Strong colour choices, brought together by statement tiles >
STRONG COLOURS AND PATTERNS TAKE CENTRE STAGE, YET TABITHA JAMES’S KITCHEN STILL REMAINS A HAVEN OF CALM
Such a large island provides ample storage to help keep counters clutter-free
Returning home one afternoon two years ago, Tabitha James opened the door to a dreadful sight. Her home, an eightbedroom property dating to the Tudor era in parts, was under two feet of flood water. During a particularly relentless spell of rain, the drains had become blocked and the downpour rerouted through the main entrance. ‘I had only just redecorated,’ says Tabitha. ‘Now it was all in ruins. My heart just sank.’ The house in West Sussex, which Tabitha moved to in 2004, required a whole new kitchen. This, at least, wasn’t an entirely undesirable prospect. ‘It felt like we had outgrown the room,’ she says. ‘Three boys, dinner parties and pets had all taken their toll on the space.’
At a friend’s house in Midhurst, Tabitha came across the work of interior designer Amanda Austin. A fan of dark colours herself, Tabitha was impressed by the sophisticated colour palette – Amanda’s stock in trade. ‘Too many people in my line of work stick to mushroom and grey shades. I encourage clients to be bold, but then blend and balance overall,’ says Amanda. The concept of using a designer appealed to busy mum Tabitha, who is studying to become a doctor. ‘I didn’t want to make every small decision myself,’ she says. ‘I just wanted to love what was presented to me.’
Taking her cue from Tabitha’s personal style, Amanda suggested a strong colour for cabinetry: ‘Tabitha’s dress sense is smart and restrained. I wanted something almost masculine, but compatible with softer tones.’
Her instinct favoured a deep mossy green. Tabitha was unsure, but Amanda persuaded her to take the plunge, emphasising that other effects would lighten the feel. The main layout of the kitchen was not to change, and Tabitha’s trusty white aga would be staying. There would be white Carrara worktops and pale paint on the walls. Then, the pièce de résistance – patterned tiles by Fired Earth as a focal-point splashback to tie it all together.
The result is handsome and clean, but full of character. The leap of faith paid off. ‘I love everything about it,’ says Tabitha. ‘It’s uncluttered, beautiful and earthy.’