Kitchen Design
Blue, White and Wood Kitchen Packed With Storage
This open-plan kitchen in Ireland balances elements to create a look that’s both contemporary and warm
When the homeowners bought this house in Wicklow, Ireland, the kitchen was very old-fashioned, with decor and fixtures dating to the 1970s. “They wanted something contemporary,” designer Keith Walker says. “They liked the idea of darker shades but didn’t want it to look cold, in the way that some contemporary kitchens can.” The key to getting the look right was in the balance of materials and colors.
The painted cabinet doors are covered with a furniture-grade oak veneer that features a textured grain. “In the right light, you can see the wood grain running through the doors,” Walker says. This softens the kitchen’s hard surfaces. The countertops are engineered quartz.
Cabinet paint: Railings; wall paint: Ammonite, both by Farrow & Ball
Cabinet paint: Railings; wall paint: Ammonite, both by Farrow & Ball
The kitchen is positioned in one corner of an open-plan dining-entertaining room. To “contain” it and create a cozier feel, Walker added a frame around the edges of the area. “The owners wanted to define the kitchen, so we did this to separate it visually from the rest of the space, as it’s such a big room,” he says.
It’s also an extremely bright space. “It’s southeast-facing,” Walker says. “The reason the kitchen is in this spot is because of the room’s aspect.”
The old kitchen faced the other way, toward the darkest part of the room and against a wall that’s since been knocked down, where the sofa is. The cooking area is now flooded with light. “We got involved with the orientation at the early stages of the design process,” Walker says.
It’s also an extremely bright space. “It’s southeast-facing,” Walker says. “The reason the kitchen is in this spot is because of the room’s aspect.”
The old kitchen faced the other way, toward the darkest part of the room and against a wall that’s since been knocked down, where the sofa is. The cooking area is now flooded with light. “We got involved with the orientation at the early stages of the design process,” Walker says.
In terms of functionality, the owners were very specific. “There had to be a place for everything and everything in its place,” Walker says. There’s no generic storage or dead space; every cabinet and drawer works hard.
“There are pullout corners, the bins have inserts in them and there are almost no cupboards with simple shelves — instead they have drawers, internal drawers or pullout units,” Walker says. Everything is custom-made.
“There are pullout corners, the bins have inserts in them and there are almost no cupboards with simple shelves — instead they have drawers, internal drawers or pullout units,” Walker says. Everything is custom-made.
At the back of the kitchen, you can see the integrated refrigerator. Next to it is a pantry cupboard whose interior is solid oak, and when its doors are open, the warmth of the unpainted wood further softens the clean, modern lines of the kitchen.
In the corner is one of two open shelving areas where the owners can display attractive items and add more character to the space. The base cabinets include a pullout corner unit, pot drawers and two side-by-side ovens with tray storage underneath. Behind the door to the left of the refrigerator is a utility room containing a washer and dryer, a full-height freezer, an additional sink and extra storage.
In the corner is one of two open shelving areas where the owners can display attractive items and add more character to the space. The base cabinets include a pullout corner unit, pot drawers and two side-by-side ovens with tray storage underneath. Behind the door to the left of the refrigerator is a utility room containing a washer and dryer, a full-height freezer, an additional sink and extra storage.
The pantry has drawers below it, and in the pantry itself are adjustable shelves of varied heights, a wine rack and an electrical outlet for the toaster, which can be pulled out as needed.
The island features a waterfall top. “It’s miter-joined, so it gives the effect of the vein of the surface carrying on down the side,” Walker says.
In addition to a central sink, the island features a pullout bin, a pot drawer and two cutlery drawers, and the dishwasher. Its top overhangs to allow for seating on two sides.
On the back, beneath the overhang, is a cupboard with adjustable-height shelving for glassware. “It’s the only standard cupboard unit in the whole kitchen,” Walker says.
In addition to a central sink, the island features a pullout bin, a pot drawer and two cutlery drawers, and the dishwasher. Its top overhangs to allow for seating on two sides.
On the back, beneath the overhang, is a cupboard with adjustable-height shelving for glassware. “It’s the only standard cupboard unit in the whole kitchen,” Walker says.
The owners really wanted a cooktop by the window, Walker says. Above the cooktop is an extremely powerful vent, “so the glass doesn’t get steamed up or covered in grease,” he says.
“The couple didn’t want to face into the living room while at the stove. It’s not the norm, but they spend a lot of time cooking and they have a lovely sea view out of that window.”
“The couple didn’t want to face into the living room while at the stove. It’s not the norm, but they spend a lot of time cooking and they have a lovely sea view out of that window.”
The floor tiles are large — about 31 inches square. “This was to minimize the lines,” Walker says. “We didn’t want to use a smaller tile and create grout lines on the floor. It allowed the overall look to remain as clean and minimal as possible.”
More on Houzz
Read more kitchen stories
Find a kitchen designer
Shop for kitchen products
More on Houzz
Read more kitchen stories
Find a kitchen designer
Shop for kitchen products
Kitchen at a Glance
Who lives here: A young couple
Location: Wicklow, Ireland
Size: The open-plan room is 667 square feet (62 square meters); 23 by 29 feet
Designer: Keith Walker of Roundwood Design
The owners wanted a kitchen that was modern but not clinical. Walker came up with a design that would be future-proof and highly functional while feeling warm and livable. The cabinets are handleless to keep the look minimal, for example, but on the flip side, natural elements add character.
“One of the key details we introduced was a birchwood wrap on the back wall, which continues into the reveal of the window, keeping the lines simple,” Walker says.