HOUSE BEAUTIFUL SAYS...
‘The large rectangular room is divided into clear zones. The airy feel and simple all-white scheme make it a relaxing space.’
What attracted you to the house?
We moved from a flat in an Edwardian property to this 1950s house when I was pregnant with Amelia. The style wasn’t a concern for us – we just wanted more bedrooms and a garden.
Describe the kitchen when you moved in
At that point it was tiny and only comfortable for one person to be in at a time. There was a hatch through to the living room, with a small conservatory off that, which was cold in winter and hot in summer. We felt it made sense to combine all three rooms to make one big space. And we planned to convert the adjacent garage into a guest suite with access to the kitchen.
But then…
Amelia arrived, so we lived with the house as it was for a while before consulting an architect. Plans were drawn up and approved by the local authority with no issues, as the build came within Permitted Development rules.
Did the build go well?
After comparing three building quotes, we chose the one in the middle from D&C Carpentry and Construction, as we felt confident about their work and had seen local examples of it. The four-month project finished on time and cost £70,000 for the kitchen/dining room and the garage conversion. I was on maternity leave by this point, which was great as I had time to make decisions about the decor.
What was on your wish list?
I wanted a Scandi look with wooden floors, folding sliding doors that opened up to the garden, and dining and seating areas.
How did you decide on the layout?
It made sense to put a run of kitchen units across the back wall, as it’s long and the plumbing is shared with the utility room behind it. In front, I wanted an island to separate the cooking area and living zones. The dining table and chairs are next to the bifolding doors and the seating area is over in the space where the old kitchen used to be. We’ve even fitted in a play area for the girls.
The kitchen is very understated
We kept to white as we wanted it to be as plain as possible. Luckily we got a great deal on some white units and a white quartz worktop, then went for white brick wall tiles to match. To save money for other things we kept our old fridge-freezer and dishwasher.
And what about the floor?
It was always going to be oak and I didn’t want to skimp on quality. The one we chose has a lifetime guarantee – it’s a great investment and stops the all-white kitchen from feeling too clinical.
How did you add colour?
I love subtle, faded shades with greens, yellows and greys so chose pale green for the lampshades above the island, and after buying a grey sofa added cushions in yellow and pale grey, bringing in texture with embroidery. To protect the floor under the table I found a rug that had all my favourite colours in it and then added coppertoned frames over the sofa. We’d painted the walls white, but at the last minute I felt that the area around the sofa and play area needed a bit more definition, so I sent Leon out for some grey paint, which I think has made a big difference.