Kitchen of the Week: Eat-In Space Designed for the Future
Carefully crafted cabinetry, quality appliances and abundant storage create a kitchen that can adapt to changing needs
Having bought this big, beautiful house in London, the owners wanted to rethink the kitchen and living space with longevity in mind. They asked Rebecca Nokes of John Lewis of Hungerford to design it using cabinetry and appliances that would last.
They wanted her to think ahead too. “They didn’t have children at the time, but I was future-proofing the design for a potentially evolving family,” Nokes says. She created a space packed with versatile storage, inviting color and cutting-edge appliances. It’s both practical and beautiful enough to stand the test of time.
They wanted her to think ahead too. “They didn’t have children at the time, but I was future-proofing the design for a potentially evolving family,” Nokes says. She created a space packed with versatile storage, inviting color and cutting-edge appliances. It’s both practical and beautiful enough to stand the test of time.
The owners wanted the space to feel warm and inviting. The 2000s kitchen was contemporary and glossy with stainless-steel hardware and a white floor. “The clients were looking to bring in some color, playfulness and character,” Nokes says.
The kitchen had to be able to last too, so good-quality appliances were essential. “Other than that, they were happy to trust me and left me to it,” Nokes says. “I put together a design, they loved it, and we went from there.”
The kitchen had to be able to last too, so good-quality appliances were essential. “Other than that, they were happy to trust me and left me to it,” Nokes says. “I put together a design, they loved it, and we went from there.”
The cabinetry is a Shaker design. It’s painted in John Lewis of Hungerford’s Sands End, with the island in Blue Thistle. The countertops are a Classico quartz.
The refrigerator and freezer are housed in the tall cabinet to the left, while the dishwasher and garbage bins are on either side of the sink.
The refrigerator and freezer are housed in the tall cabinet to the left, while the dishwasher and garbage bins are on either side of the sink.
The cooktop has a built-in down-draft vent, or extractor. “Including it was part of the whole future-proofing drive — fitting the best stuff right at the start,” Nokes says. “We made sure we were using really decent appliances so the owners wouldn’t have to replace them in a year’s time.”
Stovetop: Miele
Stovetop: Miele
The island measures 9 by 4 feet and has space for seating and lots of storage. On the cooking side are drawers plus narrow vertical pull-outs either side of the stovetop. These contain inserts for oils and spices.
Nokes suggested a deep blue for the island and window seat (just seen), which the owners loved. It’s also been used on the media unit at the end of the room. The knobs and handles on all the kitchen cabinets are satin brass.
Hector glass globe pendant lights: Hector Finch
Nokes suggested a deep blue for the island and window seat (just seen), which the owners loved. It’s also been used on the media unit at the end of the room. The knobs and handles on all the kitchen cabinets are satin brass.
Hector glass globe pendant lights: Hector Finch
The cabinets come with a 10-year guarantee. “If you buy from a luxury kitchen retailer, you’re going to get longevity with all the products,” Nokes says.
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The backsplash is made from ceramic that’s been digitally printed to look like marble. “It’s more durable than the real thing,” Nokes says.
The double ceramic butler’s sink was specified by the owners as a “must-include.”
Faucet: Quooker; Zac Library wall lights: Hector Finch
The double ceramic butler’s sink was specified by the owners as a “must-include.”
Faucet: Quooker; Zac Library wall lights: Hector Finch
Tall cabinets at either end of the sink run create symmetry. On this side, they house an oven and a combination oven-microwave.
Ovens: Neff
Ovens: Neff
Nokes suggested building in a window seat with integrated storage. “The window extends quite far down, so this made the most of it,” she says.
The previous kitchen design had a sink running in front of the window. “By putting the [stovetop] on the island and the sink opposite it, we made the area flow much better,” Nokes says. “Then we could create this bench here, providing another spot for someone to sit down and have a glass of wine while one of the owners is cooking.”
The previous kitchen design had a sink running in front of the window. “By putting the [stovetop] on the island and the sink opposite it, we made the area flow much better,” Nokes says. “Then we could create this bench here, providing another spot for someone to sit down and have a glass of wine while one of the owners is cooking.”
The owners also wanted the design to be able to accommodate a family should they have children. So Nokes designed this storage with an evolving family in mind.
“There’s an entrance directly into this level, so kids can come in, take off shoes, dump their stuff and put it all in the bench drawers,” she says. “It’s quite practical.”
“There’s an entrance directly into this level, so kids can come in, take off shoes, dump their stuff and put it all in the bench drawers,” she says. “It’s quite practical.”
Additional storage is built in across from the island, with space for displaying favorite pieces and plants to bring in the warmth and personality the owners wanted.
The kitchen opens onto a dining space, in the center of the open room, with a relaxed living area beyond that.
There had been just a TV at this end of the room and no storage, so Nokes designed a built-in media wall that makes better use of the space. “The owners wanted something aesthetic, well balanced and symmetrical.”
The media wall is further evidence of future-proofing. “This will be perfect for keeping the books and toys of any children hidden away,” she says.
The owner found the furniture but ran her decisions past Nokes to ensure the space felt cohesive. “She sent me details of the sofa, chairs and tables to check sizing and how they would fit in the room and with the joinery,” she says. “We worked with the whole layout.”
The media wall is in the same Blue Thistle shade as the island, with long brass handles echoing the kitchen hardware.
Handles: Buster & Punch
The media wall is further evidence of future-proofing. “This will be perfect for keeping the books and toys of any children hidden away,” she says.
The owner found the furniture but ran her decisions past Nokes to ensure the space felt cohesive. “She sent me details of the sofa, chairs and tables to check sizing and how they would fit in the room and with the joinery,” she says. “We worked with the whole layout.”
The media wall is in the same Blue Thistle shade as the island, with long brass handles echoing the kitchen hardware.
Handles: Buster & Punch
The wall behind the sofa is half paneled to warm up the space and create a handy picture shelf.
Nokes squeezed in more storage beneath the stairs. “I wanted to utilize that area. There are shelves and some hanging space in there.”
Not surprisingly, the owners are delighted with the whole design. “They loved it,” Nokes says. “They were really pleased. It brought everything together.”
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Not surprisingly, the owners are delighted with the whole design. “They loved it,” Nokes says. “They were really pleased. It brought everything together.”
More on Houzz
Read more kitchen stories
Browse kitchen photos for ideas
Find a kitchen remodeler
Kitchen at a Glance
Who lives here: A couple
Location: Hackney, London
Size: 614 square feet (57 square meters)
Designer: Rebecca Nokes, design director of John Lewis of Hungerford
This open-plan kitchen, dining and living space didn’t need significant structural work. The owners were simply looking to replace what was originally there. “The actual space is as it was,” Nokes says. “We took out the old kitchen, relaid all the flooring and did a few other tweaks, such as moving electrics and plumbing, but no major building work.”
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