Beautiful Dark Gray Cabinets in a Light-Filled English Kitchen
Simplicity, symmetry and attention to detail characterize this modern-meets-Victorian kitchen
Giving a Victorian home modern functionality can be a delicate balance, but interior designer Zoe Joannou pulled it off beautifully in this kitchen in southeastern England. An apron-front sink with a traditional brass faucet stars as the centerpiece among simple charcoal-colored cabinets and modern appliances.
Before: The original kitchen lacked drama and light.
After: Even the smallest of additions can make a huge difference. The back wall was extended only about 6½ feet, but the glass doors and skylight flood the room with light and make it seem much larger. “The huge glass panels on the extension roof were a bit blow-the-budget, but as the garden is small and backed by a massive brick wall, the room would have been very dark” without them, Joannou says.
The doors are powder-coated aluminum. “The couple chose the kitchen units first, then picked the nearest color for the doors.”
The owner asked for a kitchen that would wow, so attention to detail was key. “We aimed for as much symmetry as possible,” Joannou says. “For instance, the dishwasher to the right of the sink has a handle in the middle, so we also fitted one in the same position on the standard cupboard to the left.”
The end unit holds a pantry and a refrigerator. “We integrated the fridge and made it identical on the outside to the larder,” she says. “In kitchens like this, it’s all about the cabinetry, so it’s key not to have any overbearing appliances.” The washing machine is in a bedroom upstairs.
The glass cabinets keep the feeling light. “Down that side, there’s such a lot of cabinetry that if we’d had solid doors, it would have felt quite heavy, especially as they’re countertop cupboards,” Joannou says. “The owner doesn’t tend to do lavish recipes and doesn’t need loads of equipment, so the glass cabinets can be dedicated to nice crockery and glassware.”
The doors are powder-coated aluminum. “The couple chose the kitchen units first, then picked the nearest color for the doors.”
The owner asked for a kitchen that would wow, so attention to detail was key. “We aimed for as much symmetry as possible,” Joannou says. “For instance, the dishwasher to the right of the sink has a handle in the middle, so we also fitted one in the same position on the standard cupboard to the left.”
The end unit holds a pantry and a refrigerator. “We integrated the fridge and made it identical on the outside to the larder,” she says. “In kitchens like this, it’s all about the cabinetry, so it’s key not to have any overbearing appliances.” The washing machine is in a bedroom upstairs.
The glass cabinets keep the feeling light. “Down that side, there’s such a lot of cabinetry that if we’d had solid doors, it would have felt quite heavy, especially as they’re countertop cupboards,” Joannou says. “The owner doesn’t tend to do lavish recipes and doesn’t need loads of equipment, so the glass cabinets can be dedicated to nice crockery and glassware.”
The countertop is Silestone in Lagoon. “The quartz worktop has a very subtle marble effect, which adds to the timeless look,” Joannou says. “It’s in a polished finish, which bounces the light around.”
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Find bridge kitchen faucets in the Houzz Shop
The island houses a slick induction cooktop and just a single oven. “Quite often clients ask for a range [with an apron-front sink], but the owner was keen to have the sink with the wall lights above it as the focal point and keep any cooking stuff fairly minimalist,” Joannou says. “That way you don’t have two things fighting for attention — just one statement piece on the back wall.”
The island also contains large drawers, a trash bin and, at the far end, a wine fridge.
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The island also contains large drawers, a trash bin and, at the far end, a wine fridge.
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The back of the island has a breakfast bar and an open shelf to prevent a blocky feel.
“As with many Victorian homes, the room is relatively narrow,” Joannou says, “so I was a bit nervous when the island was going in, hoping there would be plenty of room to walk down this side. Keeping the back quite open helps the area feel spacious.”
Key Measurements to Help You Design Your Kitchen
“As with many Victorian homes, the room is relatively narrow,” Joannou says, “so I was a bit nervous when the island was going in, hoping there would be plenty of room to walk down this side. Keeping the back quite open helps the area feel spacious.”
Key Measurements to Help You Design Your Kitchen
A small dining area is at the back of the room. “The owners were originally just going to have seating at the island, but they decided it might be nice to have an area where they could sit around with a few more people,” Joannou says.
The black-framed mirror links the area to the kitchen.
Browse wall mirrors on Houzz
The black-framed mirror links the area to the kitchen.
Browse wall mirrors on Houzz
The owner didn’t want the dining area to be the focus of the room, so the bench, which contains drawers, is painted pale gray (Lily by Neptune). “There’s a lot of dark cabinetry in the space, and any more could have been overkill,” Joannou says. The brass handles link to the hardware on the kitchen cabinets.
The oak shelf and seat that run around the bench tie in with the engineered oak flooring. “The boards add warmth to the room and run throughout the ground floor, making the whole house feel cohesive,” she adds.
The oak shelf and seat that run around the bench tie in with the engineered oak flooring. “The boards add warmth to the room and run throughout the ground floor, making the whole house feel cohesive,” she adds.
The log-burning stove creates a cozy spot next to the dining table. “Each little area in the room has its own style,” Joannou says, “but they all tie together nicely.”
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Read other stories about kitchen design
Find a kitchen designer near you
Shop for your kitchen
Who lives here: A couple with a baby on the way
Location: Royal Tunbridge Wells, England
Size: 11½ by 23 feet (3.5 by 7 meters)
Designer: Zoe Joannou of House of Beulah
When the owners of this four-bedroom, two-bath row house in Royal Tunbridge Wells decided to extend and revamp their kitchen, they knew just what they wanted.
“They were looking for a classic-meets-modern style,” Joannou says. “The charcoal Shaker units and fresh white walls are modern, but there’s a Victorian vibe in the [faucet and apron-front sink] and lighting that respects the era of the house.”
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