‘Everything they’d accumulated over the years had ended up in the kitchen,’ says designer Andy Stone, who was commissioned to breathe new life into the overflowing space. ‘The kitchen itself hadn’t been updated in years and was very run down. We decided to add a small extension within the permitted boundaries and reconfigure the space to make to make it work for them in a much more coherent way,’ he explains.
The finished extension now incorporates a utility room, a snug and a generously sized kitchen-diner, and is a sociable space where the whole family can gather and entertain. ‘It’s a very warm room that incorporates Fiona’s love of New England style and, of course, the family’s enormous book collection!’ explains Andy.
Houzz at a Glance
Who lives here Fiona Gunn and her three children
Location Wimbledon, London
Designer Andy Stone Bespoke Interiors
Andy Stone Bespoke Interiors
Fiona’s penchant for New England style led Andy down a traditional route when it came to designing the new extension. ‘We did quite a number of different designs, but features such as the skylight lent themselves to a more traditional feel,’ he explains. ‘I was also careful to position the skylight between seating areas to avoid casting harsh light in spots where the family will congregate.’
Andy Stone Bespoke Interiors
Arched windows that frame the island and wall cupboards were added by Andy to enhance the sense of symmetry in the room. ‘Light does filter in from these windows, but essentially they’re an aesthetic feature,’ he says. The ceiling was kept relatively high – in keeping with the rest of the house – and the panels on the ceiling are actually plastered strips that have been carefully positioned with the spotlights to achieve a cosy effect. ‘I specialise in lighting, so getting the positioning just right was a meticulous job,’ he recalls.
See ways to make space for an informal kitchen supper
See ways to make space for an informal kitchen supper
Andy Stone Bespoke Interiors
Andy resisted the urge to introduce bi-folding doors at the back of the house. ‘Fiona wanted a country-style feel, so we had these hardwood doors made bespoke by a joiner instead,’ he explains. ‘We also needed some extra space for book storage, so we introduced some shelving underneath the windows here. It’s all about the books!’
Andy Stone Bespoke Interiors
The double-width island features a prep sink facing into the room for a more sociable cooking experience, and also houses other practical elements, such as a vegetable drawer and bin. ‘It’s very user-friendly and I’ve tried to create a sense of harmony in the space,’ explains Andy. ‘Wood panels at each end of the island mean it looks more like a piece of furniture than a kitchen cabinet. The island is the central hub for socialising and is the perfect spot for informal suppers.’
Check out how to work an island into your space
Check out how to work an island into your space
Andy Stone Bespoke Interiors
Parma Gray paint by Farrow & Ball enhances the soothing nature of the kitchen, while the creamy hues of the marble worktops and natural wood of the internal cabinetry add warmth and depth to the scheme. ‘Even though the design is rooted in traditional New England style, there’s still a hint of contemporary about it that stops it looking twee,’ says Andy.
Andy Stone Bespoke Interiors
The solid-oak parquet references flooring elsewhere in the house, so there’s a natural flow between rooms. Andy was also mindful to maximise every scrap of space, so he’s kept the units as low to the ground as possible to allow for extra storage. Meanwhile, inside the drawers, the European oak cabinetry has been dovetailed for a high spec finish that will stand the test of time.
Andy Stone Bespoke Interiors
Although the family regularly entertain friends, they’re not ardent chefs. A range cooker fits in perfectly with the country-style scheme, but is also easy to use for quick suppers and low-key entertaining.
Andy Stone Bespoke Interiors
‘Lighting is key to the mood of the kitchen,’ explains Andy. ‘I added lights on top of the overhead cupboards for a lovely warming effect and everything is controlled at the touch of a button.’ For easy use, Andy installed a number of settings, including winter evening, daytime and entertaining, so the family can create the perfect ambience whatever the occasion.
Andy Stone Bespoke Interiors
A bijou home office was incorporated into the scheme at the end of the cupboards. ‘It’s a small space, but we wanted somewhere in the kitchen for Fiona to open the post or check her laptop,’ he explains. ‘It’s also next to the small bookcase, so she can have a browse whenever she feels like it.’
Andy Stone Bespoke Interiors
Opposite the kitchen, the family’s new snug is home to their precious book collection. ‘The fire is always on in this part of the house!’ says Andy. ‘It’s a wonderful little spot in which to curl up with a book or watch TV.’
Andy Stone Bespoke Interiors
For Andy, the greatest pleasure of his work lies in the fine details. ‘This beautiful little cupboard is wonderful to look at,’ he says. ‘It’s been quarter veneered, so it appears to be in a diamond shape. It’s very special.’
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