Room Tour: Colour Confidence Revitalises a Family Kitchen-diner
Soft pink walls, green units and a daring yellow ceiling highlight this open-plan room’s traditional charm
After six months of working together, transforming their Victorian home, Karen Knox’s clients knew it was time to turn their attention to the large kitchen-diner. “When I first visited the house, I mentioned how amazing the high kitchen ceiling would look painted yellow,” Karen says. “It was a comment they didn’t forget and were keen to put into practice.”
Much of the property’s appeal for the owners was in the many traditional features that still remained. Deep skirting boards, ornate coving in the dining room, sash windows and picture rails were all present and added a wealth of character to the large, high-ceilinged rooms.
The layout of the kitchen and dining area worked really well, but a few tired appliances and fittings desperately needed replacing and the space lacked the “calm yet fun” feel the couple longed for. “My clients spent most of their free time chatting and cooking in this area and wanted a homely, colour-filled space they could relax in,” Karen says. A careful mix of colour and materials proved the answer.
Much of the property’s appeal for the owners was in the many traditional features that still remained. Deep skirting boards, ornate coving in the dining room, sash windows and picture rails were all present and added a wealth of character to the large, high-ceilinged rooms.
The layout of the kitchen and dining area worked really well, but a few tired appliances and fittings desperately needed replacing and the space lacked the “calm yet fun” feel the couple longed for. “My clients spent most of their free time chatting and cooking in this area and wanted a homely, colour-filled space they could relax in,” Karen says. A careful mix of colour and materials proved the answer.
It took plenty of patience and endless tester pots to finalise the colour combination, but everyone is thrilled with the result. Soft pink on the walls, a leafy green on the units and skirting boards and, of course, the saffron yellow ceiling. The sunny hue accentuates the room’s elegant features and adds plenty of character.
“As this is an east/west-facing room, the light changes constantly throughout the day,” Karen says. “It was also important not just to find paint shades we liked, but that would look good on the right elevation, too.”
Replica decorative coving was commissioned and installed to match the original in the dining room.
Coving, CSJ Bespoke. Walls painted in Light Beauvais; cabinets and woodwork painted in Hopper, both Little Greene. Ceiling and cornice painted in Parasol, Paint & Paper Library.
“As this is an east/west-facing room, the light changes constantly throughout the day,” Karen says. “It was also important not just to find paint shades we liked, but that would look good on the right elevation, too.”
Replica decorative coving was commissioned and installed to match the original in the dining room.
Coving, CSJ Bespoke. Walls painted in Light Beauvais; cabinets and woodwork painted in Hopper, both Little Greene. Ceiling and cornice painted in Parasol, Paint & Paper Library.
Renewing the island worktop gave Karen the chance to make some design tweaks. A larger surface with an overhang at one end created a handy perching space, just big enough for two bar stools.
When it came to choosing a surface, the owners had a definite idea. Copper sheeting adds warmth and works surprisingly well with the blend of colours. It’s developed a distinct patina over time and the couple love the individual character it brings to the room.
Black Crittall-style double doors, with glazed panels above, now lead out to the courtyard garden.
When it came to choosing a surface, the owners had a definite idea. Copper sheeting adds warmth and works surprisingly well with the blend of colours. It’s developed a distinct patina over time and the couple love the individual character it brings to the room.
Black Crittall-style double doors, with glazed panels above, now lead out to the courtyard garden.
The leaf green painted units are set off beautifully by the rich, glossy wood worktop. “We sanded the existing oak surface, then varnished it in a really dark shade,” Karen says. “It works a treat and really grounds the pink walls and panelled cabinets.”
Before, floating shelves made good use of the alcove to the left of the range cooker, but there was definitely room for some smarter storage. “The family love to have some of their favourite items on display, but were short of space for storing pots and pans,” Karen says.
Karen commissioned a local joiner to make a bespoke dresser in the same style as the existing kitchen units to squeeze into the slender alcove. Combining display shelves, cupboard space and an essential ‘bits and bobs’ drawer, it integrates the space into the rest of room.
The top of the dresser deliberately lines up with similar units in the dining area for continuity.
Cabinet, Bare Joinery.
The top of the dresser deliberately lines up with similar units in the dining area for continuity.
Cabinet, Bare Joinery.
A trio of frilled pendant lights lined up along the island ensures the work area is well lit – and creates a striking feature.
“With such a high ceiling, it was crucial to get ample task lighting down to the surfaces,” Karen says. Long flexes are perfect for this, as their length can easily be adjusted to suit the space, and they look smart, too.
“With such a high ceiling, it was crucial to get ample task lighting down to the surfaces,” Karen says. Long flexes are perfect for this, as their length can easily be adjusted to suit the space, and they look smart, too.
Adding a wall clock and mantelpiece above the range cooker has helped to frame the space and they echo the room’s other period details perfectly.
Before the transformation, the dining area felt lacking in character, with furniture and fittings adrift in the space.
Painting the sash windows green to match the kitchen cabinets and skirting boards immediately draws the eye to the square bay and creates a cosy seating spot.
Rug, eBay.
Rug, eBay.
A two-seater chesterfield sofa is a favourite reading spot for the family and was chosen specifically to make use of the bright spot. “Finding a low-backed sofa was key here,” Karen says, “as we didn’t want to block out any natural light coming in from the window.”
The upholstery picks up on the warm colour of the ceiling to make sure the whole space feels cohesive.
The upholstery picks up on the warm colour of the ceiling to make sure the whole space feels cohesive.
Roman blinds were made from a sumptuous fabric. The offcuts were also put to good use, being used to make two cushions for the sofa and to reupholster two dining chairs.
Blinds fabric, GP & J Baker.
Blinds fabric, GP & J Baker.
A mix of vintage chairs, picked up from auction and eBay, add a playful touch to the space that also fits in with the eclectic look. The dining table was made to fit the space using reclaimed timber. Dark and rich in tone, it neatly echoes the revarnished kitchen worktop.
“My client also loves tactile touches, so we opted for the large, Capiz shell chandelier over the dining table, as it introduces textured layers without being over fussy,” Karen says. Fitted with an extra-long flex, it sits at a comfortable height above the table, helping to create an intimate mood.
Verpan Fun 11DM pendant light, available at Nordic Nest.
“My client also loves tactile touches, so we opted for the large, Capiz shell chandelier over the dining table, as it introduces textured layers without being over fussy,” Karen says. Fitted with an extra-long flex, it sits at a comfortable height above the table, helping to create an intimate mood.
Verpan Fun 11DM pendant light, available at Nordic Nest.
Karen added antique mirror to the back of both sets of alcove shelves to help bounce natural light around the room and add a touch of luxury. Fantastic for visually stretching the space, they also highlight some of the family’s favourite items.
“[Fitting the mirrors] was a tricky and painstaking business,” Karen says. “The shelves have a front frame to them that couldn’t be removed, so we had to cut the mirror with this in mind. We managed to get the glass into place on the back wall, and have the joiner cleverly add a second wooden frame to conceal the gap and the mirror’s raw edges.”
“[Fitting the mirrors] was a tricky and painstaking business,” Karen says. “The shelves have a front frame to them that couldn’t be removed, so we had to cut the mirror with this in mind. We managed to get the glass into place on the back wall, and have the joiner cleverly add a second wooden frame to conceal the gap and the mirror’s raw edges.”
It proved surprisingly challenging to change the radiator, thanks to the exceptionally deep skirting boards. The standard brackets had to be upgraded to gain enough clearance, so the chunky column design could sit neatly away from the woodwork.
So how do the owners feel about their new home? “It’s truly a spectacular room and just fills us with such great vibes,” says one half of the couple. “In the morning, the sun plays off the sofa, and in the evening, when the lights are dim, it feels as if we’ve stepped into a really fancy yet cosy restaurant that just happens to be our home.”
Tell us…
Would you feel at home in this lively, cosy family space? Share your thoughts in the Comments.
Tell us…
Would you feel at home in this lively, cosy family space? Share your thoughts in the Comments.
Who lives here? A young couple and their daughter
Location Ilkley, West Yorkshire
Property A Victorian terrace with six bedrooms and two bathrooms
Dimensions Kitchen approx 3.6m x 4m; dining room approx 6m (into the bay) x 4.2m
Designer Karen Knox at Making Spaces
With its spacious layout and good-quality bespoke wooden units, the existing kitchen in this Victorian terrace was in pretty good shape, but there were a few areas that needed attention.
“The extractor was broken, the lighting didn’t work and the island’s wooden worktop was rotting around the sink,” Karen recalls. The range cooker needed replacing along with the uPVC back door.
The final missing touch was the coving. While the neighbouring dining area still had its ornate original design present, the kitchen featured a plain modern version – a far cry from what the 3.3m-high ceiling deserved.