kitchen
The couple opted for a Tom Howley kitchen painted in pale grey with a mix of cup and knob handles, polished nickel hinges and a walnut veneer interior. “Because we wanted to maximise the use of space we built the cupboards as high as we could so that we can put the rarely-used stuff right at the top,” says Kate. “We looked at different coloured units and thought about having the island in a darker colour, but we wanted the kitchen to last and not just be a passing trend. We decided to add colour with our Le Creuset pans, cookbooks and pictures.”Another big decision was where to put the hob – on the island or the back wall. “I love to cook and Paul loves to entertain,” says Kate. “I thought that the extraction might be better on the back wall, but I didn’t want to spend my life with my back to the room. The ceiling-mounted flush extractor works really well, which is a relief.”Hartford kitchen painted in Tansy, Tom Howley. Yukon worktop, Silestone. Suffolk bar stools and Imperial nickel pendants, both Neptune. Appliances, Neff. Discover how to add colour to a white kitchen
Houzz at a Glance Who lives here Kate and Paul O’Brien, both lawyers Location Highgate, north LondonProperty A flat in a Victorian terrace in a conservation areaSize 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms and cloakroomArchitects Shinz Design ConsultancyPhotos by Simon KennedyWhat Kate and Paul O’Brien have done to their ground and first-floor apartment is truly impressive. “By extending at the back and into the side return we added just over 45 sq m of space and managed to include an extra bedroom, so now we have three,” says Kate. “And by moving the bathroom from an old extension at the back to the middle of the flat, we were able to have a kitchen that opens directly on to the garden.” The new kitchen is about three times the size of the original one. “It’s the most improved room, along with our bedroom upstairs,” says Kate.
Provide some shimmerHere’s another show-stopping look – a wall of glossy tiles in a deep emerald tone takes this plain kitchen up a level. The tiles here are made from a rich-hued terracotta and have a shiny pitted glaze that plays with the light beautifully.What do you think of square tiles? Are they a design you’re thinking of using, or have you already gone for it? Share your thoughts, ideas and photos in the Comments section.
Be bold with colourYou don’t have to stick to white, of course – a simple square tile can look stunning in a vivid colour. The green units and shelves in this kitchen have been finished off with a panel of tiles in a similar shade. It’s a brave choice, but it’s paid off and resulted in an original kitchen with bags of personality.
Pantry
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