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Kitchen of the Week: An Edwardian Home With a Modern Extension
This inspiring space manages to be practical, stylish and a great place to relax with a cuppa, thanks to some careful zoning
When designer Sue Murphy first took on this light, bright and airy open-plan kitchen-diner in a semi-detached Edwardian house, she knew the key was getting the zoning just right. ‘I didn’t want it to look like one confused mess,’ she remembers. ‘I wanted to clearly define all the different living areas.’
The space Murphy tackled was located in a new extension stretching right across the width of the house – an old extension had been pulled down and rebuilt to make way for a second storey. And with the client’s three young children in the picture, practicality was key.
The space Murphy tackled was located in a new extension stretching right across the width of the house – an old extension had been pulled down and rebuilt to make way for a second storey. And with the client’s three young children in the picture, practicality was key.
When it came to style and finish, fussy or fashiony weren’t on the cards. ‘The client wanted something simple and warm, not overly trendy,’ says Murphy. ‘We aimed to create a look that was contemporary and felt very now, while also being timeless – that wouldn’t easily date.’
The owner has a love of 1950s style, particularly shades of moss green and teal blue – and at one point they even looked at using retro burnt oranges. However, after considering how the family live, Murphy suggested more of a blank canvas. ‘I realised that was more appropriate,’ she says. ‘Because they have young children with tons of toys and books that add colour, as well as a beautiful collection of ceramics, I felt they didn’t need a lot of extra things to make it look bright.’
However, there are still some subtle colour choices that reflect the owner’s vintage tastes – in particular, those blues and greens on the blind and curtains, and in the rug in the living area.
While the owner loves greys as well, in the end she chose a mushroom-coloured Caesarstone worktop to add warmth and elegance to the space. ‘Grey would have looked colder,’ says Murphy.
Worktop, Caesarstone. Rug, Rug-Maker.
Read expert advice on choosing the perfect kitchen worktop
The owner has a love of 1950s style, particularly shades of moss green and teal blue – and at one point they even looked at using retro burnt oranges. However, after considering how the family live, Murphy suggested more of a blank canvas. ‘I realised that was more appropriate,’ she says. ‘Because they have young children with tons of toys and books that add colour, as well as a beautiful collection of ceramics, I felt they didn’t need a lot of extra things to make it look bright.’
However, there are still some subtle colour choices that reflect the owner’s vintage tastes – in particular, those blues and greens on the blind and curtains, and in the rug in the living area.
While the owner loves greys as well, in the end she chose a mushroom-coloured Caesarstone worktop to add warmth and elegance to the space. ‘Grey would have looked colder,’ says Murphy.
Worktop, Caesarstone. Rug, Rug-Maker.
Read expert advice on choosing the perfect kitchen worktop
The stylish wooden kitchen table gets lots of use for playdates and craft sessions. ‘The family spend much of their time here,’ says Murphy.
The dining area leads directly on to the living area, which is defined by the rooflight above it. The built-in shelving opposite the kitchen was specially made to show off a much-loved collection of ceramics (including a large pot by the homeowner’s mother).
This might be an ultra open-plan space, but, as Murphy says, it never feels ‘empty and echoey’. Instead, the different zones flow together beautifully, while still retaining their distinct purposes.
Borough sofa, Sofas & Stuff.
The dining area leads directly on to the living area, which is defined by the rooflight above it. The built-in shelving opposite the kitchen was specially made to show off a much-loved collection of ceramics (including a large pot by the homeowner’s mother).
This might be an ultra open-plan space, but, as Murphy says, it never feels ‘empty and echoey’. Instead, the different zones flow together beautifully, while still retaining their distinct purposes.
Borough sofa, Sofas & Stuff.
The owner wanted cabinets that were sleek and simple, with no visible handles. ‘She didn’t want any bits of aluminium. And she really didn’t want a gloss white finish, so we chose a matt white, which took a little while to source,’ says Murphy, who finally installed a German brand.
A well-camouflaged door on the right, next to the cooker and fridge, leads to the utility area. Best of all, it’s a swing door, so no hands required when you’re pushing through with rubbish bags.
Kitchen units supplied by Brynmôr Interiors.
A well-camouflaged door on the right, next to the cooker and fridge, leads to the utility area. Best of all, it’s a swing door, so no hands required when you’re pushing through with rubbish bags.
Kitchen units supplied by Brynmôr Interiors.
The central area of the ground floor was previously part of the kitchen, but ‘was a dark, windowless space’, says Murphy (see the ‘before’ shots below). Now, thanks to the removal of the internal walls, it leads naturally on from the living-dining area. ‘There’s a nice flow to the whole space,’ Murphy says.
The family were keen to avoid a ‘corridor’ feel, so Murphy’s seamless inclusion of a desk within the run of bookshelves allows them to show family photos on the computer and use it to help with homework.
All bespoke joinery supplied and installed by AWH Joinery.
Discover more about Edwardian architecture
The family were keen to avoid a ‘corridor’ feel, so Murphy’s seamless inclusion of a desk within the run of bookshelves allows them to show family photos on the computer and use it to help with homework.
All bespoke joinery supplied and installed by AWH Joinery.
Discover more about Edwardian architecture
The stunning teardrop-shaped glass pendant lights are handcrafted, and add some sparkle and glamour to the kitchen. ‘They are actually quite traditional,’ says Murphy, ‘but hung together in this kitchen they look modern.’
She worked hard on a lighting plan that was versatile, with adjustable circuits over worktops and living areas, and slick double spots in the ceiling. ‘The space is really cosy at night as well – it’s not just a daytime space,’ Murphy says.
Lights, Jim Lawrence.
She worked hard on a lighting plan that was versatile, with adjustable circuits over worktops and living areas, and slick double spots in the ceiling. ‘The space is really cosy at night as well – it’s not just a daytime space,’ Murphy says.
Lights, Jim Lawrence.
A peninsula, rather than an island, was deliberately chosen to separate the cooking and dining areas – stopping kids running around while the owners juggle hot pans and dirty dishes. ‘The peninsula still looks modern, because of the symmetry and layout,’ says Murphy.
While she did follow the kitchen triangle rule, the family’s specific needs were more important – including their love of tea… ‘Triangles are worth bearing in mind, but what’s also important is how people actually use the space. It started as a joke, but one thing they really wanted was a tea station. Now you can make a cup of tea without moving your feet! The kettle, cupboard for teabags and cups are all close together.’
With the dining area so close by, the family decided they didn’t need a breakfast bar – but they do have some bar stools tucked away out of sight that they can pull up to the kitchen counter when the children want to help with cooking.
Tour a renovated Edwardian home
While she did follow the kitchen triangle rule, the family’s specific needs were more important – including their love of tea… ‘Triangles are worth bearing in mind, but what’s also important is how people actually use the space. It started as a joke, but one thing they really wanted was a tea station. Now you can make a cup of tea without moving your feet! The kettle, cupboard for teabags and cups are all close together.’
With the dining area so close by, the family decided they didn’t need a breakfast bar – but they do have some bar stools tucked away out of sight that they can pull up to the kitchen counter when the children want to help with cooking.
Tour a renovated Edwardian home
BEFORE
How the kitchen looked before the renovation.
How the kitchen looked before the renovation.
The old kitchen felt much gloomier.
The space was in desperate need of a face-lift. The new kitchen is so much more uplifting bright and modern.
THE PLAN
The plan of the new kitchen includes the utility space, dining zone and kitchen units. Note the must-have tea station and extensive storage. Everything has been thought of, even the right spot for a wall clock and a home for the Magimix.
The plan of the new kitchen includes the utility space, dining zone and kitchen units. Note the must-have tea station and extensive storage. Everything has been thought of, even the right spot for a wall clock and a home for the Magimix.
This plan illustrates the entire ground floor.
TELL US…
What do you think of this open-plan kitchen? Let us know in the Comments below.
TELL US…
What do you think of this open-plan kitchen? Let us know in the Comments below.
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Who lives here A professional couple with three young children
Location Harpenden, Hertfordshire
Size Part of a 5 bedroom, 3 bathroom property
Designer Sue Murphy at Sue Murphy Interiors
Glazed doors leading on to the garden ensure this is a light, bright space in which to hang out. ‘It has a really relaxed, daytime-y feel,’ says Murphy. ‘The kids can play in the garden while the grown-ups have a coffee at the table. Everything is very safe and thought out to fit in with family life.’
The flooring is engineered wood with a light, whitewashed finish chosen to match the Edwardian boards in the hallway. The tiles in the kitchen area are porcelain, but blend in beautifully.
The white and wood Eames DSW chairs are classics that give a stylish nod to the 1950s, an era the owners are inspired by. The Scandi table is by Danish designer Ebbe Gehl.
Chairs; Ebbe Gehl table, all John Lewis.