Senior kitchen designer at deVOL Hannah Vincent explains how she improved the connection with adjacent spaces in a period home, with this chic Shaker

In a Victorian townhouse, just a stone’s throw from the River Thames, Hannah Vincent used the  features of the building to create a chic Shaker kitchen, which connected with adjacent dining room.

She explains: “Our customers had recently moved into their period home and were keen to replace their kitchen and improve the relationship between their dining room.

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“The two rooms had gorgeous, existing period features with high ceilings, decorative cornice and original shutters, which were being overshadowed by early 00’s fitted furniture.

“It was particularly important to not only create a design that worked with these features but that would accentuate them.”

Storage space

In addition, the owners also wanted to include a list of appliances along with full-height cupboards, so Hannah studied the layout, as she explained the original kitchen didn’t make the best use of the space.

She continues: “At some point in the building’s history, the existing chimney breast had been blocked up in the kitchen to make way for a full height, stepped run of units. The owners had always planned to reopen this and create a focal point.”

This was the only major structural change and Hannah explains it was import to help create the new space.

“It helped to create the perfect canvas, and provided the space we needed for a timeless, practical kitchen for their family with ample storage and integrated appliances. whilst being sympathetic to the style and period of the house”, she sayd.

Online inspiration

The customer had researched the company online, and were enamoured with the Frome Kitchen on its website, characterised by lofty ceilings and showstopping countertop cabinets.

Hannah explains it provided her with a “fantastic” aesthetic starting point, as it was very similar to the real-life space.

However, she explains it was important that the design was not a replica copy of the marketing image, adding: “Whilst keeping this project in mind from our first design through to our last, it was key that the design reflected the owner’s needs and personality, and for their kitchen to feel like their own and not just a like-for-like copy.”

Presenting her ideas, Hannah adds: “The owners were fantastic to work with and we nailed down their ideal design pretty early on, this meant that we were able to use the rest of our time together honing in on the details that would make their kitchen stand-out whilst keeping to their budget.”

Bring within budget

To ensure the kitchen fell within budget, Hannah chose to mix two of the company’s handmade kitchen ranges.

She used modular Real Shaker range for a simple and elegant base, and its Classic English range of furniture for special, bespoke pieces.

She continues: “As with all renovations it was essential to stick to the budget, or even under where possible.

“By mixing two furniture ranges, we were able to take advantage of our cost-effective Real Shaker kitchen furniture which left room in the budget to get creative with a few carefully selected pieces of our Classic English furniture.”

Garden views

So what was Hannah particularly pleased with about the design?  “I love that the owners are able to sit at their island and look out onto their beautiful garden. This vista was enhanced through the choice of “Bakehouse Green” on the kitchen walls.

“At the time, this shade was a new addition to our line-up and it was a real first to see it used on the walls in such a dramatic way.

“The juxtaposition between this colour and the crisp cornicing further highlights the original features and completes the transformation.”