Kitchen
3. …or display a curation of classicsSimilarly, the same idea would work with classic designs collected over the years, as seen in this enviably large eat-in kitchen.Here, a sprinkling of Eames DSW chairs sets the tone. Rather than creating a junk-shop-cute eclectic look, the effect is a little more formal, showing again just how versatile mixed-up chairs can be. This is backed up by the clean lines and cool greys of the kitchen itself. Scour eBay for second-hand design classics (throw in some obscure ones for design kudos – a midcentury Tapiovaara Pirkka, say, or a 1920s Stuhl W1). Then dot flea-market finds between them and, if you’re lucky, they’ll be elevated to the status of collectable design pieces in their own right, too. For elegance rather than higgledy-piggledy homeliness, don’t overcrowd your table with them, but let each design breathe.
Mistake 3: Stacking itemsIf you try to pile numerous items on top of each other, you might find it tricky to remove things without the stack toppling over. The solution: Store as much as possible vertically. Just as it’s far better to store books side by side on a bookshelf than in a pile, this rule can be applied to many things around the home. Baking trays and chopping boards in the kitchen are much easier to retrieve and return if they’re stored this way. It can also be a cunning way to make the most of a narrow recess in the kitchen, or try slotting a divider into a standard cupboard, as these homeowners have done.Similarly, don’t stack T-shirts and other clothes – store them vertically, running front to back, within a drawer, so when you’re looking for an item, you can see all the ‘spines’ of the folded garments and make your selection without disturbing the others.
At number 3…This classic, solid-wood family kitchen, painted in fashionable indigo blue, was designed by Jamie Blake of Blakes London as part of a new extension on a Victorian semi.Among the (many) standout features are the beautiful black-framed doors leading out to the garden and, in fact, these influenced the ‘classic industrial’ style of the kitchen. A family of five live in the house, so the kitchen needed to be a hard-working space. In particular, the large island packs in a number of different functions. There are two sinks (one prep, one main) and two dishwashers. It also has two integrated bins, a wine cooler and pan drawers. A row of factory-style metal pendants suspended above adds to the industrial feel of the space and provides plenty of task lighting.
The bespoke kitchen is from the Nickleby range, a crisp version of traditional English cabinetry, with clean lines and simplicity at its heart. It’s all handmade by Humphrey Munson’s team of cabinet-makers using traditional joinery techniques.“The painted cabinetry is made from tulipwood, a type of North American poplar tree, which is the perfect material for painted furniture,” explains the designer. “The accent wood in the kitchen is the Westminster smoked oak, which is a bespoke stained timber.”
Houzz at a GlanceWho lives here A busy working mum with two teenage boysLocation Hadley Wood, LondonProperty A new-build detached homeSize 5 bedrooms, 3 bathroomsDesigner Peter Humphrey of Humphrey MunsonWhen the owner of this family home wanted a new kitchen, it made perfect sense to extend to the rear of the property and create a fantastic, open-plan space for all the family to enjoy.Designer Peter Humphrey was brought on board and created this elegant, classic and functional design with a sizeable island unit at its centre.“The versatility of this kitchen lends itself perfectly to modern family living,” he says. “There’s seating at the island – a perfect spot for a midweek meal or catching up with a friend over coffee – and the open-plan format leads into the dining area, which is housed in a light and airy conservatory garden room.”
Layout for Baronstown?
French doors into lounge?
For the ‘dead space’ near pantry?
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