Katy Middleton’s open-plan kitchen-diner incorporates bespoke hidden elements for a clutter-free space that suits her young family’s lifestyle
FeatureKAREN WILSONPhotographyKATIE LEE
MODERN EXTENSION
WHAT DIDN’T YOU LIKE ABOUT YOUR ORIGINAL KITCHEN?
The long galley layout was cold, dark and depressing, with an archway through to the playroom that also doubled as a dining room. The space was really awkward, which meant it was hard to cook and entertain at the same time, and as I’ve always loved to cook and bake, I felt like I lost that part of me with the old design. Looking back, I still can’t believe we lived with it for over three years!
DID YOU HAVE ANY BIG IDEAS FOR THE NEW DESIGN?
The ceiling had previously been lowered, so we wanted to raise it back up to let in more light and create a huge open-plan space. Extending out by three metres ensured the project fell within permitted development rules, and knocking together the kitchen and rear reception room gave us ample space to include a utility and cloakroom, too. I found interior designer Liz Ennis of Wolfe Interiors through Houzz.com, and her advice was invaluable. She suggested moving the downstairs toilet and utility on the plans, so the space wasn’t an awkward dog-leg shape, and this rejigged layout helped with the lighting, radiator positions and colour scheme.
WERE THERE ANY MUST-HAVE FEATURES ON THE LIST?
As well as being child friendly, I wanted the kitchen to have a sociable island, with no wall-hung cupboards that might enclose the room. My other must-haves were a hidden integrated fridge-freezer to replace our huge American-style one covered in magnets, and a larder cupboard to hide all the small appliances. My husband’s stipulations were a drinks cabinet or bar, hot-water tap and a sink moulded from the worktop.
WHAT WAS THE BIGGEST CHALLENGE YOU FACED?
The six-month project started weeks after the first lockdown, but luckily our builder had two boys of a similar age so understood the upheaval, and finished the utility room first so we didn’t have to wash-up in the bath! Choosing flooring was also tricky; after bringing home 10 large-scale LVT samples, I chose a classic, easy-to-maintain herringbone design, which has a true lik
