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South East Kitchen
Kitchen Tour: Warm Wood and White in a Light-filled Space
Industrial-style elements contrast with soft timber and clean white surfaces in this airy kitchen-diner
The owners of this home wanted the decor to reflect their fun personalities, so most of the rooms are filled with blocks of vivid colour. In contrast, the kitchen-diner is a more restful space. Interior designer Alicja Wawrzyniak, who was brought in to design the whole house, helped her clients choose a harmonious mix of natural wood, luxurious metallics and clean white surfaces to add interest to the room’s neutral palette.
The owners bought the cabinets from an external supplier, but Alicja was on hand to help with the layout and material choices.
They already had the freestanding fridge-freezer, so its placement (opposite the garden window) guided the rest of the space. To the left of the fridge as you enter the room, integrated ovens sit within a useful bank of tall units, while wide pan drawers provide additional storage. There are also cabinets on both sides of the island.
An integrated hob ensures the space feels streamlined, while white geometric tiles add some subtle texture to the wall.
“The couple were keen to have wooden worktops, so I suggested white cabinets to complement them,” Alicja says. She also recommended luxurious brass fittings as a contrast to the soft wood and matt white surfaces. Brass rims within the cabinets provide another opportunity to add a polished shine to the space.
To accommodate the clients’ request for a coffee station, Alicja installed two wooden shelves above the worktop. These keep all the jars away from the surface to reduce clutter.
Kitchen, Wren.
They already had the freestanding fridge-freezer, so its placement (opposite the garden window) guided the rest of the space. To the left of the fridge as you enter the room, integrated ovens sit within a useful bank of tall units, while wide pan drawers provide additional storage. There are also cabinets on both sides of the island.
An integrated hob ensures the space feels streamlined, while white geometric tiles add some subtle texture to the wall.
“The couple were keen to have wooden worktops, so I suggested white cabinets to complement them,” Alicja says. She also recommended luxurious brass fittings as a contrast to the soft wood and matt white surfaces. Brass rims within the cabinets provide another opportunity to add a polished shine to the space.
To accommodate the clients’ request for a coffee station, Alicja installed two wooden shelves above the worktop. These keep all the jars away from the surface to reduce clutter.
Kitchen, Wren.
A wood dining table the couple already owned, which tones perfectly with the timber worktops, sits beneath a pair of rooflights. Alicja installed industrial-style pendants above the island to complement the metal-framed chairs.
The electrician was happy to oblige Alicja’s request to hang these slightly higher by attaching the fittings to the side of the ceiling. “This turned them into a feature in themselves,” she says.
Alicja specified practical Amtico luxury vinyl flooring for the room. “We knew they wanted herringbone, but we went with a darker brown to provide a contrast in the space,” she says.
Dining table, Barker and Stonehouse.
The electrician was happy to oblige Alicja’s request to hang these slightly higher by attaching the fittings to the side of the ceiling. “This turned them into a feature in themselves,” she says.
Alicja specified practical Amtico luxury vinyl flooring for the room. “We knew they wanted herringbone, but we went with a darker brown to provide a contrast in the space,” she says.
Dining table, Barker and Stonehouse.
A wavy ribbon pendant light hangs above the dining table. “It brings a dynamic shaped to the space and mirrors the sloping ceiling,” Alicja says.
As for her clients, she says, “They were really flexible and great to work with.”
Alicja uses Houzz Pro moodboards and the product clipper tool to easily share ideas with homeowners. “I can quickly upload to the shopping list in the app and clients can accept or decline,” she explains. “When you can configure the shopping list like this, it’s so useful. I love it, it’s so fast.”
And how do her clients feel about their new room? “They wanted a joyful space,” she says. “Now, their parents come over and say ‘wow’.”
Tell us…
What do you like about Alicja’s design of this light-filled kitchen-diner? Share your thoughts in the Comments.
As for her clients, she says, “They were really flexible and great to work with.”
Alicja uses Houzz Pro moodboards and the product clipper tool to easily share ideas with homeowners. “I can quickly upload to the shopping list in the app and clients can accept or decline,” she explains. “When you can configure the shopping list like this, it’s so useful. I love it, it’s so fast.”
And how do her clients feel about their new room? “They wanted a joyful space,” she says. “Now, their parents come over and say ‘wow’.”
Tell us…
What do you like about Alicja’s design of this light-filled kitchen-diner? Share your thoughts in the Comments.
Who lives here? A young couple
Location Dunstable, Bedfordshire
Property A 1950s house with three bedrooms, one bathroom and a cloakroom
Kitchen dimensions 3.6m x 7m
Designer Alicja Wawrzyniak of Alwa Design Studio
Alicja’s clients had already had some floorplans drawn up before they got in touch. However, they wanted a second opinion, so they turned to Houzz to find a professional to help. “They contacted me through a direct message on the platform,” Alicja says, explaining that around 90% of her projects are found through Houzz nowadays. “They were unsure of the suggested layout and asked for my advice.”
The original kitchen was at the front of the house and cut off from the dining room at the rear. “The plan was to open the wall, but keep the kitchen in the same place,” Alicja says. “However, my first thought was to move the kitchen nearer to the garden.”
The couple went with her idea, which provided them with more room at the front of the house for their living space and home office area. An architectural team formulated plans for an apex-roof extension and, as soon as Alicja knew the shape, she guided her clients with the design of the kitchen.
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