Before & After
Rollo and Annabelle are a couple who are busied not only by the stresses of everyday life but by running a busy holiday cottage business while raising two teenagers (along with a dog and a few chickens).
Their busy, fast-paced lives meant that Rollo and Annabelle’s kitchen had to work hard, which their basic, flat-packed kitchen that came with the house couldn’t keep up with. With a constant and steady stream of guests passing through, their existing kitchen, had served its time. It was dated and tired, and not to mention not complementary of the wonderful space they had to fill.
A kitchen makeover was long overdue
Determined to find a high-quality kitchen that would stand the test of time, Rollo and Annabelle began searching online for pre-loved options. That’s when they came across Rehome. Their journey to the perfect kitchen was aided by the help of our Kitchen Alerts.
Weeks of tirelessly searching was replaced by simply being notified when a kitchen that fit their criteria was added to our site. They saw a few kitchens they liked, but waited for ‘the one’ to appear (after all, what is a couple more months when achieving your dream forever kitchen for a fraction of retail price). And appear it did.
What drew them to the kitchen they eventually purchased- a large bespoke shaker complete with top quality WOLF appliances- was the craftsmanship of the original build and the incredible appliances that came with it. The high-quality materials and solid construction gave them confidence that it would last for many more years to come.
Given the pair’s background in design, they were comfortable with the idea of reconfiguring the kitchen to fit their space, so when the opportunity finally arose, they didn’t hesitate. Even without design experience, we encourage all Rehome buyers to consider their reconfiguration options- after all, once dismantled into their individual units, each kitchen is essentially just boxes in a row that can be moved around to fit your space.
Rollo and Annabelle opted to have the kitchen fitted by their own installer, who worked alongside them to ensure that every element was placed exactly where it needed to be. One of the biggest changes they made was replacing only half of the existing worktops—while some sections worked perfectly in their new layout, others had to be adapted. To tie the new kitchen into their home seamlessly, they also commissioned a bespoke cooker hearth to complement the new design.
Even with these new changes, they still saved thousands of pounds on high street price and were able to make the kitchen completely their own without hefty lead times, or luxury price tag. Rather than choosing a completely new colour, Rollo and Annabelle decided to repaint the kitchen using the original shade, a colour they ‘would have likely chosen themselves’. The result was a fresh, polished look that made the kitchen feel brand new while still maintaining its character and traditional shaker style.
Annabelle noted how moving the kitchen from its original home to theirs would have been the biggest logistical challenge, but with the help of Rehome’s Which? Trusted Trader delivery team it arrived without a hitch, and this helped the process move as quickly as possible. The units were fitted in just five days, with a short wait for the new worktops to arrive. The final installation was completed a week later, meaning that within a matter of weeks, the heart of their home had been completely transformed. No waiting for designs or lead times, it really does just make sense to buy pre-loved. Annabelle and Rollo certainly think so.
They ‘couldn’t be happier with their decision to buy pre-loved’- they now have a kitchen that they never could have afforded brand new, yet it feels entirely their own. Their experience with Rehome was so positive that they’re already looking forward to using it again for future projects… Their advice to others considering a pre-loved kitchen?
"Always go for the best quality you can afford. A well-built kitchen with solid materials will last a lifetime—far longer than a standard flat-pack alternative."
A little patience, some careful planning, and a willingness to see the potential in a second-hand kitchen have given Rollo and Annabelle a space that is not only functional but beautiful and stylish- It is a kitchen that will serve their family, customers and business for years to come.
