A show kitchen built for sociable cooking.
An awkward extension, a sunless courtyard and a disconnected living space became one large, dramatic family kitchen designed around cooking, entertaining and everyday life.
Space they had, but couldn't really use.
An unusual L-shaped extension created a gloomy courtyard outside and left a long connecting living space inside that was little more than a route to the kitchen.
The aim was to absorb the courtyard into a new extension and turn the whole area into one generous, connected family space.
This time, it was his kitchen.
I had already designed several rooms in the house largely to his wife's tastes. But the kitchen was very much his space, and he wanted something darker, sharper and more dramatic: a kitchen made for entertaining, but with everything in its place.
We explored different layouts before settling on a scheme that balanced symmetry, uninterrupted preparation space, generous storage and easy circulation between the kitchen, dining area and garden.
Concept visual
Concept visual
Concept visual
Drama, with everything in its place.
The main kitchen run is balanced by a custom drinks area opposite, creating a sense of symmetry without simply repeating the cabinetry. Guests can help themselves while staying out of the main cooking zone.
Tall cupboards conceal everything from larger appliances to the underfloor-heating manifold and cleaning equipment. Deep drawers make pans and everyday supplies easy to reach, with additional storage hidden beneath the island.
Behind the hob, book-matched veined stone creates the showpiece the client wanted. The central section was deliberately left free of wall cabinets so the mirrored pattern could be seen in full.
A little bit of Jaipur.
His wife had talked about her love of the palaces and architecture of Jaipur. Rather than leave a large expanse of plain flooring at the entrance to the new space, I designed a geometric tile pattern inspired by the Panna Meena ka Kund stepwell.
It gives the floor direction, draws the eye naturally towards the island and garden beyond, and brings something personal to an otherwise very contemporary kitchen.
One big room. Lots of different moods.
A coffered ceiling allowed dimmable LED lighting to disappear around the perimeter of the room and the new roof lantern.
Cabinet lighting, pendants and architectural lighting were placed on separate circuits, allowing the family to shift from practical task lighting to something warmer and more dramatic in the evening.
Over the island, a bar pendant with individually adjustable cable lengths allowed the shades to sit at a consistent height beneath the sloping extension roof.
From corridor to media zone.
The previously awkward connecting space was turned into a warm timber-clad media area. Removing the old chimney breast made room for the large television, games console and flexible seating, with the screen visible from every seated part of the wider room.
Concept
Completed
A downstairs loo worth showing off.
The downstairs toilet had previously occupied a cold, draughty space beside the front door. Moving it into the former pantry allowed that entrance space to become a much-needed walk-in cupboard for coats, the pram and general family storage.
The new WC was deliberately treated as a little wow moment for guests. I chose a freestanding marble pedestal basin, again inspired by the warm cream natural stone of Jaipur temples, and patterned tiles in her favourite green, turning a practical necessity into a room with its own beauty and serenity.
A show kitchen that still works hard.
Dramatic enough for entertaining, practical enough for family life, and designed so cooking remains at the heart of the room rather than being interrupted by everything happening around it.
Drag from concept to completed space.
