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Kitchen Tour: Classic meets Contemporary in an Edwardian Terrace
Picking a pale palette and minimalist touches has given a Shaker-style space a bright, sleek look
Maximising light is almost always at the top of a renovator’s wish list, so when the owners of this Edwardian terrace in London set about updating their kitchen, it made sense to do a layout swap. “The kitchen units were originally at the other end of the room, by the doors leading out to the garden,” says designer Charlie Flemons from Bristol-based Sustainable Kitchens, who were brought on board after the owners discovered the company’s work on Houzz. “This is the lightest spot in the room,” says Flemons, “so the family wanted to move their dining and living space here as it would be used the most.” The kitchen area was then moved to the front.
The owners wanted the space to have an open and airy feel, particularly as they had decided to switch around the layout of the room, transferring the kitchen to the front where it is darker, and the living zone to the back, near the doors to the garden where it is lighter.
“The clients came to us with a blank canvas of a room and were considering adding a toilet and pantry room by dividing the room with stud walls,” explains Flemons. “We worked through several options and layouts until they were happy.”
Walls painted in Off White, Farrow & Ball. About a Stool bar stools by Hay, Utility. Temple Ezra natural stone floor tiles, Fired Earth.
“The clients came to us with a blank canvas of a room and were considering adding a toilet and pantry room by dividing the room with stud walls,” explains Flemons. “We worked through several options and layouts until they were happy.”
Walls painted in Off White, Farrow & Ball. About a Stool bar stools by Hay, Utility. Temple Ezra natural stone floor tiles, Fired Earth.
While there is plenty of light at the other end of the room, the owners were worried that the kitchen space would feel dark. “To ensure this space is bright, we went for pale-grey cabinets and white worktops,” says Flemons.
Units painted in Ammonite, Farrow & Ball.
Discover big ideas for brightening a dark kitchen
Units painted in Ammonite, Farrow & Ball.
Discover big ideas for brightening a dark kitchen
The rich blue on the island unit introduces a shot of colour into the minimalist palette.
“The clients needed the island to serve many functions: a large prep area, storage, a handy spot to sit and socialise, and somewhere for the children to do homework,” says Flemons. “There is a wine cooler at the end of the island, which is conveniently located by the dining table – handy for a cheeky drink during dinner.”
Stainless-steel wine cooler, CDA. Island unit painted in Hague Blue, Farrow & Ball. Caravaggio gloss pendants by Lightyears, Utility.
“The clients needed the island to serve many functions: a large prep area, storage, a handy spot to sit and socialise, and somewhere for the children to do homework,” says Flemons. “There is a wine cooler at the end of the island, which is conveniently located by the dining table – handy for a cheeky drink during dinner.”
Stainless-steel wine cooler, CDA. Island unit painted in Hague Blue, Farrow & Ball. Caravaggio gloss pendants by Lightyears, Utility.
A large double wall cupboard with integrated lighting offers the perfect area for displaying glassware and favourite cookbooks.
The units are bespoke. The doors have a solid oak frame and birch centre panel, which were painted by hand on site. Inside are birch plywood carcasses.
“We use plywood rather than MDF or chipboard, as it doesn’t swell, sag or crack over time,” says Flemons. “It is hard-wearing and long-lasting.”
The sink run includes a 1.5 bowl inset ceramic sink with a large double bin underneath, an integrated dishwasher and a set of drawers at the very end.
“The handles are a mixture of chrome cup handles and mushroom knobs, depending on the type of cabinet,” adds Flemons. “Cup handles work better ergonomically for cabinets that need to be pulled out towards you.”
Ceramic sink, Villeroy & Boch. Clearwater Regent tap, Tap Warehouse.
“We use plywood rather than MDF or chipboard, as it doesn’t swell, sag or crack over time,” says Flemons. “It is hard-wearing and long-lasting.”
The sink run includes a 1.5 bowl inset ceramic sink with a large double bin underneath, an integrated dishwasher and a set of drawers at the very end.
“The handles are a mixture of chrome cup handles and mushroom knobs, depending on the type of cabinet,” adds Flemons. “Cup handles work better ergonomically for cabinets that need to be pulled out towards you.”
Ceramic sink, Villeroy & Boch. Clearwater Regent tap, Tap Warehouse.
The kitchen area of this open-plan living space is fairly big, so it wasn’t difficult to fit everything in. “The simple, L-shaped run of cabinetry contains the cooker and sink. The fridge-freezer is opposite the cooker, built into a wall of storage units,” says Flemons.
Polished quartz worktops look similar to white Carrara marble, but are far more durable as they are non-porous.
“The polished surface also helps to bounce light around the space,” says Flemons.
Bianco Fantasia quartz worktops, Arena Stone.
Find the perfect kitchen worktop for your interiors style
Polished quartz worktops look similar to white Carrara marble, but are far more durable as they are non-porous.
“The polished surface also helps to bounce light around the space,” says Flemons.
Bianco Fantasia quartz worktops, Arena Stone.
Find the perfect kitchen worktop for your interiors style
The kitchen company needed to work around existing architectural features, such as the chimney breast, to make best use of the space.
“The chimney breast has become even more of a feature with the tall wall cabinets in each alcove,” says Flemons. “The extractor is tucked inside the chimney breast, which now has a cornice-style shelf for storing knick-knacks.”
Range cooker, Smeg.
“The chimney breast has become even more of a feature with the tall wall cabinets in each alcove,” says Flemons. “The extractor is tucked inside the chimney breast, which now has a cornice-style shelf for storing knick-knacks.”
Range cooker, Smeg.
Built-in spice racks have been added either side of the range cooker.
“They perfectly suit the size and shape of these shallow spots and are conveniently placed for cooking,” says Flemons.
“They perfectly suit the size and shape of these shallow spots and are conveniently placed for cooking,” says Flemons.
The fridge-freezer and built-in larder are topped with cabinetry to create extra storage.
“The room has lovely tall ceilings, so we took advantage of this by adding cupboards above the larder and fridge,” says Flemons.
Fridge-freezer, Samsung.
“The room has lovely tall ceilings, so we took advantage of this by adding cupboards above the larder and fridge,” says Flemons.
Fridge-freezer, Samsung.
Even the doors of the larder have shelving to increase storage space.
“A larder is also a great place to hide away small appliances, as sockets can be added into the back,” says Flemons. “This helps to reduce the amount of worktop clutter in the rest of the kitchen. Bespoke larders can have internal drawers, wine racks, plate racks, spice racks –anything really!”
What do you think of this light and airy modern-classic kitchen? Share your thoughts in the Comments below.
“A larder is also a great place to hide away small appliances, as sockets can be added into the back,” says Flemons. “This helps to reduce the amount of worktop clutter in the rest of the kitchen. Bespoke larders can have internal drawers, wine racks, plate racks, spice racks –anything really!”
What do you think of this light and airy modern-classic kitchen? Share your thoughts in the Comments below.
Who lives here A family of five
Location Southfields, London
Property Edwardian terrace
Size 4 bedrooms and
2 bathrooms
Kitchen dimensions 3.8m x 5m
Designer Charlie Flemons, Sustainable Kitchens
Plenty of natural light wasn’t the only requirement for the new kitchen, the owners also wanted a design that would stand the test of time.
“Our clients asked for a classic design with a modern twist,” says Flemons, “so we suggested a Shaker style of cabinetry with chrome handles and stainless-steel appliances to give it more of a contemporary feel.”