Making an impact

Designed by Diane Berry Kitchens

From the designer:

The set up

When I met the O’Malley’s they really had a challenge as they had bought a fabulous arts and crafts house that needed renovating – the building wasn’t set square to the back garden so their plan was to put a more modern structure on the back and square it to the back garden. 

This gave us lots of challenges as the architect had made a small enclosed room central, which forced the entrance to the new area off to the side. 

Making an entrance

My suggestion was to open up this space and fill it with illuminated glass drinks cabinets so you could enter the new area centrally. 

I then closed off one side with black and gold shelving so you could see the new space and daylight but the newly formed lounge area was now protected and cosy.

This way, entering the space was now central and the table has its perfect location in this grand double height space. 

You walk in, look right, and see the lounge where I designed and installed a fireplace wall with storage low level and television above – all built into a Dekton-clad breast and side clad with Acupanel to help with acoustics as well as the dramatic look of black linking to the Crittal doors to the garden.

The kitchen

Looking to the left we have a classic, timeless kitchen – neat and tidy with a place for everything.

We recommended double height units reaching to three metres – I explained that this is more about scale and proportion than practical storage. 

They loved it so much and said no other kitchen designer had been confident enough to do the full height and it clearly was the right decision. 

They tell me now they have used it for Christmas decorations as easier than storing in the attic. 

I was also the only designer to say no bar stools, which they loved – I wanted the room not to be over cluttered with seating and so toencourage the family to use the table which also allows them to face the television, too. 

Concealing the ovens helps this space feel less like a kitchen and a more relaxed calm space, simply showcasing materials and not appliances.

This couple has grown up children and enjoy regular large family gatherings.

In response, the quirky corner of the central space has a large food store and beyond this is another kitchen and laundry room. 

Ancillary cooking zone

The kitchen set back into the original house is used to make food for the local soup kitchen, as this couple owns a huge vegetable distribution company and to avoid any waste one owner cooks for the charity and needed a hidden messy kitchen allowing her own family kitchen to stay immaculate at all times.

My homeowners say that I met and went beyond their expectations and they were delighted that I could take over the whole space dealing with the kitchen, dining, lounge, bar and the original features in the entrance space. 

Story by: Trendsideas