Kitchen of the week: This tiny kitchen has everything a cook could need
‘The first thing I did was to have the chimney breast removed,’ explains Celia. ‘It gave us a few more inches to work with, which might not sound much, but it’s critical in a space as small as this.’
As the owners are keen cooks they also briefed Celia to include a variety of appliances and to maximise work top space, so designing the scheme felt like a very big jigsaw puzzle. But, after playing around with a variety of layouts, Celia managed to achieve exactly what the owners wanted: a light, airy and deceptively spacious kitchen
The owners wanted the style of the kitchen to be sympathetic to their property’s period architecture so they opted for classic shaker-style units.‘We work with a variety of styles of kitchen units varying from ultra modern to classic, but we always use Davonport Kitchens for our traditional designs,’ says Celia. ‘They produce excellent quality bespoke units and will make anything I specify.’The units are painted in Farrow & Ball Strong White, which has a grey tone, to tie in with the Carrara marble that has been used for the worktops, splash backs and end of the peninsular unit. Keeping the colour scheme light helps to push the walls out and maximise the feeling of space in this compact area. Whilst the glazed doors on the external side of the peninsular unit create an attractive display area on the unit facing the dining table.
The owners gave Celia a list of appliances that they wanted included in the kitchen. ‘As they enjoy entertaining, they initially wanted two ovens,’ says Celia, ‘but I persuaded them to go instead for a big Wolf oven and warming drawer, plus a steamer that can also be used as a conventional oven when needed.’ An induction hob was also added. ‘Very few of our clients go for gas hobs now,’ reveals Celia. ‘Induction hobs are so safe to use around children, they are easy to clean and the controls are very precise too.’Hob KM6386, Miele.
Every detail has been considered in this open-plan space. The exposed end of the peninsular unit has been covered in Carrara marble to match the worktops and splash backs and ensure that the kitchen looks lovely when viewing it from the dining area.‘The owners are very happy with the final result,’ sums up Celia. ‘I think everybody who comes around is surprised at just how much we have managed to cram in to the kitchen.’
Houzz at a GlanceWho lives here? A couple and their two young children Location HertfordshireSize Approximately 4.23m x 217mDesigner Celia Warbrick, Moneyhill InteriorsPhotos Darren CheungThe wide Sub-Zero fridge freezer came with the property and it had to be incorporated into the new kitchen, so Celia worked her design around this and the boiler that was on the wall alongside it.‘We were terribly constricted by space,’ she explains, ‘but removing the chimney breast gave us a little more room to work with and I then focused on fitting in top quality stainless steel appliances to match the existing fridge freezer and maximising the storage and worktop space around this.’Fridge freezer, Sub-Zero. Single oven ICBSO30PE/S/PH, Wolf. Steam oven, ICBCSSO30PE/S/PH, Wolf. Warming drawer, ICBWWD30, Wolf.
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