Before & After
Amanda and her husband Dave had spent their entire lives in South London, until they decided it was finally time for a change of scenery. In October 2025, they moved further into Kent to be closer to their three grown-up sons and four grandchildren, while still keeping easy access to their beloved holiday home in Deal.
"We thought it was an ideal opportunity to pull all our passions together- our children, our grandchildren and renovating houses!"
What should have been a chance to settle into their new home quickly turned into one of their biggest renovation projects yet, as they began renovating instantly. The builders arrived the morning after the removal company had unloaded their belongings- now that’s what we call dedication! Some may have questioned whether embarking on a full renovation in their sixties was wise, but Amanda and Dave were undeterred.
"Some people may have thought we were mad!"
By mid-December, after weeks of living amongst dust, tools and building work, they temporarily retreated to Deal for Christmas while their trusted contractor from JP Interior Services continued transforming the property. A full renovation is certainly not for the faint of heart, especially “if like Dave, your dislike of dust is all consuming!” …
However, dust mostly cleared and just thirteen weeks after the project began, the couple were moving back into what felt like an entirely different home.
A Kitchen That Had to Go
The original kitchen had been well loved by its previous owners, and although the cabinetry itself was solid oak and well made, the layout and style just simply weren’t right for Amanda and Dave and didn’t meet the requirements they had for their forever kitchen.
"We had already decided to reconfigure the floorplan for the whole of downstairs and it made sense to completely relocate the kitchen area nearer to the light from the rear doors."
Thankfully, the existing kitchen wasn't wasted and was Rehomed by Amanda herself- a full circle story we love to hear. Just because a kitchen isn’t to your taste, doesn’t mean it has reached the end of its life, and certainly doesn’t mean it won’t be re-loved in another home. Amanda was very grateful to Rehome everything… The kitchen, appliances and cabinetry found a second life in a colleague's renovation project, something Amanda felt strongly about after years of seeing perfectly good kitchens ripped out and discarded.
Years in the Making
Amanda's journey with Rehome didn't begin when she bought this kitchen. In fact, she'd been browsing kitchen listings for years.
"I have been searching for kitchens for as long as the websites have existed!"
Long before this renovation project appeared, Amanda had already become frustrated by the waste associated with buying brand-new kitchens. "I have spent years feeling aggrieved at paying for new kitchens, constantly moaning to builders about the waste of ripping out old cabinets only to replace them with similar updated versions."
As someone who loves restoring furniture, hunting through charity furniture stores and renovating period properties, the idea of buying pre-loved simply made sense, both sustainability and budget wise. And so, when contracts were exchanged on their new Kent home, Amanda knew exactly where she would be looking.
"I would be scouring the Rehome site until I found the right kitchen."
As it turned out, she found two…
Double the Kitchens, Double the Possibilities
Within just a couple of weeks of starting her search, Amanda and Dave’s luck was in. Two Neptune Suffolk kitchens appeared on Rehome at almost exactly the same time. Neptune kitchens are a popular option amongst many renovators, loved for their built-to-last quality and stunning craftsmanship that remains stunning for years without dating. Having previously owned a Neptune Limehouse kitchen, Amanda already knew exactly what brand she wanted.
While most buyers are searching for one kitchen, Amanda immediately saw the opportunity to combine elements from both. We often recommend that buyers who are planning to reconfigure should search for a kitchen roughly 10-20% bigger than what they need. This was the perfect opportunity to achieve an ample number of quality, luxury brand cabinets, for a fraction of what one kitchen would cost new.
Amanda and Dave booked viewings on both kitchens on consecutive days.
“Two of the most full and fun days I have had in a long time. I loved everything about it. Its quality and design were second to none for us and we knew that only another Neptune kitchen would cut it."
After having eye-watering quotes given elsewhere, the decision was even easier for the couple.
"We had quotes from other kitchen companies but having been told that £52k was their pretty standard quote from a mainstream company, and £125k might get us a kitchen, but definitely not a pantry from a more high-end retailer, we were convinced there was only one way to go!"
The two Neptune kitchens would become the building blocks for something completely bespoke, and something you would never in a million years guess was bought pre-loved.
Turning Vision into Reality
Unlike many homeowners, Amanda could see the finished kitchen long before a single cabinet was installed, but convincing everyone else was a challenge in itself!
"I found the reconfiguration quite straightforward because all the cabinets and layout were in my head from the beginning." The builders weren't quite so convinced." I don't want a fitted look. I don't want the cabinets to reach the corners. I don't really want it to look like a kitchen even! But I have a plan!" To explain her vision, Amanda arrived armed with tiny paper cut-outs of every cabinet. Whilst this received more head scratching and chuckling from builders, this is exactly the advice we offer at Rehome to anyone planning on reconfiguring. Being able to visualise the individual cabinets and where they will fit into your space can help to make the whole process simpler and less daunting. We now also offer a virtual design service, as well as an in-house designer. Whilst Amanda’s process is a perfect way of doing it, there are no need for paper cut-outs anymore!
Fortunately, the building team trusted the process, and Amanda's work paid off. By combining two separate kitchens and introducing a handful of bespoke elements, they were able to create a layout that looked entirely custom-built for the space.
They were even able to achieve a matching utility room with the cabinets that were left over- something that many Rehome buyers choose to do- killing two birds with one stone!
A New Colour Palette
Although the kitchens themselves were perfect, the colours weren't. Amanda and Dave had always planned to repaint them in Neptune's Driftwood and Ink colourways, creating the timeless, layered look they loved.
A specialist local company, T&S Decor, handled the transformation using a professional Renner paint system designed specifically for cabinetry. The process was an extensive one- with doors, drawer fronts and decorative panels being removed, transported to the workshop, sanded, primed and repainted before being reinstalled.
"They did an exceptional job and we are completely happy with the work."
The finished colour scheme completely transformed the kitchens and helped create the warm, characterful space Amanda had envisioned from the outset. If you told anyone this kitchen was designed for this home and installed by Neptune, anyone would have a hard time not believing it.
Quality That Speaks for Itself
One challenge Amanda encountered wasn't the kitchen itself but instead convincing some contractors that buying used cabinetry was the right choice. Most builders and contractors are happy to work with pre-loved and ex-display cabinetry, but there are still some sceptics out there!
Needless to say, seeing the quality of the Neptune cabinetry quickly changed their minds, and by the end of the process they were fully convinced on the beauty of buying pre-loved or ex-display. This is something we hear time and time again at Rehome… Premium kitchens are built to last, and when cared for properly, can often outperform many brand-new alternatives available today.
In Amanda's case, the numbers speak for themselves. The combined Neptune cabinetry alone originally retailed for over £77,000. Add the appliances and worktops, and the replacement cost would comfortably exceed £100,000.
The final finished kitchen? Came to a grand of just £21,000 including everything.
"Going to Rehome was one of the best decisions we have ever made!"
Advice for Future Buyers
Having completed multiple renovation projects over the years, Amanda has plenty of advice for anyone considering a pre-loved kitchen. Her first recommendation? “DO IT!” She credits our team at Rehome with making the process straightforward from start to finish, and like most Rehome buyers, encourages buyers not to become fixated on the colour or shape of a kitchen.
"Do not be put off by the colour of a kitchen! It can be changed and for a lot less than you think. Do not also be put off by the shape of a kitchen. Even if it is a U shape and your space is a galley, a cabinet is a cabinet, is a cabinet!"
We couldn’t agree more. The quality of the cabinetry and the style of the kitchen are the most important things to look out for, and pretty much everything else can be changed for very little, allowing you to still save thousands off RRP and achieve a kitchen completely tailored to your tastes. Amanda’s best piece of advice is also her simplest…
"Save everything you can from your chosen kitchen and use it!"
From repolishing existing worktops to retaining appliances, sinks and taps, every reused element helped maximise value while reducing waste.
The Finished Result
From spotting the kitchens on Rehome in October to receiving the finished space at the end of February, the project took just a few months. The actual kitchen installation, repainting and transformation took just over 4 weeks, which is incredible given the impressive transformation.
Today, Amanda and Dave have exactly what they envisioned from the start: a beautifully bespoke Neptune kitchen that feels entirely at home in their renovated Kent property. Their space is proof that with a little imagination, the right team and a willingness to think differently, buying pre-loved doesn't mean compromising, and can often deliver something even better.
A kitchen worth over £100,000 for £21,000, and a family space that's perfectly tailored to the people who live there. We think that’s a transformation worth shouting about.
