‘OUR URBAN CHIC KITCHEN SUITS THE BUILDING’S CHARACTER’ Pattern and texture bring this space alive
An open-plan space has been designed to make the most of every inch
What did you want to achieve? A clearly defined kitchen/dining/ living space in an open-plan area. We also aimed to include plenty of seating and storage and create some wow factor.
How did you get started?
We knew an urban chic look would work well with the exposed brickwork in the property, and having earmarked The Main Company, we visited the showroom to see the units in situ and talk through our ideas. They offered a great sampling service and we were able to tweak the finishes to achieve exactly what we wanted.
You got your wish for plenty of storage…
Yes, with a bit of planning. For instance, having an air-venting induction hob meant we didn’t need an overhead extractor, so we had more room for wall cupboards, and relocating the boiler to another room freed up yet more space. And as we had a steam oven and Quooker tap, we were able to do away with a kettle and microwave, helping to keep the worksurfaces clear.
Were there any particular challenges?
The main one was access – it was tricky as the property is on a very narrow street. Also the apartment is on the top floor of the building so the builders had more than 100 stairs to negotiate, plus some very tight turns in the stairwell. The large and heavy items, such as the cabinets and worksurfaces, had to be hoisted in over the balcony. Parking restrictions were also tricky…
Which updates have really made a difference? Replacing the aluminium windows with Crittall steel ones was a real game changer.
How did you decide on flooring?
The original floor was very tired and we needed to replace it, but wanted to use something that would look as if it was part of the fabric of the building. We went to Broadleaf Timber, which had an incredible range of styles and finishes, and chose a vintage parquet that is hardwearing, looks great and feels like it’s been there for ever.
What do you like most about the room?
There are so many things we love, including the way the light bounces off the aged-brass cabinet fronts. We’re also really pleased with the gorgeous feather pendants and stunning reclaimed encaustic tiles from Bert & May on the peninsula unit – they’ve more than delivered on our quest for the wow factor!