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Kitchen Tour: A Classic Kitchen Adapted for a Tricky Glazed Extension
When the owners of this 1920s farmhouse in Dorking, Surrey, created a new extension, they opted for a classic kitchen in a soft blue
This light-filled extension on a Surrey farmhouse has impressive glazing, with lots of windows and two rows of skylights. The green of the garden is invited in and natural light is guaranteed, but designing a kitchen in this space was not without its challenges.
“There wasn’t much room for full-height cabinets,” says Jurgita Vainutyte, who mapped out the space. “We knew we’d have to work with all this architecture, but that’s the joy of a bespoke kitchen – it can mould to any space.”
“There wasn’t much room for full-height cabinets,” says Jurgita Vainutyte, who mapped out the space. “We knew we’d have to work with all this architecture, but that’s the joy of a bespoke kitchen – it can mould to any space.”
The homeowners already had a vision for the kitchen when Vainutyte was asked to work on the design. “They really wanted a massive island, and it made sense to have the sink facing the garden and the range on the opposite wall,” she says. “We then concentrated on developing functional storage from there.”
Thanks to all the beautiful glazing, there wasn’t much space for floor-to-ceiling cabinets, except in this corner, where a large larder stands. “This pantry is invaluable,” says Vainutyte. It contains drawers and shelves, providing plenty of storage. “These are traditional-style cabinets with in-frame joinery and butt hinges,” the designer adds.
1092 Deluxe range cooker, Falcon.
1092 Deluxe range cooker, Falcon.
A bread board pulls out from the pantry worktop. The cabinet doors are made of MDF, hand-painted on site. The carcasses are all oak veneer and the drawers are solid oak. “Each cabinet is individually made to fit the space,” says Vainutyte.
The island is large – 2540mm x 1240mm – but because it sits on legs, rather than being a solid structure, it creates a lighter silhouette in the space. “You lose some storage by having it on legs, but its visual impact is great,” says Vainutyte.
Building an island of this size and design threw up challenges. “We had to create a metal structure with the joinery then built around this to support the weight,” she says. “It would have bowed in the middle otherwise.” The island contains massive drawers on both sides, providing ample storage.
Browse 11 movable islands and butcher’s blocks
Building an island of this size and design threw up challenges. “We had to create a metal structure with the joinery then built around this to support the weight,” she says. “It would have bowed in the middle otherwise.” The island contains massive drawers on both sides, providing ample storage.
Browse 11 movable islands and butcher’s blocks
The kitchen had to flow around a supporting pillar. “I really love to use every inch of space,” says Vainutyte, “so we decided to create wraparound storage to get some value out of this pillar.”
Ionian mixer tap, Perrin & Rowe.
Ionian mixer tap, Perrin & Rowe.
The owners wanted wine storage, so Vainutyte created it in front of the pillar. “We then designed a shallow cabinet on the side that can hold bottles or other items, so there’s plenty of functional value here. It’s not wasted space.”
The island has a solid oak worktop, while the base cabinets are topped with an engineered quartz stone.
Worktop (on base cabinets), Caesarstone in Calacatta Nuvo.
Worktop (on base cabinets), Caesarstone in Calacatta Nuvo.
The owners chose two soft, grey-blue colours for the cabinets. “They just fell in love with the pale shade,” says Vainutyte. The island is painted in a slightly darker hue.
All cabinets in RAL 240-80-05; island in RAL 230-60-10.
See more ways to work a pale grey-blue
All cabinets in RAL 240-80-05; island in RAL 230-60-10.
See more ways to work a pale grey-blue
Simple knobs and cup handles feature on the wall cabinets, but the island drawers have more elaborate designs. “Cup handles might be more expected here,” says Vainutyte. “Instead, these handles are a nice, slightly contemporary element in this space.”
The farmhouse sits in a rural location in Surrey. “It’s serene and peaceful,” says Vainutyte. Large windows make the most of the view, which forms a backdrop to this kitchen. The pale grey-blue on the cabinets complements the green of the exterior, creating a harmonious inside-outside scheme.
Follow these 10 steps to find the perfect windows for your home
Follow these 10 steps to find the perfect windows for your home
The solid oak drawers are handmade, with dovetail joints. “They bring a traditional, almost rustic feel to the kitchen,” says Vainutyte.
What do you like about this beautifully made kitchen? Add your thoughts to the Comments below.
What do you like about this beautifully made kitchen? Add your thoughts to the Comments below.
Who lives here A family with two children
Location Dorking, Surrey
Size The kitchen is 23 sq m; part of a detached farmhouse built in the 1920s in the Arts and Crafts style
Designer Jurgita Vainutyte (Giorgia) of Vivid Line Furniture
The extension that houses the kitchen had already been newly built by the time designer Jurgita Vainutyte came on board. “Before, there had been a poky little kitchen on the other side of the house,” she says.
Fridge and freezer, Siemens. CE1121 extractor, Caple.