In order to fulfil the dream of a modern eat-in kitchen with an inviting cooking island and space for a family of four and their dog, everything had to be adapted from scratch to the new space requirements, from the connections for electricity and water to the kitchen cupboard. For this, the Eickers enlisted the help of Daniel Anders from Die Küche Anders in Idstein, who supported the family in the planning and implementation with experience and competence.
A project full of challenges, which was more than worth it in view of the successful result in the newly acquired eat-in kitchen. We were able to be inspired by it on site and learned more about the conversion at home with the Eickers.
These manufacturers can be found in the kitchen: Miele and Leicht
Interview with the Eicker family and kitchen specialist Daniel Anders
Hello Ms. Eicker, thank you very much for the insight into your new kitchen. The new kitchen has become very nice. Why did you decide on a new kitchen?
Ms. Eicker: As is common in many old apartments, the kitchen was originally located in a small area and in another room of the apartment. Where the kitchen is now located, the floor plan included the dining room, which is completely oversized at 31 m². For this reason, we decided to merge the kitchen with the dining room and create an eat-in kitchen here that offers more space for us as a family of four.
The idea of the conversion has been with us for quite a while. Due to the spatial conditions of the old building and the associated challenges, the respect for the project was great and we thought back and forth for a long time. Looking at the finished result, however, it is clear that we have made exactly the right decision.
Despite the old building, you have opted for a modern kitchen. Did you have this idea from the beginning?
Ms. Eicker: We deliberately opted for a modern and straightforward kitchen, which now looks great in contrast to the old building. The choice of the colour black was also set from the beginning, as was the niche in the tall cabinet front. We knew where we wanted to go with the design, so we relied on Mr. Anders’ suggestions for the implementation and the details. For example, in the selection of materials or the design of the niche, which was planned both with and without a shelf.
The desire for a modern and linear aesthetic was also taken into account in the layout of the kitchen. Here, the components are limited to a tall cabinet front with an integrated niche and sink area as well as the spacious cooking island, which meet this requirement with clear edges and a uniform joint pattern. In order not to make any compromises in terms of storage space, we have chosen extra-deep cabinets on the advice of Mr. Anders.
In addition to the design of the kitchen, functional appliances should not be missing. Did you have precise ideas here?
Ms. Eicker: No, we had only given one or two framework conditions, otherwise we were completely open. Therefore, we fully relied on Mr. Anders’ recommendation and in the end decided on a warming drawer in addition to an oven, refrigerator and co. from Miele. The only point that was important to us was not using an extractor hood. Instead, the choice fell on a retractable table fan, integrated in the kitchen island.
Why did you choose a kitchen specialist?
Ms. Eicker: On a recommendation, we ended up with Mr. Anders and were immediately enthusiastic about the advice and service. We also looked around at other kitchen suppliers, but they didn’t allow much for individual adjustments and measurements or took ages to create a simple offer. With this knowledge as a comparison, it was clear to us that we were in perfect hands with Mr. Anders. He planned every detail with us, advised us in detail on everything and was very open and patient, even with special requests.
The kitchen from an expert’s point of view: Daniel Anders
Hello Mr. Anders, a big compliment to you for the successful kitchen planning. What was special for you as an expert in this planning?
Daniel Anders: The overall framework conditions for this project were special and an exciting challenge, especially because the kitchen was no longer to be in the original room, but in the former dining room. Therefore, in addition to the pure kitchen planning with furniture, appliances and the stone slab, the entire planning of the installations had to be carried out. From laying electricity under the existing parquet to integrating water by means of a lifting system in the cupboard, everything was included here.
But the kitchen itself also has one or two special features. The demand for modern planning in black was carried out with consistency and implemented with furniture from LEICHT and various custom-made products. As a bright contrast and stylish refinement of the kitchen, a rare granite was chosen for the worktop, which can also be found in the niche.
As a kitchen specialist, what did you attach particular importance to and recommend to the Eickers?
Daniel Anders: In general, it is important to me to create a balance between design and functionality. That was also the claim for the Eickers’ kitchen. So I recommended extra deep cabinets to the Eickers, which create a maximum of storage space and also visually fill the large room without looking too massive. The demand for functionality, design and quality also applied to my appliance recommendation: appliances from Miele that have clever functions, from pyrolysis in the oven to automatic dishwashing liquid dosing in the dishwasher, and with their black design also fit perfectly into the aesthetics of the kitchen.
The kitchen impresses both in its entirety and in the many well thought-out details. What is your personal highlight of this cuisine?
Daniel Anders: A highlight for me is the rare granite that was used for the worktop and the niche. In order to achieve the best result that does justice to the high-quality material as well as the kitchen as a whole, we thought through every detail when planning and selecting the look. On the one hand, a raw plate – i.e. the still unprocessed plate – was bought at auction in Spain. On the other hand, the board was scanned before processing, so that we could plan the grain perfectly for the niche and worktop based on the image recordings. Due to the size and the associated weight of the granite, the delivery and assembly was challenging, but it was worth it. The result is inspiring!
The conclusion of the happy customers
Finally, we would like to know from you what you like best in the kitchen.
Ms. Eicker: In general, we are very happy with the entire kitchen. We knew that the conversion would bring us some challenges and not an easy path. Nevertheless, we decided to go this way and in the end we successfully reached our goal. The result was simply great and we are very grateful for the competent advice and implementation by Mr. Anders.
Our personal highlight is the resulting feeling of space. With the open kitchen, we now have plenty of space that we can use as an entire family. We therefore spend a lot of time here and enjoy being together.
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