For lots of homeowners, making a light-filled space and rising storage are two of the essential factor driving forces behind a kitchen renovation – and this was really the case for Julia Williams and her husband John. The couple’s current kitchen was starved of sunshine and appeared out onto an alleyway, putting it in decided need of a refresh.
Following a small extension, the couple considered various types of kitchen ideas until they chose a country kitchen design in a beautiful inexperienced colourway that befits their Victorian townhouse.
Extending the kitchen to create extra room
To supply Julia and John extra room for his or her new kitchen, they added a kitchen extension, designed by inside architect David Rose, linking it to an current barn.
This reworked the beforehand compact kitchen into an open-plan hub and the world was instantly brightened by the addition of a skylight above the precept cooking area.
Nonetheless, as with many kitchen renovations – notably these in interval properties – it wished additional character to ship it to life.
Making a vibrant nation kitchen
To help with the kitchen design, Julia enlisted Kasia Piorko, founder and lead designer at Kate Feather, who received right here up with some creative choices to incorporate all the points on the couple’s need guidelines. Julia wanted typical Shaker-style kitchen cabinets to ship heritage attract using a darkish colour scheme for drama.
‘Initially, Julia wanted to paint the cabinetry black, nevertheless I instructed a deep-green shade; it is barely softer and grounds the world,’ says Kasia. ‘We paired it with loads of pure provides to take care of points latest and good.’
Collectively, these elements channel the nation aesthetic that Julia loves, along with providing a approach of harmony with the yard, which is seen by the use of the sliding patio doorways. The partitions are clad in straightforward birch kitchen panelling with a wood grain for a rustic texture. ‘We chosen to brighten the world with a mixture of pure provides which will develop a patina over time,’ explains Kasia.
Aged-brass particulars, along with the tap, hanging rails and {{hardware}}, ship warmth to the inky-hued cabinets and neutral wall panelling. The Carrara marble worktops protect the design conventional in sort, whereas the engineered oak wood kitchen flooring offers warmth underfoot.
Figuring out the best construction
Kitchen construction moreover performs an essential place in bringing an excellent and spacious actually really feel to the model new kitchen. Due to the pitch of the ceiling inside the small extension, the wall the place the kitchen cabinets have been positioned with the kitchen sink and the Aga was pretty low, so Kasia received right here up with the reply of using open shelving in its place of tall wall cabinets. This offers character whereas sustaining the sunshine and ethereal actually really feel.
One in every of many key elements the couple wanted for his or her new kitchen was an island. ‘Julia and John wanted to have as large an island as doable, nevertheless they’ve been moreover concerned that it could end up too massive. We carried out with the dimensions and mocked it up inside the space,’ says Kasia. ‘We lastly decided in order so as to add a freestanding butcher’s desk to the highest of the island that could be merely moved if wished.’
Having enjoyable with the Aga
The Aga range cooker was one different non-negotiable in creating the cosy nation kitchen that Julia craved. ‘She was launched up in a home with an Aga and she or he fell in love with its warmth and cosiness,’ explains Kasia. ‘Julia’s had an Aga in every one amongst her areas ever since.’
For practicality, a second oven is cleverly hid contained in the island with electrical cables hidden down an island leg, whereas deep pan drawers have been chosen for effectivity within the precept kitchen.
Placing in a pantry
A walk-in pantry, tucked away behind a barn-style sliding door, provides ample kitchen storage ideas and retains the rest of the kitchen uncluttered. Selecting a sliding door saves space and as well as offers one different facet of curiosity to the kitchen.
The kitchen pantry space moreover properties an American-style fridge freezer so it didn’t dominate the kitchen and alter right into a highlight. ‘We wanted to arrange the tools first after which assemble the pantry wall spherical it,’ explains Kasia. ‘We chosen to paint the pantry in a warmth plaster shade and as well as used it on the butcher’s desk as an accent colour.’
With its timeless aesthetic and rustic finishes, Julia and John’s new kitchen really brings a method of the nation to this metropolis townhouse.