A Scottish Coastal Kitchen

When Tess from Amber Yard Interiors embarked upon transforming the newly extended open-plan kitchen space within this traditional character property, the objective was simple – to make guests smile when they walked through the door. With the property being located so close to the beach, along a spectacular stretch of Scottish coastline, the main influence on the design of the interior was undoubtedly the location.

Tess’ intention was to create a look that was ‘traditional country, but with a quirky twist’. Much inspiration was drawn from the stunning coastal landscapes and rich local heritage, which was then woven into the design scheme in playful and distinctive ways.

Tess’ clients were keen to create a kitchen space that was open, inviting and social. An area of the home in which to predominantly host, hold events and throw dinners. The client loves to socialise and therefore wanted their new kitchen to feel seamlessly connected with the dining space and the open plan living area. Tess decided to create a space that despite being large enough to fit a table to sit 20 people, still felt warm and homely. The clever use of soft furnishings and traditional materials, like wood, stop the space from feeling too vast by dampening the sound, and softening the whole feel of the room.

The homeowners loved colour, so they wanted the space to be vibrant and eye-catching. So, Tess decided to paint the walls in a neutral base colour to keep the space light and bright, then introduced lots of colour through the furniture and soft furnishings. The indulgent use of deliberately clashing patterned fabrics creates a sensory overload that stops the whole space from feeling too stark. The addition of brightly coloured art on the walls and a mix of traditional and contemporary furniture makes the new extension feel both warm and welcoming.

A kitchen can often be seen as a space for functionality, but it’s where the homeowners spend most of their time when they’re at home, so Tess had to make sure it was designed to accommodate more people than your average-sized kitchen. A large island unit is perfect for large gatherings and usually becomes a hub at parties where people gather to chat, nibble and drink. The island delivers a mix of cool marble and warm natural wood which not only looks great but also has practical benefits in a working kitchen environment.

The client wanted a double bowl sink because they felt the partitioned basin would be more practical.

They chose the classic Shaws Double 800 because of its sleek timeless design and robust practicality, which is only elevated further when fitted with handmade aged brass kitchen taps from Perrin and Rowe. The glossy white glaze of the fireclay sink also sits perfectly when mounted to the traditional Shaker style cabinetry that Tess commissioned David L Douglas to build, install and paint in the deep, rich Green Smoke by Farrow and Ball.

The client chose to position their Shaws sink under the window, rather than on the island, because they wanted to keep the island clear for hosting and socialising and make the most of a spectacular view. The addition of a large range cooker and the traditional glazed-brick tiles add further to the practical country kitchen aesthetic.

By sticking to an objective of only using products and brands that they highly respect for beautiful design, luxury finishes and high level of craftsmanship; the homeowners have retained the character of what was already a charming home, and amplified this to support the way they want to live and use the space to its full potential.