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Traditional family kitchen

Open to French doors and views to the countertop, cuisine classique, interior design, kitchen, property, real estate, room, gray — Open to French doors and views to the garden, this family kitchen by Davinia Sutton merges traditional detailing with modern convenience. Features include a hearth-style cooking centre, shaker cabinets and a crockery display rack.

The hob area is the centrepiece of the cabinetry, countertop, cuisine classique, home, home appliance, interior design, kitchen, room, gray

In this kitchen by Davinia Sutton, most cabinetry cabinetry, countertop, cuisine classique, floor, flooring, hardwood, home, house, interior design, kitchen, real estate, room, wood flooring, gray, white

The hob area is the centrepiece of this cabinetry, countertop, cuisine classique, home, interior design, kitchen, property, real estate, room, gray, white

Davinia Sutton designed this traditional kitchen with plenty cabinetry, countertop, cuisine classique, home, interior design, kitchen, property, real estate, room, gray, white

Traditional family kitchen renovation - Traditional family kitchen countertop, cuisine classique, interior design, kitchen, room, white, gray

Traditional family kitchen renovation - Traditional family kitchen countertop, cuisine classique, interior design, kitchen, room, gray

Shaker door panels, tongue-and-groove finishes and a furniture-style cabinetry, countertop, cuisine classique, floor, interior design, kitchen, real estate, room, gray

Traditional family kitchen renovation - Traditional family kitchen cabinetry, countertop, cuisine classique, interior design, kitchen, living room, room, gray

Traditional family kitchen renovation - Traditional family kitchen cabinetry, countertop, cuisine classique, floor, flooring, hardwood, interior design, kitchen, property, real estate, room, wood flooring, gray

There is a wealth of storage on the cabinetry, countertop, cuisine classique, floor, flooring, hardwood, home, interior design, kitchen, room, white

In days gone by, kitchens were not intended to accommodate the entire family at once. Today, even the most traditional kitchen will offer one important, modern plus plenty of room to move.

This light-filled kitchen by designer Davinia Sutton replaces a cramped, dark work space that accommodated only one person at a time. In its place, the owners wanted a family-friendly kitchen that would have sightlines to the outdoors, and be in keeping with the home's early 1900s architecture, says Sutton.

"To create a space with character, outlooks and a communal area for everyone to gravitate to, we designed the kitchen in an L shape," she says. "The induction cooktop sits within a traditional hearth-style element, a focal point of the design. This steps out from the surrounding cabinets and has soft curves, picking up on the Art Nouveau detailing seen elsewhere in the home. These curves feature on all the upper cabinetry as well."

The mantel not only draws the eye, it also conceals the range hood. Most of the other appliances, apart from the wall ovens, are also integrated, to optimize the old-world feel.

Another request from the owners was that the kitchen have a furniture-like appeal. To this end, there are column legs on the island, and the front and sides are in tongue-and-groove planks, as are the walls above the backsplashes. Hand-painted Shaker-style doors contribute to the overall effect, along with traditional chrome pulls for the cabinetry handles.

The bespoke open china storage rack is another feature. It has a solid oak interior, and most linings and drawers are also constructed in solid wood the owners wanted a kitchen that would last 20 years, says the designer.

Traditional family kitchen renovation countertop, cuisine classique, interior design, kitchen, room, white, gray — Traditional family kitchen renovation

"They did not want a farmhouse style, but asked for a traditional design with practical modern touches. These include the gleaming engineered stone countertops, the clean-lined glass pendants over the island, and the wall ovens, which are set to one side.

"This kitchen can comfortably accommodate several people at once, with the island used for prepping, eating and homework, and the side counter designated for cleanup and cooking."

The cool, monochromatic color scheme is balanced by the warmth of the American white oak floors, which match the cabinet interiors.