A monochrome look for an industrial kitchen renovation
We take a look around Caroline Davies' new renovation for Aristocraft; from black tap fixtures to a bulk head extractor and how to maximise on a small space
Smaller kitchens don’t always feel the most inviting, so why not opt for an open plan kitchen-diner.
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For designer Caroline Davies, this open plan solution was the perfect redesign for her clients Laura and Glyn’s thin kitchen and now, says Laura, “The space is a joy to be in.”
The project in a nutshell:
Who lives here? Laura Davies and husband Glyn, three year old daughter Mary and baby number two on the way
Location: West Midlands
Designer: Caroline Davies, Aristocraft Kitchen & Bedrooms
The rest of the five bedroom house Laura and Glyn bought was fine, but the kitchen just had to go.
“It was cold and sterile with no form or texture and so many shades of cream”, says Laura, “we wanted to redesign a family kitchen with maximum storage space and a relaxing seating area for visitors to gather around and socialise while we cook.”
Central to the redesign was an industrial luxe feel created by using various types of metal.
“The copper rails on the kitchen doors, the matt black boiling water tap and brass knobs on the sideboard alone add the depth that we’d hoped for,” says Laura, “we added further interest with pendant lighting, metal floating shelves and bar stools that have a tactile raw finish.”
The black graphite finish used for the kitchen cabinets contrasts boldly with the cool white quartz worktops – a dramatic cooking space if ever there was one.
This industrial look was softened by using natural materials like wood for the shelving, flooring, countertops and dining table.
We asked designer Caroline a few questions about the redesign.
How did you make the most of this tall thin space?
A bank of units seemed the perfect solution to create that much needed storage space. I started designing them with a tall fridge, freezer, two single ovens and a tall pull-out tandem larder.
Laura wasn’t keen on the look of extractor hoods, how did you overcome this?
We designed a bulk head above the hob to house a flush ceiling extractor. This was a little tricky due to the steel lintel in the ceiling but a problem we managed to overcome and it actually created quite a feature in the room.
