Combining a luxe look with thoughtful design has given Sarah Ennor a stunning sociable space
Feature & stylingLISA MOSESPhotographyKATIE JANE WATSON
HOTEL-STYLE REFURB
WHAT DIDN’T YOU LIKE ABOUT THE ORIGINAL KITCHEN?
The last time this house had any attention was 30 years before we moved in, but I knew it had the potential to be a beautiful family home. However, the kitchen in particular was awful. It was a tiny add-on with ugly magnolia units along one side and the boiler and electric oven on the other, and was totally impractical for cooking even a simple meal. We spent our budget buying the property so had to make do until we could afford the extension, but I wanted to get the space right first time without having to compromise, so was happy to wait.
DID YOU HAVE A CLEAR VISION FOR THE NEW SPACE?
We enjoy staying in gorgeous hotels with beautiful bars and opulent décor, and my choice of design and styling was heavily influenced by that. I wanted to include luxe fixtures and fittings to create a space that didn’t classically look like a kitchen, and which could seamlessly turn from a functional family kitchen-diner to a cool bar area and sexy, vibrant party room in the evening. I have always loved the idea of having a plywood kitchen and like its environmentally friendly credentials, and I thought highlighting the beautiful grain that runs through the material with a dark stain would add a glamorous, club-like feel.
WHAT SORT OF BUILDING WORK WAS REQUIRED?
We knocked down the wall to the kids’ old playroom to make an L shape, perfect for including a snug area. We removed an external brick wall and extended the back by two metres to create space for a large kitchen-diner as we love having friends over, so wanted room for a large dining table and a bit of dancing!
ANY DISASTERS ALONG THE WAY?
We were advised by our builders that if we moved out the work would only take 10 weeks. But during the works we discovered a well just where the footings were being dug up, so we had to wait for reports from the structural engineer and advice from our architect, which took time and a fair amount of our contingency budget.
HOW DID YOU DECIDE ON THE PRACTICAL ELEMENTS?
My decision-making centred aro
