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Kitchen Tour: A Classic Shaker-style Kitchen and Utility Room
Traditional handmade cabinetry and warm brass fittings help this kitchen fit perfectly into its period surroundings
Choosing the right kitchen design can be tough – do you go modern or country, bespoke or off-the-shelf? This wasn’t an issue for the owners of this space, however: from the off, they had their hearts set on something timeless and traditional.
“The owners wanted a classic, country-style kitchen to fit in with the older period of the house,” designer Alexander Mayes of bespoke kitchen-maker Higham Furniture says.
Shaker-style units were the obvious choice, alongside light-enhancing off-white tones. The result is a calming domestic hub that’s easy to live in.
“The owners wanted a classic, country-style kitchen to fit in with the older period of the house,” designer Alexander Mayes of bespoke kitchen-maker Higham Furniture says.
Shaker-style units were the obvious choice, alongside light-enhancing off-white tones. The result is a calming domestic hub that’s easy to live in.
The property has benefited from a new rear extension, giving it a bright, airy feel. “A lot of light comes into this room – it’s such a nice space to be in, any time of year,” Alexander says.
Higham Furniture was involved from the early days of the project, which helped to create a layout that works perfectly in the space. “When the architect draws up the plans is when clients normally engage with us,” Alexander says.
Main units painted in Portland Stone Deep, Little Greene. Island painted in Green Smoke; walls painted in Wimborne White, both Farrow & Ball.
Higham Furniture was involved from the early days of the project, which helped to create a layout that works perfectly in the space. “When the architect draws up the plans is when clients normally engage with us,” Alexander says.
Main units painted in Portland Stone Deep, Little Greene. Island painted in Green Smoke; walls painted in Wimborne White, both Farrow & Ball.
Sarah and Gareth chose period-style accessories to match the overall mood of the Shaker kitchen. “The tap, cup handles and Belfast sink are all fairly traditional,” Alexander says.
In addition, Higham created the ‘fake chimney’ to add extra period character. “We made the corbels [bracket structures] and mantel bespoke,” he says.
The floor in here is engineered wood.
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In addition, Higham created the ‘fake chimney’ to add extra period character. “We made the corbels [bracket structures] and mantel bespoke,” he says.
The floor in here is engineered wood.
Find kitchen designers and fitters in your area in the Houzz Professionals Directory.
Cream is the order of the day in here, but with an earthier touch on the island. “The owners wanted muted tones and neutral colours, but the island is a warm green, which adds a contrast,” Alexander says.
“We could have chosen a similar colour again, but then it can all look a bit bland and same-y,” he says. “The green adds colour to the space, and it’s still warm..”
The green also links to the garden, viewed through the French windows. “It brings the outside in a little bit,” Alexander adds.
“We could have chosen a similar colour again, but then it can all look a bit bland and same-y,” he says. “The green adds colour to the space, and it’s still warm..”
The green also links to the garden, viewed through the French windows. “It brings the outside in a little bit,” Alexander adds.
Simple white square tiles were chosen for the splashback behind the range cooker.
“Either side of the cooker, the cabinets house plates, bowls, crockery and glassware, with utensils and cutlery in the drawers,” Alexander says.
“We went for wall cabinets with glazed doors,” he adds. “They show off the nice glassware inside, break up the units, and add more light; they stop things feeling blocked off.
“We could have joined up all the cabinets and wrapped them around the room, but it’s more interesting having them disconnected,” he says.
Range cooker, Everhot.
“Either side of the cooker, the cabinets house plates, bowls, crockery and glassware, with utensils and cutlery in the drawers,” Alexander says.
“We went for wall cabinets with glazed doors,” he adds. “They show off the nice glassware inside, break up the units, and add more light; they stop things feeling blocked off.
“We could have joined up all the cabinets and wrapped them around the room, but it’s more interesting having them disconnected,” he says.
Range cooker, Everhot.
The island incorporates a breakfast bar, complete with comfy stools. “Sarah and Gareth wanted a sociable kitchen – a space where they could be together as a family,” Alexander says.
The far end of the room is what Alexander terms “the food zone”. The double doors next to the fridge conceal a larder cupboard; recipe books sit in a nook, and chopping boards, blenders and spices also live here.
“Above the fridge is what we call a bridging unit – it frames it and looks a bit nicer than a completely freestanding fridge,” Alexander says.
The far end of the room is what Alexander terms “the food zone”. The double doors next to the fridge conceal a larder cupboard; recipe books sit in a nook, and chopping boards, blenders and spices also live here.
“Above the fridge is what we call a bridging unit – it frames it and looks a bit nicer than a completely freestanding fridge,” Alexander says.
“We use tulip wood for the frames and maple for the doors of our cabinets,” Alexander says.
The cup handles and mushroom knobs add extra period character. “Aged brass is becoming a really popular finish,” he adds.
Burnished brass handles, Armac Martin.
The cup handles and mushroom knobs add extra period character. “Aged brass is becoming a really popular finish,” he adds.
Burnished brass handles, Armac Martin.
All the cabinets have been constructed by hand, and are made bespoke.
“They’re hand-painted, so if, in 10 years’ time, the owners no longer like the colour or they feel it looks dated, they can change it quite easily,” Alexander says.
“We work to 0.5mm sizewise, which means we’re quite flexible in terms of design,” he says. “We can make units to suit the room’s exact dimensions.”
The drawers are crafted from solid oak with dovetail joints.
“They’re hand-painted, so if, in 10 years’ time, the owners no longer like the colour or they feel it looks dated, they can change it quite easily,” Alexander says.
“We work to 0.5mm sizewise, which means we’re quite flexible in terms of design,” he says. “We can make units to suit the room’s exact dimensions.”
The drawers are crafted from solid oak with dovetail joints.
The worktop is quartz, a tough composite. “The owners wanted this throughout the kitchen, because it’s durable and gives a marble look,” Alexander says.
“They enjoy cooking in this space with their kids around, who might be doing homework at the island while they’re prepping a meal,” he adds.
“They enjoy cooking in this space with their kids around, who might be doing homework at the island while they’re prepping a meal,” he adds.
The sink is located on the island. The aged brass tap sits well with the Shaker style. Alexander also points out that the curved tap echoes the curved bar stools, the corbels, and the breakfast bar, “to add some softness”.
Ionian deck-mounted tap with crosstop handles in aged brass finish, Perrin & Rowe.
Ionian deck-mounted tap with crosstop handles in aged brass finish, Perrin & Rowe.
The under-sink cupboard has a solid oak rack to hold detergents. The dishwasher is tucked inside the cupboard to the left, and the bin is on the right.
The interiors of the units, glimpsed here, are covered with an oak-veneered ply.
The interiors of the units, glimpsed here, are covered with an oak-veneered ply.
The utility room has the same Shaker-style units, but in a pale grey. The space includes a laundry basket and ceiling-mounted clothes airer. “We made a little space for the laundry basket on wheels,” Alexander says.
The washing machine is tucked behind the door, while the cupboard on the left is for coats.
Tell us…
What do you think of this traditional, Shaker-style kitchen? Let us know in the Comments section.
Tell us…
What do you think of this traditional, Shaker-style kitchen? Let us know in the Comments section.
Who lives here? Sarah and Gareth, a professional couple with three young daughters
Location Stamford Brook, west London
Property An Edwardian house with five bedrooms
Kitchen dimensions 5.4 x 5.5m
Designer Alexander Mayes of Higham Furniture
Photos by Roques-O’Neil Photography