Before: The couple was fascinated by the building's history, but the past certainly has its pitfalls. First, I felt the kitchen was too dark, even though I wanted the final design to have some shadows.
“The main challenges were space and light,” says Lara. “We wanted the kitchen to be the right size for cooking and entertaining, while bringing life back to the room.” Also, there didn't seem to be enough space for a large range cooker, so we needed a full-fledged refrigerator. It also seemed impossible to install a freezer. In any case, it wasn't if you needed storage (spoiler: they installed one). “I found it very difficult to understand,” Lara adds.
Inspiration: Interestingly, the couple looked to beloved '90s movies as inspiration for their renovation, which blends old and new. “Our idea from the beginning was to do what we called.practical magic When we were discussing this plan at our local Devol showroom, they liked the idea of using “dark, earth tones” on all walls and cabinetry.
“This enveloping effect highlights the marble countertops and accessories, while the green hue complements the natural tones outside the windows,” continues Lara. “We aimed for the kitchen to frame views of the trees and river outside, acting as an extension of the natural environment and celebrating the calming influence of nature and water inside the home.”
Lara and Tom wanted to preserve or restore as much of the kitchen's original features as possible. That meant retaining the high ceilings and reintroducing details such as cornices to the walls. They installed double glass doors on the balcony as another throwback detail. This, coincidentally, provides the soundtrack of the Thames if you listen closely. But this is the lesson they have now learned. The couple chose to lower the window frames to get a better view of the scenery.
