The updated Shaker-style scheme provided the owners with sleek, modern finishes while subtly referencing the heritage of the property. ‘At first glance, the grey and white scheme appears quite contemporary,’ explains Tim. ‘But when you look more closely, you notice there’s a range cooker with a traditional mantel above it. It’s a seamless blend that’s perfectly suited to the space.’
Higham Furniture
Kitchen at a Glance
Who lives here A young couple
Location Battersea, south London
Designer Tim Higham of Higham Furniture
Size 39 sq m
Period built Early Edwardian
Year renovated 2011
The owners of this Battersea home enjoy cooking and wanted an open-plan space where they could relax and entertain guests. ‘The back of the extension is quite a dark space, so it was important not to overwhelm it with heavy overhead cabinetry,’ explains Tim. ‘The open shelving creates a contemporary feel, and keeps the look fresh and bright.’
The shelves themselves are made from Corian, like the worktops, and are the same thickness to enhance the sense of flow.
Smeg Symphony dual range cooker, John Lewis.
Browse 11 inspiring ways to style open shelves
Who lives here A young couple
Location Battersea, south London
Designer Tim Higham of Higham Furniture
Size 39 sq m
Period built Early Edwardian
Year renovated 2011
The owners of this Battersea home enjoy cooking and wanted an open-plan space where they could relax and entertain guests. ‘The back of the extension is quite a dark space, so it was important not to overwhelm it with heavy overhead cabinetry,’ explains Tim. ‘The open shelving creates a contemporary feel, and keeps the look fresh and bright.’
The shelves themselves are made from Corian, like the worktops, and are the same thickness to enhance the sense of flow.
Smeg Symphony dual range cooker, John Lewis.
Browse 11 inspiring ways to style open shelves
Higham Furniture
Tim’s take on traditional Shaker-style cabinetry was developed a number of years ago following a request from a client.
‘We tried out a handleless version of the cabinets a few years ago and it was a great success,’ he says. ‘It’s particularly popular with younger clients who want a modern feel to their kitchen without it looking too cold.’
To enhance the contemporary aesthetic, Tim also extended the framework of the cabinetry right down to the floor, doing away with the need for kickboards and adding valuable storage space. ‘It’s very now,’ he says. ‘It’s a subtle look, but it makes the kitchen stand out at bit.’
Bespoke handleless Shaker-style kitchen, Higham Furniture.
‘We tried out a handleless version of the cabinets a few years ago and it was a great success,’ he says. ‘It’s particularly popular with younger clients who want a modern feel to their kitchen without it looking too cold.’
To enhance the contemporary aesthetic, Tim also extended the framework of the cabinetry right down to the floor, doing away with the need for kickboards and adding valuable storage space. ‘It’s very now,’ he says. ‘It’s a subtle look, but it makes the kitchen stand out at bit.’
Bespoke handleless Shaker-style kitchen, Higham Furniture.
Higham Furniture
As in most homes, storage was a major consideration, and Tim settled on an expansive wall of pantry-style units surrounding an American-style fridge-freezer as an elegant solution for concealing appliances and provisions.
‘Getting the proportions for the tall units right was a challenge,’ Tim recalls. ‘The door to the kitchen is opposite, and we wanted to avoid people walking in to face a wall of heavy cabinets. We played around with the proportions until we got it just right.’
The central island, meanwhile, provides a focal point in the open-plan space, and conceals a dishwasher and rubbish bins.
Try these smart kitchen storage hacks to maximise every square inch
‘Getting the proportions for the tall units right was a challenge,’ Tim recalls. ‘The door to the kitchen is opposite, and we wanted to avoid people walking in to face a wall of heavy cabinets. We played around with the proportions until we got it just right.’
The central island, meanwhile, provides a focal point in the open-plan space, and conceals a dishwasher and rubbish bins.
Try these smart kitchen storage hacks to maximise every square inch
Higham Furniture
A large American-style fridge-freezer provides a stylish counterpoint to the pull-out units either side. ‘Pantry units are very popular where storage is at a premium,’ says Tim. ‘They’re a good way of cramming a lot in, so freeing up space elsewhere in the kitchen.’
It means both wet and dry foods are stored in one run of the larder system, just a few steps away from the island worktop for convenience.
American-style fridge-freezer, Siemens.
It means both wet and dry foods are stored in one run of the larder system, just a few steps away from the island worktop for convenience.
American-style fridge-freezer, Siemens.
Higham Furniture
Hand-painted grey units add depth to the sleek scheme, allowing the gleaming Corian worktops to take centre stage.
‘The owners wanted a timeless scheme, so we painted the cabinetry in different shades of grey, as it has a contemporary feel but is also very versatile,’ says Tim.
Tall units and walls painted in French Grey Pale intelligent eggshell, Little Greene. Island and cupboards painted in Mid Lead intelligent eggshell, Little Greene.
‘The owners wanted a timeless scheme, so we painted the cabinetry in different shades of grey, as it has a contemporary feel but is also very versatile,’ says Tim.
Tall units and walls painted in French Grey Pale intelligent eggshell, Little Greene. Island and cupboards painted in Mid Lead intelligent eggshell, Little Greene.
Higham Furniture
An original chimney breast was the natural spot for the couple’s range cooker. ‘We created the mantelpiece above,’ explains Tim. ‘It’s a nice way to reference the heritage of the house without appearing too fussy.’
Splashback in I Listelli wall tiles in Panna, Criterion Tiles.
Get ideas for creating a stylish splashback
Splashback in I Listelli wall tiles in Panna, Criterion Tiles.
Get ideas for creating a stylish splashback
Higham Furniture
Tim’s handleless Shaker-style cabinets feature extra-deep rebates on the door panels that allow for recessed handles along the Shaker stiles (outer raised frame).
‘They allow you to get your fingers in to comfortably open the units, and the flat-fronted drawers are on a gliding push mechanism,’ he explains.
‘They allow you to get your fingers in to comfortably open the units, and the flat-fronted drawers are on a gliding push mechanism,’ he explains.
Higham Furniture
As well as integrated spotlights in the ceiling, three teardrop pendant lights provide an elegant feature above the island.
Drop One pendant lights, Peter Bowles at The Conran Shop.
Drop One pendant lights, Peter Bowles at The Conran Shop.
Higham Furniture
The moulded Corian sink blends seamlessly into the island worktop for a sleek, fuss-free finish.
‘We wouldn’t usually suggest Corian for a traditional-style kitchen, but it enhances the contemporary elements perfectly in this design,’ explains Tim. ‘It will also work with any colour scheme should they choose to repaint the cabinets further down the line.’
Single-lever spray tap in brushed nickel, Butler of London.
‘We wouldn’t usually suggest Corian for a traditional-style kitchen, but it enhances the contemporary elements perfectly in this design,’ explains Tim. ‘It will also work with any colour scheme should they choose to repaint the cabinets further down the line.’
Single-lever spray tap in brushed nickel, Butler of London.
Higham Furniture
Solid-oak drawers on a push mechanism provide ample storage for pots and pans in the stylish kitchen, while racks attached to the doors ensure every inch of storage space is utilised.
‘The owners really enjoy the warmth and texture of the oak when they open up the cupboards. It’s a really lovely contrast,’ says Tim.
‘The owners really enjoy the warmth and texture of the oak when they open up the cupboards. It’s a really lovely contrast,’ says Tim.
Higham Furniture
The hand-painted cabinet doors are made from maple wood, which was chosen by Tim for its durability. ‘Maple is an extremely hard wood,’ he explains. ‘The rebate in the doors makes them more vulnerable than usual, so it’s essential the wood can withstand wear and tear.’
This skinny cupboard next to the cooker is the perfect spot for storing tall glasses. ‘We were restricted here by the chimney breast, but we didn’t want to waste the space.’
This skinny cupboard next to the cooker is the perfect spot for storing tall glasses. ‘We were restricted here by the chimney breast, but we didn’t want to waste the space.’
Higham Furniture
The dining and seating area is about the same size as the kitchen, creating a versatile space for entertaining as well as a relaxed setting for family gatherings.
‘It appears very simple in many ways, but the harder you look at this kitchen, the more layers it reveals,’ explains Tim. ‘The sleek, contemporary elements combined with the traditional features mean it has a fresh, modern vibe, but is still cosy and very liveable. It’s been very popular with our younger, urban customers.’
TELL US…
What do you think of this grey and white scheme that mixes old and new? Share your thoughts in the Comments below.
‘It appears very simple in many ways, but the harder you look at this kitchen, the more layers it reveals,’ explains Tim. ‘The sleek, contemporary elements combined with the traditional features mean it has a fresh, modern vibe, but is still cosy and very liveable. It’s been very popular with our younger, urban customers.’
TELL US…
What do you think of this grey and white scheme that mixes old and new? Share your thoughts in the Comments below.
http://www.houzz.co.uk/photos/kitchen
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