Kitchen Tour: Rich Walnut Warms Up an Elegant, Minimal Design
Beautiful timber teamed with a shelf for favourite items proves the perfect pairing for a fuss-free but welcoming space
“This project was great to work on,” says Jayne Everett of Naked Kitchens. “The owners were lovely and their choice of finish and layout helped to create a stunning space.”
Key to the design were two elements – a minimal layout with enough storage to keep everything hidden, so it wouldn’t impinge on the rest of the open-plan room, combined with a warm aesthetic, achieved by using rich walnut and creating space to display objects.
Key to the design were two elements – a minimal layout with enough storage to keep everything hidden, so it wouldn’t impinge on the rest of the open-plan room, combined with a warm aesthetic, achieved by using rich walnut and creating space to display objects.
Central to the design is a unique island with an open, A-frame support and a chunky black marble worktop.
The worksurface is thick in order to house the gas hob. “We chose a very thick marble top and mitred it around a core,” says Jayne.
Black marble worktop, Naked Kitchens. Lab built-in gas hob, Barazza.
The worksurface is thick in order to house the gas hob. “We chose a very thick marble top and mitred it around a core,” says Jayne.
Black marble worktop, Naked Kitchens. Lab built-in gas hob, Barazza.
The structure of the walnut A-frame had to be strong enough to support the huge worktop and hob, and it also needed to hide the pipework.
To do this, the team routed out a groove inside a leg for the pipe to run down. They then concealed it with a walnut cover strip. The pipe then meets up with the gas tap below.
Along the bottom of the island is a sturdy walnut shelf where the owners can put their larger pans, bowls and other items.
Walls painted in Wevet, Farrow & Ball.
To do this, the team routed out a groove inside a leg for the pipe to run down. They then concealed it with a walnut cover strip. The pipe then meets up with the gas tap below.
Along the bottom of the island is a sturdy walnut shelf where the owners can put their larger pans, bowls and other items.
Walls painted in Wevet, Farrow & Ball.
Behind the island is a long run of units, with enough storage for everything to be stowed away and accessed easily.
An integrated dishwasher sits at the far end, next to two wide drawer cabinets.
An integrated dishwasher sits at the far end, next to two wide drawer cabinets.
The upper large drawers have been fitted with walnut internal drawers, where the owners can keep smaller items such as mugs and glassware.
“This helps to minimise the number of lines on the outside and simplify the look,” says Jayne. “There are also peg dividers in the lower ones to keep the pans and crockery in place when the drawers are opened.”
Browse a huge range of kitchen tableware in the Houzz Shop
“This helps to minimise the number of lines on the outside and simplify the look,” says Jayne. “There are also peg dividers in the lower ones to keep the pans and crockery in place when the drawers are opened.”
Browse a huge range of kitchen tableware in the Houzz Shop
On the left side of the cabinet run is a tall unit. Wall cupboards and base units sit above and below an oven, microwave and warming drawer.
A panel of wood frames the top of the cabinets, which don’t quite reach the high ceiling.
Appliances, Smeg.
A panel of wood frames the top of the cabinets, which don’t quite reach the high ceiling.
Appliances, Smeg.
The adjacent integrated fridge features a walnut handle, rather than the recessed handles elsewhere. “It gives a better pull for the heavy fridge door,” says Jayne.
“Also, if we’d gone for the recessed design, we’d have had a line running down the right-hand side,” she adds. “We thought a simple pull handle looked better.”
“Also, if we’d gone for the recessed design, we’d have had a line running down the right-hand side,” she adds. “We thought a simple pull handle looked better.”
The black marble surface on the island is offset with a white Carrara marble worktop along the wall.
“The owners were keen to have a distinctive pattern, so we went for one with a strong grey vein running through it,” says Jayne.
“Marble is a beautiful worksurface,” she adds, “but it’s essential to properly seal and finish it to provide the best protection possible.”
A simple upstand continues the minimal, unfussy look the owners were after. The double undermounted sink has been fitted with a boiling-water tap, again to minimise clutter by avoiding the need for a kettle.
Carrara marble worktop, Naked Kitchens. Double sink, Franke. Boiling-water tap, Quooker.
“The owners were keen to have a distinctive pattern, so we went for one with a strong grey vein running through it,” says Jayne.
“Marble is a beautiful worksurface,” she adds, “but it’s essential to properly seal and finish it to provide the best protection possible.”
A simple upstand continues the minimal, unfussy look the owners were after. The double undermounted sink has been fitted with a boiling-water tap, again to minimise clutter by avoiding the need for a kettle.
Carrara marble worktop, Naked Kitchens. Double sink, Franke. Boiling-water tap, Quooker.
A long walnut shelf is the perfect spot for displaying plants, artwork and utensils. An LED strip light runs along the bottom of the shelf. “It bounces light around and gives a lovely warm glow in the evening,” says Jayne.
The limed-oak herringbone flooring was already in place, and has been sealed and protected. “It sets the whole space off,” says Jayne, “and, together with the walnut, gives a warm, earthy feel to the kitchen.”
Limed-oak herringbone flooring, Istoria by Jordan Andrews.
Tell us…
What do you like about this sleek, streamlined kitchen with its soft, walnut finish? Share your thoughts in the Comments section.
The limed-oak herringbone flooring was already in place, and has been sealed and protected. “It sets the whole space off,” says Jayne, “and, together with the walnut, gives a warm, earthy feel to the kitchen.”
Limed-oak herringbone flooring, Istoria by Jordan Andrews.
Tell us…
What do you like about this sleek, streamlined kitchen with its soft, walnut finish? Share your thoughts in the Comments section.
Who lives here? A couple and their two children
Location Highgate, north London
Property A detached 1930s house with four bedrooms
Kitchen dimensions Approx 8 x 4.5m
Designer Jayne Everett of Naked Kitchens
Photos by Tim Doyle
The inspiration for this stunning kitchen was the owner’s wish for a minimal, streamlined space given a cosy feel with warm timber.
“They love walnut, so we helped them to find a wood with the right depth of colour and grain,” says Jayne. “They also wanted a very simple design, with clean lines and everything hidden away.”
The kitchen is part of a larger open-plan space, so Jayne wanted to make the units feel more like furniture than just functional pieces.
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