Inspiration was on the doorstep when boutique design company Blakes London was engaged to create a kitchen for a new apartment in one of the city’s most sought-after neighbourhoods – Hampstead Village. “We looked to the beautifully preserved Georgian buildings typical of the local area and designed a new kitchen that paid homage to the period architecture,” says managing director Jeremy Bott, who oversaw the six-month project. The idea was to have the feel of a large country kitchen within a manor house, as the owner, John, a retiree, wanted a timeless space that was easy to maintain. “The brief was for a pared-back look with classic detailing, where the quality of the materiality and craftsmanship would do the talking,” says Jeremy. Within the combined kitchen and dining space, the keen design eye of John’s daughter Sophie helped drive a palette of finishes that includes Carrara marble, granite and brass against a backdrop of bespoke joinery and John’s collection of antique furniture. The focal point is a custom island topped in Titanium satin-finished granite, which commands a central position and overlooks a vintage dining setting. The effect is richly layered, with myriad tactile surfaces and a crafted furniture feel that will be enjoyed for years to come.
“SIMPLE BLACK AND WHITE IS ALWAYS CHIC AND FEELS CONTEMPORARY, NO MATTER HOW OLD THE KITCHEN IS” ~ JEREMY, INTERIOR DESIGNER
“THE BLACK CROCKERY DRESSER DRAWS THE EYE TO THE TRADITIONAL COVING ON THE CEILINGS”
~ JEREMY, INTERIOR DESIGNER
MONOCHROME PALETTE
Black and white creates a dramatic contrast and guides your gaze to different areas of this kitchen. Around the perimeter, workbenches and splashbacks feature Carrara marble that sits between walls painted in Farrow & Ball’s Pointing and cabinetry. The black-painted central island is topped with black granite, for a real punch. To get a similar classic pairing, try Dulux Black and Whisper White with Titanium granite and Carrara marble from CDK Stone. >
KEY PIECES
Custom joinery that resembles furniture results in a space which feels more like a living/dining area than a standard kitchen (left). Key to this was placing the island bench on legs and elevating the black timber cabinetry base, then placing a smaller, refectory-style dining table with bench seating on the other side. “It did create challenges with how utilities are used in the space,” says Jeremy. “It meant the dishwasher, sink and cooktop couldn’t sit on the island, but it gives a better sense of lightness and space to the room.” Tall cabinets also feature a rail designed to be used with a custom European Oak ladder (stored alongside the black crockery cabinet). “This allows access to high cabinetry and injects warmth to the scheme,” says Jeremy. For a similar timber table and leather dining chairs, try Coco Republic.
METALLIC FINISHES
To give the traditional Shaker-style kitchen an up-to-the-minute feel, Jeremy introduced metallic elements such as angular wall lights, industrial-style copper disc pendants (find similar at Fat Shack Vintage) and dark bronze Joseph Giles cabinetry hardware (try The English Tapware Company). “The Lacanche induction cooker with brass knobs, acts as a little jewel within the room,” he adds of the statement appliance (right). Find Lacanche cookers at Manor.