Our clients for this project came to KCA after being recommended by two of their friends, who were already proud KCA kitchen owners.
A busy family of four with two dogs, they wanted a traditional-style kitchen and a practical utility room in keeping with the rest of their home. As a social family that likes to host their large extended family and friends throughout the year, the new kitchen design needed to be equipped for hosting, serving as a functional social space for everyone to enjoy. The design incorporates the client’s interior style and personality whilst complementing the property’s stunning features, such as the vaulted ceiling and rustic wood beams.
The vaulted ceiling was the room’s main architectural feature, so we began the design by celebrating it’s symmetry. We created a central focal point with a bespoke kitchen mantel and range cooker, which aligns perfectly with the pitched roof in the extension. The glazed wall units on either side of the mantel were designed to accentuate the new feature mantel, breaking up the run of furniture while adding additional mood lighting and space to display their special items.
We maximised the kitchen for practicality, adding plenty of accessible storage, including drawers on either side of the cooker for crockery, cutlery and spices. For effortless storage and access, we included an open pot shelf on the opposite end of the island, ensuring that items used every day were easy to find and put away. We also designed a pantry, providing even more storage for this busy family kitchen.
Following a logical symmetry, the statement island was designed central to the mantel and range cooker. The island design uses matching stone on the working side of the island and transitions into a solid rustic oak worktop. The natural wood adds warmth to the design whilst tying in with architectural details such as the wood floor and ceiling beams. A stunning feature in this project is the tiled kitchen floor around the island, the pattern breaking up the wood texture and creating a dedicated zone for the island.
In such a large kitchen space, we could create an additional overflow area to create a dedicated bar area. A zone explicitly designed for entertaining, we included a dedicated wine cooler, open shelving, and additional pantry cupboards.
The finishes and design cues were carefully considered to create a traditional style kitchen designed for modern living, resulting in a classic design that still feels fresh, modern, and new. Whilst the shaker cabinetry and additional bespoke details add traditional and timeless qualities, the overall finish was modernised by spray painting the cabinetry in Farrow & Ball Duck Green. From the pilasters around the island to the tongue and groove panels in the cabinetry, this KCA project showcases the benefits of the modern-day shaker.
The modern and enhanced approach to classic styles is also present in the appliances, hardware, and accessories. The slate and brass range cooker is a real statement piece that offers all the benefits you would expect from a modern appliance but in a classic style and contemporary colour palette. The brass accents of the oven complement the antique brass cup handles and patinated brass Quooker tap. The large butler sink complements the design perfectly, positioned centrally to the window for calming garden views.
Utility Room
The utility/boot room provides a great space to hide away all the mess and keep laundry or messier jobs out of the kitchen. The utility room follows the same furniture style as the kitchen to create a flow between the two spaces, while the rich, dark blue paint finish gives the utility a complementary yet different look.
We designed this utility room to perfectly suit this family’s needs, with two dedicated larders for the children to store away all their school bags and sports kit, with an open section for the dog beds. Incorporating the usual utility features such as a washing machine, tumble dryer and sink, we also included a central bench seat for boot storage and a place to perch whilst putting on shoes.
