Step forward kitchen designer Johnny Grey, renowned for his unique vision and creative designs. He is a cult figure in the industry and was described by The New York Times as ‘one of the world’s most influential kitchen designers.’ Imagination is certainly not lacking in his vision for this kitchen – the design is innovative, well thought-out and highly functional.
‘The space is actually very awkward,’ Johnny explains. ‘You can’t fit a standard kitchen in it, and the owners wanted to avoid a galley layout.’ Previously, the room had been a conservatory/office area that was slightly smaller. It was rebuilt and enlarged to make room for the kitchen, and the skylights were added to ensure plenty of light. Then Johnny started to weave his magic…
Kitchen at a Glance
Who lives here A large family with grown-up children
Location Richmond, London
Designer Johnny Grey of Johnny Grey Studios
Johnny Grey Studios.
The kitchen is an L-shaped space and was rather awkward to work with. ‘There are three distinct areas to it,’ Johnny says, ‘the conservatory area, a connecting corridor and, at the far end, a small study area. It meant there were three distinct activities to design for.’
He resolved this by using the three spaces for different functions – a
culinary and dining area, a storage and appliance zone, and a home office.
The units in the culinary zone are made predominantly from timber and cast concrete. The curves eliminate the obstacles of corners. ‘The key thing about soft geometry is that it’s based on how the eye works,’ Johnny explains. ‘When the eye detects sharp corners, it sends off a threat alert. Without corners, you can expand the amount of work surface because the body needs less room to manoeuvre around obstacles.’
See lots more midcentury kitchen photos.
Bespoke tiles, Alex Zdankowicz.
He resolved this by using the three spaces for different functions – a
culinary and dining area, a storage and appliance zone, and a home office.
The units in the culinary zone are made predominantly from timber and cast concrete. The curves eliminate the obstacles of corners. ‘The key thing about soft geometry is that it’s based on how the eye works,’ Johnny explains. ‘When the eye detects sharp corners, it sends off a threat alert. Without corners, you can expand the amount of work surface because the body needs less room to manoeuvre around obstacles.’
See lots more midcentury kitchen photos.
Bespoke tiles, Alex Zdankowicz.
Johnny Grey Studios.
‘When we start planning a space, we establish the command position of the room, and everything is derived from that point,’ Johnny says. ‘I have quite an extended design philosophy and my first instinct is always to work out the driving position of the room.’ It’s all about eye contact and sociability, something Johnny calls instinct-based design – design tailored to meet your instinctive needs.
In this kitchen, the command position is behind the island, as the person standing there can see both ‘legs’ of the L-shaped space. This command position determined where the different areas would be – the kitchen area is in the centre to ensure the cook is fully involved, the home office is at the end of the corridor, and the conservatory/dining area is in front of the island.
In this kitchen, the command position is behind the island, as the person standing there can see both ‘legs’ of the L-shaped space. This command position determined where the different areas would be – the kitchen area is in the centre to ensure the cook is fully involved, the home office is at the end of the corridor, and the conservatory/dining area is in front of the island.
Johnny Grey Studios.
The shape of the central island is very unusual, almost rhombus like. ‘We worked out the minimum space needed to walk around the sink cabinet and the perimeter, sketched it out onto paper and the negative space in the middle became the template for the island,’ he explains.
The unit contains a built-in knife block and end-grain chopping board, testament to Johnny’s belief in functionality. ‘Some people are worried about using end-grain block, but there’s no other material that’s as good to prepare food on. It’s hard-wearing, cleans easily, and there’s a natural oil in the wood that destroys bacteria.’
The solid English ash raised server bar also doubles as a place where people can perch to chat to the chef. ‘All these minor things make the emotional meaning of the kitchen that much nicer,’ Johnny says.
The concrete was incredibly heavy, and made by artisans from moulds brought down from the Midlands.
See 10 ideas for adding an island to your kitchen
The unit contains a built-in knife block and end-grain chopping board, testament to Johnny’s belief in functionality. ‘Some people are worried about using end-grain block, but there’s no other material that’s as good to prepare food on. It’s hard-wearing, cleans easily, and there’s a natural oil in the wood that destroys bacteria.’
The solid English ash raised server bar also doubles as a place where people can perch to chat to the chef. ‘All these minor things make the emotional meaning of the kitchen that much nicer,’ Johnny says.
The concrete was incredibly heavy, and made by artisans from moulds brought down from the Midlands.
See 10 ideas for adding an island to your kitchen
Johnny Grey Studios.
The initial phases of the project are all about ‘the planning, layout, shape and function of the room’, says Johnny. ‘Then a visual architect comes in and we brainstorm colours, surfaces, textures… and in a miraculous way you end up with a design on your hands.’ This gives the kitchen a looseness that couldn’t be achieved through more rigid approaches.
Johnny Grey Studios.
The splashback tiles with platinum glazed inserts form a flowing pattern on the wall. ‘We commissioned the tiles from artisan tile maker Alex Zdankowicz, whom we try to include in every project. He sits down and brainstorms with the client and then makes and installs every single tile himself.’ The distinctive plate rack is made from walnut.
Work surface, Corian.
Read expert advice on how to choose the perfect worktop for your home and lifestyle
Work surface, Corian.
Read expert advice on how to choose the perfect worktop for your home and lifestyle
Johnny Grey Studios.
The pendant lights were chosen by the clients; the rest of the lighting was designed by lighting consultant Light IQ. The white Corian cupboards have a border around the whole unit that’s lined with lights, so they glow at night. ‘We used a lot of indirect lighting – a mixture of halogens and LEDs – to emphasise the lines of the different features and make it relaxing,’ Johnny says.
The ‘appliance garage’ is highly functional, with marble worktops and aluminium tambours that can be pulled down when the area isn’t in use. ‘One of the owners is a serious cook,’ Johnny explains.
Units, Corian.
The ‘appliance garage’ is highly functional, with marble worktops and aluminium tambours that can be pulled down when the area isn’t in use. ‘One of the owners is a serious cook,’ Johnny explains.
Units, Corian.
Johnny Grey Studios.
A spacious pantry sits opposite the ‘appliance garage’. Johnny is a firm believer in pantries. ‘If you’re on a budget and you have the room for a walk-in pantry, it takes the pressure off the amount of cabinetry you need, which is more expensive,’ he explains. ‘More than this, it relieves the room of having too much furniture, which can dominate.’
The client had some historic Dutch tiles from the 19th century, and these were integrated with bespoke white tiles made by Alex Zdankowicz to create a characterful splashback.
Browse more stylish pantries
The client had some historic Dutch tiles from the 19th century, and these were integrated with bespoke white tiles made by Alex Zdankowicz to create a characterful splashback.
Browse more stylish pantries
Johnny Grey Studios.
The spice rack, which is just to the right of the pantry, is inspired by the tradition of Indian tinware. ‘We wanted something with a very relaxed, beaten-up look next to the clean white Corian,’ explains Johnny. Aside from aesthetics, the spice rack is highly functional, holding dozens of bottles, jars and packets.
Johnny Grey Studios.
Johnny created a broom cupboard at the far end of the kitchen, opposite the study area. It sits directly on the floor, without a base, to enable easy access to the vacuum cleaner and brushes.
Artist Felicitas Aga was commissioned to paint Indian-inspired designs for the doors, to warm up this side of the room. The canvas was stretched onto the English walnut panels to create the colourful feature.
‘Why should kitchens all have to look so seamless – why must everything be in rows and behind cupboard doors?’ Johnny questions, terming it ‘death by boring cupboard’.
Artwork, Felicitas Aga.
Artist Felicitas Aga was commissioned to paint Indian-inspired designs for the doors, to warm up this side of the room. The canvas was stretched onto the English walnut panels to create the colourful feature.
‘Why should kitchens all have to look so seamless – why must everything be in rows and behind cupboard doors?’ Johnny questions, terming it ‘death by boring cupboard’.
Artwork, Felicitas Aga.
Johnny Grey Studios.
The home office area is at the end of the corridor, next to glazed doors and beneath the end of the run of skylights, so it’s lovely and light.
Johnny designed the desk, which is made from maple with walnut legs. Artist Felicitas Aga designed the rug, which was made by Veedon Fleece in a factory in Nepal.
‘We wanted to keep this area fairly low-key, because we already have a lot going on,’ says Johnny, ‘but it’s still very friendly to use.’
TELL US…
Do you like this kitchen? Share your thoughts in the Comments below.
Johnny designed the desk, which is made from maple with walnut legs. Artist Felicitas Aga designed the rug, which was made by Veedon Fleece in a factory in Nepal.
‘We wanted to keep this area fairly low-key, because we already have a lot going on,’ says Johnny, ‘but it’s still very friendly to use.’
TELL US…
Do you like this kitchen? Share your thoughts in the Comments below.
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