Kitchen Tour: A Beautiful Connection Between Two Different Spaces
A few clever design tricks ensured a light kitchen leads seamlessly into a cosy dining room
Amanda Pollard
21 December 2019
Senior Editor at Houzz UK and Ireland. Journalist and editor specialising in interiors and architecture.
Senior Editor at Houzz UK and Ireland. Journalist and editor specialising in interiors... More
If you’re wondering how to compromise when your partner wants a neutral scheme and you prefer colour, this project might provide some ideas. Designer Fiona Duke helped the owners of this converted manor house to create a harmonious balance between a pale-hued classic kitchen and a blue-walled, intimate dining room.
Kitchen at a Glance
Who lives here? A couple and their two young daughters
Location Hertfordshire
Property A converted Edwardian manor house
Room dimensions Kitchen: 7 x 4.5m; dining room: 5 x 4m
Designer Fiona Duke of Fiona Duke Interiors
Photos by Anna Stathaki
The kitchen and dining room in this Edwardian home were redesigned as part of a whole house renovation. The kitchen’s side wall was originally where the island is now, and there was a window at the back where the French doors are.
The couple’s builders extended to the right and installed a rooflight along the length of the kitchen to bring sunshine into the space. “It was previously the darkest, smallest area of the whole house,” Fiona says. “The glazed door helps to give the space a brighter feel.”
Kitchen, deVOL; cabinets painted in Damask and island painted in Lead. Walls painted in Ammonite, Farrow & Ball.
Who lives here? A couple and their two young daughters
Location Hertfordshire
Property A converted Edwardian manor house
Room dimensions Kitchen: 7 x 4.5m; dining room: 5 x 4m
Designer Fiona Duke of Fiona Duke Interiors
Photos by Anna Stathaki
The kitchen and dining room in this Edwardian home were redesigned as part of a whole house renovation. The kitchen’s side wall was originally where the island is now, and there was a window at the back where the French doors are.
The couple’s builders extended to the right and installed a rooflight along the length of the kitchen to bring sunshine into the space. “It was previously the darkest, smallest area of the whole house,” Fiona says. “The glazed door helps to give the space a brighter feel.”
Kitchen, deVOL; cabinets painted in Damask and island painted in Lead. Walls painted in Ammonite, Farrow & Ball.
The kitchen units were moved into the slim new extension and a large island was installed from where the cook can look into the dining room opposite.
A traditional-style chimney was built above the range cooker. Simple white tiles on the splashback have been livened up with black grout. “The female member of the couple loves a classic, pared-back look, while her husband is keen on bold colour,” Fiona says, “and this is a good example of where they compromised.”
A trio of glass pendants are hung in line with the bottom of a structural beam above the island. “I chose glass to reflect the light and to ensure an uninterrupted view through to the large bay window in the dining room,” Fiona says.
Glass pendants, Jim Lawrence. Brass tap, Perrin & Rowe.
A traditional-style chimney was built above the range cooker. Simple white tiles on the splashback have been livened up with black grout. “The female member of the couple loves a classic, pared-back look, while her husband is keen on bold colour,” Fiona says, “and this is a good example of where they compromised.”
A trio of glass pendants are hung in line with the bottom of a structural beam above the island. “I chose glass to reflect the light and to ensure an uninterrupted view through to the large bay window in the dining room,” Fiona says.
Glass pendants, Jim Lawrence. Brass tap, Perrin & Rowe.
Storage in the kitchen is a mix of base cupboards and large drawers. “I find drawers really practical, as you can pull them out easily and access the back,” Fiona says.
An integrated fridge-freezer is positioned to the left, while glass-fronted wall cabinets reflect light from the roof windows above.
The owner chose a Carrara marble worktop. A butler’s sink is located in the island and below is a wine cooler, a dishwasher and some extra storage.
Find an interior designer in your area to guide you through your home project.
An integrated fridge-freezer is positioned to the left, while glass-fronted wall cabinets reflect light from the roof windows above.
The owner chose a Carrara marble worktop. A butler’s sink is located in the island and below is a wine cooler, a dishwasher and some extra storage.
Find an interior designer in your area to guide you through your home project.
The team made the most of the original curved architecture in the corner of the room to create an unusual pantry area.
A marble worktop and open storage unit sit beneath a series of curved shelves. “The owner is incredibly neat, so an open area like this works well in this particular family home,” Fiona says.
The room’s ceiling is more than 3.5m high, so Fiona was able to install a cluster pendant that ties in with the glass lights over the island.
A marble worktop and open storage unit sit beneath a series of curved shelves. “The owner is incredibly neat, so an open area like this works well in this particular family home,” Fiona says.
The room’s ceiling is more than 3.5m high, so Fiona was able to install a cluster pendant that ties in with the glass lights over the island.
The dining room was previously used as a study and closed off from the kitchen. Fiona opened up the two spaces and, as there’s another entrance and staircase to the left of the opening, she blocked off the door in the alcove next to the window.
The wide opening was fitted with bifold doors. The dining side is painted blue to tie in with the rest of the room, while the other side matches the kitchen.
“When the doors are pulled shut for an evening dinner party, it makes the room feel intimate and cosy,” Fiona says.
“When the doors are pulled shut for an evening dinner party, it makes the room feel intimate and cosy,” Fiona says.
The dining space reflects the husband’s taste for deeper colours, but is subtle enough to complement the neutral kitchen. “I encouraged them to go for black units in the alcoves to add more drama to the space,” Fiona says.
The three glass pendants are similar to the kitchen lights, with the same brass fittings and flex, so they help to link the two rooms.
Walls painted in De Nimes, Farrow & Ball. Wellington pendant lights, Fritz Fryer Lighting. Sideboards, Willow Bay.
The three glass pendants are similar to the kitchen lights, with the same brass fittings and flex, so they help to link the two rooms.
Walls painted in De Nimes, Farrow & Ball. Wellington pendant lights, Fritz Fryer Lighting. Sideboards, Willow Bay.
The couple teamed midcentury chairs with a farmhouse table, which works as an informal daytime surface as well as for evening dining.
A large rug helps to form a separation between the dining furniture and the floor. “As it’s wooden furniture on a wooden floor, the table and chairs could have felt a little lost,” Fiona says.
Rug made bespoke, Alternative Flooring. Mrs B farmhouse dining table, Benchmark. Wishbone chairs by Hans J Wegner, available at The Conran Shop.
A large rug helps to form a separation between the dining furniture and the floor. “As it’s wooden furniture on a wooden floor, the table and chairs could have felt a little lost,” Fiona says.
Rug made bespoke, Alternative Flooring. Mrs B farmhouse dining table, Benchmark. Wishbone chairs by Hans J Wegner, available at The Conran Shop.
The room isn’t overlooked at all, so there was no need to obstruct the window with curtains or blinds. “The view out of the window is really lovely, even at night,” Fiona says.
Cast-iron radiator, Beaumont Cast Iron.
Cast-iron radiator, Beaumont Cast Iron.
“It took a while to convince the couple to add this convex mirror, but I knew it would add real character to the room,” Fiona says. “They love it and are pleased they went for it. It looks fantastic in the evening, and really helps to connect the two spaces when the doors are open.”
Tell us…
Do you like the connection between these two spaces? Share your thoughts in the Comments section.
Tell us…
Do you like the connection between these two spaces? Share your thoughts in the Comments section.
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the bifold doors were bespoke design
Nice job. Would have liked so see the plan on paper to "see" the kitchen better.
love it!