The story of this renovation dates back almost 20 years, when the owners, who at the time were living in the second-floor apartment of this London Victorian property, decided to move to a smaller house nearby to accommodate their growing family. However, they decided to keep their flat and rent it out; so, years later, when the opportunity arose to buy the ground-floor apartment and convert the fabulous Victorian property back to its former glory, they jumped at the chance to return to their first home.
The kitchen was one of the main focuses of the refurb – the existing space was cramped and dated, and in need of some TLC. The owners love to cook and entertain, so the first port of call was to demolish the old conservatory, knocking down existing dividing walls, to create an extended open plan kitchen/living/dining area. The dream was to have a warm, classic kitchen, sympathetic to the style of the house, but incorporating modern touches and state-of-the-art appliances. The couple entrusted Pam Baker, Senior Designer at Martin Moore, to bring their creative vision to life.
Pam opted for cabinetry from Martin Moore’s New Deco collection; drawing inspiration from the Art Deco era, it brings a modern twist to Martin Moore’s classic furniture, incorporating several statement materials and finishes, including marble, limestone and porcelain. Traditional in style and construction, the furniture is brought to life by various contemporary features including sleek brass handles, statement granite and quartzite worktops, a mirrored splashback and the unusual damson colour chosen for the island.
Measuring 3m long, the large central island forms the hub of the space. It offers functionality and sociability in equal measure - there is plentiful surface space for prepping meals, and the hob, ovens and fridge-freezer are within reaching distance whilst the curved edge allows guests to gather and comfortably face one another.
To create a focal point within the room, as well as to conceal the extractor hood, Pam suggested Martin Moore’s signature overmantel to define the cooking zone. It’s a classic feature, very much in harmony with the style and heritage of the house.
Located just off from the kitchen, a beautiful and spacious walk-in pantry provides useful storage space for food, chinaware, serving platters and more. The deep Butler’s sink means the family can stash away empty plates, roasting tins, etc after use, keeping the main island free of clutter when entertaining. Open shelving and pull-out walnut crates make ingredients more readily accessible, while wall sockets are handy for small appliances. Housed within a tall cupboard, a stacked washing machine and tumble dryer, together with a pulley clothes airer offer the perfect laundry facilities.
A fun feature of this kitchen is the home bar; the owners always wanted to have a feature bar that they could use when entertaining, or even when they simply wanted to relax with a glass of wine at the end of the day. Initially, the bar was to be placed in the kitchen, however Pam suggested positioning it by the sofa, to create a relaxed and informal living space within the room.
The owners love their new kitchen and found the renovation process smooth and enjoyable: “I knew we were in capable hands as soon as we met Pam at Martin Moore. She was warm with a wonderful, creative approach to her work. We were working full time throughout the renovation, and so we very much relied on Pam and the Martin Moore team.”
Kitchen Details:
Cabinetry from Martin Moore’s New Deco collection,
hand painted in Martin Moore’s Mid Grey (main)
and Dark Mulberry (island)
Worktops: Bianco Antique polished granite (island) and
Polished Bianco Assoluto quartzite (cooking run + bar)
