A Sophisticated Kitchen for an Open-Plan Addition
Smart cabinetry and luxurious finishes give a London cooking, dining and living space enduring style
Brothers David and Noel Dempsey had designed a kitchen for the owners of this elegant detached Edwardian house before. So when the couple decided to extend their London home, relocating the kitchen to a new open-plan space that also included dining and living areas, they called on the design team once again.
The new space has a high ceiling, and the designers took advantage of the loftiness with tall cabinets that have a visual impact.
With a starting point of pale-colored countertops, they chose a rich shade for the cabinetry rather than another light hue. “The room is bright — it faces southwest — and there’s a lot of natural light, so it can take that color,” David says.
Although the counter material looks like marble, the owners actually opted for a quartzite for its practical qualities. “Marble can stain, and you can etch the surface, but quartzite is harder, so you don’t get those issues,” David says.
They chose a mirrored backsplash, which gives the cook a view of the room behind. Reflecting the dining and seating area beyond, it opens out the space rather than confronting the cook with a blank wall. It also makes the room more sociable. “When you’re standing at the Aga, you can still talk to people,” David says.
With a formal dining area elsewhere in the room, a more casual place to eat breakfast was included on one side of the island.
New Hampshire collection kitchen cabinetry: Noel Dempsey Design; Flint Blue cabinet paint: Helen Turkington
What’s the Difference Between Quartzite and Quartz Countertops?
With a starting point of pale-colored countertops, they chose a rich shade for the cabinetry rather than another light hue. “The room is bright — it faces southwest — and there’s a lot of natural light, so it can take that color,” David says.
Although the counter material looks like marble, the owners actually opted for a quartzite for its practical qualities. “Marble can stain, and you can etch the surface, but quartzite is harder, so you don’t get those issues,” David says.
They chose a mirrored backsplash, which gives the cook a view of the room behind. Reflecting the dining and seating area beyond, it opens out the space rather than confronting the cook with a blank wall. It also makes the room more sociable. “When you’re standing at the Aga, you can still talk to people,” David says.
With a formal dining area elsewhere in the room, a more casual place to eat breakfast was included on one side of the island.
New Hampshire collection kitchen cabinetry: Noel Dempsey Design; Flint Blue cabinet paint: Helen Turkington
What’s the Difference Between Quartzite and Quartz Countertops?
The homeowners were drawn to the kitchen cabinetry collection’s oversize drawers. Solid wood interiors make the drawers appealing and tactile.
The cabinet pulls have an antiqued brass finish.
Cabinet pulls: Armac Martin
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Cabinet pulls: Armac Martin
Shop for cabinet and drawer hardware on Houzz
The cabinet next to the ovens opens via slim bifold doors, and it has a solid walnut interior that’s rich in color. “It’s a breakfast pantry you can close up to hide the mess,” David says.
The homeowners also store glassware and china in here. Lights that come on as the door opens, and switch off when it closes, create a sparkling effect.
7 Sophisticated Blues for Your Kitchen Cabinets
The homeowners also store glassware and china in here. Lights that come on as the door opens, and switch off when it closes, create a sparkling effect.
7 Sophisticated Blues for Your Kitchen Cabinets
The Aga stove is a transplant from the previous kitchen. Its original cream finish wouldn’t have complemented the new room, so it was refinished.
Underfoot, oak with a white oil finish gives the addition an elegant and warm appearance.
Underfoot, oak with a white oil finish gives the addition an elegant and warm appearance.
The plans for the addition included a room behind the Aga wall, which was turned into a walk-in pantry. “The owners can also prepare food in here,” David says.
Pullout drawers and floor-to-ceiling shelving maximize storage, freeing up the cabinets in the main kitchen for other items.
Irish Linen cabinet paint: Helen Turkington
Pullout drawers and floor-to-ceiling shelving maximize storage, freeing up the cabinets in the main kitchen for other items.
Irish Linen cabinet paint: Helen Turkington
From the island, there’s a view to the dining table and seating area beyond. “The detail in the ceiling separates the dining room from the kitchen,” David says. “In an open-plan room, it’s important to define the zones, so it’s not just one vast space.”
The dining table is sized to welcome a crowd.
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The dining table is sized to welcome a crowd.
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The designers made the cabinetry in the seating area too, giving the space a cohesive feel.
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More on Houzz
Read other stories about kitchen design
Browse kitchen photos for inspiration
Find a pro for your project
Shop for kitchen and dining products
Kitchen at a Glance
Who lives here: A professional couple
Location: West London
Size: 861 square feet (80 square meters)
Designers: David and Noel Dempsey of Noel Dempsey Design
The Dempseys were involved early on in the planning of this addition in order to have a say on the kitchen layout, including the location of the appliances. “Even the position of the doors and windows can affect the aesthetics of a kitchen,” David says.
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