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Room Tour: An Earthy Pink Kitchen Lifts a Family Living Space
Fitting a kitchen-diner-snug into 48 sq m was tight, but before and after photos show how a designer did it beautifully
The new owners of this flat loved its location – close to their daughter’s school – but the sleek, modern fittings… not so much. “They prefer period style and classic looks,” Angela Colley of GeorgieRose Interior Design says.
The female owner had contacted Angela as she liked the look of the designer’s previous projects – which blend soft, earthy colours and classic style – and asked her to design a kitchen, dining area and living space in the flat’s one large reception room. “There was a lot to fit in, so it was about keeping it light and bright so it didn’t overpower,” Angela says.
The starting point for the kitchen was a paint sample of a pinky-brown shade. “I just took a shine to the colour,” she says. “I wasn’t sure [the owner] would like my suggestion, but she absolutely loved it.”
The female owner had contacted Angela as she liked the look of the designer’s previous projects – which blend soft, earthy colours and classic style – and asked her to design a kitchen, dining area and living space in the flat’s one large reception room. “There was a lot to fit in, so it was about keeping it light and bright so it didn’t overpower,” Angela says.
The starting point for the kitchen was a paint sample of a pinky-brown shade. “I just took a shine to the colour,” she says. “I wasn’t sure [the owner] would like my suggestion, but she absolutely loved it.”
The previous kitchen hugged the corner, in theory packing plenty of storage into a small footprint, but, aside from the style being too modern for the new owners, the cooking area actually felt cramped and dark.
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Thinking of renovating? Find everyone you need, from interior designers to builders, carpenters and decorators, on Houzz.
Now, the space feels more open and has masses more storage. The island is a game-changer. It’s not huge, and the owners were happy not to have bar seating, preferring a dining table, but it has drawers of different sizes on both sides holding everything from cutlery to pans.
The built-in sideboard to the left of the nib wall also helps, as it contains two large double cupboards to stash everything from vases to placemats to small appliances.
Painting the majority of the units in a lovely earthy pink has lifted the whole room, and given it a softness that was missing before.
There isn’t a separate utility room, but just out of shot to the right of the sink (see previous photo) there’s a double cupboard into which Angela has fitted a washing machine and tumble dryer.
She wanted to make this cabinet as unobtrusive as possible. “It has flush, push-to-open, flat-fronted doors painted the same colour as the wall, so it blends in,” she says.
Units painted in Dead Salmon, Farrow & Ball.
The built-in sideboard to the left of the nib wall also helps, as it contains two large double cupboards to stash everything from vases to placemats to small appliances.
Painting the majority of the units in a lovely earthy pink has lifted the whole room, and given it a softness that was missing before.
There isn’t a separate utility room, but just out of shot to the right of the sink (see previous photo) there’s a double cupboard into which Angela has fitted a washing machine and tumble dryer.
She wanted to make this cabinet as unobtrusive as possible. “It has flush, push-to-open, flat-fronted doors painted the same colour as the wall, so it blends in,” she says.
Units painted in Dead Salmon, Farrow & Ball.
The extra worktop space on the island meant Angela could afford to fill the area to the right of the nib wall to the ceiling.
To the left of the ovens is a fridge-freezer, while to the right there’s a full-height pull-out pantry. A drawer for baking sheets sits under a glass-fronted cupboard. “We included the glazed door to stop it looking as if it was all boxed in,” Angela says. “It just gave it a bit of interest.”
The furthest base cupboard has a pull-out inside to make use of the area deep in the corner. “We haven’t wasted any space at all,” she says.
The worktop is a low-silica quartz with a slight marble pattern. “Getting that three-metre-long worktop into the flat was a challenge,” Angela laughs. “It was too big to go in the lift, so it had to be carried up several flights of stairs.”
Kitchen, Aperture Designed Furniture. Worktop, Silestone.
To the left of the ovens is a fridge-freezer, while to the right there’s a full-height pull-out pantry. A drawer for baking sheets sits under a glass-fronted cupboard. “We included the glazed door to stop it looking as if it was all boxed in,” Angela says. “It just gave it a bit of interest.”
The furthest base cupboard has a pull-out inside to make use of the area deep in the corner. “We haven’t wasted any space at all,” she says.
The worktop is a low-silica quartz with a slight marble pattern. “Getting that three-metre-long worktop into the flat was a challenge,” Angela laughs. “It was too big to go in the lift, so it had to be carried up several flights of stairs.”
Kitchen, Aperture Designed Furniture. Worktop, Silestone.
Angela decided against fitting units above the sink so the area felt as open as possible. “I designed the box shelf instead for displaying nice items, just to keep it fresh and airy,” she says. The interior is limewashed oak and was made by the joiners. Lights fitted into the underside ensure there are no shadows on the worktop.
The fluted glass pendants over the island provide task light and add detail. “They catch the light but don’t dominate,” Angela says.
Handles, Corston. Pendant lights, Lam Lighting.
The fluted glass pendants over the island provide task light and add detail. “They catch the light but don’t dominate,” Angela says.
Handles, Corston. Pendant lights, Lam Lighting.
The scalloped zellige tiles also gently catch the light, brightening the back wall. Angela chose a beigey-pinky grout that highlights the shape without being shouty.
The little box containing two drawers to the right is for spices. “We had it made in the same finish as the units,” Angela says. Handles on the sides mean it can easily be lifted and moved around.
Tiles, Culina + Balneo. Boiling-water tap, Quooker.
The little box containing two drawers to the right is for spices. “We had it made in the same finish as the units,” Angela says. Handles on the sides mean it can easily be lifted and moved around.
Tiles, Culina + Balneo. Boiling-water tap, Quooker.
The room was blessed with three good-sized, traditional sash windows.
Angela simply smartened up the frames and dressed the windows with linen blinds. “We went with Roman blinds so as not to cut out too much light,” she says. She chose the pale pink ticking to echo the kitchen cabinets.
“Once I started building on the cabinet colour with what I was going to choose for the linen blinds, it all started to come together,” she says. “Then I brought in some pale greens with the sofa and cushions.”
“Once I started building on the cabinet colour with what I was going to choose for the linen blinds, it all started to come together,” she says. “Then I brought in some pale greens with the sofa and cushions.”
The hand-carved stone artwork chimes beautifully with the colour scheme, though it was quite heavy to hang. “It weighs 35kg, so I had to find someone who could secure it properly to the wall,” Angela laughs.
Angela had the limewashed oak table made bespoke. “I’d found the chairs, but then couldn’t find the table I wanted to go with them, so I designed it and my joiners made it,” she says.
All the door handles, sockets and switches in the flat were changed. “I made sure all the hardware was high-end, so you get that really nice finish,” she says.
For products like the hardware and seating, Angela used Houzz Pro tools to make life easier for the homeowners, as they could see all her product suggestions and approve or reject them with a simple click. “I used Houzz Pro for my Mood Boards and Selections,” she says.
All hardware, Corston. Dining chairs, Oka.
Discover why you should hire a professional who uses Houzz Pro software.
All the door handles, sockets and switches in the flat were changed. “I made sure all the hardware was high-end, so you get that really nice finish,” she says.
For products like the hardware and seating, Angela used Houzz Pro tools to make life easier for the homeowners, as they could see all her product suggestions and approve or reject them with a simple click. “I used Houzz Pro for my Mood Boards and Selections,” she says.
All hardware, Corston. Dining chairs, Oka.
Discover why you should hire a professional who uses Houzz Pro software.
With the flat now looking light and bright, Angela chose oak-look luxury vinyl flooring, laid in a herringbone pattern, to ground the scheme. “I wanted some depth with the flooring – some earthiness to it,” she says.
There was no need for underfloor heating. “We’d inherited the [column] radiators, so we stuck with those, plus it’s a very warm apartment,” she says.
Flooring, Amtico.
There was no need for underfloor heating. “We’d inherited the [column] radiators, so we stuck with those, plus it’s a very warm apartment,” she says.
Flooring, Amtico.
The seating area is defined by a roomy sofa and comfy armchair facing towards the TV to create a cosy snug. Angela had a simple unit made to frame the TV and provide storage below. She included three open shelves on either side, “just to open it up a bit”.
A glass coffee table keeps the look light. “I didn’t want to make it blocky, because it was quite a tight squeeze to get the lounge area in here,” she says. “I went for the glass table so you get that illusion of seeing under the table.” A rug beneath it further zones the space.
The homeowners put their trust in Angela, giving her almost free rein, and it paid off: they’re delighted with their new space.
Three-seater sofa; armchair; coffee table, all Neptune.
Tell us…
What do you like best about Angela’s redesign? Share your thoughts in the Comments.
A glass coffee table keeps the look light. “I didn’t want to make it blocky, because it was quite a tight squeeze to get the lounge area in here,” she says. “I went for the glass table so you get that illusion of seeing under the table.” A rug beneath it further zones the space.
The homeowners put their trust in Angela, giving her almost free rein, and it paid off: they’re delighted with their new space.
Three-seater sofa; armchair; coffee table, all Neptune.
Tell us…
What do you like best about Angela’s redesign? Share your thoughts in the Comments.
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Who lives here? A family with a teenage daughter
Location Cheltenham, Gloucestershire
Property A top floor, three-bedroom flat in a Regency building
Room dimensions 8m x 6m
Designer Angela Colley of GeorgieRose Interior Design
Project year 2024
Photos by Pete Helme
The owner’s brief was for a Shaker-style kitchen, a separate dining area and a living space with a TV and comfortable seating. Angela has fitted everything in without it feeling crowded by zoning each area through colours and materials while keeping the style calm and consistent.