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Kitchen Tour: A Stylish, Practical Space for a Busy Family
A thoughtful balance of elegance, texture and practicality ensure this kitchen will stand the test of time
The owners of this Georgian house wanted a kitchen in which they could enjoy cooking, socialising and being together as a family, so they asked interior designer Sarah Mailer to help them transform the original space into something that worked better for their needs.
The new room is certainly beautiful, but for Sarah it was equally important to focus on the practical aspects, too, along with those small tactile and ergonomic details that can easily be overlooked.
The new room is certainly beautiful, but for Sarah it was equally important to focus on the practical aspects, too, along with those small tactile and ergonomic details that can easily be overlooked.
The period details had previously been removed throughout the house, so Sarah’s team reinstated the skirting boards and coving and echoed that in the joinery. The pared-back, Shaker-style cabinets are painted in a timeless palette of pale grey and charcoal.
“The darker colour of the island helps it to stand out and it balances perfectly with the lighter units and walnut shelving,” Sarah says. “The dark shade also grounds the island in the centre of the room.”
Four comfortable stools with backs are positioned to the right of the island, and the surface was kept clear to create a multi-functional space for both cooking and homework.
Black rattan bar stools, Rockett St George. Perimeter cabinets painted in Pavilion Gray; island painted in Railings, both Farrow & Ball. WI3123 30cm undercounter wine cooler in stainless-steel, Caple.
“The darker colour of the island helps it to stand out and it balances perfectly with the lighter units and walnut shelving,” Sarah says. “The dark shade also grounds the island in the centre of the room.”
Four comfortable stools with backs are positioned to the right of the island, and the surface was kept clear to create a multi-functional space for both cooking and homework.
Black rattan bar stools, Rockett St George. Perimeter cabinets painted in Pavilion Gray; island painted in Railings, both Farrow & Ball. WI3123 30cm undercounter wine cooler in stainless-steel, Caple.
Antique brass cup handles and door knobs balance with the honey tones in the oak flooring and will develop a rich patina over time.
“We also thought about the ergonomics, so the size of the handles was key, as well as their position,” Sarah says. “[The female half of the couple] has a similar hand size to mine, so I used that as a guide to what would be comfortable for both the cup handles and door knobs.”
Cotswold Drawer Pulls and Cotswold Mushroom Knobs in Satin Antique Satin Lacquered finish, Armac Martin.
“We also thought about the ergonomics, so the size of the handles was key, as well as their position,” Sarah says. “[The female half of the couple] has a similar hand size to mine, so I used that as a guide to what would be comfortable for both the cup handles and door knobs.”
Cotswold Drawer Pulls and Cotswold Mushroom Knobs in Satin Antique Satin Lacquered finish, Armac Martin.
The pendants above the island are also antique brass and the shape echoes that of the cup handles.
“The flex is a deeper burnt orange, which works with the inky colour of the island,” Sarah says. “I also like how the patinated surface is textured while the shape is clean.”
Sarah took the time to get the height exactly right for her clients. “They’re both tall, so the pendants needed to be high enough to prevent them smashing their heads while still allowing enough light over the preparation area,” she says. “Luckily, we have a very patient electrician who understands things like this.”
Pantry lights in antiqued brass, Jim Lawrence.
“The flex is a deeper burnt orange, which works with the inky colour of the island,” Sarah says. “I also like how the patinated surface is textured while the shape is clean.”
Sarah took the time to get the height exactly right for her clients. “They’re both tall, so the pendants needed to be high enough to prevent them smashing their heads while still allowing enough light over the preparation area,” she says. “Luckily, we have a very patient electrician who understands things like this.”
Pantry lights in antiqued brass, Jim Lawrence.
A ceramic double sink is positioned beneath the window. “It wasn’t set completely central to the window, but that didn’t matter, as we could use the side for more cabinetry,” Sarah says.
“It’s also good to play with symmetry, as it adds another layer of interest,” she continues. “In fact, nothing is completely symmetrical in the kitchen, but as long as the island is the centre point and the other elements are in proportion, it works.”
The walnut plinth underneath the sink is there for practical purposes, but it also adds decorative interest and ties in with the wooden floor.
“It’s also good to play with symmetry, as it adds another layer of interest,” she continues. “In fact, nothing is completely symmetrical in the kitchen, but as long as the island is the centre point and the other elements are in proportion, it works.”
The walnut plinth underneath the sink is there for practical purposes, but it also adds decorative interest and ties in with the wooden floor.
A mix of materials brings layers of texture to the room. Sarah says the key to success when incorporating different surfaces is to ensure there’s repetition throughout. Here, for example, she’s added a brass tap to match the antique brass cabinet handles.
Farmhouse 80 sink, Villeroy & Boch. Polaris 3-in-1 instant hot water tap in aged brass, Perrin & Rowe.
Farmhouse 80 sink, Villeroy & Boch. Polaris 3-in-1 instant hot water tap in aged brass, Perrin & Rowe.
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A white quartz worktop was chosen for its durability. “Natural materials are always great, but when you’re cooking constantly, they can easily stain,” Sarah says, so a practical, engineered stone surface was a good choice for the busy family.
Hartley White wall tiles, Topps Tiles. 20mm GT Verona worktops, CRL Quartz. Elise 110 dual-fuel cooker in stainless-steel, Rangemaster.
Hartley White wall tiles, Topps Tiles. 20mm GT Verona worktops, CRL Quartz. Elise 110 dual-fuel cooker in stainless-steel, Rangemaster.
Textured matt wall tiles provide a subtle contrast to the smooth sheen on the worktops. It’s details like this that give the elegant, pared-back space its depth and interest.
Tell us…
What do you like about this beautifully designed kitchen? Share your thoughts in the Comments.
Tell us…
What do you like about this beautifully designed kitchen? Share your thoughts in the Comments.
Who lives here? A couple with two small children
Location North London
Property A Georgian house
Room dimensions 6.2m x 3.1m
Designer Sarah Mailer of Sarah Mailer Design
To ensure there was ample storage in her clients’ kitchen, Sarah commissioned bespoke cabinetry. The wall units were designed to go almost all the way to the ceiling, but with a shadow gap around the top. “The line frames the space and balances with the dark blue of the island,” she says.
A separate utility area to the right of the island houses a stacked washing machine and tumble dryer, as well as lots of pantry storage. “Previously, it looked like a separate space, but we wanted to create harmony and more of a flow,” Sarah says. “The custom-made door is slightly different to the rest of the cabinetry, but is in the same Shaker style.”