This classic kitchen wonderfully demonstrates the art of ‘working with a room’ in order to get the best overall balance and use of space. The period house that this kitchen was designed for is quite typical of the locality; generous in depth, front-to-back and with lovely high ceilings, but with a width that had to be respected.

The owners wanted not just a kitchen, but a casual dining area for comfortably 6 people, a place where homework could be carried out and a ‘chillax’ space to simply read the paper – preferably sited near to a new wood burner that had just been purchased…

It had been decided that although the front rooms to the house were somewhat formal, with their original mouldings, the kitchen, whilst not being overly contemporary, would reflect the modern family lifestyle. The bench seating was designed to marry in to the back of the working kitchen area, to not only give a cohesive feel, but to free up the space by the French doors and wood burner. A really special cabinet was designed to combine larder food items, along with crockery. This piece was made at such a height and depth so as to maximise storage, whilst not being overbearing when entering the room. The twin pedestal table is another ‘one off’ and was designed with the users of the bench seating in mind.

A finishing touch was to set the wood burner on a flush ‘standing hearth’ that was made from the same stone as the kitchen worktops and splashbacks.

The overall result is a predominantly light, beautifully balanced room, with warmth being added by the black walnut.
Timeless.