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South East Kitchen
Kitchen Tour: Bright Hues Add Warmth to a Light, Airy Room
A kitchen redesign gave a couple more space, extra storage and better views of the garden
The couple who own this bright kitchen planned their new space ahead of their retirement, and were happy to take the time to get it right.
Interior designer Nicky Percival kicked off the process with a large questionnaire to find out what her clients liked and how they wanted to use the space. “It pays to plan meticulously and take account of what you want to do in the room,” she says.
A better connection to the garden, a comfortable place to eat together, and plenty of storage were all part of the brief, and the result is a cosy, functional room that’s filled with natural light.
Interior designer Nicky Percival kicked off the process with a large questionnaire to find out what her clients liked and how they wanted to use the space. “It pays to plan meticulously and take account of what you want to do in the room,” she says.
A better connection to the garden, a comfortable place to eat together, and plenty of storage were all part of the brief, and the result is a cosy, functional room that’s filled with natural light.
The area in front of the new utility door originally consisted of standard base and wall units.
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Ready to get going on your renovation? Find a kitchen designer in your area on Houzz.
The owners had already installed a new terrace and bifold doors, but the internal space needed to be reorientated to make the most of the view.
“We located the storage cabinetry along the darkest wall and positioned the island to look out towards the garden,” Nicky says.
The designer also made the most of a recessed area next to the doors to tuck in a dining table.
Verona Quartz worktop, CRL via Traditional Bespoke Furniture. Stone BX Gris flooring, Tilemates. Pendant lights, Fritz Fryer.
“We located the storage cabinetry along the darkest wall and positioned the island to look out towards the garden,” Nicky says.
The designer also made the most of a recessed area next to the doors to tuck in a dining table.
Verona Quartz worktop, CRL via Traditional Bespoke Furniture. Stone BX Gris flooring, Tilemates. Pendant lights, Fritz Fryer.
“A curved design was the best use of the space,” Nicky says of the dining area. “It’s usually just the couple eating here, but they needed space to sit six, so a round table with bench seating was a flexible option.”
Nicky worked with the joinery team at Traditional Bespoke Furniture to design this curved bench seat. The shelf behind is a marble-effect quartz that was also used for the kitchen worktops.
A turquoise and red glass pendant light complements brightly coloured cushions and accessories, while plants accentuate the garden connection.
Plain cushions, Marks & Spencer. Patterned cushions, Etsy. Sheepskin seat pads, Cox & Cox. Coloured pendant, Curiousa & Curiousa. Bloomingville dining chairs (no longer in stock), Mink Interiors.
Nicky worked with the joinery team at Traditional Bespoke Furniture to design this curved bench seat. The shelf behind is a marble-effect quartz that was also used for the kitchen worktops.
A turquoise and red glass pendant light complements brightly coloured cushions and accessories, while plants accentuate the garden connection.
Plain cushions, Marks & Spencer. Patterned cushions, Etsy. Sheepskin seat pads, Cox & Cox. Coloured pendant, Curiousa & Curiousa. Bloomingville dining chairs (no longer in stock), Mink Interiors.
The curved shape of the dining bench is replicated in the island worktop. “The kitchen side is straight-edged and practical, while the seating area is softer,” Nicky says.
The back wall is divided into a sink zone to the left (see first photo) and a cooking area on the right, with an induction hob and a custom-made curved extractor hood.
Extractor hood, Westin.
The back wall is divided into a sink zone to the left (see first photo) and a cooking area on the right, with an induction hob and a custom-made curved extractor hood.
Extractor hood, Westin.
With so much storage in the kitchen and utility room, the couple were able to use glass cabinets above the hob for displaying decorative items.
Nicky persuaded her clients to invest in real marble for the splashback to provide a standout design feature in the room. “The beautiful veining brings in a wow factor, but the subtle grey doesn’t detract from the rest of the space,” she says.
Arabescato Corchia marble splashback, Cullifords.
Nicky persuaded her clients to invest in real marble for the splashback to provide a standout design feature in the room. “The beautiful veining brings in a wow factor, but the subtle grey doesn’t detract from the rest of the space,” she says.
Arabescato Corchia marble splashback, Cullifords.
The kitchen blind is made from the same patterned fabric as the dining area cushions. The zingy colours liven up the sink area and the replicated pattern helps to tie the two spaces together.
A window at the side of the room was turned into a single French door to provide additional access to the garden.
The warm blue of the island contrasts with the pale grey units and flooring. “The clients wanted a fresh, contemporary kitchen that wasn’t uber modern,” Nicky says, “so they went for a classic Shaker design with simple handles and limited moulding.”
Tell us…
What’s your favourite part of this bright, practical kitchen? Share your thoughts in the Comments.
The warm blue of the island contrasts with the pale grey units and flooring. “The clients wanted a fresh, contemporary kitchen that wasn’t uber modern,” Nicky says, “so they went for a classic Shaker design with simple handles and limited moulding.”
Tell us…
What’s your favourite part of this bright, practical kitchen? Share your thoughts in the Comments.
Who lives here? An almost-retired couple with grown-up children
Location Tunbridge Wells, Kent
Property A 1970s house with four bedrooms and four bathrooms
Room dimensions 6 x 5.3m
Designer Nicky Percival
Kitchen fitting and joinery Traditional Bespoke Furniture
Photos by Janet Penny
An underused room off the hallway was key to providing more space in this light-filled kitchen. “It was supposed to be a study and coat cupboard, but it wasn’t really used,” Nicky says.
She added a door, seen here to the right of the ovens, so it could be accessed from the kitchen, too, and turned it into a utility room.
A wall of tall cabinetry surrounding the appliances in the kitchen provides even more useful storage and ensures the space feels uncluttered.
Fridge-freezer, Fisher & Paykel. Bloomingville bar stools (no longer in stock), Mink Interiors. Cabinets painted in Cool Arbour; island painted in Livid, both Little Greene.