Classic Shaker Cabinets for a Kitchen and Laundry Room
Handmade cabinetry and aged brass finishes are a good fit for an Edwardian house in London
Choosing the right kitchen style can be tough: Do you go for modern or country, custom or off-the-shelf? This wasn’t an issue for the owners of this five-bedroom Edwardian house in London, however. From the get-go, they had their hearts set on something timeless and traditional.
“The owners wanted a classic, country-style kitchen to fit in with the older period of the house,” says designer Alexander Mayes of Higham Furniture. Shaker-style cabinets were the obvious choice, along with light-enhancing off-white tones. The result is a calming domestic hub that’s easy to live in.
“The owners wanted a classic, country-style kitchen to fit in with the older period of the house,” says designer Alexander Mayes of Higham Furniture. Shaker-style cabinets were the obvious choice, along with light-enhancing off-white tones. The result is a calming domestic hub that’s easy to live in.
The home’s new rear addition gives the kitchen a bright, airy feel. “A lot of light comes into this room — it’s such a nice space to be in anytime of year,” Mayes says.
Higham Furniture was involved from the early days of the project. “When the architect draws up the plans is when clients normally engage with us,” Mayes says.
Perimeter cabinet paint: Portland Stone Deep, The Little Greene Paint Co.; island paint: Green Smoke, Farrow & Ball; wall paint: Wimborne White, Farrow & Ball
Find kitchen designers near you in the Houzz pro directory
Higham Furniture was involved from the early days of the project. “When the architect draws up the plans is when clients normally engage with us,” Mayes says.
Perimeter cabinet paint: Portland Stone Deep, The Little Greene Paint Co.; island paint: Green Smoke, Farrow & Ball; wall paint: Wimborne White, Farrow & Ball
Find kitchen designers near you in the Houzz pro directory
The homeowners chose period-style accessories to match the overall mood of the Shaker kitchen. The farmhouse sink, faucet and cup handles are fairly traditional, Mayes points out.
In addition, Higham created the faux chimney to add extra period character. “We made the corbels and mantel bespoke,” he says.
The kitchen floor is engineered wood.
Shop for a farmhouse sink on Houzz
In addition, Higham created the faux chimney to add extra period character. “We made the corbels and mantel bespoke,” he says.
The kitchen floor is engineered wood.
Shop for a farmhouse sink on Houzz
Cream is the order of the day in here. “The owners wanted muted tones and neutral colors, but the island is a warm green, which adds a contrast,” Mayes says. “We could have chosen a similar color again, but then it can all look a bit bland and same-y. The green adds color to the space, and it’s still warm.”
The green also links to the garden, viewed through the French windows. “It brings the outside in a little bit,” he adds.
The green also links to the garden, viewed through the French windows. “It brings the outside in a little bit,” he adds.
Simple square white tiles form the backsplash behind the range.
“Either side of the cooker, the cabinets house plates, bowls, crockery and glassware, with utensils and cutlery in the drawers,” Mayes says.
The wall cabinets have glass doors. “They show off the nice glassware inside, break up the units and add more light. They stop things feeling blocked off,” he says.
“We could have joined up all the cabinets and wrapped them around the room, but it’s more interesting having them disconnected.”
Range: Everhot
“Either side of the cooker, the cabinets house plates, bowls, crockery and glassware, with utensils and cutlery in the drawers,” Mayes says.
The wall cabinets have glass doors. “They show off the nice glassware inside, break up the units and add more light. They stop things feeling blocked off,” he says.
“We could have joined up all the cabinets and wrapped them around the room, but it’s more interesting having them disconnected.”
Range: Everhot
The island incorporates a breakfast bar, complete with comfy stools. The homeowners wanted a sociable kitchen — “a space where they could be together as a family,” Mayes says.
The far end of the room is what he calls the food zone. The double doors next to the fridge conceal a pantry; recipe books sit in a nook; and appliances, cutting boards and spices also live here.
“Above the fridge is what we call a bridging unit — it frames it and looks a bit nicer than a completely freestanding fridge,” he says.
The far end of the room is what he calls the food zone. The double doors next to the fridge conceal a pantry; recipe books sit in a nook; and appliances, cutting boards and spices also live here.
“Above the fridge is what we call a bridging unit — it frames it and looks a bit nicer than a completely freestanding fridge,” he says.
“We use tulipwood for the frames and maple for the doors of our cabinets,” Mayes says. The cup handles and mushroom knobs add more period character. “Aged brass is becoming a really popular finish,” he adds.
Burnished brass cup handles: Armac Martin
Burnished brass cup handles: Armac Martin
The custom cabinets were constructed by hand. “They’re hand-painted so if, in 10 years’ time, the owners no longer like the color or they feel it looks dated, they can change it quite easily,” Mayes says.
“We work to 0.5 millimeter sizewise, which means we’re quite flexible in terms of design,” he says. “We can make units to suit the room’s exact dimensions.”
The drawers are crafted from solid oak with dovetail joints.
Find a local cabinetmaker
“We work to 0.5 millimeter sizewise, which means we’re quite flexible in terms of design,” he says. “We can make units to suit the room’s exact dimensions.”
The drawers are crafted from solid oak with dovetail joints.
Find a local cabinetmaker
The countertops are quartz, a tough composite. “The owners wanted this throughout the kitchen because it’s durable and gives a marble look,” Mayes says.
“They enjoy cooking in this space with their kids around, who might be doing homework at the island while they’re prepping a meal.”
Quartz vs. Granite: The Battle of the Countertops
“They enjoy cooking in this space with their kids around, who might be doing homework at the island while they’re prepping a meal.”
Quartz vs. Granite: The Battle of the Countertops
The sink is in the island. The aged brass faucet works well with the Shaker cabinetry. Mayes notes that its curve echoes the curved bar stools, corbels and breakfast bar “to add some softness.”
Deck-mounted faucet with cross handles in aged brass: Perrin & Rowe
Deck-mounted faucet with cross handles in aged brass: Perrin & Rowe
The undersink cabinet has a solid oak rack for detergent. The dishwasher is tucked inside the cabinet to the left, and the trash bin is on the right.
The interiors of the cabinets are covered with oak-veneered plywood.
The interiors of the cabinets are covered with oak-veneered plywood.
The laundry room has the same Shaker cabinetry, but in a pale gray, and a ceiling-mounted drying rack.
“We made a little space for the laundry basket on wheels,” Mayes says.
Shop for clothes drying racks
“We made a little space for the laundry basket on wheels,” Mayes says.
Shop for clothes drying racks
The washing machine and dryer are tucked behind the door, while the cabinet on the left is for coats.
More on Houzz
Read about other remodeled kitchens
Find a kitchen remodeler
Shop for kitchen and dining products
More on Houzz
Read about other remodeled kitchens
Find a kitchen remodeler
Shop for kitchen and dining products
Kitchen-Laundry Room at a Glance
Who lives here: A professional couple with three young daughters
Location: Stamford Brook area of London
Size: About 320 square feet (30 square meters); about 18 feet by 18 feet (5.4 by 5.5 meters)
Designer: Alexander Mayes of Higham Furniture