My Room: An Open-plan Kitchen With Stunning Views of the Garden
Industrial-style features, reclaimed materials and bright colours were key to creating this loft-style, open-plan space
Amanda Pollard
16 September 2018
Senior Editor at Houzz UK and Ireland. Journalist and editor specialising in interiors and architecture.
Senior Editor at Houzz UK and Ireland. Journalist and editor specialising in interiors... More
The prize for the best kitchen in the Houzz and ES London Home Design Awards went to this cool, eclectic space created by stylist Laura Burkitt and her fiancé, Ben. The couple collaborated closely with their builders, called in the help of local tradespeople and friends, and even did a few smaller DIY projects themselves. The result is a room that reflects their personalities to a tee.
Room at a Glance
Who lives here Stylist Laura Burkitt and her fiancé, Ben Sarner
Location Queen’s Park, London
Property A garden flat
Size of room 7.78m x 5.57m
Some photos by Viv Yapp
Laura Burkitt and her fiancé, Ben, were happy to take on a project when they bought their home in 2016. “We saw the potential in it,” says Laura. “It had a lovely garden, so we wanted to create an open-plan living space to maximise the view.”
The couple extended at the back, reconfigured the rest of the flat, and created a light, bright kitchen and living area with views out to the exterior.
Who lives here Stylist Laura Burkitt and her fiancé, Ben Sarner
Location Queen’s Park, London
Property A garden flat
Size of room 7.78m x 5.57m
Some photos by Viv Yapp
Laura Burkitt and her fiancé, Ben, were happy to take on a project when they bought their home in 2016. “We saw the potential in it,” says Laura. “It had a lovely garden, so we wanted to create an open-plan living space to maximise the view.”
The couple extended at the back, reconfigured the rest of the flat, and created a light, bright kitchen and living area with views out to the exterior.
“We took inspiration from a New York loft apartment,” explains Laura. They worked closely with their builders to create the look, choosing industrial features such as the factory-style doors and the micro-cement floor, which is a slightly softer alternative to polished concrete.
Supporting the open-plan space was a challenge, as they didn’t want a pillar to break up the view. Instead, the builders installed a huge steel girder across the whole room. “We made a feature of the steel by painting the plasterwork black,” says Laura.
Steel-framed doors, Fabco Sanctuary. Micro-cement flooring, The Plaster Collective.
Supporting the open-plan space was a challenge, as they didn’t want a pillar to break up the view. Instead, the builders installed a huge steel girder across the whole room. “We made a feature of the steel by painting the plasterwork black,” says Laura.
Steel-framed doors, Fabco Sanctuary. Micro-cement flooring, The Plaster Collective.
Laura and Ben had decided on a dark Shaker-style kitchen, but couldn’t find one at a price that suited their budget. So they bought this one through their builders and had it sprayed in a colour-matched paint.
“We sourced the quartz worktop ourselves,” says Laura, “and we found the brass handles online.”
The exposed wall was made from engineered bricks. “The trick was getting the pattern right,” says Laura. “It was really important to have grey grout, rather than a yellow sand colour. So we painted over the grout, then sanded the wall to give it a worn look.”
Kitchen cabinets, Howdens Joinery. Quartz worktops, Venice Marble.
“We sourced the quartz worktop ourselves,” says Laura, “and we found the brass handles online.”
The exposed wall was made from engineered bricks. “The trick was getting the pattern right,” says Laura. “It was really important to have grey grout, rather than a yellow sand colour. So we painted over the grout, then sanded the wall to give it a worn look.”
Kitchen cabinets, Howdens Joinery. Quartz worktops, Venice Marble.
“Above the island, we chose wall rather than ceiling lights to hang from the steel to make a feature of it,” says Laura. “They have an industrial metal look and a really warm glow, but we also put spotlights in for task lighting along the back run.”
They kept their project on budget by using as many reclaimed materials as possible. The bar stools, for example, were found in a local pub. “Ben asked the owner if he could buy a couple,” says Laura. “The door handles were rescued from a friend’s house, which was being gutted.”
Find industrial-style kitchen and dining furniture in the Houzz Shop
They kept their project on budget by using as many reclaimed materials as possible. The bar stools, for example, were found in a local pub. “Ben asked the owner if he could buy a couple,” says Laura. “The door handles were rescued from a friend’s house, which was being gutted.”
Find industrial-style kitchen and dining furniture in the Houzz Shop
The striking dining table was made by a friend, who sourced reclaimed timber for the surface and attached it to hairpin legs.
Laura upholstered the vintage chairs herself in colourful velvet.
Table; kitchen shelves, all Haring & Co. Midcentury chairs, eBay. Sofa, Sofa.com.
Laura upholstered the vintage chairs herself in colourful velvet.
Table; kitchen shelves, all Haring & Co. Midcentury chairs, eBay. Sofa, Sofa.com.
“The kitchen shelves are actually Victorian floorboards, which we had stained,” says Laura. “The steel brackets were made by a talented local metalworker called Danny.”
Hexagonal shelving unit, Made.com.
Fancy having some bespoke furniture made? Find artists and craftsmen in your area
Hexagonal shelving unit, Made.com.
Fancy having some bespoke furniture made? Find artists and craftsmen in your area
“In the living area, there’s strip lighting hidden in the cornice that can be set to different colours,” says Laura. “With this different lighting set, you really get that buzzy city neon feel if you’re standing outside on an evening looking in.”
Tell us…
What do you like about this loft-style kitchen full of personality? Share your thoughts in the Comments section.
Tell us…
What do you like about this loft-style kitchen full of personality? Share your thoughts in the Comments section.
1. Deansgate Wallpaper
2. Buckeye Bronze Mesh Single Wall Light
3. Mauviel M’Héritage Stainless Steel Handle Saucepan
4. 2-Door Buffet, Dark Grey
5. Green Leather Bar Stool
6. Lleida Wooden and Iron Dining Table
7. Smeg CJF01 Citrus Juicer, Green
8. Hahn Premium Rectangular Wall Rack
9. Indian Blue Dining Chair
2. Buckeye Bronze Mesh Single Wall Light
3. Mauviel M’Héritage Stainless Steel Handle Saucepan
4. 2-Door Buffet, Dark Grey
5. Green Leather Bar Stool
6. Lleida Wooden and Iron Dining Table
7. Smeg CJF01 Citrus Juicer, Green
8. Hahn Premium Rectangular Wall Rack
9. Indian Blue Dining Chair
Related Stories
House Tours
Houzz Tour: A Midcentury Home With a Strong Indoor-outdoor Link
By Becky Harris
A nature-inspired renovation has given this ranch house a relaxed mood and a connection to the outdoors from most rooms
Full Story
House Tours
Houzz Tour: Warm Tones and Luxurious Surfaces in a City Townhouse
An earthy colour palette, hidden storage and well-placed texture add character and practicality to this London home
Full Story
Room Tours
Kitchen Tour: A Gorgeous Extension With a Leafy Glasshouse Feel
By Kate Burt
When the owners of this terraced house extended, they were keen to retain its period feel and highlight the garden
Full Story
Gardens
Garden Tour: A Bare Roof Terrace Becomes a Pretty, Sociable Space
By Kate Burt
A retired couple got help transforming their large rooftop into a gorgeous, welcoming, multi-functional retreat
Full Story
House Tours
Houzz Tour: A Smart Layout and Genius Storage in a Victorian Home
Flipping the standard layout and carving out excellent storage have turned this tired house into a brilliant family home
Full Story
House Tours
Houzz Tour: A Victorian House Brought Impressively Up to Date
By Jo Simmons
A cohesive layout and warm colours combined with energy-efficiency measures thoroughly modernise this terraced home
Full Story
Kitchen Tours
Kitchen Tour: An Open, Airy Space Made for Entertaining
Combining two separate rooms has improved flow and created a sociable open-plan kitchen, dining and seating space
Full Story
House Tours
Houzz Tour: A Family Home Inspired by its Seaside Location
Coastal colours and practical design combine to create a house that will adapt as the family grows
Full Story
Kitchens
5 Inspiring Before and After Kitchen Transformations
Whether you want to boost storage, incorporate original features or maximise your space, take ideas from these designs
Full Story
House Tours
Houzz Tour: An Airy, Scandi Finish for a Tall Victorian House
By Kate Burt
From a tricky inherited bath to a sticky-out staircase, on-site problem-solving led to a seamless update for an old home
Full Story
Thanks Laura for finding the room dimensions. I've now put them into the article.
Wonderful kitchen, what is the colour blue you used please