challenging with all the hammering and drilling, the banging and sawing. I’m grateful the joiner doesn’t listen to music while he works. Small mercies. He makes up for it in banter with the electrician who said his ears were ringing by close of business yesterday.

In the greater scheme of things, this is just a minor inconvenience, I have to remember that. I’m so relieved I’m not too busy this summer.