HOUSE BEAUTIFUL SAYS...
‘A monochrome scheme has been used to great effect, with different tones and a mix of wood and interesting textures.
The vintage-style accessories bring an individual look.’
What prompted the project?
Ever since we moved into our cottage two years ago we’d planned to redo the kitchen because it was a bit dated and had limited work surface and cupboard space. It wasn’t very well-planned as there was a small adjacent room that served no real purpose. Olive’s arrival made the need for change much more pressing.
Was there much preparation work involved?
Thankfully there was no need to make any major structural changes to the property. The back room was part of an extension so it was just a case of taking down the dividing wall and laying oak flooring throughout the whole area.
Tell us about your cabinets
Initially we toyed with all sorts of ideas, such as using inexpensive carcasses and spraying the doors, or buying units from a big kitchen company sale, but each of these options had downsides and we didn’t really like any of the styles we’d seen. Fortunately our builder recommended a local firm, Alban Creations, which offered simple in-frame Shaker designs that were exactly what we were looking for. We asked the company to quote and were delighted when the price came in within our budget.
It’s quite a narrow space…
A galley layout was the obvious solution but we chose not to have wall cupboards as we thought they’d make the room feel cramped. Instead we opted for base units only, with a freestanding larder at one end of the run. This is great for storage and hides away the microwave, which I don’t like having out on display. We chose
an integrated washer-dryer and dishwasher, and installed a breakfast bar where we can sit and eat – and it’s a good spot for the computer, as Will often uses it to work from home.
Describe the decor
We went for a neutral grey palette with some dark greys and black then introduced vintage items such as the bar stools, reclaimed scaffold-board shelving and copper pipe as a hanging rail for pans and utensils. I like a kitchen to feel lived in and didn’t want it to be too clinical, with nothing out on display. Lighting was also an important element of the scheme and rather than sticking with the existing recessed spotlights we opted for lovely dark slate wall lights and pendants, which I adored from the minute I saw them. We also painted one wall in blackboard paint, which is great for shopping lists and will be fun for Olive as she grows up!
Did you make any compromises?
I love the look of Carrara marble worktops but that was beyond our budget so we compromised by mixing the worktop materials, having the section around the sink in a Carrara-style quartz and the rest in wood. We also bought an Ikea sink but added a fabulous Rangemaster tap with pullout spout for a designer touch.
Did you have any unexpected costs?
The new layout drew the eye straight down the room to ugly white uPVC patio doors so we replaced them with sleek grey aluminium ones. Their slim profile lets in more light and frames the view of the garden. It was an expensive extra but for us worth the cost as it finishes the room and ties in with the colour scheme.