If you do this first step, a local handyman in your paper would be capable of UN/ installing it for you, the benchtop manufacturer will come to you, measure and quote off plan, and install for you. The only things is organizing an electrician and or plumber to disconnect during your removal, and then re fitting after it's done. The same trades people will do this as it's common practice. Send me your list of cabinets and room layout, I can make use of them for you, then it's a matter of contacting a handyman to reinstall for you. I will make a list of existing cabinets and note any new ones that might be necessary, keeping that to a minimum. I am a kitchen designer and have lots of experience in doing this. Yu simply go to a. Cabinet maker with your list of a few cabinets with all your preferences made, such as selecting a door profile in your solid timber from their catalogues, or a match your happy with. You can say you Want a quote for new tops and some cabinets, without knowing the details, most would be happy to do this for you, it's just the first process I mentioned you need to do, as they have little time to think for you. Where possible save time and money by planning it out, and then it should go well.

You could get a carpenter/wardrobe cabinet maker to look at it for you, that door takes up too much of a small space. The other thing I would consider is adding extra shelves as by looking at your photo there's a lot of wasted space between existing shelves cheers

Well now after reading all these posts, I have a dilemma. We would like to maximize the practicality of the deep and soft closing drawers. Corner drawers, the under sink u-shaped drawers etc. Thirty five years ago (yep that's right 35 yrs) when our budget did not allow us to buy new, we bought a dismantled u-shaped show-room demonstration timber kitchen. For years it was blonde pine. Solid pine benchtops, re-sanded and stained a couple of times. Then my husband painted all the solid timber doors with antique white USA marine paint which has worn well. New satin knobs (that have not worn as well) Now it's becoming a little 'shabby chic'. We thought of a complete reno. But we have no space to enlarge on the 3x3 metres. and new 'plastic' kitchens somehow seem less durable than our existing old one. Sink, stove and fridge in the recommended triangle floorplan. So what to do? Our pantry is in the corner with shelves that items at the back of are inaccessible. The microwave is the perfect shoulder level. The cabinets allow me to display favourite tins, crockery and vintage scales. Being a split level house I need the broom cupboard and ironing board stored close at hand.

Hi Leanne, when we renovated our kitchen we built in a butler's pantry and it's the best thing we ever did. We included a sink, long bench and heaps of open shelves and open front drawers. Everything is hidden away but is easy to find and get to, and the main kitchen stays tidy and clutter free in our open plan living area. If you can fit one in it is definitely the way to go.