{"id":2299,"date":"2025-08-25T02:59:23","date_gmt":"2025-08-24T18:59:23","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/homeofmaterials.com\/2025\/08\/25\/kitchen-of-the-week-an-expensive-looking-remodel-for-just-13000\/"},"modified":"2025-08-25T02:59:23","modified_gmt":"2025-08-24T18:59:23","slug":"kitchen-of-the-week-an-expensive-looking-remodel-for-just-13000","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/homeofmaterials.com\/th\/kitchen-of-the-week-an-expensive-looking-remodel-for-just-13000\/","title":{"rendered":"\u0e2b\u0e49\u0e2d\u0e07\u0e04\u0e23\u0e31\u0e27\u0e1b\u0e23\u0e30\u0e08\u0e33\u0e2a\u0e31\u0e1b\u0e14\u0e32\u0e2b\u0e4c: \u0e01\u0e32\u0e23\u0e1b\u0e23\u0e31\u0e1a\u0e1b\u0e23\u0e38\u0e07\u0e17\u0e35\u0e48\u0e14\u0e39\u0e2b\u0e23\u0e39\u0e2b\u0e23\u0e32\u0e43\u0e19\u0e23\u0e32\u0e04\u0e32\u0e40\u0e1e\u0e35\u0e22\u0e07 1,300,000 \u0e1a\u0e32\u0e17"},"content":{"rendered":"

We often recommend Ikea\u2019s kitchen cabinets as a solid, bang-for-the-buck option for those looking to remodel. And nowadays, there are so many offshoot companies offering cabinet front styles specifically tailored to fit Ikea\u2019s base cabinets that, if being economical is a priority, there\u2019s little reason not to at least start with an Ikea skeleton. (See Ikea Kitchen Upgrade: 11 Custom Cabinet Companies for the Ultimate Kitchen Hack.)<\/p>\n

Which is what we assumed this expensive-looking kitchen from architects Luke and Joanne McClelland was: a skeleton base by Ikea, upgraded with doors from another company. Turns out the whole thing is a combination of Ikea components!<\/p>\n

The two, both architects (he has his own firm, Luke McClelland Design), normally work on high-end projects, but for their own kitchen remodel in Edinburgh, Scotland, they had to work with a budget that was a tenth of what they\u2019re used to. Their solution: \u201cWe tried to use affordable products to recreate the specific qualities that previous clients associated with luxury: simplicity, symmetry, integration.\u201d<\/p>\n

Here\u2019s how they overhauled their kitchen for under $13,000, including appliances (but not including labor).<\/p>\n

Photography by Zac and Zac, courtesy of Luke McClelland Design.<\/p>\n


Above: Joanne and Luke moved into the apartment a couple years ago, attracted to the grand proportions and period details. They knocked down a wall to create an open kitchen and dining area.
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Above: All cabinet bases and doors are from Ikea. The matte black fronts are from the Kungsbacka line, all made from recycled wood and recycled PET bottles. The lower cabinets are from the oak Ekestad series, currently unavailable in the US. Classic subway tiles (theirs are from here) look modern when installed vertically.
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Above: \u201cAll appliances are concealed within the lower cabinets,\u201d says Luke. \u201cThe cabinets all appear as drawers but in some cases are actually two drawer cabinet fronts fixed together to form a hinged cupboard.\u201d The faucet is by Lusso. (See 10 Easy Pieces: Matte Black Kitchen Faucets for more ideas.) The lights are Ikea\u2019s Ranarp Pendant Lamps.
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Above: \u201cThe cabinets are encased in a stud bulkhead to look like they are recessed into the wall. The bulkhead conceals the extract for the cooker hood which, in turn, is recessed into the cabinets. The oak surrounds are just standard worktops cut down and used to frame the cabinets and to give the impression of a more expensive \u2018hand-crafted\u2019 kitchen,\u201d explains Luke. The electric induction cooktop is by Bosch.
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Above: To the right is the doorway to the utility closet, where the washer, dryer, and freezer are housed.,

Above: The couple chose slim matte-black aluminum cabinet pulls from The Handle Studio for the drawers.
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Above: \u201cWe are very much influenced by Scandinavian design,\u201d says Luke. \u201cIn particular I have always loved the work of Norm Architects in Copenhagen. I like natural materials and clean lines in a functional space like a kitchen.\u201d The worktops are full stave oak; the couple treat it every 12 months or so with Osmo TopOil.
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Above: The framed art is lifted from
\nLondon Dec<\/em>o, a book of illustrations by Thibaud Herem. \u201cWe moved to Edinburgh from London, and they provide a little reminder of the city,\u201d says Luke. The walls are painted Farrow & Ball All White. <\/p>\n

For more Ikea kitchens we love, see:<\/p>\n