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Kitchen Tour: Classic Cabinetry in a Cleverly Designed Extension
A modern, pitched-roof addition creates space for a kitchen with a traditional aesthetic
When the owners bought this period property, there was already Planning Permission for a kitchen extension. That didn’t stop them taking a fresh look at what they could do, though.
In place of the lean-to design originally destined for the home, a lofty extension has enabled them to maximise the view to the garden and create a kitchen fit for entertaining in.
In place of the lean-to design originally destined for the home, a lofty extension has enabled them to maximise the view to the garden and create a kitchen fit for entertaining in.
The prompt for the original lean-to plan was the house’s first-floor bathroom, which intrudes into the space below (seen here where the clock is hung). This made the design of a different type of kitchen extension challenging.
“We needed to do sophisticated structural work to allow the bathroom to remain intact,” Tahir says. The challenge was worth overcoming, however. “The kitchen provides really good views externally, and allows much more space,” he explains.
“We needed to do sophisticated structural work to allow the bathroom to remain intact,” Tahir says. The challenge was worth overcoming, however. “The kitchen provides really good views externally, and allows much more space,” he explains.
The new design required a fresh application for Planning Permission, which was granted. The addition maximises the kitchen’s proportions, and creates a level floor at the back of the house, replacing the steps down to the rooms that were part of the previous layout.
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A real cook’s kitchen was essential, along with a layout that placed the other elements in an effective working arrangement. Tahir suggested a range as a centrepiece to the design, which the keen cooks are delighted to have included.
The couple opted for classic cabinetry that brings a timeless feel to the interior of the contemporary addition and is sympathetic to the home’s period.
The wall beyond the island on the left has a barely seen door that conceals the services. The tall cabinet to its left hides the washing machine and tumble dryer and prevents them from intruding into the room.
The couple opted for classic cabinetry that brings a timeless feel to the interior of the contemporary addition and is sympathetic to the home’s period.
The wall beyond the island on the left has a barely seen door that conceals the services. The tall cabinet to its left hides the washing machine and tumble dryer and prevents them from intruding into the room.
Underfloor heating was fitted, leaving the layout of the room more flexible, as well as providing a welcoming gentle heat underfoot.
Discover all you need to know about underfloor heating.
Discover all you need to know about underfloor heating.
The new room has space to work on the island as well as beside the range cooker. “The previous kitchen didn’t even have a metre’s worth of worktop,” Tahir says.
The worksurface is made from practical quartz and provides a pale contrast to the dark units.
Rooflights maximise daylight in the kitchen. They can be opened electronically and they’re fitted with blinds, which are also operated remotely.
The worksurface is made from practical quartz and provides a pale contrast to the dark units.
Rooflights maximise daylight in the kitchen. They can be opened electronically and they’re fitted with blinds, which are also operated remotely.
Because the homeowners wanted a traditional look, a faux chimney stack was constructed to go above the range. It conceals the extractor ducting and flue that run to the roof of the extension.
Read reviews of kitchen designers and fitters in your area.
Read reviews of kitchen designers and fitters in your area.
Beyond the island and main run of units, the space opens out into a dining and seating area. Cabling from the TV runs behind the wall to the services space, keeping both ends of the room wire-free.
“This has become the heart of the house, where Tom and Sam sit and eat, watch TV and entertain,” Tahir says. In fact, the room has proved such a success that the couple rarely use their front room when they’re welcoming guests.
Bifold doors were key to the new kitchen. “They wanted to be able to open up the room completely, and have the sense of seamlessness,” Tahir says. The doors have integral blinds that mean the dark can be shut out when they’re closed at night.
The flooring of the kitchen also links interior and exterior. However, the Italian porcelain outside has a more textural finish so it’s not a slip hazard when it’s wet.
Tell us…
What do you think of this classic kitchen? Share your thoughts in the Comments section.
The flooring of the kitchen also links interior and exterior. However, the Italian porcelain outside has a more textural finish so it’s not a slip hazard when it’s wet.
Tell us…
What do you think of this classic kitchen? Share your thoughts in the Comments section.
Who lives here Tom Gardner and Sam Burgess
Location Hampton, London
Property An end-of-terrace period home
Kitchen dimensions 25 sq m
Design and build Tahir Akram of London Urban
Kitchen Callaghan Interiors
Photos by Simon Richards
Buying a property that has Planning Permission in place for an extension doesn’t mean you can’t look again at how best to improve the home once it’s yours.
This was certainly the case for Tom Gardner and Sam Burgess. Together with Tahir Akram of London Urban, they re-evaluated the plans for an extension to replace a far smaller kitchen and badly constructed conservatory at their Hampton home.
“I said, maybe look at it from a different point of view,” Tahir says. His advice was prompted by the fact that building from the plans would have given the couple a lean-to extension that restricted the indoor-outdoor connection.