- Location: Clapham
- Style: American
- Cabinet colour: Main units Farrow and Ball Purbeck Stone, Island Farrow and Ball Mole’s Breath
- Sink: Villeroy and Boch Farmhouse 800
- Range: Mercury Induction Cooker
- Worktop: Arctic Cream Granite 30mm
American homes tend to have much more space than their London equivalent. Heather is originally from the States and is accustomed to US property proportions. We were able to utilise the taller ceilings to extend the kitchen cabinetry higher than normal. Adding additional decorative glazed back lit sections near the ceiling it creates a great feature for the space, and although these cabinets do not provide the most practical storage space they can be great for storing glassware.
American style shaker kitchens tend to be very ornate and often include raised and fielded panelling, beading, glazing bars etc. For Heathers kitchen we included a beading within the shaker panels, and beading glazing bars on the glazed top sections. In contrast to the English traditional shaker kitchen, the transatlantic equivalent tend to have much smaller rails and styles, creating the illusion that the doors are larger and giving a more elegant look. Very different from the English country shaker style kitchens that we also create.
Within the design we had to consider that this will become a family home. For convenience of the newest addition to the family the integrated microwave was essential, Heather and her partner also likes to entertain and loved the idea of having a wine fridge, we discreetly placed these items on the island so that guests eyes are not immediately drawn to them. The island also creates an effective room divide without creating to much of a barrier, children can be sat on the seating side of the island and whilst they feel involved in the cooking process they are at a safe distance from the cooker. The island creates a great area for baking and food preparation, in addition to being a good perching point for guests.
Whilst we wanted to keep a neutral feel with the colour scheme taking inspiration from the very popular grey pallets that are currently available (Farrow and Ball Purbeck stone), Heather wanted a home that was very on trend and we decided to introduce a hint of colour to help with this. Purple is a very elegant, somewhat regal colour that is very popular at the moment, we therefore chose Farrow and Ball’s Mole’s Breath for its grey with purple undertones for the island. For the fittings (handles and tap) we went with a satin finish in keeping with the soft understand elegance of the design.
This kitchen was featured on The Kitchen Think blog which talks about brilliant ideas for functional kitchens. The article can be read here.
