Kitchen Tour: A Copper Island Makes a Fabulous Focal Point
Industrial elements – including a beautiful copper worktop – have given a new kitchen lived-in character
A kitchen that looked brand spanking new in a period home seemed an unhappy mix to the owners of this Georgian house. But when they fell for a copper worktop, it was the starting point for a room that felt as if it had seen life and use – and one with an unmissable centrepiece.
The floor and copper surface were teamed with two different shades of cabinetry. The perimeter cupboards are painted in a slightly lighter shade than the darker blue-grey on the island. “The different colours break up the large space and help it feel less uniform,” Stewart says.
The Shaker-style cabinets have been combined with tongue and groove end panels that create subtle variation. “The house lends itself to having some traditional features,” Stewart says.
Kitchen cabinetry and worktops, Treyone. Cabinets painted in Inchyra Blue; island painted in Railings, both Farrow & Ball.
The Shaker-style cabinets have been combined with tongue and groove end panels that create subtle variation. “The house lends itself to having some traditional features,” Stewart says.
Kitchen cabinetry and worktops, Treyone. Cabinets painted in Inchyra Blue; island painted in Railings, both Farrow & Ball.
The copper was fitted only on the island – used for preparation and as a place to sit – and not on the perimeter cabinets, where the sink is located. “When copper reacts with water, you get greening,” Stewart says, “so it would age in a different way.”
The material was aged and distressed even before it was fitted, however. “In an untreated state, it shows marks and scuffs straight away,” Stewart says. “We weather it in.” Once in situ, the material acquires further evidence of use, adding to its character.
The island’s pendant lights and bar stools complement the metal, adding to the range of industrial finishes in the scheme.
Loko stools, Nkuku.
The material was aged and distressed even before it was fitted, however. “In an untreated state, it shows marks and scuffs straight away,” Stewart says. “We weather it in.” Once in situ, the material acquires further evidence of use, adding to its character.
The island’s pendant lights and bar stools complement the metal, adding to the range of industrial finishes in the scheme.
Loko stools, Nkuku.
The joints in the material are deliberate. “Because of the nature of copper, if it were in one big sheet, it would bobble up,” Stewart explains. The joints allow for expansion in response to heat. “We didn’t want the joints in a row, so we created a pattern to add interest,” he says.
Should I have a copper or brass worktop in my kitchen?
Should I have a copper or brass worktop in my kitchen?
Hand-forged copper handles echo the work surface. “They will patinate like the top over time,” Stewart says.
Handles, GiaraArt Design.
Handles, GiaraArt Design.
All the cooking takes place on a bespoke range cooker the couple already owned. The non-standard size made fitting it a challenge.
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Plenty of power points were included in the design, both for use at the island and in the main runs of cabinetry.
A tiled splashback was fitted behind the range. “The accessories include deep red and that helped inform the colour of the tiles,” Stewart says.
A quartz worksurface was used on the perimeter cabinets. “It replicates a Carrara-type marble. The veins are muted,” Stewart says. “It’s a bit of a nod to the traditional worktops in serving areas and cold stores and is sympathetic to the age of the property. It’s also a nice contrast to the darker tones of the furniture.”
Silestone worktop in Lagoon, Treyone.
Silestone worktop in Lagoon, Treyone.
The worktop has a simple upstand. “If we’d had anything more, it would have looked quite busy, especially with the shelving. This allows the items on display to shine,” Stewart says.
Pull-out shelves make the cookware in the corner cabinet easily accessible.
Pull-out shelves make the cookware in the corner cabinet easily accessible.
The Belfast sink fits in nicely with the kitchen aesthetic. It’s teamed with a boiling water tap, but in a traditional design that doesn’t jar with the classic sink. The couple already owned the plate rack and wanted to include it in the new room.
The shelving is fitted with LED strips on the underside. They’re on a separate circuit to both the ceiling lights and pendants above the island, and the combination allows the mood of the room to be easily changed.
Tap, Quooker.
The shelving is fitted with LED strips on the underside. They’re on a separate circuit to both the ceiling lights and pendants above the island, and the combination allows the mood of the room to be easily changed.
Tap, Quooker.
The double doors, which are original to the house and lead into the hallway, have been repainted to match the island.
Doors painted in Railings, Farrow & Ball.
Doors painted in Railings, Farrow & Ball.
The new location of the kitchen gives it an outlook onto a landscaped courtyard.
Beneath the window is a butcher’s block the couple found themselves. Stewart had it painted the same colour as the island and double doors.
Beneath the window is a butcher’s block the couple found themselves. Stewart had it painted the same colour as the island and double doors.
Alongside the window is a larder cupboard with door-mounted spice racks, vegetable baskets and shelving.
There’s a small fridge in the kitchen island for frequently used items, such as milk, and this large, American-style fridge-freezer in the separate utility room. Stewart chose a model that could be neatly set into the cabinetry without protruding.
The utility room also provides additional storage for food and other essentials. The space doubles as a home office, too – there’s a desk opposite the fridge-freezer.
Cabinetry painted in Inchyra Blue, Farrow & Ball. Fridge-freezer, Fisher & Paykel.
The utility room also provides additional storage for food and other essentials. The space doubles as a home office, too – there’s a desk opposite the fridge-freezer.
Cabinetry painted in Inchyra Blue, Farrow & Ball. Fridge-freezer, Fisher & Paykel.
The utility room’s Belfast sink was a feature of the original house, and was reclaimed for use in here.
Tell us…
What do you like about this sophisticated scheme? Share your thoughts in the Comments section.
Tell us…
What do you like about this sophisticated scheme? Share your thoughts in the Comments section.
Who lives here? A married couple
Location Near Dartmouth, Devon
Property A detached Georgian house
Room dimensions 30 sq m, plus 10 sq m for the utility room
Kitchen designer Stewart MacPherson of Treyone
Interior designer Anna Kalnars of Infinite Design Devon
The house needed a complete renovation and, as part of the work, the kitchen was moved to a new location.
“The owners didn’t want the space to be too crowded and were keen on an industrial theme,” designer Stewart MacPherson says. They also hoped to display items collected over many years, and to squeeze in their sizeable range cooker.
But their most important wish was that the kitchen had character, so the jumping-off point turned out to be a material. The couple fell in love with a copper worktop that would develop a patina rather than look pristine. The beautiful metallic finish and the dark floor informed the colours for the rest of the scheme.
Floor tiles, Mandarin Stone.