Out in the open
Moving a staircase helped open up a classic kitchen
A dramatic plan to remove a staircase and a ceiling opened up enough space to create a
modern classic kitchen.
Emma Allman-Shuttleworth, 43, an interior designer, her husband Paul, 46, and their four children, Charlie, 12, Greta, 11, Rae, eight, and Lois, six, moved into their five-bedroom Victorian semi in Shrewsbury, Shropshire, in April 2014. After renovating the rest of the house, they turned their attention to the kitchen.
ISLAND
LIGHTS
Bringing an industrial touch, the simple fittings with exposed bulbs are eyecatching above the island A slim unit with a breakfast bar runs along the kitchen area
STOOLS
Echoing the industrial feel of the lights, the stools are a mix of wood and metal
Have you done a lot of work on the house?
Yes, we’ve renovated every room and done everything from the electrics to replastering in a year-long project that has also included building an extension and putting in the new kitchen. We stayed in the house for the whole time it was being done, apart from seven weeks in the summer when we moved into a caravan.
Was it obvious what to do with the kitchen area?
The layout downstairs was a real mish-mash, so we had to think very carefully about how to create the open-plan living space we wanted. The couple who lived here before us were elderly, and the dated kitchen at the back had to go. It was used as an osteopath’s practice at some point and a set of stairs led to a treatment room on the first floor, which was above the kitchen, making the ceiling low. I think the odd layout had put lots of potential buyers off, as the house had been on the market for two years.
Tell us what you did
We removed the staircase and the ceiling – it was a bit scary looking up and seeing nothing! Then we reinstated a higher ceiling and used the space where the staircase had been to install a proper kitchen and island unit. Around the corner was space for a dining table and, once we extended, it made a U shape looking out onto the garden.
How did you decide on the layout?
It made sense for the main run of units to go along the back wall and round under the window as before, but we were able to add a slim island with a breakfast bar for casual dining. We needed a new range cooker, but other appliances were in good repair.
You’ve gone for quite a contemporary look…
In the past I’ve done retro and I’ve done modern, so this time
I chose modern with a traditional twist. Painted wood appealed to me, and I used the same kitchen company as in my previous house because I was really impressed with its customer service. The insides of the units are all solid oak and really well made. I’d decided on oak throughout the ground floor, so I didn’t want more unpainted wood.
The colours work well together
I avoided having anything too bright for the basics as it’s easy to add colour with accessories, and I fancied very dark grey or black for most of the units. But I knew that would be too oppressive for the whole kitchen, so the standalone cupboard and the island are in a paler grey, as well as the walls and steps. The whole house has been painted in shades from the same palette of greys, so the kitchen easily links with the living room alongside. The units and island each have an icy-white worktop as a contrast.
You’ve managed to introduce some bright accents…
The Spanish tiles add plenty of colour. They have apple green to match the wall in the dining area, as well as blues and greys, which complement my mid-century crockery.
How long did it take and how much did it cost?
Although it was a year-long project overall, the kitchen/diner and extension must have taken up at least half of that. It cost about £30,000 for all the building work with another £2,000 for the kitchen fitting, plus, of course, all the units and appliances on top of that.
For details about Emma’s business, visit decoretc.co.uk