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WOOLSTONE HOUSE

PROJECT TYPE: Style Consultation for a kitchen diner

PROJECT LOCATION: Essex

All photographs by Lucy Swainsbury @snapdragonstudio www.snapdragonstudio.co.uk
A detail inage of a refurbished kitchen. Dark wooden worktops with a contemporary black range oven and grey, white and blue geometric patterned tiles forming the back splash. In the forground there is a display of cooking oils, wooden utensils and a cream creamic pot. In the foreground there is a round wooden tray with three houseplants.

PROJECT BRIEF:

The client for this Style Consultation wanted to update their kitchen scheme. Tired decoration left them feeling uninspired and they wanted to bring life and colour to the heart of their home. However, the client has plans to move in a year or two and this would impact all decisions. They wanted an upgrade to better suit their tastes, but avoid a costly refit.

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INTERIOR DESIGN SOLUTIONS:

I visited the clients at home and, fortunately, the bones of this kitchen were good and the big-ticket items were in a suitable condition to stay. The kitchen was installed approximately 18 years ago and is solid wood with in-frame doors. The worktops were a mix of black granite and hardwood and the floor has underfloor heating, so we left that well alone! There was an excessive number of downlights, which created an unnecessary grid on the ceiling. The kitchen is also open to a dining area and the client wanted to define the two areas.

 

During the Style Consultation, we discussed which areas of the kitchen they were unhappy with. We looked through a collection of tear sheets to brainstorm ideas and gather images of tiles, lighting and door furniture. Then, we had a conversation about how they wanted to feel in the space. By the end of the session, we had a clear idea of how the interior could work. 

 

Throughout the style consultation, we needed to keep a check on their long-term plan. In a few years, they intend to put the house on the market and this impacts where to spend the budget.

CLIENT TESTIMONIAL: 

"We were fortunate to have worked with Alix who not only helped us transform our space but also kept our future plans in mind. With a keen understanding of our impending move, Alix skillfully incorporated excellent, budget-friendly concepts that we loved. Thanks to Alix's expertise, our family kitchen has become a focal point of our home. We're thrilled with the outcome and couldn't be happier with the results!"

A close up detail of a wall cupboard in a refurbished kitchen. The wall cupboard is a cream colour with round, black metal cupboard handles.
A wide image of a refurbished kitchen in an Edwardian home. There are cabinets along two walls with a central kitchen island. The base units are painted in a rich dark blue colour and the wall units are a. warm neutral which matches the colour of the walls. The worktops are dark wood and then black granite. along the back wall by the sink. Geometric patterned tiles for the back splash. Three black metal pendant lights hang above the kitchen island.
A detail shot of a geometric patterned tile back splash in a refurbished kitchen.

KEY DESIGN ELEMENTS:

The key design elements that we looked at were:

 

  • Colour Scheme – this is the area where the family gather at the start and the end of the day, so the colours needed to be warm and welcoming. With this in mind, we chose a rich, dark blue for the base cabinets and a warm neutral colour for the wall cabinets, walls, ceiling and all the woodwork. The blend of these two colours worked well with the existing wood worktops and porcelain floor tiles. 

  • Interior Lighting – to solve the stark downlight grid, we replaced one row with three pendants over the kitchen island. This creates a design feature and is one element in zoning the interior. The black metal pendants complement the black granite worktops and black range cooker.

  • Kitchen Hardware – an easy update for this space was to fit new hardware on all the kitchen cabinets. It’s a small thing, but it packs a big punch and finishes the space off beautifully. 

  • Kitchen Tiles – originally the backsplash behind the hob was black granite like the worktops, but this was very dark and heavy. By replacing the granite with patterned tiles in the colour of the new scheme, the space was lifted. They are also in keeping with the period of this Edwardian house.

  • Zoning the Space – a different tone of paint colour was selected for the dining area to zone the space. Other elements included a large area rug underneath the dining table, a feature light above the table and a large piece of art on the wall. We also created space for a couple of occasional chairs and a side table at the end of this space, making it a perfect spot to sit down with a coffee and a book!

  • Adding a Pop of Colour – the scheme was coming together perfectly but needed a little something extra to bring it to life. Accents of warm yellow were added in the form of accessories in the kitchen and on the occasional chairs in the dining area. 

A view along the cupboards in a refurbished kitchen in an Edwardian home. The base units are painted in a rich, warm blue with black metal cup handles. The wall at the end is painted a warm neutral with black granite worktops and open shelving displaying cookery books, plants and artwork.
A detail image of a refurbished litchen in an Edwardian home. The shaker style units are painted in a warm, dark blue colour on the base units and a warm neutral colour on the wall units to match the wall colour. The worktops are a warm, dark wood. On the worktop there is a round wooden tray holding three plants and to the right some cooking oils, wooden utensils and a cream creamic pot.

THE OUTCOME:

These clients are real foodies and they love to cook, so an inspiring kitchen is important to them. My Style Consultation helped them fall back in love with the space. 

 

By changing a few key elements and using the budget wisely we have created a warm, welcoming kitchen that the clients are delighted with. Many of the purchases, including the pendants above the island and dining table, rug, artwork and occasional chairs can be taken with the client when they move.

 

The kitchen feels fresh and now provides a fabulous space to come together to cook, dine and relax. 

Additionally, it will look great when prospective buyers view the house. No longer tired, it has become a great selling point. 

A detail image of a kitchen refrubishment in an edwardian home. The image shows a bright yelloe cocktail chair, a black and white exhibition poster standing on the floor behind the chair and a houseplant in the foreground.
A detail image of a kitchen refurbishment in an edwardian home. The base units of the shaker style kitchen are painted in a warm, dark blue with black metal cup handles. The open shelving on the back wall is painted the same colour as the wall and displays glass jars containing cooking ingredients, and a small colooection of coloured vases.
The dining area of a refurbished kitchen in an Edwardian home. The walls are painted in a mid grey blue colour, the floor is light wood and there is a contemporary white paper pendant hanging over the centre of a dining room table and chairs.
Open shelving in a kitchen refurbishment in an Edwardian home. The shelving is painted a warm white to match the walls. Displayed on the shelves are cookery books, ceramics, artwork and two houseplants.

Are you interested in booking a Style Consultation?

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Please call Alix Stoney

on 07747 555879 to discuss your project requirements or use my contact form.

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