Every home has potential – sometimes it just takes the right team to unlock it. For the Mills family in Bridge of Don, that meant rethinking a dated layout and transforming it into a bright, open space tailored to modern family life.
Close collaboration between Laings Directline and Monarch Builds played a big part in bringing this project to life. Working together throughout the process, Monarch Builds were able to make full use of their Trade Account support - from our design team creating detailed 3D visuals to help shape the final layout, to a quick and reliable turnaround that kept the build moving and the project on track.
We caught up with Darren, Construction Director at Monarch Builds, to discuss how the joint efforts of both teams helped shape the transformation, combining considered structural changes with a carefully designed kitchen and utility to improve flow, light and functionality throughout the home.
The property originally had a small, dated kitchen with poor flow, featuring three separate doors leading to the garage, entrance hall, and the dining and lounge area.
Darren said, “There was no real connection between the spaces, and everything felt quite disjointed. The utility was located in the garage, was unheated and very basic, and the overall layout just didn’t suit modern living.”
The family wanted to create additional living space, modernise the kitchen, and upgrade the utility, but previous design proposals hadn’t quite hit the mark.
“After a bit of research, they found Monarch Builds online and liked the look of what we could offer them. They invited us to their home, and we discussed the possibilities. Once the clients were happy with the proposed layout and price, the next step was to meet with a member of the Laings Directline team to design the various spaces.”
Given that the client emphasised that they were dreaming of converting the space into a more modern and functional one that would suit their lifestyle, achieving flow was really the driving force behind every decision on this project.
“We removed the load-bearing block wall between the original kitchen and dining area and introduced steelwork to open the space up properly. We then reconfigured the lounge by forming a new partition, removing the dining room window, and installing large patio doors, which completely changed how the space connects to the garden. By overlapping the rear extension with the garage, we were also able to create a much more usable lounge and a dedicated, well-designed utility. All of these changes worked together to turn what was a very disjointed layout into a bright, open and highly functional living space.”
Laings Directline worked directly with the family to develop their dream kitchen and utility design, working closely with the Monarch Builds team throughout to ensure the project ran smoothly.
“Laings Directline’s designers are great to work with – very experienced, approachable and excellent at helping clients visualise the finished result. The 3D designs are incredibly realistic and give real confidence before work starts on site.”
Following close collaboration with their appointed Laings Directline designer, Simone, the clients decided on a modern kitchen featuring green mineral cabinetry, with standout ebony elements, a white solid quartz worktop, integrated appliances and practical storage thoughtfully considered throughout. To maintain flow between the spaces, the quartz worktop was continued into the utility room.
“The island with a breakfast bar is a real focal point of the kitchen – the stove has been positioned so that whoever is cooking can enjoy views through the new patio doors to the garden, as well as over the dining area and family space, something they were never able to appreciate before.”
During early discussions, the client advised that they wanted an older-style drop-down hood over their cooker. However, both the team at Monarch Builds and at Laings Directline advised against this, as they felt it would not suit the modern, open-plan feel of the space the clients were looking to achieve. Instead, a high-level, ceiling-mounted extractor was chosen, which complements the surrounding features of the space.
Clear communication from the outset between Monarch Builds, Laings Directline and the client meant the project was completed smoothly.
“With a clear contract, clear drawings and open communication, there were no surprises. That makes a huge difference on site. That’s one of the biggest benefits of early collaboration – when everyone is aligned from day one, the end result speaks for itself.”
The transformation resulted in a bright, open-plan kitchen and dining space, improved access to the garden, and a functional, designated utility room designed for everyday living.
With a shared commitment to quality and craftsmanship, this project highlights the strength of the working relationship between Laings Directline and Monarch Builds.
“Laings Directline’s attention to detail, communication and design expertise align perfectly with how we work.”
“We are simply delighted with our new Nobilia kitchen, dining area and utility room. Simone at Laings Directline was excellent at helping us to plan our dream kitchen, turning our vision into reality while creatively staying within our budget.
“Monarch Builds managed our whole project from start to finish. They helped us plan our extension and make better use of the space we already have. We were very impressed with the level of professionalism and attention to detail throughout the project.
“Our extension, new kitchen, dining and utility areas have transformed the way we live. Having the utility room fully kitted out for doing laundry has made our lives so much easier. The kitchen and dining units are great quality, laid out thoughtfully, and look fantastic. The thing we feel has made the biggest impact is having plenty of accessible storage, so there is a dedicated space for everything, including recycling and food waste, which makes it so much easier to keep the worktops tidy. We love our new space!”
If you’re looking to unlock the potential in your home, Laings Directline can help bring your vision to life. Get in touch with our team and start your own home transformation today.