Kitchen Tour: A Modern White Kitchen in an Arts and Crafts Home
Old meets new in this traditional property, which has been extended to house a sleek, contemporary kitchen
After five years of living in their architecturally significant Arts and Crafts home, the owners decided to push the boundaries when it came to designing a new extension. Under the expert eye of Jason Canavan, owner of Canavan Interiors, and the rest of the team, including the architect and builder, the owners plumped for an ultra-contemporary, flat-roofed extension, which is connected to the house via a dramatic glazed link corridor.
“The owners value styles from a variety of eras and are aficionados of remarkable design,” says Canavan, whose company is based in County Tyrone, Northern Ireland. “They were very keen to achieve a strong visual contrast between their original dwelling and the new extension.” A true juxtaposition of old and new, the extension now houses a slick, all-white contemporary kitchen and casual living area.
“The owners value styles from a variety of eras and are aficionados of remarkable design,” says Canavan, whose company is based in County Tyrone, Northern Ireland. “They were very keen to achieve a strong visual contrast between their original dwelling and the new extension.” A true juxtaposition of old and new, the extension now houses a slick, all-white contemporary kitchen and casual living area.
The new extension is linked to the old house via a glazed corridor. The kitchen then opens up into a modern, dynamic space with a bank of high-spec appliances, a striking island unit and casual living area behind.
“The owners pushed the boundaries by choosing unusual materials, combining brilliant white glass doors with rough-cut veneer in silver oak to add texture and contrast,” explains Canavan.
The wooden beams were left exposed to become an architectural feature and to bring contrast and texture to the space.
“The owners pushed the boundaries by choosing unusual materials, combining brilliant white glass doors with rough-cut veneer in silver oak to add texture and contrast,” explains Canavan.
The wooden beams were left exposed to become an architectural feature and to bring contrast and texture to the space.
The old kitchen was sited in the original part of the house.
The porcelain tiled steps at the top of the glazed corridor merge into the limestone flooring that’s used throughout the new extension, creating a unified feel.
Not sure which flooring to choose for your kitchen? Read this expert advice
The porcelain tiled steps at the top of the glazed corridor merge into the limestone flooring that’s used throughout the new extension, creating a unified feel.
Not sure which flooring to choose for your kitchen? Read this expert advice
Canavan designed bulkheads to create a recessed wall of cabinetry for a slick, built-in finish. Merging invisibly with the architecture, this part of the kitchen houses flush white glass unit doors, the extraction system, twin ovens and concealed storage.
“It adds another dimension to the design and enhances the bespoke quality of the kitchen,” says Canavan.
Ovens; microwave; warming drawer, all Miele. Extractor, Gutmann.
“It adds another dimension to the design and enhances the bespoke quality of the kitchen,” says Canavan.
Ovens; microwave; warming drawer, all Miele. Extractor, Gutmann.
The kitchen’s pièce de résistance is the sculptural island, with its chamfered edges, creating a tapered, floating effect. It adds a dynamic silhouette to the overall design.
“We knew from our meetings that this couple has a great appreciation for statement design,” says Canavan. “Over the past few years, we’ve been developing a range of unique island shapes and this was the perfect project in which to introduce one of them.”
A flecked white Caesarstone quartz worktop wraps around the angular island unit and offers a subtle contrast to the pure white surfaces elsewhere.
Pendant lights, Flos.
“We knew from our meetings that this couple has a great appreciation for statement design,” says Canavan. “Over the past few years, we’ve been developing a range of unique island shapes and this was the perfect project in which to introduce one of them.”
A flecked white Caesarstone quartz worktop wraps around the angular island unit and offers a subtle contrast to the pure white surfaces elsewhere.
Pendant lights, Flos.
The layout of the kitchen within the new extension allows the optimum amount of natural light to flow through the space, while the white glass cabinetry enhances the bright and airy feel.
“The windows were specified to maximise the light and garden views, with a long horizontal picture window strategically placed by the sinks,” explains Canavan.
“The windows were specified to maximise the light and garden views, with a long horizontal picture window strategically placed by the sinks,” explains Canavan.
Rather than opting for a single sink or two separately positioned basins, the owners went for twin sinks and taps side by side, along with twin dishwashers for optimum efficiency.
The professional-style taps have a pull-out hose and spray, and are fitted directly on to the worktop, along with a separate control.
iQ700 dishwashers, Siemens. Attika sinks; Culina-S Duo taps, all Blanco.
The professional-style taps have a pull-out hose and spray, and are fitted directly on to the worktop, along with a separate control.
iQ700 dishwashers, Siemens. Attika sinks; Culina-S Duo taps, all Blanco.
The wall opposite the island was designed to encase the Siemens refrigeration system, wine cabinet and low-level storage. It also doubles up as a bespoke room divider, with a stove on the other side facing into the living area.
A mix of full-height and low-level cabinetry subtly zones off the living and kitchen spaces, while the continuation of wooden ceiling beams throughout offers a cohesive flow that’s essential for open-plan living.
Considering an open-plan kitchen? Check out these design ideas
Considering an open-plan kitchen? Check out these design ideas
Already a light and airy space, the kitchen is enhanced with built-in spotlights and a trio of pendants over the dining table.
A casual living area at the back of the room offers views out to the garden.
TELL US…
What do you think of this modern kitchen extension? Share your thoughts in the Comments below.
TELL US…
What do you think of this modern kitchen extension? Share your thoughts in the Comments below.
Who lives here A family
Location Marlborough, Wiltshire
Size Extension as a whole 12m x 9m; kitchen-diner section of the extension 9m x 6m; part of a detached Arts and Crafts house with 5 bedrooms and 3 bathrooms
Designer Jason Canavan of Canavan Interiors
Photography Infinity Media
A super-modern, flat-roofed extension might make an unlikely addition to a traditional Arts and Crafts-style property, but this build effortlessly marries old and new with great success.
“We designed a kitchen and dressing room for champion jockey AP McCoy and his wife at their home in Marlborough, and it was the McCoy’s interior designer who recommended us to these owners,” explains Canavan. “The designer arranged for them to view the McCoys’ kitchen, which they loved, so everything evolved from that starting point.”