LIFE IN THE KITCHEN Designing a kitchen to suit a lifestyle

kitchenLIFE IN THE

Combine practical and decorative design details to create a kitchen to suit the way it is used, whether as a multifunctional family space, a sociable room for entertaining or home to a keen cook

In this calm and orderly kitchen, the Nickleby prep table takes centre stage. Kitchen from £40,000 (excluding appliances), Humphrey Munson

As one of the hardest-working rooms in the home, used day and night and by all members of the household, a kitchen needs to be not only practical but beautiful too, to make spending time there enjoyable. Often, the lifestyle of the homeowner and the way the kitchen is primarily used will dictate its layout, content and decoration. Keeping this in mind as the first consideration when planning a kitchen will ensure it functions and is a pleasure to spend time in for all who use it. Here we look at five different styles to enhance the heart of the home.

Everything in its place

This calm and orderly approach to the kitchen keeps it as a functional, yet elegant space. Clever storage hides gadgets, appliances and cookware, leaving just a few beautiful pieces on show. Though there might be space to pull up a stool for a spot of breakfast, or a quiet cup of tea, this is not a lively, social space. A clean, fresh and limited palette works well to maintain a restful and organised feel – off whites, whether cool or warm, perhaps with a soft accent colour in sage or pale blue might be favoured. Classic touches such as polished brass or nickel, marble worktops, wood or light stone flooring are all excellent choices. Above all there is nothing unnecessary on the counters – a pantry cupboard or even a separate pantry keeps everything neat and tidy.

CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT Chichester kitchen, painted in Mist, from £8,000; Imperial nickel pendant light, £215, all Neptune Brass Piped Pendant light, £69.99, Charlton Island Paints (from top): Green Smoke and James White, £49.50 for 2.5l Estate Emulsion, Farrow & Ball Mr Clarke 40cm wall clock, £65, Newgate Kamari Decorative Jug, £85, Oka Marmi Hex Marble-Style porcelain tile, £38.88 a square metre, Porcelain Superstore Millbrook three-door sideboard, £1,269, The Painted Furniture Company

Family living

This multifunctional space may well be open-plan, combining a dining area, sitting room, and perhaps even an office area. It is where the family gathers to prepare food, catch up and relax. Having distinctions between different areas can help to designate different functions, for instance placing a rug in a seating area will make it stand apart from the cooking and eating areas.

When it comes to colour, some may prefer the spacious feel achieved through light, neutral hues, whilst others may be more daring, using bright hues or adding bold accent tones. Rust oranges and mustard yellows work well to enliven navy cabinetry, whilst bright pastels can create a prettier effect. Colour can also be used to zone as well as unite different areas, for instance, matching a sofa to a tile splashback.

Storage in which to stow away toys, schoolwork, office and hobby equipment and more is crucial in a family kitchen. Ensure dining areas are located close to the kitchen for ease of serving food, with seating areas away from the main hustle and bustle. Use a corner or nook for a desk, if needed, and of course, a spot for the family pet might also be a necessity. 

CLOCKWISE FROM TOP Iconic kitchen, from £70,000, Smallbone Cabrera Jasmin Mint tile, £224.50 a square metre, Claybrook Dynamo 1 pendant in Blue, £102, Dar Lighting Group Walls in Gettysburg Gray Chalkboard Paint, £30 for 0.94l, Benjamin Moore Paints (from left): Polka Dot, Rosie Posie and Toy Soldier, all £42 for 2.5l Claypaint, Earthborn Paints

CLOCKWISE FROM ABOVE Suffolk kitchen, painted in Ink, starting from £8,000; Byron pendant light in Grey, £150 (large); Ludlow bar stool, Natural Oak £375, all Neptune Kasbah Ink Runner, from £138, Weaver Green Deeply Dishy luxury dog bed in Velour Contrast Aquamarine, £140, Charley Chau William armchair in Hajdu Stripe, £2,100, Mind The Gap

HIGHLY ANTICIPATED The Greenacre design was originally part of Colefax and Fowler’s spring launch – and one The English Home featured in our April edition. The collection was paused and the many readers who enquired about the availability of this charming design will be pleased to know it is now available, along with a host of other beautiful designs. The new colourways of the everpopular Bowood are also worth investigating. Greenacre, in Forest Green and Leaf Green, £85 a metre, Colefax and Fowler A range cooker and plenty of work surfaces provide the perfect space for those who are passionate about cooking. The Classic English Kitchen, from £25,000, deVOL

CLOCKWISE FROM ABOVE West Bucknowle kitchen, in Mole’s Breath and Inchyra Blue (both Farrow & Ball), from £40,000, Guild Anderson Wells ceiling-mounted pot rack in Nickel, £17,976, Waterworks Copper utensils, £59, Idyll Home Cobb rise-and-fall pendant, £245, Original BTC Paints (from left): Indigo, Brunswick Green Deep, Sang de Boeuf, all £49.50 for 2.5l Emulsion, Edward Bulmer Natural Paint Weathered oak three-leg bar stool, £179, Ella James Pomegranate 42l cast-iron oval casserole, £82.07, Denby Little Cress double oven glove, £39, Tori Murphy

The cook’s domain

For those serious about cooking up a storm in the kitchen, a truly practical space is essential. Generous worktops perhaps a large island for extra preparation space is crucial, along with a sizeable oven (or two) and plenty of storage for ingredients. Good cookware such as copper pans can also be used to make the space attractive – hung from a pot rack or displayed on open shelves.

Heritage colours work well here – a deep green or red-brown teamed with copper finishes perhaps. Somewhere to perch in the form of a wooden bar stool is useful, but the focus of this space is creating delicious food and enjoying the process, so having plentiful preparation space and storage is key – as is excellent lighting.

A sociable space

This kitchen comes into its own in the evening as a perfect spot for supper or for drinks with friends. The look is glamorous, with rich, dark hues of navy, green or black on cabinetry and sleek worktops and golden accents. This kitchen works well for the host who can cook and still be able to entertain guests as they sit on an upholstered bar stool sipping a drink. A bar area, drinks cabinet, wine rack or chiller fridge are essentials. Whilst kitchen lighting has to be practical for cooking, ambient lighting is crucial. Opt for a row of dimmable pendant lights in glass, perhaps even crystal, and brushed brass for an opulent look.

CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT Soul Kitchen with New Classic cabinetry, from £35,000, Martin Moore Globe and Brass pendant, £125, Cox & Cox Gold and Glass cocktail shaker, £25.50, Audenza Arc cocktail glass, £18.45 for two, Not Just Jugs Terrace 68-piece dinner set, £2,450, Micucci Interiors Lucia bar stool in Royal Blue velvet, £119, Cult Furniture Goldfinger counter stool, £1,450; Jacques three-light pendant £1,995, both Jonathan Adler

This country life

Cottage kitchens radiate rustic charm with wooden countertops, flagstone floors, farmhouse tables and pretty textiles. Ticking stripes or sweet prints offer a country feel and can introduce colour in in the form of raspberry pinks to enliven calm greys or rich blues. A butler sink and traditional-style taps maintain an authentic flavour – this is not a place for crisp, modern lines and glossy surfaces. Wooden dish racks are perfect to display much-loved china – or perhaps if space allows a heavily dressed Welsh dresser. An Aga or range cooker exemplifies the country kitchen and should be a primary focus – choose a suitably lovely colour. n

CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT Blind, Rose Linen, £168 a Blind, Rose Linen, £168 a metre; cabinet skirting in metre; cabinet skirting in hand-block-printed cottons, hand-block-printed cottons, £104 a metre, all Molly Mahon £104 a metre, all Molly Mahon Tiles (from top): Chateaux Tiles (from top): Chateaux Ormeaux on Thebes; Ormeaux on Thebes; Chateaux Bourron on Papyrus; Chateaux Bourron on Papyrus; Chateaux Behen on Papyrus, Chateaux Behen on Papyrus, all £280.25, a square metre, all £280.25, a square metre, Original Style R3 Series 90 Electric with R3 Series 90 Electric with Induction Hob, Aubergine, Induction Hob, Aubergine, £8,196, Aga Scullery kitchen table in Pale Scullery kitchen table in Pale Grey, £1,295, Loaf Provence sink mixer in Pewter, Provence sink mixer in Pewter, £695.04, Perrin & Rowe £695.04, Perrin & Rowe Blinds and plates, all Susie Blinds and plates, all Susie Watson Designs