The walls on either side of the island are cut back to the bottom of the upper cabinets which allows a full view through the kitchen. Andrea Rugg Photography

Unique Home Stays

Photo credit: Virginia Hamrick

Working with interior designer Hilary Scott, Mowlem & Co has created a stylish and sympathetic bespoke kitchen for a fascinating renovation and extension project. The impressive Victorian detached house has ‘an interesting planning history’ according to Hilary. Previously it had been bedsit accommodation with 27 units but in recent years it had become derelict and neglected, until was bought by a premiere league footballer with a view to restoring it to its former glory as a family home. Situated near the Botanic Gardens in Kew and in a conservation area, there was a significant investment and considerable planning negotiation to get it returned to a single dwelling. Hilary had worked closely with the client on previous projects and had their couple’s full trust to come up with a scheme that matched their tastes and needs. Many original features were restored or replaced to remain in keeping with the architecture, for example marble and cast iron fireplaces, panelling, cornices and architraves which were considered a key fabric of the building. The most contemporary element of the renovation is the striking double height glass extension to the rear in which the kitchen and living area are positioned. The room has wonderful views out to the garden is ideal both for family life and entertaining. The extension design involved an architect for the original plans and another to project-manage the build. Then Mowlem & Co were brought in because Hilary has worked with them for many years and says they were the natural choice to achieve the high quality of finish and bespoke joinery that was required. “They have done an amazing job,” says Hilary, “the design has certain quirky touches and an individual feel that you can only get with bespoke. All the timber has traditionally made dovetail joints and other handcrafted details. This is typical of Mowlem & Co’s work …they have a fantastic team and Julia Brown, who managed this project, is a great kitchen designer.” The kitchen has been conceived to match the contemporary feel of the new extension while also having a classic feel in terms of the finishes, such as the stained oak and exposed brickwork. The furniture has been made to bespoke proportions to match the scale of the double height extension, so that it fits the architecture. The look is clean and linear in feel and the design features specially created elements such as extra wide drawers and customised storage, and a separate walk-in pantry (plus a separate utility room in the basement). The furniture has been made in flat veneered stained oak and the seamless worktops are in Corian. Cooking appliances are by Wolf and refrigeration is by Sub-Zero. The exposed brick wall of the kitchen matches the external finishes of the brickwork of the house which can be seen through the glass extension. To harmonise, a thick glass shelf has been added, masterminded by Gary Craig of Architectural Metalworkers. This is supported by a cantilevered steel frame, so while it may look deceptively light and subtle, “a serious amount of engineering has gone into it,” according to Hilary. Mowlem & Co also created further bespoke furnishings and installations, for a dressing room plus bathrooms and cloakrooms in other parts of the house. The complexity of the project to restore the entire house took over a year to finish. As the client was transferred to another team before the renovation was complete, the property is now on the market for £9 million.

Brian Vanden Brink Photographer

Spruce Log Cabin on Down-sloping lot, 3800 Sq. Ft 4 bedroom 4.5 Bath, with extensive decks and views. Main Floor Master. Two tone kitchen with large windows and exposed logs Rent this cabin 6 miles from Breckenridge Ski Resort for a weekend or a week: https://www.riverridgerentals.com/breckenridge/vacation-rentals/apres-ski-cabin/

A full view of this welcoming room in an antique onion barn. The island in the foreground is for wash up and seating. The pine island was adapted from a chest the homeowner inherited. Great efforts were made to make an all-new island look like an old pine chest. Photo by Mary Ellen Hendricks

Alex Irvin Photography

Trent Bell

Küche mit Fronten aus alten Dielen hergestellt , Arbeitsplatte Corian , Wandverbau Verputzt Foto : Andreas Kern

Design by Bill Noval - Spyglass Design

This contemporary renovation makes no concession towards differentiating the old from the new. Rather than razing the entire residence an effort was made to conserve what elements could be worked with and added space where an expanded program required it. Clad with cedar, the addition contains a master suite on the first floor and two children’s rooms and playroom on the second floor. A small vegetated roof is located adjacent to the stairwell and is visible from the upper landing. Interiors throughout the house, both in new construction and in the existing renovation, were handled with great care to ensure an experience that is cohesive. Partition walls that once differentiated living, dining, and kitchen spaces, were removed and ceiling vaults expressed. A new kitchen island both defines and complements this singular space. The parti is a modern addition to a suburban midcentury ranch house. Hence, the name “Modern with Ranch.”

Jean Bai, Konstrukt Photo