When we moved into our house two years ago, we knew there was a lot of redesigning to do. All we saw was a blank canvas and the potential to make it how we wanted! There was also a lot of mould on the walls from the damp and I despised the horrible, filthy carpet. But it was our first house!
It hasn’t been an easy road. But we were just so grateful and excited to have something of our own. With our babies. There were huge life hurdles in the middle of the renovation. Daniel and I separated for a few months. It was a really awful time. We rekindled and tried to pick our relationship back up.
In July, we decided to renovate the kitchen. We really wanted a breakfast bar and open plan living. A whole wall was knocked and the kitchen looked more contemporary. The old kitchen was lovely and of course, liveable. But the floors needed redoing (I saw a mouse come out of one of the holes in the corner!) and we said we would just do it all at the same time. We designed the kitchen with an affordable supplier and added the same laminate flooring which is in the girls room, hallway and living room.
Through all of this, we were lucky enough to collaborate with AEG. They are a household appliance brand, specialising in kitchen and laundry. I am extremely grateful that I can have these opportunities and it was an honour to work with them. They have been creating innovative technology for 125 years! We chatted about what we thought would work best for the kitchen/ what would fit in. Their products are super sleek and modern and went perfectly with the aesthetic.
Working clockwise around the kitchen- for the hob, we went with the AEG Pure Induction Hob. The Bridge button on this is such a handy feature. It controls two cooking zones together and can fit any sized pan. Child lock is extremely helpful (3 kids under 6 who love to cook with me!) and the dials are really sensitive, which means you can adjust the heat easily and get it to the perfect temperature. Here I’m cooking mussels. Which I haven’t in so long! We hadn’t been back from Cornwall long and I was on a bit of a seafood binge. It was just a case of throwing them into the pan with the cream / white wine sauce and letting them cook. Served with chunky fresh Bread and Kerrygold butter. Yummmm! I want some right now…
Above it, we have the Group Hood in 54cm size. It comes on automatically! I know I use this word a lot. But seriously. So handy. It’s like it knows what you need at that very moment! There are different strengths and a light too.
Across from the hob is the star of the show- the AEG SurroundCook Dual Cavity Oven.
A new convection system called Hot Air, which ensures hot air circulates evenly throughout the oven cavity. This basically means that the oven heats up faster and cooking temperatures can be reduced by up to 20%, saving you both time and energy.
And lastly, unlike standard ovens, the SurroundCook oven’s fan technology ensures that every part of your dish is getting exactly the heat it needs. I usually find myself turning the trau around, to make sure the food is cooked properly on the other side.
The last appliance that was installed was the AEG Comfort Lift Dishwasher
ComfortLift® is the world’s first lift-and-loadbasket. Trust me, this makes such a difference when you are loading the dishwasher about 3 times a day! It just lifts to a height that is much more comfortable. Instead of up and down, up and down.
The AEG SoftGripand Soft Spikes holds your glasses perfectly, tried and tested over a more regular glass of wine during lockdown! These protect the glasses from getting damaged.
The red light which reflects onto the floor tells you that it is on a cycle and the curliest tray on top I love because it gives you so much more space underneath…to get even more dishes in.
The kitchen is now complete and we love it. I need to accessorise it more and make it more homely. Which will be really lovely to do around Christmas! These amazing products have taken it to another level. And I am finding myself doing a lot more cooking. And baking with the kids. Which is what I have always dreamed of.
It is so much easier doing a roast with the double oven. I’ll get lots of practice with if this year as for the first time, I’m doing the cooking!
For us and I know for many of you, the kitchen really is the heart of the house. We are huge foodies and having the space and these incredible AEG products I still can’t believe we have created such a beautiful space. I dreamed of having a beautiful kitchen, smelling of good food! And that is what is has become.