KITCHEN PROJECT
A DATED, CRAMPED KITCHEN HAS BEEN TRANSFORMED TO BECOME THE SUNNY SOCIAL HEART OF THIS BUSY FAMILY HOME
FEATURE MANDI MILLAR
PROJECT DETAILS
Kelly Black lives here with husband Jon and their children Violet, six, and Wilbert, one.
An open-plan kitchen/living space in a four-bed 1950s detached villa in Dorset.
£23,000
Brass ironmongery gives the scheme depth and warmth while Kelly has been careful to co-ordinate her taps and lighting in the same tones.
PENDANT LIGHTING
Plan your lighting scheme early so pendants are centrally placed over tables or island units
THE PROBLEM
This dark, cramped kitchen wasn’t big enough for modern family life
THE SOLUTION
‘We bought the house for its huge garden so we could build a double storey extension. The open-plan space was super-important for our family – somewhere to cook, eat and hang out, but something pretty to look at too! We put in for planning, with the vendor’s permission, before we owned the house and it was approved just before we exchanged. The build went remarkably smoothly although we had to pivot a few times on plans due to cost and time, but managed to come up with compromises we liked.
I had a Pinterest board with all my favourite kitchen ideas and documented everything on my Instagram @building onthehead. I wanted something that was both modern and classic, which would stand the test of time and I hope that’s what we’ve achieved.’
Inspired by the kitchens she saw on Eyeswoon, Kelly worked with a local bespoke cabinetry company and ordered one of its handmade kitchens in a half-price sale.
FOCUS ON
Open shelving is as much about aesthetic as practicality but the key is getting the balance right
n If you’re not sure it’s for you, try removing your wall unit doors for an idea of how open shelving might look.
n Ensure walls are structurally sound to take the weight of shelving and use the correct fixings for solid or plasterboard walls.
n Freestanding larders are a good compromise combining open and closed storage.
n Open shelving can be cheaper than traditional wall units and can deliver any style from traditional farmhouse to industrial.
n Arrange your pieces bottom-heavy, keeping the biggest ce
