Kitchen Transformed from Narrow and Gloomy to Light and Spacious

Charlie Smallbone, founder of Ledbury Studio, and his team faced a significant design challenge in this latest project. The existing kitchen of a 1920s house in North London was long and narrow with very little natural light. Located to the rear of the house and accessed via an adjoining dining room off the entrance hall, the advantageous lofty proportions of the space were unfortunately complicated by three different ceiling heights (the consequence of crude building works some 30 years ago). At the back of the kitchen was a door leading to a former cold store that had been converted into a cramped utility room. Here, Charlie reveals how they created the stunning new space.

Materials

We chose fluted glass for cabinet fronts to keep the design light and airy, but without having the contents on display as you would with open shelves. The worktops are hard-wearing Classico Marble Arabesque quartz coupled with Verre Eglomise splashbacks, whereby pure gold leaf was applied to the reverse of toughened glass and antiqued. Demonstrating an eye for detail, the client requested a floral design be gilded onto the Verre Eglomise surface behind the hob, transforming it into a standout feature.

The kitchen is mainly taken from our Ledbury Shaker collection, but the client was also keen to introduce our signature use of metals. We added aged brass to the edge of the cooker hood and also used it for the plate rack’s supporting brackets, the hanging rails mounted on the splashbacks and the cupboard handles.

Storage solutions

The client is a prolific cook with a library of recipe books now housed in a floor-to-ceiling bookshelf within easy reach of the prep space. There is a generous breakfast cupboard too, combining a wealth of storage with dedicated space for microwave and coffee machine. Space to store wine was another priority, so we integrated a wine storage appliance into the design, in addition to the open wine storage in the mint-coloured cupboard. To the right of this is a walk-in cupboard for the boiler, and a slot for the washing machine and tumble dryer, stacked one on top of the other to maximise space.

Finally, the units either side of the range cooker constitute one of the most important parts of the design for me. What looks like multiple wall and base cupboards are actually two complete pieces of furniture.

Ledbury Studio kitchens start from £50,000.

This week’s instalment of Project of the Week interior design series features an open plan residential space design by 2021 SBID Awards Finalist, Nicola Burt Interior Design.

The company was tasked with transforming a tired separate kitchen, living and dining room into a warm, slightly opulent open plan space, that reflected the 1930s built of the house.

They achieved this by removing the structural wall separating the kitchen from the living area, and installing a new emerald green kitchen and island to integrate the spaces together whilst still retaining the separate zones. The warm, opulent feel was enhanced by the orange, green and blue velvet tones of the upholstered furniture together with the wood parquet floor.

Wherever possible Nicola Burt Interior Design team reused existing furniture and accessories, to minimise waste and the impact on the environment.

What was the client’s brief? 

The brief from the client was to transform a tired and awkward separate kitchen, living and dining room into an open plan kitchen/dining/living space.

The client wanted a room where she could entertain as well as cook and relax. She also wanted to be able to look out onto her garden, so our team installed a wall of glazed Crittall Bifold doors, which retained that 1930s feel.

What inspired the design of the project?

The client wanted to be bold and use colour – she has some artworks by Louis Turpin in the space which are incredibly vibrant and colourful, so I drew inspiration from those for the scheme. The artwork inspired the choice of emerald green for the kitchen cabinetry.

We then paired the green kitchen with an orange velvet scalloped sofa and armchair, and a blue-green swivel chair and bar stool to enhance the vibrancy and opulent feel. I was keen to re-use existing furniture where possible – we retained the client’s colourful Christian Lacroix rug which worked perfectly with the scheme, and the client’s existing dining chairs. Our team also upholstered her piano stool in a beautiful vibrant offcut of woven Ghanaian fabric.

The Crittall Bifold doors to the garden, touches of gold in the handles and tap, scalloped furniture, Tristan and Isolde table lamps, all referenced the warm Art Deco feel the client wanted in her 1930s home.

What was the toughest hurdle your team overcame during the project?

A major challenge was working with COVID restrictions, something that I had never encountered in my 16 years working as an interior designer. We began planning the project in March 2020, but then almost immediately the first complete lockdown came into force. I had to pivot really quickly to ensure we could keep working, so I advised the client that we could continue to plan the new space remotely until we were allowed to meet face-to-face on site. This would mean we would be ready to go as soon as restrictions were lifted.

As soon as we were permitted, our team appointed an architect in to survey and draw up plans, a structural engineer to survey and do drawings for the steels, contractors to price for the work, and Building Control to inspect. After the client signed off the kitchen design we could then place the order for the furniture, with fingers crossed there would be no delays due to COVID disrupting supply chains.

The building work was booked to start in September 2020 and when it began the contractor discovered that the original frame of the property had been constructed from poured concrete, which was incredibly solid and heavy to remove. This delayed the work slightly, but we completed the project at the end of October.

It was stressful but we were incredibly lucky to get the major building work done and completed in between the various lockdown restrictions.

What was your team’s highlight of the project?

The first highlight was seeing the client’s joy when the scheme came together and how thrilled she was with her new space.

The second was being nominated as a finalist in the SBID Awards. There was such a great reaction to this project in the press and social media so I thought I would enter it into the awards. I never thought for a minute it would be nominated and I am so thrilled. It just confirms to me that you should be brave and trust your instincts with your design ideas!

Why did you enter this project into the SBID Awards?

I entered the SBID Awards as they are so prestigious in the industry, and the judges are of the highest calibre. To be nominated as a finalist has been such a boost to my confidence, reputation and business, and to (hopefully!) win would be even more amazing, not only for me but as an inspiration to all the interior design students I teach.

Questions answered by Nicola Burt, Interior Designer, Nicola Burt Interior Design.

Charlie Smallbone, founder of Ledbury Studio, has garnered a reputation for collaborating with talented artisans. His latest project in Wimbledon is no exception. It features stunning stained-glass windows by celebrated artist Brian Clarke that strike a colourful contrast to Charlie’s cool, industrial-inspired design.

Two sets of natural oak drawers with exposed dovetail joints inject a craft-inspired vibe into the pared-back design. Airy Concrete Caesarstone was then chosen for the worktops; a perfect complement to the concrete flooring. The finishing flourish is Crittall patio doors that open into the garden – an essential element of any industrial-inspired kitchen.

“This is a kitchen that works on so many levels,” concludes Charlie. “It’s a highly functional family kitchen, a great open-plan entertaining space – that links so well with the garden – and the backdrop for some truly stunning pieces of art. I couldn’t be more delighted with the finished effect.”

Ledbury Studio kitchens start from £50,000.

Whether you have an apartment or house, living in a large urban centre such as London means it is very likely you have relatively small rooms. Below is a selection of the best solutions to make the most of your physical and visual space.
Choosing only what you need and scaling your furniture are very important when working with smaller spaces and are often forgotten. Make use of those neglected spaces, for example the space underneath the staircase, which can be used for extra shelves or drawers.

Bespoke furniture is an amazing way to optimise your space, built-in cabinetry offers a great solution when it comes to storing personal items. Urban apartments which are housed in industrial buildings tend to have high ceilings, to make use of this space, try going vertical, for instance, by using tall bookcases.

Placing mirrors in the dining area, living room or in the bedroom will make your room look bigger.  Using mirrors is an interior design trick that works wonders, especially when placing mirrors across from a window, enabling them to receive and reflect more light.

You will all agree that light colours will make small spaces feel more open and spacious, but do not be afraid to add a little colour to the room. Pastels and neutrals are always safe choices to liven up your room but do try to stay away from big patterned wallpaper and dark colours; they will easily make a room feel closed in.

Open plan kitchens or a kitchen extensions can completely change the way your home looks and feel. Removing a wall to open up the kitchen and connecting it with the living room can give an amazing new spacious feel to your home and a kitchen extension is a fantastic way to increase your living space whilst adding value to your home.

To create space in your kitchen and dining area, you can add a breakfast bar to your kitchen or save drawer and cupboard space using other clever ways to storage your things. Think of a magnetic knife rack or a hanging pot rack above your kitchen island.

If your kitchen happens to be adjoining the garden, ideally the space will be able to open up to bring the outside in, with patio doors being a great option. With patio doors, you will make your kitchen look extended and larger than it was before. Another way to make your kitchen look more spacious is to use gloss units and reflecting surfaces in your kitchen interior design.

The bathroom is the place where you go to relax or rejuvenate yourself with a hot shower. You do not want your interior design making it feel like the walls are closing you in. For your privacy you will need at least one wall, but solid walls will make the room look smaller, whereas glass or frosted sliding doors will let in light, making your bathroom airy and open. Larger tiles will make a small space seem bigger, but surprisingly, so do very small tiles such as mosaics.

An absolute must in smaller bathrooms is good lighting. Having a loft bathroom would enable you to put in a big skylight, but if small windows are your only option, undress your windows and replace the glass with frosted panes. Have halogen spots installed; they mimic natural daylight and will instantly make your bathroom look larger.

Author Vincent Cullane, Creative Director of Increation

Over the last thirty years or so, an interior design revolution has been sweeping the globe. Open-plan kitchens have become the new black of home design, at once fulfilling a desire for more space and uniting the two sacred family spheres of kitchen and living room. Indeed, according to a recent survey conducted by Houzz, only a third of homeowners considered increasing the size of their kitchens, but a whopping 77% intended to open them up to another room by knocking through a wall.

However, more recently, there has been a small backlash against the open plan system. Some feel that the idea is not without its drawbacks and that in fact, some of the very points listed as its advantages, actually detract from its appeal. So what’s the story? Here are some of the finer points of each side of the debate.

For Open-plan Kitchens

Entertaining others – Open-plan kitchens afford busy hosts the chance to put the finishing touches to their courses whilst still wowing their guests with amusing anecdotes and witty quips.

Parents of young children – Mums and Dads of young ones can now keep an eye on them when working in the kitchen to make sure they are not scrawling all over the walls or sticking their fingers into electrical sockets or other places they don’t belong.

Watching TV while cooking – You can now watch your favourite soap or sitcom whilst chopping parsley and prepping the salad.

Making smaller kitchens look larger – For those with space constraints, an open-plan kitchen can be the perfect solution in creating the illusion of spaciousness and alleviating a cramped or claustrophobic impression.

Against Open-plan Kitchens

Others can always see you entertain – With dinner parties, it is not always desirable to be in plain view of your guests. If disaster strikes in an open-plan kitchen and you drop a dish, everyone can see. Concealing mess, grabbing a breather or surprising guests with an unexpected addition to the menu is out of the question with an open-plan.

Your kids can see you, too – Which means no more surreptitious snacking or escaping their attention. Plus, they aren’t going to be young forever; and as they grow, you will probably find you naturally both need more time apart.

You don’t always want to watch or hear what’s on TV – Hate sports? Well forget about escaping into the kitchen to get away from the big game and the raucous revelry that normally accompanies it. The same applies with infuriatingly repetitive children’s programmes and teen shows.

Which Way Will You Go?

In the end, there are pros and cons to open-plan kitchens, which need to be considered when deciding whether or not to incorporate one into your home.

They can be great for those looking to expand a smaller kitchen and make it look more spacious, or for those more extroverted and comfortable constantly being in the presence of others. They are especially suited to couples who have no secrets from each other and can engender a shared sense of intimacy.

On the other hand, implementing an open-plan kitchen will drastically reduce the privacy in your home. An open-plan kitchen essentially means you have a kitchen with a blaring entertainment system in it, and a living room with a sink full of dirty dishes in it. As such, more introverted people may be happy with the traditionally closed kitchen.

Both approaches are not without merit, though you must decide which is right for you; taking into account your spatial, familial and personal circumstances.

Author: Rob Truslove, Owner of Pink Kitchen – the UK home of cute pink kitchen appliances and accessories.