Kitchen of the Week: Thoughtful Touches in a Timeless Space
Attention to detail has added elegance and functionality to this English kitchen and walk-in pantry
The owners of this beautiful storage-packed kitchen in a detached historical home in Hampshire, England, had their grandchildren front of mind when planning their space. “They look after the grandkids a lot, and also entertain,” says Darren Taylor, managing director of Searle & Taylor, who the couple tasked with designing their new kitchen. “The children get involved in a lot of the baking so it had to be practical and safe.”
Taylor ensured there were plenty of features to fulfill this goal, all within a space that maintains a balance of both contemporary and traditional. The result is an elegant room that functions well and feels relaxed and comfortable to move around in.
Taylor ensured there were plenty of features to fulfill this goal, all within a space that maintains a balance of both contemporary and traditional. The result is an elegant room that functions well and feels relaxed and comfortable to move around in.
Taylor designed the island with a nod to the original era of the house. “Before islands came into use, there would have been a large table instead, so we’ve chamfered the corner posts of the island to look like table legs,” he says.
The quartz countertop is 20mm thick, which adds a sleek, modern look, while the traditional Shaker-style cabinetry has an unfussy contemporary design without beading.
Ariel countertops, Silestone; cabinet paint: Inkwell, Colourtrend Paints; stools: Cox & Cox; antique brass handles and hinges: Armac Martin
The quartz countertop is 20mm thick, which adds a sleek, modern look, while the traditional Shaker-style cabinetry has an unfussy contemporary design without beading.
Ariel countertops, Silestone; cabinet paint: Inkwell, Colourtrend Paints; stools: Cox & Cox; antique brass handles and hinges: Armac Martin
Behind the island is a large range cooker surrounded by a bowed Adam-style mantel. The vent hood, or extractor, is concealed within this, while on either side are cabinets for cooking oils and sauces, plus spice drawers below.
“We also added a ledge at the back, which is good for holding seasoning and oil so it can be grabbed easily,” Taylor says.
Range cooker, Rangemaster
“We also added a ledge at the back, which is good for holding seasoning and oil so it can be grabbed easily,” Taylor says.
Range cooker, Rangemaster
An antique mirror backsplash behind the range reflects the open pantry opposite and brings more light into the space. “It also enables the clients to keep an eye on the kids while they’re at the [stove],” Taylor says.
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The owners didn’t want any sharp knives within easy reach of little hands, so Taylor designed a knife block and mounted it inside one of the cupboard doors. Spice racks are mounted inside the door on the opposite side.
Three glass pendants add decorative lighting above the island and are complemented by ceiling downlights and accent LED strips beneath the wall cabinets and along the shelving.
Rather than a working triangle layout, Taylor often prefers to use a zoning system. “I’ll plan a zone for food products, another for nonconsumables such as bowls and plates, a food prep zone with pots and pans and a cleaning zone with a sink and dishwasher,” he says.
In this kitchen, the cleaning zone is below the window.
Pendant lights, Jim Lawrence
Rather than a working triangle layout, Taylor often prefers to use a zoning system. “I’ll plan a zone for food products, another for nonconsumables such as bowls and plates, a food prep zone with pots and pans and a cleaning zone with a sink and dishwasher,” he says.
In this kitchen, the cleaning zone is below the window.
Pendant lights, Jim Lawrence
“It was really important to position the farmhouse sink central to the window for a balanced look,” Taylor says. “There’s also a quartz sill beneath the sink to protect the cabinets below from water damage.”
To the left of the sink is a dishwasher and pull-out bins, and alongside these is a fridge-freezer.
Sink, Villeroy & Boch; Phoenician faucet in Satin Brass, Perrin & Rowe
To the left of the sink is a dishwasher and pull-out bins, and alongside these is a fridge-freezer.
Sink, Villeroy & Boch; Phoenician faucet in Satin Brass, Perrin & Rowe
The owner had a lot of display items and cookbooks, so Taylor built open cabinets to resemble dressers on either side of the French doors.
“They are scalloped at the bottom [with the lowest open shelf being slightly shallower — see previous photo] to take the weight out of them, as they’re so high,” Taylor says. “Adding a flyover shelf across the top of the door links them together as a set piece. “
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“They are scalloped at the bottom [with the lowest open shelf being slightly shallower — see previous photo] to take the weight out of them, as they’re so high,” Taylor says. “Adding a flyover shelf across the top of the door links them together as a set piece. “
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The walk-in pantry opposite the range offers the couple even more functionality, with extra work surfaces and lots of storage for dried goods.
“The couple wanted the brick walls to be visible, so the brickwork was cleaned up,” Taylor says. “We then designed wall cabinets without backs so the bricks can be seen.”
It’s this attention to detail that’s ensured the kitchen feels considered and stylish.
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“The couple wanted the brick walls to be visible, so the brickwork was cleaned up,” Taylor says. “We then designed wall cabinets without backs so the bricks can be seen.”
It’s this attention to detail that’s ensured the kitchen feels considered and stylish.
More on Houzz
Read more stories
Browse photos for ideas
Find home professionals
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Kitchen at a Glance
Who lives here: A retired couple
Location: Hampshire, England
Size: Kitchen, dining area and conservatory: 430 square feet (40 square meters); pantry: 58 square feet (5.4 square meters)
Designer: Darren Taylor of Searle & Taylor
The star of the show in this large kitchen is the sizable island, which is about 15½ by 4½ feet (4.7 by 1.4 meters). “The owners even joked they could play table tennis on it,” Taylor says. There’s plenty of room around it for friends to gather and lots of countertop area for the grandchildren to help with cooking and baking. They wanted it to be clear so there isn’t a cooktop or sink on top, he says.
Basket drawers can easily be accessed on the seating side of the island. On the other side, 10 drawers offer plenty of practical storage. In front of the stools, a run of cabinets is ideal for storing items that aren’t used very often.
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