Chef Kitchen Build

The Brief

The clients, a family of four residing in Jumeirah Golf Estates, approached us with an outdated kitchen that no longer suited their lifestyle. Built in the early 2000s, the space featured cramped laminate counters, inefficient storage, and basic appliances ill-equipped for their passion for home cooking and entertaining. They envisioned a professional chef's kitchen: a spacious, high-functioning area with premium finishes, integrated appliances, and ample workspace for preparing elaborate meals. The brief specified a complete overhaul, including layout reconfiguration to incorporate a large island and butler’s pantry. Budget was set at AED 240,000, with a strict eight-week timeline to minimise disruption during the school holidays.

Scope & Materials

We delivered a full kitchen renovation, transforming the 45-square-metre space into a state-of-the-art culinary hub. Our scope encompassed demolition, structural adjustments, installation of bespoke joinery, and integration of top-tier appliances, all executed by our in-house team of certified carpenters, plumbers, and electricians.

• Demolished existing cabinetry and tiled flooring, removing 12 linear metres of outdated units and disposing of 2.5 tonnes of waste responsibly.
• Installed custom Italian walnut cabinetry with soft-close mechanisms, comprising 8.5 metres of base units and 4 metres of wall-hung storage, finished in a matte lacquer for durability.
• Fitted a 3-metre quartz island worktop from Caesarstone in a Calacatta Gold veining, 40mm thick, with integrated induction hob and downdraft extractor.
• Incorporated Siemens professional-grade appliances, including a 90cm double oven, 60cm combi-steam oven, and 120cm fridge-freezer, all seamlessly panelled to match cabinetry.
• Laid 60-square-metres of porcelain floor tiles in a herringbone pattern from Porcelanosa’s Stonecrest collection, with underfloor heating across the entire area.
• Added brass accents from Vola, including a bridge-style tap and pot filler, paired with a custom copper splashback extending 2 metres along the cooking wall.
• Integrated smart lighting with 12 recessed LED spots and under-cabinet strips, controlled via a Lutron system for zoned illumination.
• Reconfigured plumbing for a double sink setup and added a Quooker boiling tap for instant hot water.

Timeline

We adhered precisely to the eight-week schedule, coordinating trades efficiently to avoid delays and ensuring the family could return to a fully operational kitchen on time.

• Week 1: Site survey, demolition of existing kitchen, and temporary relocation of utilities; cleared 100% of old fixtures without affecting adjacent living areas.
• Weeks 2-3: Structural modifications, including reinforcement of the island support and rerouting of electrical and plumbing lines; installed underfloor heating system.
• Weeks 4-5: Joinery fabrication and installation of cabinetry; fitted worktops and began appliance integration, with 80% of storage units operational by end of week 5.
• Week 6: Tiling, splashback installation, and final plumbing connections; tested all water and gas lines for compliance.
• Week 7: Appliance commissioning, lighting setup, and painting of walls in Farrow & Ball’s Skimming Stone; conducted initial quality checks.
• Week 8: Final fittings, deep clean, and client walkthrough; project handed over on schedule with all snags rectified within 24 hours.

Before → After

Before the renovation, the kitchen was a relic of its era: narrow corridors hemmed in by dark laminate cabinets, a single small window allowing minimal natural light, and Formica counters scarred from years of use. Appliances were freestanding and mismatched, storage was haphazard with shallow shelves overflowing onto limited counter space, and the linoleum floor showed signs of wear. Cooking felt confined, and entertaining guests meant battling clutter in a space that prioritised function over form.

After our intervention, the kitchen emerged as a seamless blend of elegance and efficiency. The open layout now centres on a commanding island that seats six, bathed in light from a new skylight above. Walnut cabinetry provides 40% more storage capacity, with pull-out drawers and integrated bins keeping surfaces pristine. The porcelain tiles and copper accents add warmth and sophistication, while the Siemens suite hums quietly, ready for any culinary demand. The transformation turned a dated utility room into a vibrant social heart, where family meals and dinner parties flow effortlessly.

Client Quote

What You'd Pay

For a similar 45-square-metre chef-style kitchen renovation in Jumeirah Golf Estates, expect to invest between AED 180,000 and AED 300,000. At the lower end, opting for mid-range materials like laminate worktops and standard appliances from Bosch keeps costs around AED 180,000 to AED 220,000, suitable for a functional upgrade without luxury flourishes. Pushing towards AED 240,000 to AED 300,000 involves premium choices such as quartz or marble surfaces, bespoke joinery in hardwoods like walnut, and integrated high-end appliances from brands like Siemens or Miele. Factors elevating the price include structural changes (adding AED 20,000–30,000 for load-bearing adjustments), smart home integrations (AED 10,000 extra), or extended timelines beyond eight weeks due to custom imports. Conversely, reusing existing plumbing can shave off AED 15,000. Our fixed-price contracts ensure transparency, with no hidden fees for a project of this scale.