MID-CENTURY MOOD

RICH TIMBERS AND SOFT CURVES LEND A TOUCH OF 1950S FLAIR IN THIS NEW YORK TOWNHOUSE

Grey-toned marble, richly grained wood and gentle curves mingle in this relaxing space with a 1950s feel

Designed for a couple who frequently travel and need a sanctuary to call home, this renovated kitchen was led by their love of mid-century furniture.

First, the existing small, tired kitchen – firmly stuck in the 1970s – was ripped out, the walls opened up in every direction and skylights added to make it brighter and airier. Shapeless Studio then devised a gentle 1950s-inspired scheme, with carefully selected materials and creamy, earthy colours at its heart.

The choice of dark walnut cabinetry was unanimous – particularly on the f lat panel in-frame door, to keep the look simple but with smart bespoke detailing. The design works with the couple’s mid-century furniture and includes plenty of display space for the many trinkets they collect on their travels.

The layout of the kitchen was also kept simple, and an island eschewed in favour of floor space and good flow. The fridge was tucked into an existing cupboard and the new cooker popped in the same spot as the old, avoiding the rigmarole of repositioning the gas line. Above eye level, the wall was brought out above the units and painted in the same off-white as the surrounding surfaces, cutting out visual clutter and diverting attention from the angled ceiling in the process.

Where there isn’t enough space for an island unit, designer Andrea Fisk believes it’s important to have at least one worktop run without cabinets looming above. Here, with storage at a premium, a compromise was reached in the form of a long, narrow shelf. Useful for stacking crockery, it is set back to allow for unobstructed prep.

For Andrea, the worktop is the essence of this scheme. With a cool grey background, the Fior di Bosco marble balances the rich walnut and Douglas fir flooring beautifully. As she says, the marble isn’t f lashy but its warm orange veins help to spice up everything.

Alcove shelves and bespoke cabinets offer easy-access storage and display space

Subtle orangebrown veins in the marble worktop and splashback tone beautifully with the walnut cabinetry beneath

Elegantly curved cabinets flank the steps up to the hallway, which is lined with closets for coats and stacked laundry appliances

New skylights direct rays across the surfaces at various points through the day