Our clients Mark and Jo have lived in their property for over 20 years. When they first moved in, they carried out an extensive renovation but left the original kitchen. After living with the original kitchen all this time, they decided to update it along with the dining space. Following a friend’s recommendation, they appointed KCA for the task with the brief to create a modern, light and airy open-plan kitchen for this family with two teenage sons and two cats. Mark and Jo felt that the existing kitchen was dark and disconnected from the dining area which is bathed in light and boasts a connection to the beautifully landscaped garden. Therefore, a key design component is how these two zones interact through the layout and the use of finishes from the kitchen to the dining area, which create continuity between the two zones.
Another key aspect of the brief was repurposing the existing flooring which Mark and Jo wished to keep. The flooring was timeless and in good condition so replacing it would have created unnecessary waste. As the floor tiles were laid around the old kitchen, they didn’t run underneath the units which presented a design challenge. To ensure the original flooring could be preserved, we designed the new kitchen design within the footprint of their old kitchen.
Working with the existing kitchen footprint, we utilised the large niche to integrate a run of tall cabinetry, incorporating a large Liebherr fridge and freezer with a plumbed-in ice maker. We housed the state-of-the-art Siemens IQ500 single oven with Active Clean and Siemens IQ500 combi oven in the centre of space, delivering ease of use and modern symmetry. Within the run of tall cabinets, we included a breakfast pantry, creating the perfect place to store the toaster and family favourite cereals, keeping the worktops clear to maintain a clean and modern aesthetic. We re-located the sink from the wall opposite to create an open worktop area for food prep. Following the clean, minimalist design, the clients opted for a Quooker Flex tap with filtered drinking water; after all, modern kitchens don’t have kettles!
Keeping the space social and ensuring that the garden can always be enjoyed, we positioned the hob facing outwards to the garden. The old kitchen design didn’t feature an extractor because of the beam above, so we incorporated a Siemens Flex induction panoramic hob alongside a Siemens downdraft extractor which draws away cooking vapours and odours whilst protecting the people perched behind the breakfast bar. The cabinets on the back of the breakfast bar peninsula offer additional secondary storage and the perfect central location for the Caple single zone wine cooler, offering easy access from the dining area.
To answer our clients’ brief to connect the kitchen and dining spaces, we created a bespoke fitted sideboard in the same finishes as the kitchen design, creating continuity between the two areas. Through our furniture partners, we could also supply the large dining table, perfect for family meals and special occasions when Mark and Jo entertain.
For this KCA kitchen design we selected finishes to create the modern, light aesthetic that our clients desired. Light grey laminate doors keep the space light and airy, contrasted with putty concrete graphite laminate doors, open shelves and breakfast bar zone. The table and open shelving on the sideboard are silk grey oak laminate to add texture and warmth and tie in with the existing floor tiles. The 30mm polished Silestone Miami Vena worktop has a white base tone with a faint grey vein to reflect light back into the room, which we paired with a smoked mirror to reflect the garden and inject light into the previously dark kitchen space.
