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Inspiration

The Georgian Townhouse

This month we’re showcasing the sympathetic kitchen transformation of a traditional Grade II-listed London Townhouse. When homeowner Vicky decided to put the Georgian property on the market, she enlisted the help of an architect to help get the most from the modestly-sized, galley kitchen space. Although the owner’s second property, Vicky still wanted to preserve the heritage of the home and not lose the original Georgian period charm. As this is a Grade II-listed property, any new design features had to work seamlessly with the rest of the architecture.

The White Kitchen Company worked with both Vicky and the architects to design a bespoke galley kitchen that wouldn’t compromise on storage despite the space not being huge. To create the illusion of a larger, more airy, space, no wall hung cupboards were included in the final design. Dark base cabinetry, clean light walls, and work surfaces with minimal clutter keep the space looking fresh and light-filled.

During the early Georgian period, strong, dark colours were favoured over lighter colours. However, dark walls can often make a room feel smaller and more intimate, so it was decided that only the bespoke Shaker-style cabinetry would be painted in Lamp Black by Little Greene. Lamp Black is a beautiful warm black, which brings the space to life when natural light enters the room. The Grade II status and irregular angled walls meant bespoke cabinetry was necessary to accommodate the idiosyncrasies so common in period buildings, as well as the existing architectural details such as dado rails, sash windows and structural walls.

Vicky fell in love with the Shaws Shaker Double 800 fireclay kitchen sink the moment she saw it in the showroom

At 800mm in length the Shaker Double 800 is both a spacious and practical sink, but much more space saving than our typical 1000mm models. The sink really stands out against the dark Shaker cabinetry and, paired with a beautiful polished brass deck-mounted tap, is a real focal point in the kitchen.

The sink was positioned on the far side of the kitchen to keep it separate from the living area (because the space is open-plan, keeping dirty dishes hidden away was a priority). To maximise the amount of hidden storage and minimise clutter, Vicky requested a bespoke pantry within the final kitchen design. The pantry is fitted with reeded glass and a painted butt and bead panel - all details which naturally draw your eye to this beautiful place that displays pottery and favourite tableware. The designers have also managed to fit in a tall larder cupboard, which is perfect for storing dry foods and cereals. It has an added spice rack on the interior door and pull-out drawers in oak for further kitchenware. Neighbouring the pantry, a similar tall cabinet housing a fridge freezer is integrated to create the illusion that the units are one. Flat-fronted drawers were selected to create a smooth finish and a symmetrical look on either side of the statement Smeg range cooker.

The original architectural details such as the hand-painted wooden flooring and Georgian-period sash windows were painted warm white throughout the property, so the kitchen walls were also painted to blend seamlessly with both, and also the Silestone work surfaces and splashback. This results in a light, airy space that really comes to life when sunlight pours in through the window – providing a wonderful view of the garden.

 

www.thewhitekitchencompany.com