Look beyond the bare bricks, though, and you can also detect a faint touch of northern European chic. ‘It’s quite Scandi in terms of the white wooden floor and the fact that it’s open-plan,’ says Gemmel. Crisp white walls and a run of skylights add to this uplifting, bright feel.
The owners mixed things up further, opting for a few rustic touches to ensure the room didn’t feel cold or clinical. So the units have a subtle, countryish charm to them, with Shaker-style panelling, while copper pendant lights add warmth and colour, along with simple wooden dining furniture.
Affleck Property Services
Kitchen at a Glance
Who lives here A professional couple with two young children
Location Hammersmith, west London
Size Part of a 5 bedroom, 3 bathroom property
Designer Affleck Property Services
New York inspiration aside, cast out ideas of a Sex and the City lifestyle – this is very much designed to be a family hang-out. ‘The owners had just had their first child and wanted a nice new kitchen,’ recalls Gemmel of the initial brief. ‘They’re a young, busy family, growing into their home and planning for the future.
‘The previous kitchen was dark and lifeless,’ he continues, and the owners felt it was high time to open it up and add light. ‘They wanted modern, New York style, with a few rustic touches.’
The solution involved extending into the side return and to the rear, creating space for a lounging zone leading into the garden, as well as the kitchen. The owners had already done work on the floor above, which caused headaches in this space. ‘We couldn’t insert steel joists in the ceiling as this would have involved opening up into the rooms above and causing damage,’ says Gemmel.
If you’re planning a whole-house makeover, think bottom up, he advises. ‘So many people make the mistake of not planning ahead. I’ve had to be the bearer of bad news to many potential clients where they didn’t realise this.’
Who lives here A professional couple with two young children
Location Hammersmith, west London
Size Part of a 5 bedroom, 3 bathroom property
Designer Affleck Property Services
New York inspiration aside, cast out ideas of a Sex and the City lifestyle – this is very much designed to be a family hang-out. ‘The owners had just had their first child and wanted a nice new kitchen,’ recalls Gemmel of the initial brief. ‘They’re a young, busy family, growing into their home and planning for the future.
‘The previous kitchen was dark and lifeless,’ he continues, and the owners felt it was high time to open it up and add light. ‘They wanted modern, New York style, with a few rustic touches.’
The solution involved extending into the side return and to the rear, creating space for a lounging zone leading into the garden, as well as the kitchen. The owners had already done work on the floor above, which caused headaches in this space. ‘We couldn’t insert steel joists in the ceiling as this would have involved opening up into the rooms above and causing damage,’ says Gemmel.
If you’re planning a whole-house makeover, think bottom up, he advises. ‘So many people make the mistake of not planning ahead. I’ve had to be the bearer of bad news to many potential clients where they didn’t realise this.’
Affleck Property Services
The owners went for bare bricks behind the cooker. ‘I always advise clients to put splashbacks in last,’ says Gemmel. ‘First put your worktop in and choose your colours, then decide [on the splashback] later.’
While glass was discussed, the clients eventually decided to keep the loft look going to avoid breaking up the bricks. ‘Ultimately, the decision is always about practicality versus style,’ says Gemmel. The bricks used here are reclaimed, but Gemmel says he’s using more brick slips in projects – used like tiles, but with an authentic brick-like effect.
The new side-return and rear roofs were kept pitched, rather than raised, for a more traditional look, and a run of skylights keeps the space cheerful on the cloudiest of days. ‘A glass roof was ruled out as there are a lot of trees in the garden, plus it would have been more costly. The skylights require less maintenance,’ explains Gemmel.
Discover how to successfully mix and match materials in a kitchen
While glass was discussed, the clients eventually decided to keep the loft look going to avoid breaking up the bricks. ‘Ultimately, the decision is always about practicality versus style,’ says Gemmel. The bricks used here are reclaimed, but Gemmel says he’s using more brick slips in projects – used like tiles, but with an authentic brick-like effect.
The new side-return and rear roofs were kept pitched, rather than raised, for a more traditional look, and a run of skylights keeps the space cheerful on the cloudiest of days. ‘A glass roof was ruled out as there are a lot of trees in the garden, plus it would have been more costly. The skylights require less maintenance,’ explains Gemmel.
Discover how to successfully mix and match materials in a kitchen
Affleck Property Services
Although this is a relatively wide room, Gemmel laid the floorboards widthways to accentuate the effect. ‘Having the floorboards run across the width of the room definitely makes it seem wider,’ he says.
The owners wanted the floor to be pale to create a sense of space. Some might flinch at the thought of white floorboards in a high-traffic kitchen (all those muddy footprints), but Gemmel says the owners were laid-back about it. ‘They have a very easy outlook on life and were well aware that this was not going to be a show home with kids in the house.’
A steel post, painted white to blend in, supports the brickwork above. A round post was chosen in preference to a hard-edged square shape to add a softer feel, says Gemmel.
The neat island unit doubles as a breakfast bar for morning coffees or pre-dinner drinks. The sofa area, meanwhile, is where the family can chill out, and the children can play or watch TV. ‘The adults can keep an eye on them from the kitchen if necessary,’ says Gemmel.
Bar stool, Atlantic Shopping. Dining table, The Wood Store Brighton. Fridge-freezer, Samsung.
The owners wanted the floor to be pale to create a sense of space. Some might flinch at the thought of white floorboards in a high-traffic kitchen (all those muddy footprints), but Gemmel says the owners were laid-back about it. ‘They have a very easy outlook on life and were well aware that this was not going to be a show home with kids in the house.’
A steel post, painted white to blend in, supports the brickwork above. A round post was chosen in preference to a hard-edged square shape to add a softer feel, says Gemmel.
The neat island unit doubles as a breakfast bar for morning coffees or pre-dinner drinks. The sofa area, meanwhile, is where the family can chill out, and the children can play or watch TV. ‘The adults can keep an eye on them from the kitchen if necessary,’ says Gemmel.
Bar stool, Atlantic Shopping. Dining table, The Wood Store Brighton. Fridge-freezer, Samsung.
Affleck Property Services
Handmade, off-white units with a pared-back feel were chosen, rather than a slick, ultra-modern design. These help soften the feel of the kitchen and add character, along with the bricks. ‘I’d describe the kitchen’s style as clean-lined but mixed with splashes of modern rustic,’ says Gemmel.
The elegant, off-white worktop is Silestone, a tough quartz composite that’s stain- and scratch-resistant, so ideal in kitchens.
It’s the details that really add character to this kitchen. Wire-fronted wall units, allowing just a peep of the crockery and jars within, add to the charm, as do the cabinet handles and knobs. According to Gemmel, such attention to detail should be at the forefront when you’re planning a kitchen. ‘Know what you like, know what you dislike,’ he advises. ‘Know your plates, think how you will use the kitchen, and plan yourself working in your new space.’
Kitchen, Harvey Jones. Silestone worktop, Marble City.
Read how to choose the right wood for your kitchen cabinets
The elegant, off-white worktop is Silestone, a tough quartz composite that’s stain- and scratch-resistant, so ideal in kitchens.
It’s the details that really add character to this kitchen. Wire-fronted wall units, allowing just a peep of the crockery and jars within, add to the charm, as do the cabinet handles and knobs. According to Gemmel, such attention to detail should be at the forefront when you’re planning a kitchen. ‘Know what you like, know what you dislike,’ he advises. ‘Know your plates, think how you will use the kitchen, and plan yourself working in your new space.’
Kitchen, Harvey Jones. Silestone worktop, Marble City.
Read how to choose the right wood for your kitchen cabinets
Affleck Property Services
In total, the kitchen project took 16 weeks to complete. Fortunately, all went smoothly. ‘The only potential glitch was when the client wanted to extend out after we’d poured the foundations and started to build the brickwork. We talked them out of it…’ says Gemmel.
‘Overall, it was very much a work-in-progress, with quick decisions being made once the right item had been put in front of the owners – they have an eye for detail and taste,’ says Gemmel.
The finished result feels easy to live in and welcoming, as well as chic.
Copper pendant lights, Furnish.co.uk
‘Overall, it was very much a work-in-progress, with quick decisions being made once the right item had been put in front of the owners – they have an eye for detail and taste,’ says Gemmel.
The finished result feels easy to live in and welcoming, as well as chic.
Copper pendant lights, Furnish.co.uk
Affleck Property Services
The owners went for simple wooden dining furniture with a rustic edge that contrasts with the white walls and floor. ‘Originally, we talked about using scaffolding boards as a shelf, so the furniture choice fits with that idea,’ says Gemmel.
The finished kitchen has tons of character while still being eminently user-friendly. So what does Gemmel like best about the finished project? ‘The bricks and floor are my favourites,’ he says. ‘And it’s a place that works for everything it was designed for.’
TELL US…
What do you think of this kitchen? Share your thoughts in the Comments below.
The finished kitchen has tons of character while still being eminently user-friendly. So what does Gemmel like best about the finished project? ‘The bricks and floor are my favourites,’ he says. ‘And it’s a place that works for everything it was designed for.’
TELL US…
What do you think of this kitchen? Share your thoughts in the Comments below.
http://www.houzz.co.uk/photos/kitchen
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