The couple had purchased a beautiful old property in Banchory that was in need of reconfiguring and restoration. The brief was to rethink the space, which included 2 small kitchens and various cupboards and pantry areas to create an open plan kitchen/living area, a pantry and a utility room. The kitchen was to be a traditional style to suit the period of the house. The clients enjoy entertaining so wanted a stunning kitchen that was very sociable.
There was original features such as a servants’ service bell board and a glass/wood original door to be designed around. The area that was going to become the kitchen was at the back of the house so didn’t get that much natural daylight. The rooms were tall so it was essential to make the design look proportional to the height.
As always, we needed to design the space with functionality in the forefront of our minds. The work triangle of the sink, hob and fridge needed to be considered with an area for prep and waste as well as plenty of room for gathering around a kitchen island.
Extra tall shaker cabinetry felt like a natural fit in the space - the addition of top boxes allowed for period proportions and a sense of grandeur. Integrated tongue and groove end panels and glass cabinetry elevated the design further. Hidden pocket-sliding pantry doors, which were seamlessly built into the tall run of cabinetry, looking like a tall cupboard but leading to a ‘secret’ pantry off of the kitchen were another unusual design feature.
The clients had discovered an original fireplace that, once restored, had bronze features on it. This provided the jumping off point to choose bronze/brass hardware and a quartz worktop that had a striking rust-coloured vein through it. An antique mirrored splashback continued this design direction. To further lean in to the darkness of the space and the colour of the quartz vein we suggested a dark green cabinetry which feels like a heritage colour, in keeping with the house.
Overall, this traditional kitchen is not only in keeping with the house but manages to honour and elevate this stunning property. The kitchen is functional and beautiful at the same time. The bold colour choice enhances the space and the striking contrast between the cabinetry and the quartz make for a very special kitchen.
The utility/boot room is also stunning yet practical, which it needed to be with the couple’s two spaniels using the space. We provided a rock-grey sink, built-in storage and a practical washing machine/dryer stacked combination with a pull-out drawer between designed to hold the weight of a laundry basket.