Top Ten Kitchens

kitchensIdeas and inspiration from your neighbourhood

NEW! THE MUST-HAVE MAGAZINE THAT EXPLORES 10 LOCAL HOMES

FREE DIRECT

TO YOUR DOOR!

WINTER 2012

H A M P S T E A D ● C R O U C H E N D ● H I G H G AT E ● M U S W E L L H I L L ● K E N S A L R I S E

33steal the style

SHOPPING IDEAS

designer style“SPACE, LIGHT AND CLEAN LINES... IT’S EVERYTHING I HOPED FOR.”

kitchens10TOP

kitchens10TOP

1WINTER 2012 I TOP 10 KITCHENS

CONTENTS WELCOME

TO TOP 10 KITCHENS MAGAZINE ISSUE 2

Welcome…It’s been three months since our fi rst issue hit the streets, and if the feedback we’ve received so far is anything to go by, we’re certainly not the only ones who enjoy having a good look at other people’s kitchens. Thank you so much for all the positive comments we’ve received. We’re especially thrilled that we’re proving to be such a valuable resource to those of you who are just about to install a new kitchen of your own. The message we’re getting loud and clear is that it’s great to hear how real people have planned their kitchens, overcome certain challenges and, perhaps most importantly, how well these ‘real’ working kitchens are standing the test of time. With this in mind we looked a little further afi eld for this issue, and now cover a larger area of North London in order to bring you the very best selection of kitchens in various styles, shapes and sizes. Thanks once again to the owners of this issue’s gorgeous kitchens, each of them special in their own way. Could yours be in the next issue? Get in touch and we’ll let you know! See you in May...

Jeanette

Junction 4 Media Ltd cannot accept responsibility for unsolicited submissions, manuscripts and photographs. While every care is taken, prices and details are subject to change and Junction 4 Media Ltd take no responsibility for omissions or errors. We reserve the right to publish and edit any letters. All rights reserved. ■ Editor: Jeanette Baker ([email protected]) ■ Creative Director: Lisa Duke ([email protected]) ■ Advertising Director: Lara Peperell ([email protected]) ■ www.j4media.co.uk Enquiries: [email protected] or [email protected]. Printed by Polestar UK Print Limited (Wheatons) Distribution Gold Key Media Ltd.

M E D I A

inside…THE KITCHENS06 KITCHEN 01 Class Act

12 KITCHEN 02 Style Icon

18 KITCHEN 03 Room With A View

26 KITCHEN 04 Sharp Chic

30 KITCHEN 05 Amazing Space

36 KITCHEN 06 Cool & Calm

40 KITCHEN 07 Pretty In Pink

46 KITCHEN 08 Warm & Welcoming

54 KITCHEN 09 Small Wonder

60 KITCHEN 10 Living The Dream

FEATURES24 TOP 10 TABLEWARE SETS Find the perfect style to suit you

44 GRAND DESIGN A top kitchen designer reveals his visionary plans for a Regency Villa

44 NEED TO KNOW: How to create an eco-friendly kitchen

REGULARS4 KITCHEN CONFIDENTIAL Local news, recipes and shopping ideas

57 STOCKISTS INFO

Want to see some more? We are able to bring you this magazine for free thanks to the support of our advertisers, so if you make any enquiries about the products or services seen on the following pages, please make sure you mention where you read about them – and we’ll see you for the next inspirational issue in May 2012!

received. We’re especially thrilled

06

30

24DO YOU HAVE A TOP 10 KITCHEN? OR KNOW SOMEBODY WHO HAS? IF SO, PLEASE GET IN TOUCH AT [email protected]

2

WEST END: CLOS MAGGIORE Offi cially London’s most romantic restaurant (Harden’s London Restaurant Guide 2012), at Clos Maggiore you can dine in an intimate, blossom-fi lled conservatory with a view of the stars. Head chef Marcellin Marc has created a beautifully presented, fi ve-course tasting menu with a glass of champagne on arrival for £125 per person and £164 with paired wines. 33 King Street,

WC2E,

020 7379 9696

www.clos

maggiore.com

CITY: THE FOLLYRomance is most defi nitely in the air at The Folly where they’re offering a special three-course Valentine’s Day meal with a Russian Rose Martini for just £19.95, and you can round the evening off with a box of heart-shaped truffl es or brownies. Available 14th February only. 41 Gracechurch St, EC3V 0BT 0845 468 0102 www.thefollybar.co.uk

NORTH: GAUCHO, HAMPSTEAD Lit by the fl icker of candles, Gaucho provides the perfect intimate dining experience for Valentine couples who will be treated to a full a la carte menu of Argentine specialities including prime cuts of Argentine beef prepared using Gaucho’s celebrated grilling methods. 64 Heath St, Hampstead, NW3 1DN 020 7431 8222

www.gauchorestaurants.co.uk

TOP 10 KITCHENS I WINTER 2012

TOP 10 KITCHENSLOCAL KNOWLEDGE

Food & interiors news, trends, events and shopping in your neighbourhood

Kitchen confidentialBig night out! Make this a Valentine’s Day to remember by treating your other half to a

meal at one of these suitably romantic London restaurants...

Fall in love……with these Valentine-inspired gift ideas

Love of my life mug, £15.95,

www.sweetwilliamdesigns.com

Avoca Loopy Love Heart cushion by India Jelly, £35, John Lewis

Grey and white wooden hearts, from £3.50,

www.milk-and-honey.co.uk

Sagaform heart bowl with ladle, £32.50, www.cloudberryliving.co.uk

Emma Bridgewater

Sampler round

tin set, £30, www.emma

bridgewater.co.uk

RUSSIAN ROSE MARTINI

Indulge in a

TOP BUY

Kitchen

Avoca Loopy Love Heart cushionAvoca Loopy Love Heart cushionby India Jelly, £35, John Lewis


Reader confidential■ Name: Jenny Tucker ■ Lives: Crouch End ■ Guilty pleasure: Taking my notebook to The Haberdashery in Crouch End for coffee and pretending I’m doing some work.

■ Favourite kitchen gadget: My supersonic Vita-mix 5000 food blender. It can make ice-cream and hot soup. It’s magic. ■ If I could have any kitchen in the world: A bigger one with a huge dinner table for friends,and snow-white units that are easy to clean off grubby fi nger marks! ■ Where I shop: Jamie Oliver online. He has gorgeous kitchen kit at a decent price.■ Favourite cookbook: Jamie Oliver again – The Return of The Naked Chef (Michael Joseph), although I tend to Google his recipes on my iPad for emergency ideas. I make his Party Cake for the kids every year on their birthday. ■ Essential ingredient: Anchovies. I put them in a tomato- based pasta sauce and it’s instantly delicious.

cream and hot soup. It’s magic. If I could have any kitchen

Jamie Oliver online.

A snow-white ‘wipe-clean’ kitchen from Kütchenhaus

We want... THIS FAB RETRO-

STYLE VINYL RECORDWORKTOP SAVER…

KITCHEN TABLE FLORIST Create this stylish arrangement using this season’s favourite fl owers… YOU WILL NEED:

3 bunches daffodils (currently £1 per bunch from Marks & Spencer) approx. 30 stems String Scissors Vase with a fairly narrow neck – jam jars can work well too Short length of ribbon & a bobble-headed pin (optional)

METHOD1 Cut a length of string approx. 50cm long and have this to hand.2 Very gently remove the thin, brown, paper-like skin from the daffodil heads.3 Start with one stem in your hand – holding it close to the top. 4 Place a second stem next to the fi rst making sure that the fl ower heads face outwards.5 Continue to add stems one at a time in circles around the fi rst fl ower making sure all the heads face outwards. 6 Try to create a slight dome effect and aim to keep all the

stems as straight as possible to create the topiary tree “trunk”. 7 After adding the last fl ower tie the string around the bunch just below the head, then trim the stems to the same length – the fi nal height will depend on your choice of container. Cut the tree shorter and place in a lower round vase for a “domed” effect.8 Optional – place a small length of ribbon over the string and secure with a bobble-headed pin. Remember to top up the fl owers daily to prolong the life of the arrangement.

…£14, from Joseph Joseph. Go to www.josephjoseph.com

STYLE VINYL RECORD

…£14, from Joseph Joseph. Go to www.josephjoseph.com

4 TOP 10 KITCHENS I WINTER 2012

TOP 10 KITCHENSLOCAL KNOWLEDGE

Quick tortilla pizza■ 4 fl our tortillas ■ 1 ball mozzarella , sliced ■ 50g rocket ■ 1 jar of pepperonata , Sacla do a good one, or use about 150g marinated roasted peppers

1 Heat the oven to 200C/fan 180C/gas 6. Put 4 tortillas on a large baking sheet, scatter the mozzarella over and some of the pepperonata and cook for 5-7 minutes until turning golden at the edges and the cheese is melting. 2 Top with some rocket, and drizzle with a little oil from the jar. Cut into wedges and serve. SERVES 2

OWEN’S FOOD STORE, MUSWELL HILLOpened in November 2010 by local residents Simon and Sarah, this great little deli sells some wonderful produce including Artisan bread, Pecorino Dolce Fresco, Honey & Mustard Glazed Ham, as well as organic fresh meat and chickens.

“I wanted it to be a proper local shop serving the local community,” explains Simon who has been a chef for over 30 years. For a real treat, pick up one of the dishes he prepares in the in-store kitchen, or see him in action at one of his monthly cooking demonstrations which highlight something quick and seasonal.

… what’s not to love about this extremely clever Arena self-draining dishrack, £40, from Joseph Joseph. www.josephjoseph.com

Speedy suppers: Want to create a quick & tasty meal this evening? Try this great recipe from Olive Magazine

Subscribe to olive and enjoy 5 issues delivered direct to your door for just £5! Call 0844 848 9747 quote code OLKT312 or go to www.

buysubscriptions.com/olive and enter code OLKT312 *This offer is available for UK delivery addresses and by Direct Debit only.

great idea! FUNCTIONAL AND STYLISH…

Owen’s Food Store 020 8374 4444 www.owensfoodstore.co.uk

reate a quick & tasty meal this evening?

5 ISSUES OF

OLIVE FOR £5

6 top 10 kitchens i winter 2012

Discreetly tucked away within an open plan living area, Jane Gifford was keen for her contemporary kitchen to complement the original period features of her beautiful home.

Class act01underStAted Style

finsbury park

“I didn’t want the kitchen to dominate the

space. I wanted it to fi t in with existing architecture in a

very simple way.”

7winter 2012 i top 10 kitchens

PH

OtO

S: D

ar

re

n c

hu

ng

hen artist Jane Gifford approached the designers

at roundhouse Kitchens, her rather unusual brief was for

them to ensure that her new kitchen didn’t look too, well, ‘kitcheny’!

“i know it may sound bizarre, but the kitchen was going to be part of an open plan multi-purpose living area and i didn’t want it to dominate the space – i wanted it to fit in with the existing architecture in a very simple way, and blend in.”

Having trained as an architect, Jamie telford, the designer from roundhouse, could see that the best way to meet Jane’s brief

Finishing touch: stAinLEss stEEL WoRKtoP“I personally love stainless steel worktops. My one came in one huge piece, including the upstand and with the sinks welded in. It was incredibly heavy and we only just managed to get it into the house through the window! A lot of people don’t like stainless steel because it scratches and shows finger marks, but you soon get used to that and it builds up a patina, and it’s an incredibly functional work space. You can put anything on it, it reflects light and it lasts forever – what’s not to love?”

to keep things clean andsimple, the extractor fan was integrated into the run of white units and this also allows us another bit of storage

was firstly to take out a wall which separated the kitchen from the living area, and then to block up a doorway on another wall in order to accommodate a long run of units which could be discreetly tucked away. where the doorway had been (on the other side of the wall) he then located a neat little utility area.


01underStAted Stylefinsbury park

“I chose theMacassar Ebony

veneer because it’s very graphic - it almost looks as though the

lines have been drawn on with black charcoal.”


“i was really pleased that Jamie saw further than just installing cabinets and appliances,” says Jane. “He made me realise that by making some relatively minor structural changes i could make the absolute most of the space.”

Also at Jamie’s suggestion, Jane chose white for most of the cabinetry, along with the distinctive Macassar ebony wood veneer.

“i think it was the first time that roundhouse had used this particular veneer, but i was more than happy to be a trailblazer! i chose it because it’s very graphic – it almost looks as though the lines have been drawn on with black charcoal, and i love the fact that it’s bookmatched and so the pattern is continuous and flows from one section to another.”

Facing this run of units, and next to the original elegant Carrara marble fireplace is Jane’s most prized item in her kitchen – the

the ceiling in the kitchen is actually taken right back to theplaster which creates an unusual finish.

Because this larder is white, it blends into the background, and i love the shelves next to it where we display favourite objects and books


01underStAted Style finsbury park

almost invisible white pull-out larder that sits next to shelves where she can display beautiful objects and her favourite cookbooks.

“For anyone who’s thinking about installing a new kitchen, i would say if there’s one thing you should ensure you incorporate into your plans, it’s a pull-out larder. they’re so brilliant for storing all your dry goods because you can see everything so easily.”

these cabinets were made using the same carrara marble as the fireplace in the kitchen to create continuity between the two rooms

i’ve realised pull-outstorage is by far the most efficient use of space

in fact Jane is a fan of pull-out storage full stop. “whether it’s big, deep drawers for pans or

crockery, or small ones for tins and jars, i firmly believe that well-planned, well-designed and well-built storage is the key to good kitchen design,” she says. “that’s definitely what you get from roundhouse because they have their own factory in the uK where all their furniture and cabinetry is made. Because of this they


sEEn soMEthing You LiKE? hERE’s WhERE to BuYkitchen ‘urbo’ (handleless) kitchen in Macassar ebony and matt lacquer (white) fi nishes from roundhouse Worksurface Stainless Steel, from roundhouse

Flooring existing original pine fl oorboards, sanded & varnished Fridge freezer liebherr KGt ves 5066 oven Miele multi-function oven H5240B SS oven Microwave Miele 8261 clean steel hob Smeg ‘Piano’ P705 700mm 5 burner gas hob sinks Blanco Classic 8s Double Bowl stainless steel sink supplied by roundhouse tap Hansgrohe Axor Stark Single lever Kitchen Mixer extractor elica B180uHS integrated Black 720w Dishwasher neFF S5543 X2GB 600mm table designed and made by roundhouse. chairs ron Arad tom Vac from Vitra ltd For stockists see page 57

“I discovered that if it’s well

organised you need less storage - everything can still be put away to leave a beautiful space

uninterrupted by clutter.”

Like the main run of kitchen units, the small utility area is neatly tucked away so that it doesn’t encroach on the living space

can create bespoke furniture in any colour with any materials, and can offer different sizes of drawers and units specifi cally to fi t the space you have to work with, which is what they did for me. i soon discovered that if it’s well organised you need less storage and everything can still be put away to leave a beautiful space that’s uninterrupted by clutter. it’s proved to be a great kitchen to work in and live with.”


Having embarked on a top-to-toe redesign of his elegant mews house, all that was left for Michael Nathenson to do to complete the stunning interior was create a stylish kitchen worthy of the rest of the house. No pressure then…

Style icon

02OPen Plan livinghampstead

great idea! “I’m really pleased with the fi lter under

the sink which gets rid of the chemicals in the London water before

it comes out of the tap.”


PH

OtO

S: D

ar

re

n c

hu

ng


02OPen Plan living hampstead

As a seasoned environmental designer, Michael nathenson is more than qualified to know what to look for when planning a new

kitchen. Having re-designed the entirety of his four- storey mews house (which he completely gutted, excavated down a level, and built up a top floor) he worked alongside the team at Kitchen architecture to create a room that incorporates all the design elements he holds dear: space, light and clean lines.

“the kitchen had to blend in with the minimalist look of the rest of the house,” Michael explains, “and for me good design is paramount. rob and his team at Kitchen architecture understand that totally. they’re very professional and take a personal interest in every detail. they’ve created several kitchens for me in the past and when we work together they have ideas, i have ideas and when we bring those together we usually come up trumps.”

the open-plan, sociable family-living area that

this oak breakfast bar and seating area allows relaxed communications between cooks and non-cooks

Finishing Touch: ‘FloaTing’ islands“To accentuate the beauty of the Dinesen floor we raised the islands onto curved, beautifully engineered, matt steel legs. This provides the impression of individual blocks of furniture that float above the living space. I love my ‘floating’ islands. We could have saved money by bringing them all the way down to the floor, but if we had I would have been thinking ‘why aren’t they floating?!’ every time I looked at them!”

accommodates the kitchen was designed to maximise space and natural light and comprises kitchen, dining and soft seating, leading out onto an outdoor BBQ terrace and dining area.

in a large sociable space like this, it is crucial that everything flows for all users, hence the double island layout which works perfectly for the shape of the room as it provides the main


preparation area in the middle, and gives all-round, easy access to work surfaces. the cook is able to keep one eye on the hob, face out towards the light on the terrace and communicate effortlessly with people in the rest of the living space. it also allows for several cooks to work at the same time.

“i always love having two islands,” says Michael. “any time i have the chance to put two islands into a kitchen i will because it makes sense. You have the sink in one and the hob in the other which means you can work between the two, and having the storage units to the sides of the islands makes it all very efficient. the handleless cupboards and drawers housed in the island are opened via recessed grips allowing easy access to anything from crockery to oils and spices.

“we decided against push catches for these storage units because when i had them in a previous kitchen, every time your bottom accidentally leant against a cupboard, the door

would spring open and it drove me crazy,” explains Michael. “the push-catch idea is a great design concept because there are no handles to break up the lines, making the island elevations look minimal and clean, but in practice it doesn’t work for me, so rob came up with a clever system of drawers and recessed handles that meant the units weren’t forever popping open.”

Kitchen architecture also came up with the idea of building a bulkhead to accommodate the tall graphite units at the far end of the kitchen so that it made them appear flush with the wall. these units provide easy flow from the main working area but also allow for other users to access fridges, wine coolers, raised dishwashers, cutlery and crockery drawers and the tea/coffee- making area. the small appliances are stored out of sight in the shutter unit or on stainless steel pull-out appliance trays. For the finishes, the durable bulthaup b3 were chosen with warm-coloured

i love the sleek flush fit gaggenau induction hob which is housed in a bulthaup 1cm laser-edged clay laminate worktop.

above left: a lightwell provides natural light throughout the property, including bedrooms on the lower ground floor


these fully retractable Douglas Firsliding doors, soaped white to matchthe floor, open out onto the decked barbeque area.

02OPen Plan living hampstead

‘clay’ fronts for the islands, and sleek ‘graphite’ for the tall elements to contrast with the stunning, white-soaped Dinesen wide-planked floor.

as the kitchen took shape, Michael ensured that his three key elements of a great kitchen – design, functionality and the appliances – were adhered to. with regard to the functionality, Michael was determined that the kitchen would work, not just for him, but for his wife as well. “angela is quite short so we positioned the eye-level dishwasher at a height that worked well for both of us, and made sure the oven was at the correct height. the worktops are also a little lower than standard.”

For Michael the choice of appliances was a complete no-brainer.

“i always go for gaggenau – not only are they extremely high quality, but they are also, i believe, the most beautiful.”

with all the essential elements in place, the finished article provides a stunning sociable and functional kitchen that works well and will look as good in 10 years time as it does today.

seen someThing you like? here’s where To buykitchen design Kitchen architecture ltd kitchen furniture, sinks, taps and worktops all by bulthaup, available from Kitchen architecture appliances

including induction hob, extractor, wine cooler, fridge freezer, oven, steam oven and warming drawer all by gaggenau Bar stools and dining furniture by B&B italia Flooring wide-planked, white-soaped oak floor from Dinesen For stockists see page 57

Cheshire showroom. 7 - 17 Church Street. Wilmslow. Cheshire. SK9 1AX. T: 01625 544 890

18 top 10 kitchens i Winter 2012

When the time came to plan her new kitchen, garden designer Jilayne Rickards simply had to look out of the window for inspiration…

Room with a view

03contemporary MUSWELL HILL

Starting from scratch with a massive refurbishment of her new home, it made perfect sense for Jilayne to take ideas and themes from her own

stunning garden design and incorporate these into the interiors.

“From the very beginning of the project we briefed our architect that we wanted the garden to be the focal point of the home so that when you opened the front door you were naturally drawn through the house and transported to the outside space,” Jilayne explains. “initially we planned to have the lounge in the middle of the house, but that would have stopped the flow. putting the kitchen there instead works really well and certainly makes the most of the views outside. it’s the hub of the home and where everyone ends up congregating.”

to ensure the garden became an integral part of the home, and vice versa, Jilayne used her landscape design as a starting point, which in turn helped to inform her choice of colours and finishes for the kitchen.

“i’ve always been drawn to deep, dark red as a colour - i use it a lot in my planting - but i didn’t especially go looking for it for the kitchen. the design actually began with the wooden floor we chose for the dining area. the house we lived in before had the same

19Winter 2012 i top 10 kitchens

pH

oto

S: M

AR

tin

BL

Ac

k

“Locating the kitchen in

the middle of the house defi nitely

makes the most of the views out to

the garden.”



dark wood and we loved the way it worked with cream walls.”

However, Jilayne and her husband Simon knew that to accompany the neutral wood fl oor and cream walls, they’d want an injection of colour somewhere.

“When we visited the Lambert Welch showroom and saw the options available, red was the colour that really grabbed us because it tied in so well with the garden. We then chose the glass splash-back to link in with the glass water feature located on the adjoining patio, once again echoing themes from the outside.”

Jilayne and Simon were also clear about other aspects of how the kitchen would look and work, including functionality.

“We explained to Kate from Lambert Welch that it had to serve a family of fi ve and so we needed plenty of space and plenty of storage. We then left it to her to work out where everything should go and how it would all fi t in.”

as well as being user-friendly, Jilayne was also determined that her kitchen would remain an uncluttered and seamless space that you could walk through.

“Having an entire wall of storage down

“As a family of fi ve

we needed plenty of space, and plenty of storage. Having

an entire wall makes that possible.”


We wanted the same make of appliances throughout, and we wanted them to be good quality so kate recommended siemens. We love the platewarmer – it’s one of those things that you don’t know you need until you get one!



Seen Something you like? here’S where to buykitchen designed by Lambert Welch interiors kitchen furniture from the Schuller next collection. Door fronts in nL602 natural Walmut and nL501

magnolia and ruby red Worktop compac, colour choice Vanile sink Franke KBX 160 34-16 Appliances all Siemens including: dishwasher Sn66mo53GB; single oven HB78aB590BS/SteeL pyroklean; oven/microwave HB86p272B; warming drawer HW1405p2B; fridge K142Fp60; freezer Gi138np60; induction hob eH975SK11e; extractor Lc98KB40B hydro tap (boiling and chilled) by Zip Flooring ‘arctic marble’ marmoleum from Brocklehurst For stockists see page 57

one side makes that possible. We were initially going to have a doorway into the next room on that wall, but decided to remove it so that the units could run the whole length. this meant we could have an additional tall cupboard for mops etc, which was definitely the right decision.”

another good decision was to take on board Kate’s suggestion about the positioning of the island.

“originally we were planning to have a central island, but with hindsight that wouldn’t have worked as it would have completely stopped the flow of the kitchen,” explains Jilayne.

instead the island was moved to the end of the main work-space run, creating an L-shape that provides extra storage as well as partially separating the kitchen from the dining room.

“this is where everyone hangs out now,” says Jilayne, “and as well as being a great working space it also links the kitchen to the dining area and the garden. it was Kate’s idea to put it here, and she was right – it’s the perfect place from which to appreciate the views onto the garden and i get so much pleasure standing here looking out.”

the extractor is great – i’m tall and this design means i’m not forever banging my head on it!

the hob is positioned to one end of the run and it works really well because you can work between the sink and the hob and they’re both within easy reach

the kitchen floor is marmoleum and it gives the space a seamless feel that helps the flow

Lambert Welch KitchensBeautifully practical kitchens

www.lambertwelchkitchendesign.com59 Muswell Hill Road, London N10 3JB

Tel. 020 8444 6777 l Email: [email protected]

07801 946878www.jilaynerickards.com

photography © marianne majerus


tableware setsTOP TEN

1COSMIC BY DENBY from Debenhams, House of Fraser and leading independent china

and glass retailers, or www.denby.com. Prices start at £7.50

3CITIES IN SKETCH LONDON from Heals. Prices start at £5. For

details go to www.heals.co.uk

4WEDGWOOD JASPER CONRAN CHINOISERIE GREEN RANGE from

John Lewis. Prices start at £22.50. For details go to www.johnlewis.com or call 08456 049049

2 PIP STUDIO TABLEWAREFrom John Lewis. Available in blue, pink and khaki. Prices start at £7.50. For details go to

www.johnlewis.com or call 08456 049049

Whatever your style there will be the perfect set of tableware to suit your kitchen. Here’s our round-up of ten of the best...

£7.50from

£22.50from

£7.50from

£5from


SHOPPING

5ZEPHYR DINNERWARE from Heals. Available in cobalt, platinum and plum (as shown).

Prices start at £5.75. For details go to www.heals.co.uk

7VERA WANG FOR WEDGWOOD NATURALS RANGE (GRAPHITE) from

John Lewis. Prices start at £6.12.For details go to www.johnlewis.com

6SANDERSON DANDELION CLOCKS from John Lewis and other

independent retailers. Prices start at £7. For details go to www.sanderson-uk.com

£6from

£6.12from

£5.75from

£7from

9GEISHA TABLEWARE from Marks & Spencer. Individual prices start at £6 or £85 for a 12-piece dinner set. For details go to www.marksandspencer.com

10SAMPLER BY EMMA BRIDGEWATER

available direct from www.emmabridgewater.co.uk or branches of John Lewis. Prices start at £12.95.

£10from

£12.95from

8ORIGO RANGE BY ITTALA from Skandium. Prices start at £10. For details

go to www.skandium.com


How far would you go in the quest for your ideal kitchen? For Kala it meant a hop across the channel to discover exactly what she was looking for…

Sharp chic

04cleAn lineSkensal rise

PH

OtO

S: M

AR

tin

BL

Ac

k

“As soon as I spotted the

gum-tree veneer I fell in love. I’d been

searching and searching, and considered lots of options, but this was defi nitely it.”


hen it came to choosing

the perfect finish for her new kitchen, Kala was prepared to

go the distance – literally. “when i first visited the Modus showroom i saw an orange kitchen which i loved, but then decided it might be a bit much,” Kala remembers. “i was then stumped about what look to go for, so Modus arranged for me to visit the warendorf factory in Germany. that’s where i saw the gum-tree veneer. it was a brand new finish and as soon as i spotted it i fell in love. i’d been searching and searching, but this was definitely it.”

Once she had decided on the sleek veneer, Kala realised that to make it stand out she should limit the other colours used in the kitchen. As a consequence the floor to ceiling units are high gloss white, as is the worktop. However she couldn’t resist just one more splash of colour.

“there are green panels on the wall that divide the kitchen from the living room and these are actually cupboards set into the wall,” Kala explains. “they conceal the tV as well as leaving space for me to store my cookery books, candles and other bits and pieces.”

Set within a black surround, the splash of

3 things I love about my kitchen

the light on the island is just beautiful. it changes colour and at night it’s very calming.

these drawers are touchsensitive which means they can be handle-free

these glass panels conceal electrical socketsand at the same time provide storage space for hand-blenders and small grinders etc.

1 the way the pattern of the veneer flows the length of the island 2 the food warmer – my cooking isn’t wasted if my husband’s home late!3 the pure white worktop which gives this kitchen an immaculate finish.


04cleAn lineS kensal rise

green really has impact, and on the opposite wall is another clever idea suggested by the designers.

“the ovens are actually a bit deceptive,” says Kala. “On the left-hand side i have a steam oven and warmer drawer which i love, and above it is a lift-up door with a microwave behind it. On the right-hand side at the bottom i’ve got a fan-assisted oven, and above it another lift-up door so that it matches with the left-hand side. this is where i keep my kettle and sandwich-maker etc. ”

central to the kitchen design, however, and definitely the star of the show, is the impressive island featuring that veneer.

“i knew i wanted to make the island the main feature of the kitchen, but we did decide to reduce the width of it slightly so that there was reasonable space between it and the wall. this allowed room to appreciate the beautiful pattern of the veneer that runs the whole length of the drawers.”

As a keen cook who frequently entertains, Kala is thrilled with the finished result.

“when hosting dinner parties, the open plan aspect of the kitchen enables it to be the centre of social interaction. we can spend hours in the kitchen without realising it. i also love how amazing the kitchen looks when it’s all clean and tidy – it’s really sharp and a great environment to be in.”

seen something you like?here’s where to buykitchen Design Modus Kitchens using lacquer, glass and veneer cabinets

all warendorf White quartz worktop Silestone blanco-zeus All appliances Miele including Single oven H5681BP; steam oven DG5080; microwave M8201 1; lift-up cover door Mlt5060; warming drawer eSw5080 29; integrated refrigerator-freezer KPn9758; integrated refrigerator-freezer with automatic ice maker KFn9755ide; integrated dishwasher x 2 G1272; induction hob KM5954 stainless steel undermount sink Blanco taps Dornbracht extractor Blanco-Gutman For stockists see page 57.

Above: wide deepdrawers offer kala plenty of storage options

Left: the bright cabinet doors conceal the tV and additional storage

i love traditional fireplaces but as my house is modern, this seemed a good compromise.

A fitted kitchen that fits perfectly with your lifestyle.By taking an architectural approach to the use of space and light, and working with you to gain a deeper understanding of your lifestyle, we help you create a kitchen that becomes a living environment.

A Modus kitchen is designed to be the centre of the home; a place for recreation as well as a place where you can create. Our commitment to craftsmanship is evident in the tiniest detail.

By combining the uncompromising standards of award winning German kitchen manufacturers with the Modus approach to design, we create exceptional kitchens that fit in flawlessly with the way you live. That’s why you’ll never want to leave them.

Visit our showroom on the rise opposite the train station at Kensal Rise, or visit us online at www.moduskitchens.com

Modus GB Limited95 Chamberlayne Road Kensal Rise

London NW10 3NDT +44 (0)20 8969 8848

F +44 (0)20 8969 6125 E [email protected]

OFFICIAL DEALER


05 made to measure muswell hill


Faced with a big, beautiful, empty expanse just waiting for a kitchen, Jane and Adam were left wondering exactly what they should put where! Luckily help was at hand…

Amazing space

PH

oto

s: G

AR

et

h G

AR

Dn

eR

great idea! “We’ve got an additional sink next to the hob

which is great for draining hot water

when you’re cooking.”


05 made to measure muswell hill

e started completely from scratch with this room,”

explains Jane, who doesn’t mind admitting that she wasn’t

exactly bursting with ideas when it came to the planning of her new kitchen.

“We had extended at the back of the house and now had all this incredible space to play with, but i was happy to hand this blank canvas over to a designer because i have no idea about anything like that.”

despite not being confident about her own design abilities, Jane knew what she liked when she saw it and had been impressed by a tim moss kitchen she had seen at a friend’s house.

“We invited tim to have a look at the space we had to work with and asked him what he would do with it. i knew i wanted an island, and i knew i wanted to be able to have the hob on the island and be cooking facing out into the dining area, but that was about it. When tim came back with the plans we were totally happy with what he came up with.”

now that it’s fully operational, Jane has

discovered that this kitchen isn’t just a pretty face. “the design of the working space is

absolutely spot on - the classic triangle – but it works so well and that’s become more apparent the more i use the kitchen. i did ask for the island to be slightly further away from the run of cupboards than usual,” Jane explains, “because i knew that i wanted to be able to walk past comfortably if the dishwasher door was open, and not have the kids under my feet tripping me up if they were round that side too.”

initially Jane did consider not having wall units in the kitchen, but realised that in this case practicality should overrule aesthetics.

“i think tim would have preferred us not to have them to create a more open feel, and i know what he means,’ Jane explains, “but i knew i’d need them.We’re too messy not to have the storage where i can hide everything away!”

tim was also responsible for coming up with the subtle colour scheme for the room.

1 The space. my son plays crickeT and uses The lengTh of The room as a wickeT! 2 facing inTo The room when i’m cooking. iT means i can sTill be parT of The evening when enTerTaining. 3 The underfloor heaTing – iT keeps a big space cosy.



seen someThing you like?here’s where To buykitchen designtim moss Kitchens Bespoke

cabinetry plain framed kitchen with tulip wood doors and frames fi nished in Farrow & Ball ‘elephants Breath’ oil eggshell. Beech venereered carcasses fi nished in clear lacquer. Worktop silestone ‘amazon’ leather fi nish Appliances neff stainless steel undermounted sinks Kohler taps ‘atlas’ by abode in b Wall colour Chemise by Farrow & Ball Flooring travertine tiles chairs from John Lewis Bar stools Bombo from John Lewis extension design Chris Jones at Jones associates. For stockists see page 57

“He was brilliant. He didn’t insist, but simply suggested that this would be what he’d do,” remembers Jane. “We had visited his studio where he showed us one or two alternatives, but he had a vision and we’re glad we listened. i would never have chosen the darker walls in a million years without his advice but i love it. it’s different and original and really easy to live with.”

finishing Touch: narrow island “With all the space we had we could have had a wider island, but we wanted the curved cupboard at the end which restricts the width we could go to. Now that we’ve got it I’m really glad that it’s narrow because I can reach right across when I’m cleaning up and when the kids all sit on one side, so they can easily pass stuff across to me.”

“The design of the working

space is absolutely spot on. It works so well and that’s become more

apparent the more I use it.”

i didn’t go for really high-spec appliances,just the most basic versions of a decent make. i’m glad i stuck to that and spent the money on the design and the kitchen itself


The designer: tim Moss is a much sought-after designer whose reputation has grown from local word-of-mouth success to attract clients across the country. His work is characterised by an understated simplicity of line, and a natural pallet of quality materials. Styles range from the classic to the contemporary, many featuring tim’s trademark fine steel-mesh panelling. So what kind of kitchen would he create for this extraordinary house? Over to tim…

The plan: “it’s a beautiful house but the layout doesn’t really reflect the way we live our lives today with the kitchen separated from the main living areas. to remedy this i would suggest extending the house in order to incorporate a spacious hallway, a generous downstairs cloakroom and shower,

If you were to become the owner of a rare and beautiful Regency Villa in Muswell Hill, what kind of kitchen would you install? Sometimes it’s hard to leave everything to the imagination, which is why award-winning local estate agents JHK called upon the services of top kitchen designer, Tim Moss

The projecT: currently on the market, this imposing late Regency Villa will undoubtedly make someone an incredible home. however, if the new owners wanted to bring the house in line with the way many modern families live today, what changes could be made to the layout, and what kind of kitchen would work in such a unique property?

eXPert ADViCe SPONSORED EDITORIAL

a home office and a large formal dining and living area. While the new kitchen would still be a separate room it would be more fluid with wider openings making it a more social house. “i approached this design from my own personal taste, and because i’d like a lovely working kitchen that benefits from the morning light, i’d move it to the front of the house which has a beautiful outlook.

“the kitchen i’ve created incorporates everything you’d need: ovens; steamers; big fridges; two sinks; a huge island with plenty of work surface, and it’s all very ergonomic. it has a contemporary feel but it still feels right for this building. i’d use neutral greys and blues – not necessarily from the regency palette per se, but i would allude to them with gentler versions to create a kitchen worthy of such a special house.”

Grand design“I’d like a

lovely working kitchen that benefits from the morning light, so I’d move it to the front of the house which has

a beautiful outlook.”

the new kitchen would provide ample space for a dining area as well as a breakfast bar at the generous island.

BeLoW: on the left is the ground floor as it is currently, and right, with tim’s proposed changes


For more info call: JHK

020 8883 5485

Central Muswell Hill £ 2,500,000 FreeholdA rare opportunity to acquire this imposing double fronted “late Regency” villa, circa 1830’s, incorporating a wealth of architectural features, combined with a smart and tasteful modern restoration. 4100 sq. ft. of living space provides a delightful family home for the 21st Century. Situated right in the heart of Muswell Hill, in a conservation area, nestled behind established trees, is a deep, secluded 80 ft. front garden and carriage driveway, leading to this impressive house, Set on a large plot of 1/3 rd of an acre, which is spread over 3 fl oors and has 5 double bedrooms - one with an en suite bathroom and a large, adjacent dressing room - 4 expansive reception rooms, including a drawing room, a spacious study/morning room and a separate formal dining room plus a family sized kitchen/breakfast room. There is a large playroom/games room - on the lower ground fl oor - with a utility area and a wine cellar. The house also provides a stunning, approximately 200ft. long, south westerly facing garden - benefi ting from all day sunshine - and a generously sized garage, opening from the ample parking spaces on the carriage driveway.


From a dark, dingy basement to a bright family kitchen, Lucy has created a chilled-out haven at the heart of their home...

Cool & calm

06nAtUrAL StYLe CrouCh End

hen Lucy and Mark first moved into their elegant

Victorian house, it was in dire need of some t.L.C. Having been divided up into several bedsits and a flat for many years, their challenge was to restore it to its former glory as a family home. Perhaps the biggest part of this challenge was to transform the basement into a kitchen and dining area.

“it was originally a flat down here,” Lucy remembers, “and where the kitchen is now used to be a bedroom. it was all really disgusting and everything had to be ripped out

to create a blank space in which to work.”When it came to filling the blank space, Lucy

had a clear idea of how things should look. “i used to work on interiors magazines and i

still work in that area for tV, so i pretty much knew what i wanted, then Funktional Kitchens helped me to make the most of the space.”

One of the challenges the designers at Funktional had to deal with was a chimney-breast along the main wall which, for structural reasons, couldn’t be removed.

“they suggested we put half-depth storage units in front of it so that we could have a flat-


PH

OtO

S: M

AR

tin

BL

Ac

k

fronted run of units the entire length of the room,” explains Lucy. “it means the chimney-breast disappears, which for this style of kitchen works well. if i’d wanted a more traditional kitchen then it might have been nice to feature the chimney- breast, but for the contemporary design it was better to disguise it.”

With this problem solved, the next priority for Lucy’s new kitchen was to incorporate as much storage as possible.

“the house we lived in before had a really small kitchen and i was fed up with having nowhere to put anything. now i’ve actually got a

cupboard that just has plastic bags in it! it makes it really easy to keep the room looking neat – a quick wipe over and it looks great because everything can be stored out of the way.”

Being a north-facing basement space, when it came to colour choices for the kitchen and walls, Lucy realised there was only one way to go.

“i wanted to make it feel as light as possible, so white was the obvious choice.”

“I wanted to make the

room as light as possible, so white was the obvious

choice.”


Seen Something you like? here’S where to buykitchen design Funktional Kitchens using Hacker Systemat kitchen in Antique white with inset handle M200 Worktops Silestone Blanco Zeus. extractor

elica platinum pendant Appliances Siemens sink and tap Blanco Subline siligranit sink with Blanco eye BM5300 tap in brushed steel Flooring and splashback: 80cm polished limestone from Checkalow poster from Little Paris, Crouch end. For stockists see page 57

Another successful design feature of the finished kitchen happened pretty much by accident.

“i couldn’t decide what kind of splash-back to have and then i realised that we had some floor tiles left over,” Lucy explains. “Using four of these on the wall seemed like the cheapest and most effective solution, and because the light hits it in a different way to the floor it doesn’t look exactly the same.”

the mirrors above the wall units were then introduced to throw some light around the room, add some depth and make the ceiling appear a bit higher.

”Originally the idea was to have colour up there because we do have a lot of colour elsewhere in the house, but i was keen to keep this room neutral and calm.”

the only exception to this plan was the

06nAtUrAL StYLe CrouCh End

introduction of a bold colour to the dining room wall along with the vibrant framed poster.

“i tend to change the dining room wall colour fairly regularly,” says Lucy. “it allows me to update the look of the room quickly and easily. if i fancy a change or fall for a new colour it’s so easy to paint - in an hour or so it’s done which is very satisfying.”

i love the vibrant colours of this poster and the fact that it adds a bit of character and humour to the room.the table and

chairs are hand-me-downs and a bit scruffy now, but i like the mix of old and new.

i knew i wanted an island with a breakfast bar because i knew it would make life so much easier being able to feed the kids up here

FiniShing touch: deSigner extractor“I’m not keen on big solid hoods, especially over an island because they interrupt the flow of the kitchen and block out quite a lot of light, so I chose this one as it works as both a light and a recycling extractor. It’s by Elica, the same company who make the big crystal ones but this is the simplest one that they do. It has different light settings on it which can change the mood of the kitchen and has proved to be one of my favourite things in here.”


07bold colour BELSIZE PARK

PH

oto

S: M

AR

tin

BL

Ac

k

the glossy acrylic parapan cabinetry is moisture and fade-resistant, plus it’s a solid surface so any marks can be polished out, making it really practical


As an artist, there was one thing Belinda Nathan definitely wasn’t afraid to use when planning her new kitchen… colour!

Pretty in pink

if you’d like more information about Belinda’s art and exhibitions, go to www.belinda.org.uk

There’s no question that opting for a pink kitchen was a bold decision by belinda, but it’s certainly one she doesn’t regret.

“i moved into the flat 15 years ago and the whole place was very white and minimalistic, but when i retired i took up painting and as a result my flat became very colourful because i displayed my work on the walls. i also seemed to be drawn to pink in particular and began introducing elements of it into my kitchen. i painted the walls pink, i started buying pink accessories, and it developed from there.”

When belinda then decided it was time to give her kitchen a revamp last year, surely there was only ever going to be one colour choice?

“Actually, originally i was going to have white units and keep the walls pink, but when


spindle table lamp base, £60, habitatspindle table lamp base, £60, habitat

styleSteal the

07bold colourBELSIZE PARK

the kitchen design company i was working with told me about a range of hot pink kitchen cabinetry, i had to go for it. they might not be everyone’s cup of tea, but as i’ve only used them on one run of cupboards they’re not overpowering and it makes me smile every time i walk into this room.”

As well as having a positive effect on her mood, belinda’s new kitchen has other advantages.

“i didn’t have much workspace before but moving everything around has allowed me to accommodate more. i’m not into having lots of fi tted cupboards, so instead i use open shelving

i bought this table from habitat.it looks great and i use it as an extra work surface because it’s so easy to clean.

“I realise it won’t be

everyone’s cup of tea, but it makes

me smile every time I walk into

this room.”

style kitchenaid Artisan stand Mixer, Rasberry ice, £419, John Lewis

BeLoW LeFt: kenwood lMix Boutique 2-slice toaster, pink, £39.99, John Lewis

Mug, £9.99, Gettingpersonal.co.uk

Lima pedal bin, £20, habitat

Mug, £9.99, Gettingpersonal.co.uk

Lima pedal bin, £20, habitat


SEEN SOMETHING YOU LIKE?HERE’S WHERE TO BUYhot pink parapan units by Kitchens Kitchens.

Worksurface, blanco Zeus Silestone. splashback, 8mm stainless steel, Alco. classic undermounted single-bowl butler sink in white, Shaws of darwen. ionian Bridge mixer tap in nickel with deck mounted porcelain levers, Perrin & rowe. Mini trifl ow c-spout fi lter tap in chrome, Franke. Dual-fuel single-oven range cooker in stainless steel, Smeg. Freestanding Microwave, Whirlpool. Freestanding fridge freezer, Smeg. Fully integrated dishwasher and fully-integrated washer dryer, both neff. Artisan stand Mixer in cranberry, KitchenAid. chairs in Fuchsia, Patricia urquiola for Kartell from John lewis. classic radiator, bisque. For stockists see page 57.

FINISHING TOUCH: MIXING OLD WITH NEW “The bench is an heirloom from my grandmother and I remember hiding in it as a little girl during games of hide and seek. I’ve always made space for it in every home I’ve lived in and I love the fact that it now has pride of place in the kitchen. It’s also very practical as the seat lifts up to provide extra storage.”

where i can display my possessions. i love the simplicity of it and they provide ample storage.”

the result is a contemporary, comfortable and functional kitchen with quirky touches that set it apart from the crowd, and having lived with it for a over a year now, belinda is more than happy with the decisions she’s made.

“the only negative thing is that i used to paint in here and now i don’t because i wouldn’t want to make a mess! However, it makes up for that by providing a pretty good gallery space in which to display my art!”

creative tops ‘iced Fancies’ Large cake tin, £15, Debenhams

Marie therese chandelier, Multi-coloured, £70, tesco Direct

casa Dining table, from £945, heals

kartell Frilly chair crystal by patricia Urquiola,

£128.50, heals

great idea!

“I was thrilled with the chandeliers when I fi rst spotted

them as I knew they would work perfectly in the

room.”

Berber stripe cushion, €35, paul costelloe. Union Jack

cushion, £45, John Lewis

creative tops ‘iced Fancies’ Large cake tin, £15, Debenhams


BUILDING WORK With the help of their contractor, Ed Windsor from Urban Design Build, Paul and Miri saved a lot of money and reduced their use of concrete by employing a new technique for building a one-storey extension.

“Building regulations usually demand that you dig down at least 3m for the foundations of a new one-storey extension,” Ed explains. “This would have meant moving tons of mud through the house into skips and then having it removed, as well as pouring tons of concrete. This method could have taken weeks and would have cost approximately £16,000. Instead, with Building Regs approval, we used a metal rod piling system that meant we didn’t have to dig down at all. The rods get hammered into the ground and you then build the extension on the top of that. This reduced the cost to under £7,000 and we did the whole thing in three days.”

INSULATION One of the biggest heat losses in any house is through the external walls, so Make my Home Green suggested that Paul and Miri should insulate the internal walls before re-plastering them, as well as insulating under the fl oor.

HOW TO…

create an eco-friendly kitchen

NEED TO KNOW

If you’re planning a new kitchen as part of a building project, this could be a good opportunity for you to ‘up’ your green credentials and save yourself money in the long run

For local couple Paul and Miri, their eco-friendly kitchen adventure began when they bought a house in Muswell Hill that was in need of total refurbishment. They knew they wanted to do this

in as sustainable and environmentally friendly way as possible but they also wanted to live in a beautiful, stylish and comfortable house without spending a fortune. Here are some of the ways they achieved their goals…

HAVING A GREEN AUDITFaced with such a massive project Paul and Miri called in architects to help draw up plans for the re-fi t, and with these in place they turned to the Low Impact Living Initiative (LILI) for advice. “LILI have a great website and they offer advice on how to make your home as green as possible,” explains Paul. “They suggested we conduct a ‘green audit’ via a company called Make

My Home Green which lets you know how the house is currently performing and what you

can do to improve its effi ciency and lowimpact status. They then advise where best to concentrate your efforts. In a case like ours the whole house was a bit of a ‘green disaster’,” says Miri. “We had our work cut out and limited budgets, so the audit was a great way to prioritise

where to target our resources to get the maximum impact in terms of the return.”

“The whole house was a bit of

a ‘green disaster’, so the audit was a great way

to prioritise where to target our resources to

get a maximum return.”


HOW TO…

create an eco-friendly kitchen HEATING A new boiler with an external

weather compensator was installed which offers fuel savings by taking into account the external temperature and reducing the boiler heat output accordingly. The radiators also all have thermostats and aluminium backing, both of which help improve effi ciency.

LIGHTING All new lights installed within the house are eco-friendly and effi cient too. Standard halogen lights are approximately 50 watts and will last between 3-4000 hours. The lights Paul and Miri installed are 7 watts and will last for 45,000 hours!

“That’s a huge cost saving in terms of your electricity bill and you don’t have to do any maintenance on them,” Paul explains.

SOLAR PANELS Builder Ed Windsor is convinced that within six year’s time the cost of installing Solar Panels will drop dramatically and the techniques for installing them will also improve. “They have already come down by about 30% so even without grants, in another two year’s time there will almost be parity with what you’re paying on the grid. If you’re having your roof re-done anyway it’s a no-brainer to stick PV solar panels on as it’s less than an eight-year payback.”

RECYCLINGThroughout the build, Paul and Miri tried to re-use materials as much as possible. “The amount of wood that’s ripped out of a place on a re-fi t is incredible,” explains Ed, “so it made sense for any waste wood to be stacked outside ready for Paul and Miri to to use for their new woodburner. This meant we didn’t have the cost of £600-700 in skips and Paul had ‘free’ wood.”

“We also re-used the original fl oorboards in the dining room even though it wouldn’t match the new fl oor in the kitchen,” says Miri, “but that doesn’t bother me. I’m happy with that compromise.”

MORE INFO:Low Impact Living Initiative: www.lowimpact.org [email protected]

Make My Home Green: www.makemyhomegreen.com 020 7502 0999 [email protected]

Urban Design build: www.urbandesignbuild.co.uk 01923 253 [email protected]

Muswell Hill Sustainability

Group: Join the online forum

http:/mhsgroup.ning.com or go to

the website, http:/mhsgroup.org.

THE FINISHED RESULT“Many people are put off trying to adopt a ‘green’ attitude when it comes to home improvements because they assume it’s all

or nothing,” says Miri. “What appeals to people when they hear our story is that they realise you can just take on board the

elements that work for you, which is better than doing nothing at all. It’s simply about incorporating the green aspect into your plans along with your considerations for budget and style. We

didn’t feel pressured by LILI into doing everything green, they just helped us to make decisions we were comfortable with.”

It’s hard to believe that this is the same kitchen! Now that it’s fi nished, Paul and Miri can enjoy their new home with a clear conscience.


Warm & welcoming

08family friendly muswell HIll

Because there are so many of us, it’s great having a double sink. i also like the fact that it’s in a traditional ‘butlers sink’ style combined with the modern worktop


It looks beautiful, it’s functional and it has all the mod cons, but for Celia, one of the best things about her kitchen is that it often plays host to some very important guests…

PH

OtO

S: M

AR

tin

BL

Ac

k

i t’s not unusual to want a kitchen where you can relax and entertain guests, but for Celia having a space in which to do this has proved to be especially

rewarding. “One of my children has learning disabilities,” Celia explains, “and i felt extremely isolated during her younger years. i would have loved some kind of support, so as soon as i had the opportunity to do so i started a weekly session called The Challenge Group held at the local church hall. mums (or dads) can come along with their children with additional needs and it’s a place where the kids can have a



normal playgroup experience, and the parents can relax, chat, have a cup of tea and some home- made cakes, and even get a free massage while someone else looks after their child. it’s a huge thing for these parents, because it’s time when they can switch off or get things off their chest. in the holidays when i haven’t got a big enough team to hold the group at the church, i invite everyone to my home and the kids play in the room next door while the parents hang out in the kitchen – that’s when this space really comes into its own.”

Having a sizeable kitchen was important to Celia for other reasons too.

“We’re a big family with four children,” she explains, “and when the kitchen was more of a squashed set-up we didn’t spend much time together. When the kids came home from school they’d just whizz up to their rooms and disappear. Since we’ve had the new kitchen it does feel much more like the hub of the home. now all the kids come in here to do their homework and we spend a lot more time together.”

However, achieving this family-friendly and welcoming environment was no mean feat – it required extending the back of the house.

“We realised that we either had to go ultra-modern with the extension and kitchen or aim to keep it in line with the rest of the house which is turn of the century. We’re not really ‘ultra-modern’ people so we aimed to keep things traditional and tried wherever possible to match the existing style of the original house. marston & langinger designed the extension and they recommended the builders, d&m Building Contracts, who were fab.”

With the light-filled and airy extension in place, the time came to install a kitchen to complement the space.

“We wanted something simple but homely, and not too cold-looking. We chose John lewis of Hungerford to design the kitchen, and i enrolled the help of local company, Sally Bourne interiors, to help me with the colour choices. it was lovely to be able to use local companies.”

With a big space to work with, on the

My husband George made this big table and it was great to be able to finally move it in here so that we could use it together as a family.

Finishing touch: AccEnt WALL“Putting the wallpaper on one wall was my idea. I was driving home from school with the kids when I saw this paper (Wisteria by Farrow & Ball) in a shop window in Hampstead. Because we have a lot of wisteria growing around the back of the house and the colours were a perfect match with the rest of the kitchen, I guessed it would look great there, and I’m really pleased that we did it - it looks great with the mirror.”


1 thE Light AnD thE coLours - it ALWAys sEEms VEry rEstFuL AnD cALm For such A busy room 2 i LoVE thE EyE-LEVEL oVEns Which mEAn you Don’t hAVE to constAntLy bEnD DoWn to gEt things in AnD out 3 it’s thE PErFEct EntErtAining sPAcE – it’s homELy AnD WELcoming AnD hAs A grEAt AtmosPhErE


“Since we’ve had the new

kitchen it does feel much more like the hub of the home. Now we seem to spend more time

together as a family.”


sEEn somEthing you LikE? hErE’s WhErE to buyFramed shaker cabinetry by John lewis of Hungerford in JlH earl Grey

and Hardwick White by farrow & Ball Worktops light coloured with mirror flecks, new diamante, Quartz hob miele ovens neff extractor elica ceramic double butler sink John lewis of Hungerford phoenician mixer tap with lever handles and separate rinse in a brushed steel, finish, Perrin & rowe Mirror and chandelier from Of Special interest in Crouch end Wallpaper Wisteria BP 2203 farrow & Ball. For stockists see page 57.

surface it appeared to be a fairly straightforward job, but apparently the biggest challenge for Jacinta, the kitchen designer at John lewis of Hungerford, was that Celia and her husband George had a habit of changing their minds.

“Jacinta was amazing though,” laughs Celia, “and extremely patient and accommodating when we’d say, ‘what if it was likes this? Or how about like that?’. Originally we thought about having the kitchen more l-shaped, so she drew up plans for that – then we realised that we’d prefer it this way. thankfully she didn’t mind going back to the drawing board, and it was the right thing to do because now it has a great feeling of space and openness, so we’re glad we persevered. i couldn’t be happier with the finished article.”

if you’d like to find

out more about the

challenge Group or

would like to donate,

please go to www.

challengeplaygroup.

org.uk for details.

i love the pull-out larders and cupboards – it meansthat tins and jars don’t getabandoned at the back.


the Miele hob is much bigger than the one we had before which is a real bonus.


Wisteria Bp 2203 wallpaper, £88 per roll, Farrow and ball

Winter 2012 i top 10 kitchens

great idea!if you’re on the hunt for period accessories or

furnishings, try your local auction

house

Farrow and Ball paints from £32.50 for 2.5 litres

provencal slim Mirror, £325, the French Bedroom

company

BeLoW: kris Dining table, from £1595, and bench, from

£795, both heals

newgate camden Market clock, £75, Leekes

nespresso 190 citiZ and Milk

coffee Machine by Magimix, cream,

£179.99, John Lewis

FAR LeFt: Wooden heart, £6, Matalan

LeFt: Dualit 2-slice toaster, £142, heals

elle 12 Arm French silver chandelier, £375, from Alexander & pearl

lime WHite

HardWiCK WHite

manOr HOUSe Grey

styleSteal the

Central Muswell Hill £ 1,950,000 FreeholdSituated in one of Muswell Hill’s most prestigious Avenues, is an impressive Edwardian semi linked, house, spread over 3 floors, which retains masses of original features, including stained glass windows, decorative fretwork, door features and fireplaces. The house has 5 double bedrooms - one with a fitted en suite bathroom and a white fitted utility room/kitchenette - and another a huge loft bedroom - with an abundance of extra potential - 3 reception rooms and a spacious dining room leading to a smartly fitted kitchen. Also an interesting hallway with a large original stained glass panel, a family bathroom, a downstairs bathroom and a separate downstairs shower room, gas central heating, a Tradesmen’s entrance, an approximately 65ft. long, South Westerly facing, split level, landscaped garden and off street parking for 2 or 3 cars at the front of the house.

Central Muswell Hill £1,900,000 FreeholdIn one of the most prestigious of Muswell Hill’s tree lined crescents, only moments walk from the heart of the Broadway, is an expansive Edwardian double fronted and semi linked house, retaining many original features and fireplaces, which is priced to allow for some updating and redecoration. The house has 8 bedrooms - 2 currently kitchens, with good potential to convert into en suite bathrooms - 3 generous reception rooms, a kitchen/dining room, 3 bathrooms and 2 separate loo’s, gas central heating and a wide, approximately 40ft. long, Westerly facing garden.

Muswell Hill N10 £1,499,950 FreeholdIn a tree lined road, is an expansive 1920’s built, “Arts & Crafts style” semi-linked house, retaining many original period features and fireplaces, which has 4 good sized bedrooms - one with a dressing room and en suite shower room - 3 spacious reception rooms, a large kitchen and a separate dining room. The house has an impressive entrance hall, a family bathroom and a downstairs loo, a huge loft - with potential for conversion to an extra bedroom with en suite - and gas central heating. Also a spacious garage and off-street parking for 2 or 3 cars - and a wide, 137ft. long, South Westerly facing garden, with a large “Summer house”. The house is situated within walking distance of good local schools, Muswell Hill Broadway, and close to bus routes towards Alexandra Palace Main Line Station, or Bounds Green Tube Station for speedy journeys to the City and West End.

Muswell Hill N10 £950,000 FreeholdA semi detached, 1920’s built house, which has been totally refurbished to a high standard, and encases 5 bedrooms - one with an en suite shower room - 2 reception rooms - one opening to the raised dining terrace - and a lovely, white fitted kitchen/diner. There is also a family bathroom, gas central heating, an alarm system, a North Westerly facing lawned garden - with a useful pathway to the single garage, plus off street parking. The house is conveniently situated to good local shops and bus transport and also within ‘uphill’ walking distance of Muswell Hill Broadway with its associated shopping and transport facilities, including bus routes to Highgate and East Finchley Tube Stations - for speedy journeys to the City and West End


Thanks to a clever extension and some smart design, David and Amanda’s galley kitchen has been transformed into a light and welcoming space...

Small wonder

09StYLiSH GALLeY MUSWELL HILL

L ooking at David and Amanda’s kitchen now, it’s hard to imagine it as anything other than light,

bright and inviting. “it was a fair bit smaller before and not connected to the garden,” David explains. “A friend who hadn’t been round for ages came to see us the other day and he said, ‘i can’t remember exactly what it was like before but it always seemed rather dark.’ now we have these lovely big windows that open up onto the garden and sky, and the way the sun moves round we now capture a big chunk of it.”

With the help of architect Oliver Burston the small, dark kitchen certainly underwent some big changes.

“We knew it wasn’t ever going to be huge, but as much as possible we wanted to get a light and airy feel to it, which in turn drove a very simple design with no fussiness,” says David. “We were also concerned about it appearing tunnel-like, so we added curved kitchen units and worktops to ensure it flowed through to the garden which seems to have worked quite well. Beyond that, we wanted to keep things fairly neutral, so we chose a lot of grey colours to go with the oak doors, then spiced it up a bit with the coloured chairs at the end. they’re a brand called Frovi and are actually for the commercial market, but i think they work very well in here.”

We love the window at the end as it gives an ever-changing view into the garden making it a great feature.

the fact that the ceramic flooring isn’t completely plain is quite a plus as it doesn’t show up everylast little piece of dirt.


PH

OtO

S: M

AR

tin

BL

Ac

k

“The paint on the walls is

actually a very, very pale grey - not white - which creates a feeling

of space without being too clinical.”


09StYLiSH GALLeYMUSWELL HILL

to fi nalise the design, David and Amanda chose C&C Kitchens.

“We decided fairly early on that we wanted to use oak because we wanted a timeless look,” Amanda explains, “and C&C Kitchens use the manufacturer Burbridge who we knew were very good quality. they were one of several companies we talked to who came up with designs, but they were the people we felt most comfortable with.”

Victoria, the designer at C&C who worked on the kitchen, suggested that the wall units should be framed with elliptical pilasters which softened the corners, and to the right of the hob and at the end of the sink run they also fi nished with a curved base unit to soften the corners as you walk into the room. Clever storage solutions included two 35-litre bins in the base unit to the right of the sink, and a 500mm-wide tall tandem larder unit to the left of the oven for all foods. to make the absolute most of the storage space available, tall and wall units were used at maximum height and the space between the ceiling and furniture was minimal.

“it was tough doing without a kitchen for a while,” Amanda remembers, “but the results are worth it.”

Completed last September, the kitchen has since been put through its paces and is living up to expectations.

“We cook and entertain a fair bit and it’s a great space to work in,” says David. “We also love the fact it’s ended up very much as we intended it. it’s a clean look and it’s got a decent quality to it. it’s also timeless and as we’re not in the business of changing things at the drop of a hat, we’re confi dent that it will last the course.”

great idea! “The curves at each end of the units give the

kitchen a much softer

feel.”

SEEN SOMETHING YOU LIKE? HERE’S WHERE TO BUYArchitect Oliver Burston Architects cabinetry Burbridge Lansdowne natural Oak

supplied and fi tted by C&C Kitchens handles Boss, stainless steel effect Worktop Silestone ‘Chrome’ Platinum range Appliances neFF Double oven U15e42nOGB; Microwave C54L70noGB; Gas Hob t66S66nO; extractor D79M55nOGB DW. sink: Blanco Supreme 1.5 um bowl tap Blanco Linus S with pull out spray Chrome fi nish ceramic fl ooring from Checkalow. For stockists see page 57

WINTER 2012 i top 10 kitchens 57

DESIGNERS/ARchItEctS/BuIlDERSl Burston Architects 46 Cromwell Avenue, N6 5HL

020 8365 2202. www.burstonarchitects.co.ukl c&c kitchens 797 Great Cambridge Road, Enfield EN1 3PN.

020 8363 7244. www.candckitchens.co.uk l D&M Building contracts Ltd 4 Mineral Close, Barnet, Herts, EN5

2PQ. 07939 916 335l Funktional kitchens 142 Crouch Hill, Crouch End N8 9DX.

020 8341 2020. www.funktionalkitchens.co.ukl John Lewis of hungerford 108 Fortis Green Road, Muswell Hill,

N10 3HN. 020 8815 0732. www.john-lewis.co.ukl Jones Associates Architects Studio 25, Bickerton House, N19 5JT.

020 7281 3634 www.jones-associates.co.ukl kitchen Architecture Ltd 145 - 149 Lower Richmond Rd, Putney,

SW15 1EZ. 020 8785 1960; 274 Banbury Road, Oxford, OX2 7DY.

01865 426990. www.kitchenarchitecture.co.ukl kitchens kitchens 75 Haverstock Hill, Belsize Park, NW3 4SL.

020 7483 0201. www.kitchenskitchens.co.ukl Lambert Welch kitchens 59 Muswell Hill Road, N10 3JB.

020 8444 6777. www.lambertwelchkitchendesign.co.ukl Marston & Langinger 194 Ebury Street, SW1 8UP. 020 7881 5700.

www.marston-and-langinger.coml Modus kitchens 95 Chamberlayne Road, Kensal Rise, NW10 3ND.

0208 969 8848. www.moduskitchens.coml neil Lerner kitchens 487-489 Finchley Road, NW3 6HS. 020 7433

0705. www.neillerner.com l Roundhouse 146 Upper Street, Islington, N1 1QY. 020 7704 8260.

www.roundhousedesign.coml tim Moss kitchens 326 Dukes Mews, Muswell Hill, N10 2QN. 020

8444 9911. www.timmoss.co.uk

SuPPlIERSl Alco www.alcoeng.co.uk 01805 622 461l Abode www.abodedesigns.co.uk 01226 283434l Bisque www.bisque.co.uk 020 7328 2225l Blanco www.blanco.co.uk 0844 912 0100l B&B italia www.bebitalia.it l caleido www.caleido.bc.it l checkalow www.checkalow.co.uk 020 8347 0396l corian By Dupont www.corian.co.uk 0800 962 116l Danetti www.danetti.com 020 3026 6394l Debenhams www.Debenhams.coml Denby www.denby.co.uk 01773 740899l Dinesen www.dinesen.com 020 7455 2140l Dormbracht www.dormbracht.com

stockists l elica www.elica.co.uk 01252 351111l Farrow & Ball www.farrow-ball.com 020 7351 0273l Fci www.contemporary-furniture-london.co.uk 020 8961 7780 l Franke www.franke.co.uk 0160 436 6280l Gaggenau www.gaggenau.co.uk 0844 892 8988l habitat www.habitat.co.uk 0844 499 1111l hansgrohe www.hansgrohe.co.uk 01372 472001l heals www.heals.co.uk 0870 024 0780l house of Fraser www.houseoffraser.co.uk 0845 602 1073l insinkerator www.insinkerator.co.uk 0800 389 3715l John Lewis www.johnlewis.com 0845 604 9049 l Joseph Joseph www.josephjoseph.com 020 7261 1800l kohler www.kohler.co.uk 0844 571 0048l kWc www.swisslinelondon.co.uk 020 8675 9335l Liebherr www.liebherr.co.uk 0844 412 2655l Little paris www.littleparis.co.uk 020 8340 9008 l Marks & spencer www.marksandspencer.com 0845 609 0200

(furniture) 0845 302 1234 (other products)l Miele www.miele.co.uk 01235 554455l M&s Aluminium Ltd 01491 680 600 l next www.next.co.uk 0844 844 8000l of special interest www.osi.co.uk 020 8340 0909l neff www.neff.co.uk 0844 892 8989l perrin & Rowe www.triflowconcepts.com 01708 526361l Quooker www.quooker.com 0845 164 5507l sally Bourne interiors www.sallybourneinteriors.co.uk 020 8444 3031l shaws of Darwen www.shawsofdarwen.com 0844 840 4529 l siemens www.siemens-home.co.uk 0844 892 8999 l silestone www.silestone.co.uk l smeg www.smeguk.com 0844 557 9907l skandium www.skandium.com

020 7935 2077l sterling www.sterlingdistribution.

co.uk 01684 299555 l Vitra www.vitra.com

020 7608 6200l Whirlpool www.whirlpool.

co.uk 0844 815 8989l Zip www.zipheaters.co.uk

We are able to bring you this magazine for free - and will do so in the future - thanks to the support of our advertisers, so if you do make enquiries about any products or services you’ve seen in this issue, please make sure you mention that you read about them in Top 10 Kitchens magazine.SEE you foR ANothER INSPIRAtIoNAl RouND-uP of locAl kItchENS IN MAy 2012!

GuARANtEE youR NEXt coPy

of toP 10 kItchENS!Top 10 Kitchens magazine is distributed

to selected houses in Hampstead, Highgate, Muswell Hill, Crouch End, Kensal Rise and East Finchley as well as selected venues. If you would like to guarantee that each issue is delivered

directly to your door, please contact us at [email protected]

for more details.

Don’t forget…


10multi-functional STANMORE

Ph

oto

s: J

ak

e F

itz

Jon

es

sty

lis

t: D

ian

a B

ur

tt

Michelle always knew what she wanted from the perfect kitchen, and now she had the opportunity to put those plans in place…

Living the dream

all the appliances are Gaggenau – we’ve got a steam oven, a combi microwave and a main oven


E very morning when i come downstairs it’s a such a treat to walk into my new kitchen,” smiles michelle. “it really is a

dream fulfi lled.” having lived in their house for six years,

michelle and her husband mark decided it was time to embark on some major home refurbishments which involved some ambitious plans for their kitchen.

“We didn’t have any external work done,” michelle explains, “but we did knock down internal walls and moved the kitchen from one side of the house to the other so that we could incorporate an open-plan seating area.”

the prospect of embarking on such a big project might have intimidated some people, but not michelle who relished the opportunity of getting stuck into the scheme.

“i enjoyed doing it because i love taking on interiors projects - i have a real passion for them. We employed an architect to draw

up the offi cial plans to send to the council for building regulations, but we instructed him as to what to do as we had a very clear idea of what we wanted.”

this clear vision extended to the kitchen design. michelle knew she wanted as much workspace as possible and that she would keep to neutral cream colours with one accent colour.

“When i think of a kitchen i think of salads and fresh fruit such as green apples and limes,” she explains. “i think lime green is such a ‘kitcheny’ colour so i chose that as my accent colour.”

to help create her new dream kitchen, michelle worked with designer eve turner from neil lerner Kitchens. “i was confi dent about where everything should go and what appliances i wanted so that side of things all fell into place quite naturally, but eve can take 100% of the credit for the display and storage on the back wall and around the tV. i knew i wanted built-in cupboards there, but i didn’t want something that looked too boxy.

great idea! Being able to sit around the

breakfast bar on all sides is good

for casual dining

all the furniture in the living space we had from before. it’s modular so we could re-jig it to work in the new space.

the mirrors were displayed like this in our last tV room so we just transferred them into the new space. they work really well as they refl ect the rest of the kitchen.


10multi-functionalSTANMORE

i love this wenge wood panel behind the tV as it provides contrast to the off-white cupboard doors

“Now I have extra space to put away all of

my grandchildren’s toys when they’re

not playing with them.”


“eve came up with the quirky idea of it not being totally symmetrical. they are push-front cupboards which give me loads of storage room for my crockery and glassware, plus extra space to put away all my grandchildren’s toys when they’re not playing with them.” another family-friendly idea is the breakfast bar located at the end of the island. “this is a real bonus, especially at the moment as i have my daughter, son-in-law and baby granddaughter living with us and we often find ourselves perching on the breakfast bar together for casual dining. Because we can sit around it – not in a line – it makes it far more sociable. it’s also great for when friends pop round for a coffee. i enjoy having people in my home, i enjoy entertaining, and my house is usually filled with people. now i have the perfect kitchen in which to welcome them.”

Finishing Touch: DecoraTive sTorage “This dark wooden shelving unit is located opposite the door to our formal lounge/dining room and I didn’t want to come from that room into the kitchen to see a plain white wall. I wanted something decorative to give impact, but something more than a picture. Eve from Neil Lerner came up with this design which is simple, but I think very effective. I knew I wanted to introduce some wood into the kitchen and this seemed to be a great way to do it. I can move things around and chop and change the ornaments when the mood takes me. Sometimes when I’ve bought flowers I’ll put those in there too.”

seen someThing you like? here’s where To buy kitchen installed and designed by neil lerner

Kitchens taps Gessi ovale monobloc mixers from sterling sinks Blancocaron 450-u sink and Blancocaron 180-u undermounted from Blanco Worktop caesarstone latte 2350. Green glass splash from neil lerner Kitchens Bar stools, dining table, dining chairs, sofas and armchairs all from fci seating collection Flooring Pietre etrusche tuscania porcelain floor tiles from checkalow appliances all Gaggenau including Bo 250 single ovens; Ws 262 warming drawers; Bs 270 combi-steam oven; Bm 271 combi-microwave oven; ci 481 induction hob; rf 413 freezer with ice and water dispenser; rc 472 fridge; rW 404 built-under wine cabinet Boiling water tap Quooker Pro3-VaQ modern Waste disposal unit evolution 200, insinkerator. For stockists go to page 57


handmade green glass diamond decanter, £65, www.jasmineway.co.uk

koloni pear Mug by Lotta kuhlhorn, £11.50, heals

umbra Mosh Multi-mirror, £64, www.redcandy.com

Lsa curve vase, lime green, £42, heals

Glass swirl ice cream bowl, lime, £19.50,

www. iapetus.co.uk

top and bottom: hand-stitched cushion covers, £32, www.fairwindonline.com Middle: heal’s Discovers symmetree cushion, £55, heals

10multi-functionalSTANMORE10multi-functionalSTANMORE

styleSteal the

handmade green glass diamond decanter, £65, www.jasmineway.co.uk

koloni pear Mug by Lotta kuhlhorn, £11.50, heals

umbra Mosh Multi-mirror, £64, www.redcandy.com

green, £42, healsgreen, £42, heals

top and bottom: hand-stitched cushion covers, £32, www.fairwindonline.com Middle: heal’s Discovers symmetree cushion, £55, healscushion, £55, heals

Glass swirl ice cream

Fluid pitcher by Georg Jensen, £295, skandium

Georg Jensen cobra

candlesticks, £95, John Lewis

top and bottom: top and bottom:

Discovers symmetree cushion, £55, healsDiscovers symmetree cushion, £55, healscushion, £55, heals

Malmo chair, black, £89, John Lewis

palocco high stool, £165, habitat

Tim Moss Bespoke kitchensshowroom at 328 Dukes Mews / London N10 2QN / 10am — 5pm

020 8444 9911 / [email protected] / www.timmoss.co.uk

Tim Moss Bespoke kitchensshowroom at 328 Dukes Mews / London N10 2QN / 10am — 5pm

020 8444 9911 / [email protected] / www.timmoss.co.uk

Top Ten Kitchens

Documents

Transcript of Top Ten Kitchens