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Kitchen Tour: A Bespoke Kitchen is Recycled in a New Extension
A classic painted kitchen has been cleverly reused and revamped in a newly extended space
When the owners of this Victorian property decided to build a second, larger extension at the back of their house, they were keen to reuse their existing kitchen in the new design as far as possible.
“As the first kitchen had been made by us just eight years before, this made it much easier to reuse the cabinets as the techniques and materials were all familiar for us to work with following our usual methods,” explains George Robinson, owner and director of Cornwall-based bespoke kitchen company George Robinson Kitchens.
“As the first kitchen had been made by us just eight years before, this made it much easier to reuse the cabinets as the techniques and materials were all familiar for us to work with following our usual methods,” explains George Robinson, owner and director of Cornwall-based bespoke kitchen company George Robinson Kitchens.
The new kitchen is now a sizeable 80 sq m, thanks to an extra 30 sq m of space added on with the second extension.
“The owners love to cook and entertain, and wanted to create a larger space with improved zones for preparation, cooking and storage,” says Robinson.
George Robinson Kitchens is always keen to reuse old materials, but this was the first time it had redesigned using all the old units.
“The inclusion of curves helped with the challenge of reusing all the units,” explains Robinson. “For example, the original kitchen island was retained but flipped around to face the other way, and we added a breakfast bar and curved cabinets each end to extend the area.”
“The owners love to cook and entertain, and wanted to create a larger space with improved zones for preparation, cooking and storage,” says Robinson.
George Robinson Kitchens is always keen to reuse old materials, but this was the first time it had redesigned using all the old units.
“The inclusion of curves helped with the challenge of reusing all the units,” explains Robinson. “For example, the original kitchen island was retained but flipped around to face the other way, and we added a breakfast bar and curved cabinets each end to extend the area.”
The classic Shaker-style units are a combination of tulipwood doors and frames with maple-veneered carcasses.
The original kitchen was painted in a pale grey hue first time around but all the cabinetry was expertly repainted for the new design, with a contrasting dark lead grey on the island.
“All the colours were selected to coordinate with and complement the flooring and wall colour,” says Robinson.
Perimeter units painted in Cornforth White and island unit in Down Pipe, both Farrow & Ball.
The original kitchen was painted in a pale grey hue first time around but all the cabinetry was expertly repainted for the new design, with a contrasting dark lead grey on the island.
“All the colours were selected to coordinate with and complement the flooring and wall colour,” says Robinson.
Perimeter units painted in Cornforth White and island unit in Down Pipe, both Farrow & Ball.
The owners were keen to improve the natural light throughout the space, so two new sets of bifolding doors were added, leading directly out to the garden.
The extended kitchen also has space for a dining area, plus a social/relaxing zone with comfortable chairs and a small screen.
“A Michelin-starred chef cooked in the owner’s first George Robinson kitchen in October 2012, prior to the refurbishment and redesign, and he was quoted as saying: ‘It’s not often that I find a domestic kitchen anything other than frustrating to work in. This kitchen worked and, furthermore, it was rock solid and beautiful’,” says Robinson.
“So, as you can see, we were under a great deal of pressure to make a great kitchen even better!”
“A Michelin-starred chef cooked in the owner’s first George Robinson kitchen in October 2012, prior to the refurbishment and redesign, and he was quoted as saying: ‘It’s not often that I find a domestic kitchen anything other than frustrating to work in. This kitchen worked and, furthermore, it was rock solid and beautiful’,” says Robinson.
“So, as you can see, we were under a great deal of pressure to make a great kitchen even better!”
All of the tall storage cabinets and wall units are new for this project.
“The top cupboards provide storage for snacks and treats – all of the naughty stuff is kept out of reach!” says Robinson. “They’re also used for storing large serving bowls.”
Fridge-freezer, Fisher & Paykel.
“The top cupboards provide storage for snacks and treats – all of the naughty stuff is kept out of reach!” says Robinson. “They’re also used for storing large serving bowls.”
Fridge-freezer, Fisher & Paykel.
The original larder was reused in the new kitchen, but was extended to maximise food storage.
“I added bespoke baskets and a slate cold shelf,” says Robinson.
“I added bespoke baskets and a slate cold shelf,” says Robinson.
Curved cupboards either end of the original island lengthen the unit and provide extra storage.
“The curved elements soften the angles of the room and make it more ergonomic,” says Robinson. “The curves also make it far more practical to reuse all of the old units in the new space.”
Hooked on curves? See more in this calm Georgian kitchen
“The curved elements soften the angles of the room and make it more ergonomic,” says Robinson. “The curves also make it far more practical to reuse all of the old units in the new space.”
Hooked on curves? See more in this calm Georgian kitchen
The extended island unit is kitted out with a new integrated dishwasher, an undermount sink (reused from the original kitchen) and a new hot water tap.
Stainless steel sink, Kohler. Boiling water tap, Quooker.
Stainless steel sink, Kohler. Boiling water tap, Quooker.
The owners were keen to increase the size of their storage, fridge and freezer space and to upgrade their cooker.
“The toughened glass splashback behind the cooker was reused from the original kitchen,” says Robinson.
Range cooker, Mercury.
Got a stone worktop? Find a splashback that suits it perfectly
“The toughened glass splashback behind the cooker was reused from the original kitchen,” says Robinson.
Range cooker, Mercury.
Got a stone worktop? Find a splashback that suits it perfectly
Tiled flooring in a neutral hue seamlessly flows from the inside to the outdoors. The kitchen tiles are warmed up with underfloor heating.
The worktops and matching upstands are all made from a pure white quartz material.
“It was chosen for its good looks and durability,” says Robinson. “It also helps to reflect the natural light in the space.”
Worktops, Silestone.
“It was chosen for its good looks and durability,” says Robinson. “It also helps to reflect the natural light in the space.”
Worktops, Silestone.
The newly extended kitchen is a light and airy space thanks to the skylights, floor-to-ceiling bifold doors to the garden and a comprehensive lighting scheme.
Pendant lights, Holloways of Ludlow.
Pendant lights, Holloways of Ludlow.
The 80 sq m kitchen also has space for an open-plan dining area.
“The bespoke walnut dining table with storage drawers underneath was also designed by us,” says Robinson.
What do you think of this recycled kitchen? Share your thoughts in the Comments below – and please remember that you’re discussing someone’s home!
“The bespoke walnut dining table with storage drawers underneath was also designed by us,” says Robinson.
What do you think of this recycled kitchen? Share your thoughts in the Comments below – and please remember that you’re discussing someone’s home!
Who lives here A professional couple with one child
Location Barnes, London
Size 80 sq m; part of a semi-detached Victorian house
Designer George Robinson of George Robinson Kitchens
In 2007, the owners of this Victorian house extended their property and brought George Robinson Kitchens on board to design and fit the kitchen for that space.
“A second extension was subsequently carried out in 2015 to remove a large unsightly pillar and open up the kitchen further,” explains Robinson. “We were commissioned once again to design the second kitchen and reused all of the existing cabinets in the new design to minimise waste. The original pillar was removed and a large RSJ steel frame put in for support instead.”