A 1000mm compact kitchen from Elfin Kitchens has been installed in a new holiday rental home, which recently featured on Channel 4’s ‘George Clarke’s Amazing Spaces’. A converted Sea King helicopter now offers accommodation for a family of five, with Elfin’s white steel kitchen supplying full cooking, refrigeration and storage facilities for guests.
The £40,000 conversion of the Sea King was undertaken by Stirling-based farming couple Martyn and Louise Steedman, after purchasing the aircraft in an online auction. It now takes pride of place at Mains Farm Wigwams in Stirling, Scotland.
The new compact kitchen – which sits in a space previously occupied by the sonar station – was chosen for its ability to supply a range of functions in a restricted space. Two solid hotplates offer simple yet effective cooking, with a built-in 30-minute safety cut-out timer for added safety.
The kitchen’s integrated A+ rated Liebherr fridge with internal freezer compartment delivers ample cold storage, while a 20L Russell Hobbs solo microwave allows guests to prepare hot food. Furthermore, two integrated drawers are included for dry food storage, with a stainless steel sink, drainer and tap allowing guests to keep crockery and cutlery clean throughout their stay.
Commenting on the kitchen, Martyn Steedman said: “We couldn’t bear to see these much-loved helicopters go on the scrap heap and thought, why not give one a new life in the country? However, to make the aircraft practical as rental accommodation, we needed to incorporate cooking and food storage facilities, which is why we turned to Elfin. Its compact kitchen is ideal for the space and allows guests to do everything from simply boiling the kettle, through to preparing a complete meal. It fits in the area perfectly and, with superb durability, we’re sure it will last for years to come.”
Bob Andrew, Managing Director of Elfin Kitchens, remarked: “The luxury camping – or ‘glamping’ – sector is a rapidly expanding market and this Sea King helicopter is a really quirky, niche approach. Of course, with any small rental accommodation, providing cooking and storage facilities is tricky, so our kitchens are an excellent option. Certainly in this instance, we have seen how well a compact kitchen can be incorporated into even the most unusual space.”
For more information about the company’s full range of kitchens from Elfin: www.elfinkitchens.co.uk
