Kitchen of the Week: Deep Green Brings Warmth to an Open Space
Cabinets in a rich, dark tone combine with oak, quartz and brass to create a family kitchen that’s big on personality
When the owners of this house in north London wanted to create their dream family kitchen, friends recommended Kitchen Ergonomics as they’d used them previously. Andy Ward took on the project, his years of experience marking him as right for the job since it involved a serious amount of preparation and building work before the installation. “We were converting a living room and kitchen into one open-plan space,” Ward says. “That alone took three weeks of work, which is quite a bit more prep than we’d typically have to do for a kitchen.”
Time was saved designing the details, though, because the owner had a clear vision. “She wanted deep green cabinets — she was absolutely certain of that,” Andy says. That longed-for shade is combined with quartz countertops, brass handles and oak open shelving. Natural textures and plenty of treasured pieces are woven throughout to give this spacious room warmth and personality.
Time was saved designing the details, though, because the owner had a clear vision. “She wanted deep green cabinets — she was absolutely certain of that,” Andy says. That longed-for shade is combined with quartz countertops, brass handles and oak open shelving. Natural textures and plenty of treasured pieces are woven throughout to give this spacious room warmth and personality.
As well as having her heart set on the color, the owner also knew she wanted Shaker-style cabinetry. The previous kitchen had glossy cabinets without hardware, but she wanted something more classic here, Ward says.
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Plenty of storage and some open shelving were also on the must-include list. “The owner didn’t want everything closed off and put away,” Ward says. Oak shelves have been incorporated on the far wall.
“We also fitted some shelves in the island,” he says. “This could have been another cupboard, but instead it houses cookbooks. It’s lit with small downlights. You could just have those on in the evening — there are more on the open shelving in the corner — and not the ceiling lights for a warm glow.”
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“We also fitted some shelves in the island,” he says. “This could have been another cupboard, but instead it houses cookbooks. It’s lit with small downlights. You could just have those on in the evening — there are more on the open shelving in the corner — and not the ceiling lights for a warm glow.”
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Small downlights illuminate the shallow shelf that runs the length of the backsplash too — another space to display the treasured pieces that bring personality to this space.
The cabinet handles are in an aged brass that tones beautifully with the warm green cabinets, which were painted to order.
Cabinet paint: Deep Forest Green, Kitchen Ergonomics
The cabinet handles are in an aged brass that tones beautifully with the warm green cabinets, which were painted to order.
Cabinet paint: Deep Forest Green, Kitchen Ergonomics
Originally, there was a kitchen and living room at the back of the house. Ward and his team knocked down the wall dividing those two rooms to create one large open-plan space stretching across the back of the property, with room for that much-wanted island and a dining area too (just seen here).
“We took down ceilings, installed new glazing, replastered and laid new flooring,” he says.
“We took down ceilings, installed new glazing, replastered and laid new flooring,” he says.
The countertops and backsplash are 20 millimeter Calacatta Nuvo marble-effect quartz. The material has a light gray veining on a clean white background. “You can see a small sample and then find that the finished piece looks quite different, because the veining varies, but the owner was thrilled with this,” Ward says.
The wall immediately to the right as you enter the kitchen houses the ovens, built-in pantry storage and the fridge-freezer.
The oak open shelving was always designed to hold personal pieces and not simply kitchen equipment. It’s home to books, plants and family photos. “That was really important to the owner,” Ward says. “It makes the space feel warm and inviting.”
Further warmth and texture has been introduced via the cane bar stools and the decorative shell bowl on the island.
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The oak open shelving was always designed to hold personal pieces and not simply kitchen equipment. It’s home to books, plants and family photos. “That was really important to the owner,” Ward says. “It makes the space feel warm and inviting.”
Further warmth and texture has been introduced via the cane bar stools and the decorative shell bowl on the island.
More on Houzz
Read more kitchen stories
Browse kitchen photos
Hire a kitchen remodeler
Shop for kitchen products
Kitchen at a Glance
Who lives here: A couple and their two children
Location: North London
Designer: Andy Ward of Kitchen Ergonomics
The owner’s original brief included a few other must-haves besides the deep green cabinetry. “She wanted a large island with seating,” Ward says. “She had a vision of the children sitting there to do their homework while the adults cook, and everyone being part of the one room.”
Come the evening, the island is also a great place for guests to gather. “The owners entertain a lot, both friends and family, and this room is now very much the hub of the home. They all love it.”
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