A Beautiful Connection Between a Kitchen and a Dining Room
A few clever design tricks ensure that a lightened-up English kitchen pairs well with a cozy dining room
If you’re wondering how to compromise when your partner wants neutral shades and you prefer color, this project might provide some ideas. Designer Fiona Duke helped the owners of this converted English manor house to create a harmonious balance between a pale-hued classic kitchen and a blue-walled, intimate dining room.
They moved the kitchen cabinets into the narrow addition and installed a large island. From here the cook can look into the dining room.
A traditional-style hood was built above the range. Simple white tiles on the backsplash have been livened up with black grout. “The female member of the couple loves a classic, pared-back look, while her husband is keen on bold color,” Duke says, “and this is a good example of where they compromised.”
A trio of glass pendants are hung in line with the bottom of a structural beam above the island. “I chose glass to reflect the light and to ensure an uninterrupted view through to the large bay window in the dining room,” Duke says.
A traditional-style hood was built above the range. Simple white tiles on the backsplash have been livened up with black grout. “The female member of the couple loves a classic, pared-back look, while her husband is keen on bold color,” Duke says, “and this is a good example of where they compromised.”
A trio of glass pendants are hung in line with the bottom of a structural beam above the island. “I chose glass to reflect the light and to ensure an uninterrupted view through to the large bay window in the dining room,” Duke says.
Storage in the kitchen is a mix of base cabinets and large drawers. “I find drawers really practical, as you can pull them out easily and access the back,” Duke says.
A refrigerator is positioned to the left, while glass-fronted wall cabinets reflect light from the roof windows above.
The owner chose a Carrara marble countertop. A sink is located in the island and below is a wine cooler, a dishwasher and some extra storage.
A refrigerator is positioned to the left, while glass-fronted wall cabinets reflect light from the roof windows above.
The owner chose a Carrara marble countertop. A sink is located in the island and below is a wine cooler, a dishwasher and some extra storage.
The team made the most of the original curved architecture in the corner of the room to create an unusual pantry area.
A marble countertop and open storage unit sit beneath a series of curved shelves. “The owner is incredibly neat, so an open area like this works well in this particular family home,” Duke says.
The room’s ceiling is more than 11 feet high, so Duke was able to install a cluster pendant that ties in with the glass lights over the island.
A marble countertop and open storage unit sit beneath a series of curved shelves. “The owner is incredibly neat, so an open area like this works well in this particular family home,” Duke says.
The room’s ceiling is more than 11 feet high, so Duke was able to install a cluster pendant that ties in with the glass lights over the island.
The dining room was previously used as a study and closed off from the kitchen. Duke opened up the two spaces and, as there’s another entrance and staircase to the left of the opening, she blocked off the door in the alcove next to the window.
The wide opening was fitted with bifold doors. The dining side is painted blue to tie in with the rest of the room, while the other side matches the kitchen.
“When the doors are pulled shut for an evening dinner party, it makes the room feel intimate and cozy,” Duke says.
“When the doors are pulled shut for an evening dinner party, it makes the room feel intimate and cozy,” Duke says.
The dining space reflects the husband’s taste for deeper colors, but is subtle enough to complement the neutral kitchen. Duke encouraged them to go for black cabinets in the alcoves to add drama to the space.
The three glass pendants are similar to the kitchen lights, with the same brass hardware so they help to link the two rooms.
Wall paint: De Nimes, Farrow & Ball
The three glass pendants are similar to the kitchen lights, with the same brass hardware so they help to link the two rooms.
Wall paint: De Nimes, Farrow & Ball
The couple paired midcentury chairs with a farmhouse table, which works as an informal daytime surface as well as for evening dining.
A large rug helps to form a separation between the dining furniture and the floor. “As it’s wooden furniture on a wooden floor, the table and chairs could have felt a little lost,” Duke says.
A large rug helps to form a separation between the dining furniture and the floor. “As it’s wooden furniture on a wooden floor, the table and chairs could have felt a little lost,” Duke says.
The view out the window is private so there was no need for curtains or blinds. “The view out of the window is really lovely, even at night,” Duke says.
“It took a while to convince the couple to add this convex mirror, but I knew it would add real character to the room,” Duke says. “They love it and are pleased they went for it. It looks fantastic in the evening, and really helps to connect the two spaces when the doors are open.”
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More on Houzz
Read more stories about kitchen makeovers
Find a kitchen designer
Shop for kitchen and dining products
Kitchen at a Glance
Who lives here: A couple and their two young daughters
Location: Hertfordshire, England
Size: Kitchen: 344 square feet (32 square meters); dining room: 215 square feet (20 square meters)
Designer: Fiona Duke of Fiona Duke Interiors
The kitchen and dining room in this Edwardian home were redesigned as part of a whole house renovation. The kitchen’s side wall was originally where the island is now, and there was a window at the back where the French doors are.
The couple’s builders extended the kitchen to the right and installed a long skylight to bring sunshine into the space. “It was previously the darkest, smallest area of the whole house,” Duke says. “The glazed door helps to give the space a brighter feel.”
Cabinet paint: Damask; island paint: Lead; wall paint: Ammonite, Farrow & Ball