This light, bright kitchen formed part of a much larger renovation of two classic West London Victorian apartments. The owners, who at the time were expecting a baby, wanted a larger space for their growing family but didn’t want to move from the apartment they loved. Luckily, the downstairs property went up for sale, allowing them to combine the two, to create one large family home.
Extensive structural work was needed to complete the renovation; walls were knocked down and the entire space was re-wired, re-plumbed, re-plastered and re-imagined. Martin Moore were involved from very early on, giving them the opportunity to build the kitchen almost from scratch. Designer David Sant worked alongside the head builder – who he had worked with before – and interior designers Studio Mae to design and build a dream new kitchen.
One of the most important, and tricky, aspects of this project was achieving symmetry, so that each side of the room was a mirror of the other. As Martin Moore’s furniture is entirely bespoke, they are able to work with unusual, awkward architectural spaces; they removed the original chimney mantle on one side and built two symmetrical runs of furniture to create harmony and balance.
The owners wanted their new home to have a clean, contemporary edge, opting for modern furniture and finishes throughout. It was important that the new kitchen have a light, spacious feel, be in sympatico with the modernised interior, yet also pay tribute to the heritage of the building. To meet this brief, David suggested the New Deco collection – drawing inspiration from the Art Deco era, it brings a contemporary twist to Martin Moore’s classic furniture, incorporating several statement materials and finishes, including marble, limestone and porcelain.
A central island with a breakfast bar at either end was a must-have. This posed an initial challenge due to the narrowness of the space available. To overcome this, Martin Moore asked for the kitchen to be extended slightly, giving them more design flexibility. The island features smooth, rounded edges, helping to open-up access to the kitchen and soften the angular layout of the room. To maximise space, Martin Moore designed and built upwards, taking full advantage of the property’s high ceilings by incorporating storage at a high level.
Extra storage space was incorporated into the island, and a pantry cupboard sited at the start of the cooking run was fitted with internal drawers and adjustable shelves, keeping necessary ingredients close to hand.
The style of the furniture and the neutral colour palette contribute to the kitchen’s calm, sleek feel, and help to create the illusion of greater space. However, against this neutral backdrop, it was important to create a sense of drama using statement materials. Exquisite Asia Crema natural quartzite was chosen for the worktops and splashback, bringing decorative impact and a touch of luxury to the scheme. State-of-the-art appliances from Miele and Gaggenau modernise the look, coordinating with the interior style throughout the house.
Speaking on what makes this kitchen special, David says: “Traditional and modern elements sit in complete harmony, resulting in a beautifully relaxing, balanced space. It’s a classic, contemporary kitchen with a luxury twist. According to the owners, they wouldn’t change a thing!”.
Kitchen Details:
Cabinetry from Martin Moore’s New Deco collection,
hand painted in Lime White
