HOUSE BEAUTIFUL SAYS...
‘This room shows how to mix textures and very dark and pale colours together to great effect. The warm copper accents brighten the scheme and give a retro feel.’
Why did you extend and redesign the space?
The old kitchen wasn’t very family friendly and it was hard to keep an eye on the children while I was cooking. I really wanted the kind of big, open-plan space I was used to from growing up in Norway.
Tell us about the kitchen you chose
We had the help of a local company called Planet Furniture that produces handmade kitchens. At first we thought they were going to be too expensive, until we discovered that they also import units from the German brand Schuller. Using a combination of readymade cupboards and a bespoke walnut section meant that we could achieve the look we wanted within our budget.
What was the inspiration for the design?
A gorgeous round copper tray I inherited from my grandma was the starting point. It used to hang on the wall of her living room in Norway and I’ve always loved it. I’d also seen a few black kitchens in Norway, which I really liked, but I didn’t want the scheme to be too gloomy so I combined dark and pale units.
Describe the style you’ve opted for
I like the Scandinavian minimalistic approach but we needed somewhere a little more welcoming, warm and relaxing to come home to. That’s why there are lots of natural materials such as walnut, leather, copper, zinc and reindeer hide.
Did you have any other requirements?
Tony and I are often in the kitchen together so we wanted enough space for us to be able to work side by side. And there needed to be plenty of storage – we have carousels in our corner units to maximise the space – but at the same time I didn’t want wall units so, instead, chose open shelving to keep things light and airy.
Did everything go smoothly?
Pretty much. The only major hitch was having to level the floors because once the walls had been knocked down we discovered that there were three or four different levels on the ground floor. We also had to rewire and replumb the entire house but we hadn’t thought that would be necessary at first. The whole refurbishment, including remodelling the entire house, took six months, which wasn’t too bad, all things considered.
What advice would you give to someone embarking on a big renovation?
Don’t assume the lowest quote will be the most cost-effective option in the long run. Our builders, DB Sharp & Sons, weren’t the cheapest but they have an excellent reputation. They’re also quite a big company, which meant they were able to tackle everything – plumbing, flooring, decorating – as well as the building work. And they also saved us money along the way by doing jobs such as making a set of built-in book shelves, for which they only charged us two days’ labour.
How do you feel about the space now?
The new design brings the family together. I can be making dinner in the kitchen while the children are painting or doing homework at the table. It’s such a sociable space now. We love it!