Before and after: from jumbled layout to open-plan extension, take a look at this stunning modern kitchen makeover
Reconfiguring the main living areas of this family home transformed it from dark and dingy to a sociable space to welcome guests
When the owners of this four-bedroom 1930s house moved in, it hadn't been updated for years. The ground floor was poorly designed; as well as being greeted by the downstairs loo when you walked in the front door, the (theoretically) space-creating rear extension that housed the kitchen was dark and dated. It was far from welcoming...or practical.
The owners asked an architect to design a new extension for an open-plan kitchen and living room that overlooked the garden, and to reconfigure the rest of the space - moving the cloakroom and creating a new laundry area. Taking inspiration from the French kitchen of one of the owners' grandmothers, they chose cabinetry from Marcus Paul Kitchens.
A large island unit, topped with a luxurious marble work top, separates the kitchen from the dining and living areas, while industrial-style pendant lights zone the open-plan area further (as well as providing smart task lighting). The large paintings on the wall inspired the colour scheme in this family space, which contrasts soothing greens and energetic oranges.
The dining area has a relaxed feel, courtesy of a blend of elegant dark wood, industrial touches and traditional silverware. Situated beside a bank of full-height French doors, whose colour matches the sage green of the kitchen cabinetry and upholstery, this area has a sociable inside-outside feel that the family can enjoy all year round.
As well as handy boiling water tap in the Island, this kitchen has a nifty swivel arm tap at the wall sink - its flexibility makes food prep and washing up a breeze!
A tall cabinet at one end of the bank of kitchen units conceals a slender built-in larder. A fraction of the space of a traditional walk-in larder, this smart design is ideal for keeping store cupboard essentials organised and on-hand, whatever the recipe calls for.
The owners replaced the gloomy extension that they'd inherited with the property when they bought it, with this light-filled structure. The new rear extension - which opens out on to the garden through crittall French doors - was designed to be in keeping with the exterior of the original house.
Get the Ideal Home Newsletter
Sign up to our newsletter for style and decor inspiration, house makeovers, project advice and more.
Shopping list
Kitchen cabinetry, from £400 for a W600cm base unit, Marcus Paul Kitchens
Marble worktops, £3,200, Marcus Paul Kitchens
Miele oven, £910, Ao.com
Pendant lights, £275 each, Neptune
Boiling water tap, £1,150, Quooker
Swivel arm tap, £189, UK Bathroom Store
Mirror tiles, £28 each, Frame Emporium
What do you think of this fabulous
kitchen makeover? Have your say in the comments box.
Thea Babington-Stitt is the Managing Editor for Ideal Home. Thea has been working across some of the UK’s leading interiors titles since 2016.
She started working on these magazines and websites after graduating from City University London with a Masters in Magazine Journalism. Before moving to Ideal Home, Thea was News and Features Editor at Homes & Gardens, LivingEtc and Country Homes & Interiors. In addition to her role at Ideal Home, Thea is studying for a diploma in interior design with The Interior Design Institute.
-
Can I leave an oil filled radiator on overnight? – Here’s what you need to know
We asked the experts about the practicalities, both in terms of safety and your energy bills
By Ellis Cochrane
-
7 ways to keep your home safe from burglars if you're going away over New Year
Protect your home from thieves with this expert advice
By Amy Hodge
-
This all-white coastal house sparkles at Christmas – it has a perfect 'mix of modern and coastal elements'
This is how it's both calming and cosy all year round
By Sara Emslie
-
A dull kitchen was given an injection of colour and pattern for less than £250
Eye-popping pastels and gallery walls galore make this scheme pretty unique
By Laurie Davidson
-
A DIY fan has recreated the Friends kitchen for less than £750
So no one told you renovating was gonna be this way...
By Millie Hurst
-
An interiors lover shares her stunning white kitchen makeover
It's now the kind of room you walk into and exhale
By Millie Hurst
-
A thrifty DIY fan made a kitchen island for free out of an old set of drawers
'It took two days to complete and cost me nothing!'
By Millie Hurst
-
For less than £60 this dated kitchen was transformed into a sophisticated space
Now it's stylish and serene
By Laurie Davidson
-
Before and after: reworking the layout creates a kitchen-diner fit for family life
Rethinking the layout created a generous kitchen-diner without the need to extend the space
By Katie Garrett
-
Smart DIYer gave her plain kitchen an on-trend green makeover for just £30
A little green paint was all it took
By Laurie Davidson
-
Before and after: country kitchen makeover on a budget featuring up cycled furniture
This renovation saw the patio doors replaced with a window to create a family-friendly kitchen
By Amy Cutmore