A Shaker-Style Family Kitchen That’s Calm and Light
An addition provides a perfect opportunity to create an airy family kitchen with classic good looks in Wales
It can be daunting to take the plunge with a kitchen renovation, but the owners of this detached 1940s house in Cardiff, Wales, had always wanted a Shaker-style kitchen and didn’t hesitate when they had the chance to create one. They were extending their home at the rear and decided to turn the new space into a large, all-in-one family room, utility space, powder room and kitchen. A handmade Shaker kitchen was to be at the heart of the design.
“The Morgans had very clear ideas on the style of kitchen they wanted but were unsure of the best way to plan the layout,” says kitchen designer Ceri Hill of Chalkhouse Interiors, who worked with the family on the new space. “We were involved at the beginning of the building project, so we were able to make suggestions on the best layout for the build, advise on closing up existing windows and how to make best use of the space to create the perfect kitchen for their lifestyle.”
“The Morgans had very clear ideas on the style of kitchen they wanted but were unsure of the best way to plan the layout,” says kitchen designer Ceri Hill of Chalkhouse Interiors, who worked with the family on the new space. “We were involved at the beginning of the building project, so we were able to make suggestions on the best layout for the build, advise on closing up existing windows and how to make best use of the space to create the perfect kitchen for their lifestyle.”
The new kitchen cabinets have classic Shaker doors handmade from a hardwood called tulip, which was chosen for its strength and soft grain, and which gives an exceptionally smooth paint finish.
“The paint color has the appearance of white, but with a grayish, putty tinge that’s never stark,” Hill says. “The polished nickel handles add a touch of shine, but the nickel has a silvery tone with a hint of gold in it, so it doesn’t look as contemporary as a chrome handle would on such a classic door style.”
The shelf over the sink frames the design perfectly and provides space to display decorative items.
Handles: Hafele; Belfast sink: Villeroy & Boch: Phoenician mixer faucet in chrome: Perrin & Rowe; cabinet paint: Cornforth White, Farrow & Ball
“The paint color has the appearance of white, but with a grayish, putty tinge that’s never stark,” Hill says. “The polished nickel handles add a touch of shine, but the nickel has a silvery tone with a hint of gold in it, so it doesn’t look as contemporary as a chrome handle would on such a classic door style.”
The shelf over the sink frames the design perfectly and provides space to display decorative items.
Handles: Hafele; Belfast sink: Villeroy & Boch: Phoenician mixer faucet in chrome: Perrin & Rowe; cabinet paint: Cornforth White, Farrow & Ball
The entire room is an open-plan L-shaped space, with the dining area leading off to the right of the kitchen.
The engineered oak plank flooring brings a warm ambience to the space.
Flooring: Ted Todd
The engineered oak plank flooring brings a warm ambience to the space.
Flooring: Ted Todd
“The design concept was to create a very simple space with clean lines, with the range and its feature [hood] the main focal point as you enter the room,” Hill says.
“By having the tall units together, the rest of the room can be kept open and free of cupboards, other than a small [glass] display cabinet, which adds interest, to the left of the Belfast sink.
“I love symmetry, and find it creates a harmonious feel and is easier on the eye if used judiciously,” Hill says.
“By having the tall units together, the rest of the room can be kept open and free of cupboards, other than a small [glass] display cabinet, which adds interest, to the left of the Belfast sink.
“I love symmetry, and find it creates a harmonious feel and is easier on the eye if used judiciously,” Hill says.
A mix-and-match collection of countertop materials adds texture and color, and is highly practical. The marble-effect quartz surfaces around the perimeter are extremely tough and keep the color scheme pale yet interesting.
“The clients were originally going to have Carrara Massa quartz worktops throughout, but as the island was going to be used as a casual eating place for the children, I felt introducing wood here would make it a more comfortable place to sit,” Hill says. “It also gives more of a furniture feel when viewed from the living area, which is directly behind it.”
Quartz counters: Beltrami; oak counters: Wex Trade; Professional 100 range: Rangemaster; extractor fan: Neff
“The clients were originally going to have Carrara Massa quartz worktops throughout, but as the island was going to be used as a casual eating place for the children, I felt introducing wood here would make it a more comfortable place to sit,” Hill says. “It also gives more of a furniture feel when viewed from the living area, which is directly behind it.”
Quartz counters: Beltrami; oak counters: Wex Trade; Professional 100 range: Rangemaster; extractor fan: Neff
The central island includes a casual seating area and open shelving for a decorative display.
“The building work was the lengthiest part of this project, but it gave us time to refine the kitchen layout and specification with the clients,” Hill says. “It’s one of our handmade kitchens, so everything was made in our workshops and then hand-painted on-site.”
“The building work was the lengthiest part of this project, but it gave us time to refine the kitchen layout and specification with the clients,” Hill says. “It’s one of our handmade kitchens, so everything was made in our workshops and then hand-painted on-site.”
“The family had good-quality Miele appliances already, which they were keen to reuse, and we discreetly fitted the fridge-freezer in a new tall cabinet,” Hill says.
The other tall units include a pantry and a broom cabinet since space in the utility area is limited.
Originals bar stools: Ercol
The other tall units include a pantry and a broom cabinet since space in the utility area is limited.
Originals bar stools: Ercol
The combination microwave oven was installed in the island unit opposite the sink, so it’s neatly hidden from view.
“The clients didn’t want any electrical sockets to spoil the island’s work surface, so we fitted neat sockets on the end, facing the cooker,” Hill says. “It means they’re out of sight but still useful.”
“The clients didn’t want any electrical sockets to spoil the island’s work surface, so we fitted neat sockets on the end, facing the cooker,” Hill says. “It means they’re out of sight but still useful.”
The pendant lights highlight the island and are complemented by carefully positioned LED recessed spotlights, creating a layered lighting effect that ensures the space is beautifully lit both day and night.
“My favorite element is the open area of the kitchen without the wall units,” Hill says. “Sometimes less is more, and avoiding the temptation to fill every area with cupboards for storage definitely paid off here.”
Cobb Rise & Fall pendant lights: Original BTC
“My favorite element is the open area of the kitchen without the wall units,” Hill says. “Sometimes less is more, and avoiding the temptation to fill every area with cupboards for storage definitely paid off here.”
Cobb Rise & Fall pendant lights: Original BTC
“We designed the island to include [baseboard trim] on the living room side, to the left of the kitchen, along with Shaker detail panels to add interest and a feeling of solidity,” Hill says.
“On the working side of the island, we stuck to using a plinth, which is easier during cooking preparation, as [trim] tends to get kicked because it sticks out beyond the cabinet.”
Metro tile: Walls and Floors
“On the working side of the island, we stuck to using a plinth, which is easier during cooking preparation, as [trim] tends to get kicked because it sticks out beyond the cabinet.”
Metro tile: Walls and Floors
The double-door pantry unit with oak-veneered interior is the perfect place to store packets, spices and dried goods, as well as gadgets and appliances.
“I like to use a larder unit in every kitchen if possible,” Hill says. “We have one in our own home and appreciate the fact that all our food is in one location. I also like to include electrical sockets inside it where possible, so clients can keep small appliances, such as the toaster, plugged in and ready to use.”
“I like to use a larder unit in every kitchen if possible,” Hill says. “We have one in our own home and appreciate the fact that all our food is in one location. I also like to include electrical sockets inside it where possible, so clients can keep small appliances, such as the toaster, plugged in and ready to use.”
A utility space leads off the living area. It’s outfitted with matching Shaker-style cabinets for a seamless feel and has tough, practical iroko countertops.
“This area also houses the washing machine and tumble drier, along with the dishwasher,” Hill says. “It’s quite a tight, tricky space … but the end result is very neat and easy to use.”
Belfast sink: Caple
More
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“This area also houses the washing machine and tumble drier, along with the dishwasher,” Hill says. “It’s quite a tight, tricky space … but the end result is very neat and easy to use.”
Belfast sink: Caple
More
8 Top Hardware Styles for Shaker Kitchen Cabinets
5 Classic Shaker Designs for the Contemporary Home
Who lives here: Ryland and Louise Morgan and their two young sons
Location: Cardiff, Wales
Size: About 16 by 12 feet (4.9 by 3.7 meters)
Designer: Ceri Hill of Chalkhouse Interiors
“The existing kitchen was a contemporary gloss white design with granite worktops all round, so not everyone would have chosen to change it,” Hill says. “But the style was too contemporary for the rest of the house, which features beautiful period stained glass windows throughout.”