Kitchen of the Week: A Slick, Modern Design in a Beautiful Period Space

Kitchen of the Week: A Slick, Modern Design in a Beautiful Period Space- When Richard and Barbara Anderson moved into this 17th century vicarage with a Victorian extension in Oxford, they gave kitchen designer Marcus Watkins free rein to reconfigure the downstairs space.

‘The kitchen was originally in the old part of the house, which had low ceilings and was heavily beamed,’ recalls Marcus. ‘We decided the best solution would be to move it into the newer, Victorian addition. The space had been unused for a number of years, but it was beautifully laid out with gorgeous features, such as the decorative windows and original stone fireplace.’

The old kitchen space was duly transformed into a cosy snug, while Richard worked his magic transforming this architecturally rich room into a contemporary kitchen that works in harmony with its period surroundings.

Houzz at a Glance
Who lives here Richard and Barbara Anderson
Location Oxford
Architect Marcus Watkins of bulthaup by Kitchen Architecture

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Richard and Barbara were happy to consider reconfiguring their downstairs space when they moved into this 17th century vicarage. A Victorian addition to the house had caused the layout to become confused over the years. They called in Marcus as he had worked with them before, so was already familiar with their tastes.

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‘It can be very beautiful when contemporary design and traditional features are juxtaposed,’ says Marcus, who was mindful of respecting the original architectural details during the renovation. ‘We’ve adopted a very honest approach – it’s not trying to be a reproduction of a style, it’s unashamedly contemporary,’ he explains. A natural stone fireplace takes centre stage in the room and is flanked by two freestanding grey aluminium cabinets with walnut edges, designed to complement the walnut herringbone floor.

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The aluminium cabinets seamlessly integrate the kitchen’s appliances while also keeping smaller items, such as the coffee maker and toaster, out of sight. Drawers in the unit on the left house crockery and mugs, and are directly opposite the sink, which has a boiling water tap. ‘It’s all very aesthetically pleasing, but part of the beauty comes from the functionality,’ explains Marcus. ‘For instance, the dishwasher is close to where crockery is stored, so it’s easy to unload,’ he says.

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Two sinks have been integrated into the sleek island, which also houses concealed waste disposal. The induction hob sits flush to the worktop, which allows it to be a multifunctional area. ‘It can be covered with a chopping board when it’s not in use to maximise the worktop space,’ explains Marcus. ‘The cabinets and the island provide all the storage for the kitchen. We didn’t want to interfere with the features, so we decided against wall-hung units.’

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A cantilevered walnut breakfast bar visually links with the flooring and dressers, while providing a practical space where the couple can enjoy informal meals. ‘Architecturally, this room is very exciting and, by introducing contemporary cabinetry, I feel we’ve done something a little different,’ says Marcus.

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The double-depth kaolin (off-white) laminate island incorporates storage and drawers on both sides, so is practical as well as beautiful. ‘We also spent a lot of time considering the layout of this room,’ says Marcus. ‘We’ve been careful to ensure the island is centred with the windows, so the space benefits from lots of symmetry. It’s quite a sculptural look,’ he adds.

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The handleless drawers in the island have touch latches and elegant recessed grips at the top, all helping to create the seamless look the couple wanted. ‘It’s a very discreet, simple scheme that complements rather than mimics its surroundings,’ says Marcus.

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