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Kitchen Tour: An Elegant Addition Helps Restore a Crumbling House
Timeless design, contemporary elements and practical solutions ensure this kitchen-diner is both stylish and functional
Location, location, location… It’s a tried and tested mantra and was certainly something the owner of this Victorian house bore in mind when purchasing the property. The building was in a somewhat dilapidated state of repair when he went along to view it, but it was located in a lovely, sought-after road, so if he could see past the disarray, there was a possibility he could revive this once-charming home.
He brought in Gemma Fabbri of Studio Fabbri to help him realise his vision, restoring the whole house and adding a practical extension to accommodate a stunning new kitchen-diner.
He brought in Gemma Fabbri of Studio Fabbri to help him realise his vision, restoring the whole house and adding a practical extension to accommodate a stunning new kitchen-diner.
A side-return extension was added and the dividing wall removed to create a large, open kitchen-diner.
“This includes a utility room and a small WC, which was positioned where the existing exterior side window is,” Gemma says. Both have pocket doors so the main route through to the kitchen remains clear.
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“This includes a utility room and a small WC, which was positioned where the existing exterior side window is,” Gemma says. Both have pocket doors so the main route through to the kitchen remains clear.
Find a local architect on Houzz.
The attached greenhouse was removed and the new space is wonderfully light, with a view straight out to the garden.
Gemma chose steel-framed back doors to bring a layer of pattern to the large space and also to tie in with the property’s period architecture.
Gemma chose steel-framed back doors to bring a layer of pattern to the large space and also to tie in with the property’s period architecture.
“We arranged the kitchen with the cooking, sink and worktop zones together for cooking, prep and cleaning away,” Gemma says. She positioned tall cabinets towards the garden end and opposite the dining table, leaving the space free to the right for worktops.
“This is visually more appealing and functional at the same time, as it allows clear space for the dining table where there isn’t a person hovering at a worktop behind,” she explains.
Bar stools, James UK. Walls painted in Dutch White, Craig & Rose. Cabinets painted in Hague Blue, Farrow & Ball.
“This is visually more appealing and functional at the same time, as it allows clear space for the dining table where there isn’t a person hovering at a worktop behind,” she explains.
Bar stools, James UK. Walls painted in Dutch White, Craig & Rose. Cabinets painted in Hague Blue, Farrow & Ball.
A large peninsula unit sits opposite the sink and is deep enough to fit an induction hob and still leave plenty of worktop space around it. “This enables the person cooking at the hob to face and interact with guests or family,” Gemma says. “You can also serve directly off the island to the dining table.”
Shallow shelving at the end of the island is a handy place for cookery books and plants.
Three rooflights brighten the area in front of the island. The rooflight nearest the original part of the house is a wall-abutted design: the glass is butted right up against the original exterior wall of the house to maximise the amount of natural light it casts into the adjacent living area, seen here through the opening on the right.
Brass pendants above peninsula, Spark & Bell. Pendant above dining table, Nordlux. Yonder dining table and chairs, James UK.
Three rooflights brighten the area in front of the island. The rooflight nearest the original part of the house is a wall-abutted design: the glass is butted right up against the original exterior wall of the house to maximise the amount of natural light it casts into the adjacent living area, seen here through the opening on the right.
Brass pendants above peninsula, Spark & Bell. Pendant above dining table, Nordlux. Yonder dining table and chairs, James UK.
The worktop and splashback are a marbled quartz. “We had a sample in mind of what we wanted, but then, due to budget and timing constraints, we went to a local stone worktop supplier and opted for a slab of quartz they had available at their stone yard,” Gemma says.
“The builder supplied the cabinets and we had the doors made bespoke,” she adds. Hexagonal brass handles were bought from a local hardware company and add a contemporary edge to the classic kitchen.
Cabinet handles, Plank Hardware.
“The builder supplied the cabinets and we had the doors made bespoke,” she adds. Hexagonal brass handles were bought from a local hardware company and add a contemporary edge to the classic kitchen.
Cabinet handles, Plank Hardware.
Brass and black elements throughout the space, such as the wall lights, create a cohesive theme.
“Above the sink we opted for a shelf instead of wall cabinets, so the kitchen felt more open,” Gemma explains. “The room has plenty of storage already, so it wasn’t necessary to add more for the sake of it.”
Cast wall lamps, Menu. Accessories and pots, Homeplace and The Every Space.
“Above the sink we opted for a shelf instead of wall cabinets, so the kitchen felt more open,” Gemma explains. “The room has plenty of storage already, so it wasn’t necessary to add more for the sake of it.”
Cast wall lamps, Menu. Accessories and pots, Homeplace and The Every Space.
Here’s another image of the original kitchen with the greenhouse just in view outside the back door.
In the new space, concrete tiles are laid above underfloor heating. “We originally looked at a poured concrete floor, but because of budget and timings, we opted for these more affordable, large-format concrete tiles,” Gemma says. “We continued the same tiles out onto the patio.”
The transformation is certainly striking: the resulting modern space has brought light and function into the kitchen, while retaining the beauty of the period architecture.
Tell us…
What do you like about Gemma’s transformation of this once-dilapidated space? Share your thoughts in the Comments.
The transformation is certainly striking: the resulting modern space has brought light and function into the kitchen, while retaining the beauty of the period architecture.
Tell us…
What do you like about Gemma’s transformation of this once-dilapidated space? Share your thoughts in the Comments.
Who lives here? A professional man
Location Walthamstow, north-east London
Property A semi-detached Victorian house
Kitchen-diner dimensions 32 sq m
Designer Gemma Fabbri of Studio Fabbri
Photos by Alexandria Hall Photography
“The place had been left in a state for many years, but underneath all the mess was a really beautiful house with amazing bones,” Gemma says. “This became a bit of a restoration project as well as a renovation. Where possible, we tried to keep its original features, such as the doors, fireplaces and front door – to which we added stained-glass panels – and replaced skirting boards and architrave in the same style.”
The original kitchen was in a 19 sq m outrigger and opened straight into a greenhouse. There was also a morning room and an outside loo in this part of the house.