When the owner moved into this three-bedroom semi in south London 20 years ago, she planned to live with its tired old kitchen for just a couple of years. The right time to tackle the job never seemed to arrive though, and 18 years went by before an opportunity to refresh the space came about. ‘I was desperate for a change, and thought I’d install underfloor heating to get the ball rolling,’ she says, ‘but when the builder came to survey the job, he suggested knocking the kitchen down and starting again.’
The plan was to create a bright, open-plan kitchen that would be both a practical and sociable space. To make more of the garden, the owner opted for floor-to-ceiling glazed doors and added roof lights to flood the room with sunlight. A mix of exposed brick walls and basalt work tops gives the space an industrial look. ‘I spent ages sourcing every item and I love how the kitchen looks now. It’s better than I’d imagined and it makes the garden seem bigger and more accessible.’
Kitchen units
British Standard
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Limestone floor tiles
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Island unit
Installing a row of skylights and glazed doors leading to the garden has turned this once dark kitchen into a welcoming, sunlit space.
Bi-fold doors
Origin
Pendant light
House of Lights
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Hob area
The white metro-tiled splashback is stylish and practical. A vintage-look street sign adds interest to the neutral scheme.
Sign, for similar, try
Notonthehighstreet
Tiles
Fired Earth
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Built-in storage
To make the most of the space, floor to ceiling units were fitted to include a larder and allow space for a large American-style fridge freezer. The space above has been used to display cookery books.
Oak worktop
British Standard
Samsung fridge freezer
John Lewis
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Open-plan space
By extending out and to the side of the property, the owner has created a natural flow of space between the breakfast room and the new kitchen extension.
Limestone floor tiles
Fired Earth
Stool
Swoon Editions
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Sink area
Knocking through part of the wall means that the owner can socialise with guests sitting in the dining area beyond.
Italian basalt worktop
Prestige Marble
Love sign
Names in Light
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Wall sign
The light sign was made to order and fills the space perfectly.
Love sign
Names in Light
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Slate floor
The mix of limestone floor tiles, shaker style kitchen units and wood, accentuates the modern style whilst maintaining a welcoming warm kitchen.
Limestone floor tiles
Fired Earth
Stool
Swoon Editions
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Induction hob
The owner wanted an induction hob but had difficulty finding one which was not black. After a long search, she sourced this Siemens hob in grey, which blends almost seamlessly with the basalt worktop.
Hob
Siemens
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Before
The kitchen before the makeover. What a transformation!
