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Kitchen Tour: Dark Green Units Add Elegance to a Welcoming Space
Practical storage, stylish design and clever space planning are a perfect combination in this family hub
After six years in Australia, homeowners Rosie and Finbarr had gathered lots of ideas from the places they’d rented to create their ideal family house in Ireland. Declan Keane of Celtic Interiors took these ideas onboard to help design a timeless, warm and functional kitchen that works perfectly for the couple and their children.
The range cooker and extractor were positioned in the centre of the back wall and a mantel was built around them.
Either side of the mantel are two slim cupboards where the owners can store their spices.
Oven, Smeg. Calacatta Gold Quartz worktop, Silestone. Exposed brick wall, Deco Stones.
Either side of the mantel are two slim cupboards where the owners can store their spices.
Oven, Smeg. Calacatta Gold Quartz worktop, Silestone. Exposed brick wall, Deco Stones.
To keep the breakfast appliances out of sight, Declan designed a countertop pantry. Bifold doors open to reveal an oak veneer interior with plug sockets at the back.
A matching cupboard on the other side of the oven ensures the space feels symmetrical. Below are sturdy pan drawers, which can hold up to 40kg of weight.
To break up the dark cabinets, Declan designed letterbox glazing into the top of the wall units. “There are lights inside, which add another dimension to the kitchen,” Declan says. LED striplights below the cabinets provide practical illumination for the worktops.
To break up the dark cabinets, Declan designed letterbox glazing into the top of the wall units. “There are lights inside, which add another dimension to the kitchen,” Declan says. LED striplights below the cabinets provide practical illumination for the worktops.
The large island adds an extra work surface and provides a sociable spot for the family to gather around. “We chose a white worktop to bring a bright contrast to the dark units,” Declan says.
A Belfast sink in the island ties in with the rustic feel of the space. There’s also plenty of storage in the unit in the form of drawers, an integrated dishwasher and pull-out bins.
Belfast sink, Carron Phoenix.
A Belfast sink in the island ties in with the rustic feel of the space. There’s also plenty of storage in the unit in the form of drawers, an integrated dishwasher and pull-out bins.
Belfast sink, Carron Phoenix.
On the other side is a glazed cabinet that resembles a wine cooler where the couple store drinks. It’s close to the dining area, which makes it easy to pull out a bottle when friends are over for dinner.
Declan gave a cohesive look to the island by installing panels behind the seating area that match the cabinet doors.
Stools and pendant lights, clients’ own.
Stools and pendant lights, clients’ own.
The sides of the island are clad in tongue-and-groove panels. In the seating area, the worktop is curved to avoid any uncomfortable sharp edges.
Rosie and Finbarr were keen to expose the brick behind the wall cabinets, so Declan added a simple upstand to the worktop rather than a larger splashback.
Tell us…
What do you like about this kitchen? Share your thoughts in the Comments section.
Rosie and Finbarr were keen to expose the brick behind the wall cabinets, so Declan added a simple upstand to the worktop rather than a larger splashback.
Tell us…
What do you like about this kitchen? Share your thoughts in the Comments section.
Who lives here? Rosie, Finbarr and their children
Location Cork, Ireland
Property A 1920s semi-detached house
Room dimensions 5.4m x 4.4m (island 3m x 1.2m)
Designer Declan Keane of Celtic Interiors
Photos by Niamh Whitty
There were two style features that the owners of this kitchen decided on straight away – the cabinet doors and the colour. “Rosie knew herself what she was going for and immediately chose the double Shaker doors that we manufacture,” Declan says. “She was also confident that our new bottle green shade was what she wanted.”
These two aspects kicked things off stylewise, but Declan also asked the couple for a wish list of appliances and storage. “They wanted a range cooker,” he says, “and uncluttered worktops without a kettle or toaster on show.”
Bespoke cabinets painted in Hunter, Celtic Interiors. Solid wood floor, Select Floors & Tiles.