However, after a few preliminary enquiries, the couple were told the structure of their bungalow wasn’t strong enough for an extension and were advised instead to build a new home on the same plot. Planning restrictions would only allow a property with two storeys, so to achieve some additional space, they decided to dig down with the help of designer Helena Myers of The Myers Touch. The result is an underground kitchen that’s a wonderfully light and bright family space.
The Myers Touch
Room at a Glance
Who lives here Susan and Phil Bayles and their three children
Location A Hampshire village
Size 6m x 10.5m, with the kitchen taking up around half of this space
Designer Helena Myers of The Myers Touch
As the site looks over beautiful parkland, the Bayles could only obtain planning permission for two storeys, which wouldn’t have given them sufficient living space. The solution was to build an ‘underground’ kitchen, 2m below ground level.
A long skylight at the back of the room and tall glass doors into the garden bring daylight into the lower ground floor, and maximising this light was top of the agenda for the rest of the design.
Who lives here Susan and Phil Bayles and their three children
Location A Hampshire village
Size 6m x 10.5m, with the kitchen taking up around half of this space
Designer Helena Myers of The Myers Touch
As the site looks over beautiful parkland, the Bayles could only obtain planning permission for two storeys, which wouldn’t have given them sufficient living space. The solution was to build an ‘underground’ kitchen, 2m below ground level.
A long skylight at the back of the room and tall glass doors into the garden bring daylight into the lower ground floor, and maximising this light was top of the agenda for the rest of the design.
The Myers Touch
To make sure the kitchen reflects as much light as possible, the owners chose white lacquer units, which designer Helena Myers topped with a pale worktop. ‘Rather than use a plain white worktop, I selected a quartz with a white base and an even fleck to break it up. It’s also very forgiving, which was really important ,as this is very much a working kitchen,’ she explains.
Lotus white lacquer cabinets, Siematic. Polished Blanco Maple worktops, Silestone.
Tour a contemporary cottage kitchen
Lotus white lacquer cabinets, Siematic. Polished Blanco Maple worktops, Silestone.
Tour a contemporary cottage kitchen
The Myers Touch
‘The owners wanted a clean, light and contemporary feel,’ explains Myers. ‘The key was to avoid using tall cabinets underneath the small glass ceiling so that light coming from this area could be maximised. This now provides a wonderful area for food preparation, with daylight coming in directly from above.’
The white poured resin floor creates a tough, seamless surface that’s perfect for a hard-working family kitchen, while the bright Ikea rug gives it a splash of colour.
The white poured resin floor creates a tough, seamless surface that’s perfect for a hard-working family kitchen, while the bright Ikea rug gives it a splash of colour.
The Myers Touch
It was crucial the kitchen be as family friendly as possible, so Myers created an elliptical-shaped island unit in the centre of the space for everyone to gather around.
‘The island takes pride of place as the social hub of this kitchen,’ says Myers. ‘It was designed to have family time as its focus. By extending the shape of the worktop into a sweeping curve, it allows sufficient space for all the family to sit and chat or eat comfortably.’
‘The island takes pride of place as the social hub of this kitchen,’ says Myers. ‘It was designed to have family time as its focus. By extending the shape of the worktop into a sweeping curve, it allows sufficient space for all the family to sit and chat or eat comfortably.’
The Myers Touch
The tall cabinets were positioned carefully to one side, so they wouldn’t restrict the light from the large patio doors at the other end of the room.
As well as two built-in ovens and a steam oven, the kitchen offers plenty of storage: high-level cupboards above the appliances for long-term storage and more accessible low-level units, which work particularly well for the children.
A dumb waiter, to the left of the ovens, allows the family to send shopping bags down a chute in the garage straight to the kitchen on the lower-ground floor. ‘It would have been difficult to unload shopping if this lift wasn’t in place,’ explains Myers.
Steam oven, combi microwave and warming drawers, all Gaggenau.
As well as two built-in ovens and a steam oven, the kitchen offers plenty of storage: high-level cupboards above the appliances for long-term storage and more accessible low-level units, which work particularly well for the children.
A dumb waiter, to the left of the ovens, allows the family to send shopping bags down a chute in the garage straight to the kitchen on the lower-ground floor. ‘It would have been difficult to unload shopping if this lift wasn’t in place,’ explains Myers.
Steam oven, combi microwave and warming drawers, all Gaggenau.
The Myers Touch
A statement sofa brings character to the living space. ‘Susan had her heart set on a pink velvet sofa way before we started the design,’ says Myers. ‘We chose the cabinets in white to bring in as much light as possible and to allow the vibrant furniture and accessories to display their individuality.’
Sofa, Sofas & Stuff. Rug, Ikea.
Sofa, Sofas & Stuff. Rug, Ikea.
The Myers Touch
The pink accents continue from the living zone into the kitchen area with a bright glass splashback and matching bar-stools – even the artwork has a dash of pink in it.
‘The use of the pink accents was a progression from the sofa,’ says Myers. ‘The client purchased most of these herself, with the exception of the splashback.’
Hot pink glass splashback, Opticolour. Bar-stools, Kartell.
‘The use of the pink accents was a progression from the sofa,’ says Myers. ‘The client purchased most of these herself, with the exception of the splashback.’
Hot pink glass splashback, Opticolour. Bar-stools, Kartell.
The Myers Touch
As well as several ovens, the kitchen is kitted out with an array of appliances, including a wine fridge, which makes the space perfect for entertaining and celebrating those special occasions.
Wine storage unit, Gaggenau.
Wine storage unit, Gaggenau.
The Myers Touch
This clever, corner storage area is hidden behind the run of tall units and creates a secret nook for stashing cookbooks and glassware, plus an additional surface area for preparation and cleaning.
The dedicated wine storage was custom-made by The Myers Touch to Susan’s design and spray lacquered to match the kitchen units.
Sink and tap, Blanco.
Check out 10 ideas for open storage in a kitchen
The dedicated wine storage was custom-made by The Myers Touch to Susan’s design and spray lacquered to match the kitchen units.
Sink and tap, Blanco.
Check out 10 ideas for open storage in a kitchen
The Myers Touch
Beyond the statement sofa is a contemporary white dining table with Eames-style chairs, placed just in front of the patio doors so everyone can enjoy glorious views of the garden.
Bespoke dining table, Midas Marine & Joinery. Eiffel chairs, Dwell.
Bespoke dining table, Midas Marine & Joinery. Eiffel chairs, Dwell.
The Myers Touch
The two-storey house that replaced the original dormer bungalow is a sleek, contemporary new build.
The Myers Touch
It’s only when you reach the back of the house that you realise how large the property is and can appreciate its wonderful views.
TELL US…
What do you think of this contemporary new build and its basement kitchen? Share your thoughts in the Comments below.
TELL US…
What do you think of this contemporary new build and its basement kitchen? Share your thoughts in the Comments below.
http://www.houzz.co.uk/photos/kitchen
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