Kitchen of the Week: A Georgian Villa Gains a Spacious Kitchen-diner

Kitchen of the Week: A Georgian Villa Gains a Spacious Kitchen-diner- Sometimes it can be difficult to imagine how a warren of small rooms will look and function when they’re knocked through into a single space. The owners of this Edinburgh home faced just that issue, but after the walls were taken down, the result was a large and airy ground-floor space and the perfect spot for the open-plan kitchen-diner they had longed for.

With a blank canvas in place, the kitchen needed to tick many boxes. It had to be both a practical and social hub for cooking, eating and relaxing. In terms of style, the owners wanted a slick, modern silhouette that would look at home against a period backdrop, surrounded by feel-good neutrals, natural textures and a sprinkling of retro furniture. The builders suggested they head to local kitchen showroom Kitchens International, where they hooked up with designer Stuart Miller.

Kitchens International

Kitchen at a Glance
Who lives here A couple and their two young children
Location Edinburgh
Size 45 sq m; part of a Georgian villa
Designer Stuart Miller of Kitchens International
Structural work Michael James of Install Elite, Edinburgh
Interior design Rough Design, Edinburgh

‘This kitchen is part of a major renovation the clients did to their family home, a full Georgian villa,’ explains kitchen designer Stuart Miller. ‘The kitchen itself was created by knocking several ancillary rooms to the rear of the property into one large, open-plan kitchen, dining and living space.’

The space naturally fell into two distinct zones: preparation, cooking and casual eating at the main, ‘kitchen’ end of the room, and dining and relaxing at the other end, where two huge, glazed bifold doors open out on to the patio and garden beyond.

Kitchens International

‘The owners’ brief was for an understated kitchen finished to an exceptional standard that was easy to maintain, in a contemporary style without a sharp edge,’ says Miller. ‘They also wanted easy access to storage and a sociable area for informal dining and gatherings.’

He pointed them in the direction of handleless Leicht cabinets in charcoal grey. The island unit is a key feature at the ‘working’ end of the kitchen: it offers a place for guests to chat while the cook is busy preparing food and subtly divides the zones. The essential functions are positioned within easy reach of each other, with the hob at the far end, the large, single-bowl sink and dishwasher to the right and a bank of food storage, refrigeration and appliances all integrated neatly into a wall of floor-to-ceiling, built-in units.

The industrial-style bar-stools and trio of bare-bulb pendant lights hung over the island were chosen by the owners to inject a bit of a ‘steam punk’ twist into the overall contemporary feel.

Synthia-C Ceres kitchen units, Leicht. Blanco Zerox sink, Blanco UK. Hob, Siemens. Bar-stools, Cult Furniture.

Kitchens International

Every last finish and fixture has been carefully considered and the striking combination of matt charcoal laminate handleless doors and quartz stone worktop in pale grey creates an easy-on-the-eye balance.

The warm grey glass splashback offers another, barely there hue from the classic grey palette, while the unexpected wash of pink light underneath the island is thanks to an RGB colour-changing LED strip. It can be set to a specific colour or colour sequence depending on the time of day, occasion and mood.

Miller has managed to pack in lots of storage while keeping an open feel. ‘Pull-out drawers are a great way to maximise storage efficiency and they meant we didn’t need to add wall cabinets, which kept the bright and open feel,’ he explains.

Quartz worktop in smoked grey, Silestone. Splashback, Optiwhite coloured glass in Ecoat grey, Pilkington.

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Kitchens International

Thanks to the sociable layout and considered use of materials, the kitchen is warm and welcoming as well as extremely practical.

Storage is maximised with plenty of deep drawers and pull-out larders, while the long, wide planks of engineered oak flooring are practical and stylish. ‘Our greatest challenge was how to maintain a minimalist approach but avoid the temptation to overdesign the cabinetry,’ recalls Miller.

Ritchie three-seater sofa, Made.

Kitchens International

The floor-to-ceiling bifold doors at the dining end of the room open out directly on to the garden. ‘The expanse of glass helps heighten the sense of space,’ says Miller. It ensures the kitchen is airy, light-filled and perfect for family gatherings and get-togethers – at any time of the year.

The sturdy timber dining table was picked up during the family’s stint in Hong Kong. It’s paired with contemporary black and chrome dining chairs.

Jasper dining chairs, John Lewis.

Kitchens International

The industrial-style light fixture above the dining table adds a gritty edge to the kitchen. Rough Design in Edinburgh customised the fitting with bespoke wiring and a finish to suit the scheme.

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Kitchens International

The traditional structure of the Georgian villa has been offset with contemporary glazed doors. It’s a clever balance of old and new that works well. Outside lighting means the garden can be used during the evening, too.

Kitchens International

The use of natural materials and neutral hues both inside and out link the spaces and create a warm, personal kitchen that’s perfect for get-togethers of all sizes. ‘The kitchen has become the main hub of the home where the family can relax together,’ Miller concludes.

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http://www.houzz.co.uk/photos/kitchen

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