‘WE WANTED A BRIGHT KITCHEN THAT OPENED UP TO THE GARDEN’
Reconfiguring an old conservatory has given one family an exciting new space that brings the outdoors in
Why did you want to change the previous kitchen?
The room was dated, dark and small, and felt cramped in proportion to the rest of the house. There was wooden cladding on the ceiling, too, which I didn’t like, plus there was no access to the garden. What did you have in mind when you embarked on the project? We wanted a light, bright space with classic-style units in keeping with the age of the house, but with a modern, Mediterranean feel. To get this look we opted for an all-white colour scheme with interesting tiling and natural materials and opened up access to the garden. We were also keen to work round an old vine that had been in the conservatory, which we knocked down.
Tell us about your starting point...
The first step was a meeting with a local firm, Reed Watts Architects, to discuss how to achieve all our aims. We began by creating a moodboard of materials and design ideas, which led to gathering all the key elements and suppliers. The architect, Jim Reed, suggested designing the kitchen primarily along one wall to make the most of the space. We then worked with Devol kitchens to select the units. How did you decide on the colour scheme?
I used Dijon limestone floor tiles inside and out so the space flowed and was cohesive. I felt a soft green/grey colour for the units made sense to give the space a calm, natural finish in keeping with the rest of the house, and white walls for lightness. Did you learn any lessons from the process?
Primarily, to work with an architect who can help interpret your ideas. You also need to have a clear vision of how you want the space to feel. Before starting, collect images of all the elements together, from paint colours to units, tiles and worktops, then lay them out to make sure you’re happy they all work together before buying anything. Creating a moodboard from the outset really helps.
What about lighting?
We wanted it to enhance the kitchen as well as being practical.
Our main lighting is a series of pendants from Artifact Lighting suspended from copper piping on cabling that is close in colour to the copper. Two pendants from Cottage Industries in a soft grey metal hang above the island, and another pendant over the kitchen table with a rustic wirework shade, blends in with the colour of the garden lanterns, helping to merge the indoor and outdoor spaces. Garden lighting was also important, and we treated it as an integral part of the project.
Do you use the kitchen differently now?
Yes – before its transformation, we didn’t spend very much time in there at all, but now we’re in here most of the time. I often work in here during the day, either on my own or with my business partner Mel – the light is brilliant. We use the side gate and the kitchen door as our main entrance rather than the old front door, which faces a busy road. The back of the house is near the river and is an oasis of calm compared with the front. Now we can enjoy the garden all year round and feel transported to our own little piece of the Mediterranean every day.
Now it’s finished, what you like most about the space?
The organic, Mediterranean feel, the lovely, light ceiling and the fact that we feel as if we are in the garden when we’re in the kitchen. I also love how the kitchen space works on a practical level.
Cocoon Home Therapy (cocoonhometherapy.co.uk).
Reed Watts Architects (020 7253 2762; reedwatts.com)
THE NEW LAYOUT
The conservatory was knocked down and rebuilt to create a larger kitchen and dining area. Most of the units were moved to the back wall so the rest of the space could merge with the garden
SHOPPING LIST
UNITS & WORKTOPS The Real Shaker Kitchen painted in Mushroom, £600 per 600mm unit, Devol. Carrara white marble worktop,
£595/sq m, Cullifords
WALLS AND FLOORS Walls painted in All White estate emulsion, £46.50/ 2.5L,
Farrow & Ball. Dijon tumbled limestone tiles, from
£31.50/sq m, Floors of Stone SINK & TAPS Copper single sink, £750, Devol. Fusion square Quooker, about £999, available from Appliance House APPLIANCES Classic 110 gas cooker in white (previously owned), £1,768; similar Smeg FQ55FX1 four-door Americanstyle fridge, £1,516 (supplied by Devol); both available from John Lewis. ELICA Elibloc HT GR A/80 extractor, £230, Devol LIGHTING Coolicon pendant in Polar Grey with Whisky flex, £60; E27 Fixture in Nickle, £10; B22 LED filament bulb, large, £15; all Artifact Lighting. Jatani wire lampshade, £49.95, Attic FURNITURE & ACCESSORIES White stone pots, from £6.50; reed hurricane lantern, £28; teak wooden bowls, from
£20; all Attic. Jute pouffe, £79, John Lewis & Partners. Orne teapot, £31.50; Cristo tea glasses, £16.50 for six; Sinia Moroccan carved tray, £54; all Moroccan Bazaar HB
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