How Helen and Rob did it
WHAT I learned “When everyone saw the island on the plans, they were concerned by the size of it, but it really works for us and we’re so pleased that we stuck to our original idea”
‘We had four small rooms at the back of the house: a dark hallway, a breakfast room, the kitchen and a sun room. It didn’t work for us, and there were no views of the garden, so we took down the walls and replaced the sun room to create one big space. We wanted to use local businesses as much as possible and found our kitchen just up the road at Davonport Furniture. Their designer added ideas we hadn’t considered, such as the floating units. I didn’t want white units in such a big space, so chose units in a mix of two subtle greys. The project took five months in total and the building work cost £55,000. We’ve now got a comfortable, modern space full of my favourite grey tones and with plenty of ovens for some serious cooking. It was ready by the summer, so that gave us the perfect excuse for a party!’
above
THE PULL-OUT LARDER UNIT MEANS THAT HELEN CAN SEE ALL HER SPICES, SAUCES AND CONDIMENTS AT A GLANCE, RATHER THAN HAVING TO RUMMAGE AT THE BACK OF A CUPBOARD. WHEN CLOSED, IT LOOKS LIKE PANELLING
Fridge freezer with ice and water dispenser, £1,333, Caple RIGHT
HELEN WASN’T KEEN ON CHUNKY UNITS CUTTING DOWN ON FLOOR SPACE, BUT FLOATING STORAGE KEEPS THE OPEN FEEL AND HOLDS EVERYDAY CROCKERY
Walls painted in All White estate emulsion, £43.50 for 2.5ltr, Farrow & Ball. The Hampstead clock, £230, Wayfair, is similar above
‘PUSHING THE BUTTON ON THE SPACE-AGE EXTRACTOR FAN AND WATCHING IT RISE UP OUT OF THE WORKTOP IS SOMETHING I NEVER GET FED UP OF,’ SAYS HELEN. ‘IT’S BARELY VISIBLE WHEN NOT IN USE’
Downdraft extractor, £1,949; iq 100 induction hob, from £549; both Siemens