Deborah and Jonathan turned a dilapidated galley kitchen into an open-plan entertaining space

After months of building work, Deborah and Jonathan Boston have turned their dilapidated galley kitchen into an elegant open-plan living and entertaining space that’s perfect for hosting friends and family

THE transformation of Deborah and Jonathan’s kitchen is so dramatically different that it’s hard to visualise what their Victorian terrace house looked like before they worked their design magic. When the couple moved in, the kitchen had been largely untouched since the 1980s – a simple run of units with a separate pantry and outside toilet.

In the spring of 2019, the couple forged ahead with their ambitious renovation project to expand the space, transforming how they live in their home forever. Here, Deborah reveals how she’s turned a dated design into a lustworthy kitchen-diner filled with gold and emerald green touches.

1 UP TO THE JOB

‘After years of living in Brighton, we wanted a lifestyle change. Owning a dog was on our wish list, so we started looking for a house with a generous garden. We sold our one-bed flat and moved further out of the city where we could afford something bigger.

‘This three-bed Victorian property had been untouched for years. The back was made up of a small galley kitchen, a separate pantry and outside loo. We’d always planned to renovate and extend this area but prioritised the rest of the house first. Our goal for the kitchen was a light and airy multifunctional space with a living area, as well as room to entertain, cook and relax. Aesthetically, the room still had to complement the Victorian building. We knew it would be a major job.’

2 ON THE CLOCK

‘The whole renovation process was pretty speedy considering how much needed to be done. Our architect, Rex, and our builder, Andy, both came highly recommended to us and understood what we wanted to achieve.

‘The former configuration made the space feel narrow and dark, and overlooked the wall in our side return. We wanted views onto our garden.

Our architect drew up plans, taking these design elements into account. We didn’t extend further than the current precedent set in our street, which made planning permission run smoothly. Not long after, diggers ripped down the downstairs loo and pulled down the scullery. We were left with a gaping hole at the back of the house. We washed up in the bath for weeks!’

3 DESIGN DETAILS

‘One key part of our kitchen design was having the large bi-fold doors running along the end of the kitchen. We wanted a design made from black metal for an industrial look. We commissioned a local window specialist to make our doors in modern materials to our specifications.

‘We chose off-the-shelf kitchen units so we could splurge on the worktop. I wanted work surfaces that looked like Carrera marble but had the practicality of quartz stone. We searched high and low for a piece with the exact colour and inflections, and found what we wanted in an Arundel stonemason’s yard. The slab of quartz was perfect. It was a major spend but gives the space a luxury look and has elevated a simple kitchen design.’

‘We went for white walls to bounce light around, then added gold and green for a luxury touch,’ says Deborah. Kitchen units, double Belfast sink and gold taps, all Howdens. Quartz work surface, Kitchen Stone Worktop. Flooring, Colonia. Pendant light, Wayfair

Large bi-folds slide open to allow a full view of the garden from the new kitchen renovation. Jonathan installed the decked area and gravel was put down the side return to complement the new extension. Bi-fold doors, Seeview Windows. Outdoor furniture, Ebay. Decking, Wickes. Outdoor lighting, Screwfix

Left and right In keeping with the green and gold accents throughout, Deborah hung a mobile by local artist In the Making in the seating area, then spray painted a round table set to match. Parrots and chair, charity shop finds. Bar stools, Eames. Fridge and range cooker, Kenwood