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Kitchen Tour: A Sophisticated Design for an Open-plan Extension
Smart cabinetry and luxurious finishes have given this kitchen, dining and living space in a period home enduring style
Designers David and Noel Dempsey had completed a kitchen design for the owners of this elegant Edwardian house before, so when the couple decided to extend their home, relocating the kitchen to a new, open-plan space that also included dining and living areas, they called on the team once again.
The new space has a high ceiling and the designers took advantage of the loftiness with tall cabinets that create visual impact.
With a starting point of pale-coloured worktops, they chose a rich shade for the cabinetry rather than another pale hue. “The room is bright – it faces southwest – and there’s a lot of natural light, so it can take that colour,” David says.
Although the worktop looks like marble, the owners actually opted for a quartzite for its practical qualities. “Marble can stain and you can etch the surface, but quartzite is harder, so you don’t get those issues,” David explains.
They chose a mirrored splashback, which gives the cook a view of the room behind. Reflecting the dining and seating area beyond, it opens out the space rather than confronting the cook with a blank wall. It also makes the room more sociable. “When you’re standing at the Aga, you can still talk to people,” David says.
With a formal dining area elsewhere in the room, a more casual place to eat breakfast was included on one side of the island.
New Hampshire Collection kitchen cabinetry, Noel Dempsey Design. Cabinetry painted in Flint Blue, Helen Turkington.
With a starting point of pale-coloured worktops, they chose a rich shade for the cabinetry rather than another pale hue. “The room is bright – it faces southwest – and there’s a lot of natural light, so it can take that colour,” David says.
Although the worktop looks like marble, the owners actually opted for a quartzite for its practical qualities. “Marble can stain and you can etch the surface, but quartzite is harder, so you don’t get those issues,” David explains.
They chose a mirrored splashback, which gives the cook a view of the room behind. Reflecting the dining and seating area beyond, it opens out the space rather than confronting the cook with a blank wall. It also makes the room more sociable. “When you’re standing at the Aga, you can still talk to people,” David says.
With a formal dining area elsewhere in the room, a more casual place to eat breakfast was included on one side of the island.
New Hampshire Collection kitchen cabinetry, Noel Dempsey Design. Cabinetry painted in Flint Blue, Helen Turkington.
The kitchen’s oversized drawers were one of the features that drew the homeowners to select it. Solid wood interiors make them appealing and tactile.
The cupboard next to the ovens can be opened out neatly thanks to its slim bifold doors, and it has a solid walnut interior that’s rich in colour. “It’s a breakfast pantry you can close up to hide the mess,” David says.
The owners also store glassware and china in here, and lights that come on as the door opens – and switch off when it closes – create a sparkling effect.
The owners also store glassware and china in here, and lights that come on as the door opens – and switch off when it closes – create a sparkling effect.
The Aga is a transplant from the previous kitchen. Its original cream finish wouldn’t have complemented the new room, so it was recoloured.
Underfoot, oak with a white oil finish gives the new extension an elegant and warm appearance.
Discover 7 reasons to choose dark kitchen units.
Underfoot, oak with a white oil finish gives the new extension an elegant and warm appearance.
Discover 7 reasons to choose dark kitchen units.
The plans for the extension included a room behind the Aga wall, so it’s been turned into a walk-in larder. “The owners can also prepare food in here,” David says.
Pull-out drawers and floor-to-ceiling shelving maximise storage, freeing up the cabinets in the main kitchen for other items.
Cabinetry painted in Irish Linen, Helen Turkington.
Pull-out drawers and floor-to-ceiling shelving maximise storage, freeing up the cabinets in the main kitchen for other items.
Cabinetry painted in Irish Linen, Helen Turkington.
From the island, there’s a view through to the dining table and seating area beyond. “The detail in the ceiling separates the dining room from the kitchen,” David says. “In an open-plan room, it’s important to define the zones, so it’s not just one vast space.”
The dining table is sized to welcome a crowd for entertaining.
The dining table is sized to welcome a crowd for entertaining.
The designers made the cabinetry in the seating area, too, giving the space a cohesive feel.
Planning a joinery project? Find a carpenter in your area.
Tell us…
What do you like about this sophisticated kitchen? Share your thoughts in the Comments section.
Planning a joinery project? Find a carpenter in your area.
Tell us…
What do you like about this sophisticated kitchen? Share your thoughts in the Comments section.
Who lives here? A professional couple
Location West London
Property A detached Edwardian house
Room dimensions 80 sq m
Designers David and Noel Dempsey of Noel Dempsey Design
Photos by Rory Corrigan
David and Noel were involved at an early stage in the planning of this new extension in order to have a say on both the kitchen layout and the location of the appliances on the architects’ plans. “Even the position of the doors and windows can affect the aesthetics of a kitchen,” David says.