Kitchens to covet
Rosie Birkett’s north London kitchen makes the most of quirky upcycled accessories
“As a cookbook author, food writer and recipe developer, I need a kitchen that can double up as a workspace and studio. Ours does just that.
“I live here with my husband Jamie and our whippet, Cyril. Our flat is in north-east London, right beside Walthamstow Marshes and the River Lea, as well as being close to east London’s amazing food and independent retail scene.
“We moved from a tiny basement flat and were blown away by the soaring ceilings and natural light from the glass atrium. The downstairs revolves around the kitchen. I love to cook for family and friends but I definitely get a fear of missing out if I’m shut away in a separate room – thankfully that isn’t an issue with this space.
“For five years we lived with a kitchen which was not to my taste at all. Eventually we saved up enough to redesign it but were reluctant to rip it out as it was perfectly serviceable. I considered replacing the units but Kiri’s Spray Shop, a brilliant man in Wood Green, persuaded me to spray the exisiting ones instead. I wanted a very specific forest green with a teal edge, that looks different in different lights, so I mixed the exact shade myself – Kiri then colour-matched it. The unit handles are antique brass and come from Yester Home.
“Because the space is so white and modern, I wanted to introduce more rustic textures and colour through tiling. There are Moroccan zellige tiles in pearly pink for a splashback behind the sink and under the units – I love how the tiles are slightly different shapes and thicknesses.
“Carrara marble worktops were non-negotiable. I love the feel and heft of marble, and its coolness means it’s so good for prepping pastry.
“With the help of Ben Wheeler (@deringrestoration), we converted the small utility room into my dream pantry. It uses the full ceiling height for bespoke, limed oak shelves, and has sturdy handmade shaker units.
“Carefully chosen light fittings have the power to finish a space. I found a modernist Sputnikesque design with multiple lamps for the kitchen. Lights both complement the space and bring character.”
“my hap iest times in my kitchen are rauco s din er parties (in the days w en w co ld hav tho e) aro nd the lo g erco tab e w en the w ne do sn’t sto flo ng”
“fo us o the things yo lo and b ild yo r kitchen aro nd that. T ink ab t w at yo already hav that can b upcycled – can yo spray paint yo r units o update existing furniture?”
Essential kitchen kit?
My Kin knives, Sytch Farm ceramics, Le Creuset casserole and Lodge cast-iron skillet. And my Thermomix and KitchenAid.
What’s always in your fridge?
Butter, onions, my sourdough starter, cheese and ginger.
Is there a family dish you cook again and again?
A really good roast chicken, which turns into chicken stock, which morphs into chicken noodle soup, risotto, and all sorts of other dishes. It all starts with one really good bird.
Give us a recipe, in a sentence, that you eat on your own
Very finely chop half a red onion and a green or red chilli, and mix with a tin of good-quality tuna, salt, pepper and a tiny squeeze of lemon and some mayonnaise, then spread on sourdough toast, shower with grated cheese and grill until melted. A fancy tuna melt! It’s a go-to working lunch.
Favourite O recipe?
Lulu Grimes’ carrot cake, and Adam Bush’s perfect cheeseburger.
Favourite cookbook?
Too many to name but I love Gabrielle Hamilton’s Prune – it’s more like a diary of a restaurant kitchen full of wonderful ideas and opinionated details of why things have to be done a certain way. I love her food, it’s unfussy, informal and pleasure/ flavour led.
Favourite restaurant?
Brawn in east London.
Reasons to be cheerful in 2021?
The hope of being able to host people again for lunch and dinner.
You can follow Rosie on Instagram @rosiefood