‘I’m very tempted to sit in my new kitchen all day’
Colourful, clean and modern – this city kitchen exudes sophistication, but manages to be playful, too. Despite the small spaces, , the clever design means there’s still plenty of storage, plus a surprisingly large fridge (which first had to be dismantled to fit inside the flat).
Who lives here?
Virginie Röell-Lacaille lives in a flat on the first floor of a Victorian villa in south London. She works for a not-for-profit organisation that promotes recycling.
Before
'The layout was impractical, with the sink on one side and hob on the other. There was a small under-counter fridge and very little storage, while an ancient boiler and the washing machine took up a lot of floor space,' says Victoria.
Why did you want to do the work?
VRL: The whole flat was in need of an upgrade. While I loved its high ceilings and feeling of space, everything needed replacing: boiler, radiators, windows, electrics, ceilings and the floor. The kitchen layout was impractical, the appliances were falling apart, the cabinetry looked very tired and the dark grey vinyl floor was depressing.
What was your inspiration?
VRL: I already had an oval marble dining table and Ernest Race red and yellow chairs that I wanted to be a focus, and had chosen Foresso worktops for their bold look and environmental credentials. As a balance, I felt I needed to introduce some calm colours, so chose Pluck cabinetry in a delicate Brockwell Moss colourway with Sweet Chestnut inserts, and a rich walnut floor.
Were there any particular challenges?
VRL: Keeping the budget and timing under control was difficult, with the cost of materials on the rise. Also, as a square room with a big window, the kitchen didn't allow for the ideal 'triangle' layout, as the units had to be organised on either side of the room with my table in the middle. What made the whole thing work was dedicating one side of the room to storage, in the form of tall cupboards, and keeping the preparation area on the other side, with extra-wide low units.
Any absolute must-haves?
VRL: Yes – a decent-sized fridge (getting it in the flat required dismantling the front door), a breakfast nook for the kettle, coffee maker and toaster, and a proper larder for food storage. I also wanted to get the boiler and washing machine out of the kitchen, which meant we had to create a laundry cupboard on the half-landing and fit the boiler and cylinder in a false ceiling above the stairs.
What do you like most about the room now?
VRL: It’s very practical, but beautiful and comfortable too. It also makes the most of the flat’s double aspect: I can sit at the table and have breakfast in the morning light, and enjoy the sunset across the double room at the end of the day.
Sourcebook
Units, pluck.co.uk.
Worktops and splashback, foresso.co.uk.
Walls and woodwork in James White matt emulsion; cornice and woodwork in All White eggshell; all farrow-ball.com.
Flooring, naturalwoodfloor.co.uk.
Gordon wall lights, hollowaysofludlow.com.
Terence Woodgate Sum pendant, twentytwentyone.com.
Cost
Kitchen units £17,210
Installation £2,240
Worktop, splashback and shelf, plus installation £4,620
Appliances £4,000
Paint £125
Flooring £3,000
Lighting £800
Total = £31,99
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