Team KBB

Tour chef and TV presenter Clodagh McKenna’s inviting home

Posted on 9th November 2024

Chef and TV presenter Clodagh McKenna has created a deliciously inviting kitchen as the heart of her London home, plus a tranquil bathroom to relax in – after busy days at the stove.

After buying their Victorian townhouse in Chelsea, Clodagh McKenna and husband Harry set about a substantial renovation, gutting the entire property and re-doing all the layout and design. Here, she tells KBB journo Amelia Thorpe about the ins and outs of the project…

“It had been a rental for years, so the focus had been on squashing in as many bedrooms as possible,” explains Clodagh. “We wanted to open up the house and create as big a living space as possible, because I love cooking and we both enjoy entertaining.”

Dark wood cabinetry with cream appliances and glossy brown tiles. — From her preparation station on the island, Clodagh McKenna can keep an eye on dishes in the oven. Portofino range cooker and extractor, Smeg. Photography: Adam Carter.

Clodagh McKenna’s new kitchen

The kitchen, at the rear of the house, presented a particular challenge, because it was dark and cramped – far from ideal for Clodagh, who works from home and planned to use the space for recipe development, filming and photography for her books, as well as cooking for friends and family.

Warm and bright kitchen design with yellow wall paint and brown tiles. — The Avebury Burnt Caramel wall tiles by Ca’ Pietra add richness to the scheme.

“My first thought was, ‘Oh my goodness’,” she recalls, “but I slept on it and tried to think creatively – and realised there was quite a lot I could do to make it feel bigger than it was.”

Clodagh’s solutions included constructing an archway between the kitchen and the adjacent snug and dining area to create a more open feel and an easy sense of flow between the spaces. She also decided to add a skylight to the entire length of the kitchen to flood the room with natural light, with panes of glass that open at the push of a button, to create an airy feel on warm days.

Closeup of the preparation area in Clodagh McKenna's kitchen. — Sloping shelves are used to display Harry’s wine collection, while breaking up the run of base cabinetry. Egret wall lights, Pooky.

The layout

Next, Clodagh turned her attention to the layout. “I knew I wanted an island as somewhere for friends to sit while I cook, but it had to be one that made the best possible use of space, given the compact size of the kitchen,” she explains.

The island design allows for a distinct preparation and cooking zone on one side, complete with drawers below the worktop for equipment and composting bins.

“I imagined myself cooking there and thought carefully about what I would need to hand, so the sink is behind and the fridge beside me, and I can see into the oven when I’m preparing,” she says. “I’ve been a professional chef for more than 25 years, so I know how important it is to have everything visible and accessible.”

Clodagh McKenna kitchen featuring a skylight. — The kitchen features warm colours and textures. Walls painted in Cane, with archway in Deep Reddish Brown, both by Farrow & Ball. Bespoke cabinetry in conker-stained oak, Grand Joinery. Ormoy armless bar stools, OKA.

Balancing aesthetics and function

To complete the design, a sweep of base cupboards and drawers on the opposite side of the room provide more storage – including sloping shelves to display bottles, designed as a surprise for wine connoisseur Harry. Above, open shelves are used to store Clodagh’s collection of vintage china and glassware.

“Every corner is used and has a practical purpose,” she says. “It can be tempting to think about making a kitchen look lovely first, but it’s better to do it the other way around – think about how the room is going to work and then make it look beautiful.”

A washing up area with a butler sink, brass tap, open shelving and brass accessories. — Painting the ceiling in the same colour as the walls adds to the rich, cocooning effect.

“Most of the time in London it’s chilly, especially in winter, so it made sense to embrace that by making the room feel cosy and warm,” she continues. Caramel tiles, rich wood cupboards and mustard-painted walls create the colour-drenched mood, while marble worktops add a lightness and lift.

The result is inviting and comfortable, something that has become even more important now that Clodagh is hosting Cookery Days in the room.

Clodagh McKenna’s bathroom design

More attention to detail applies in the bathroom on the top floor, ensuite to the principal bedroom, and converted from a small bedroom. A new entrance door meant that there would be insufficient space to include a bath and a shower.

Arched entryway to the new bathroom design. — An archway opens to the ensuite; a door would have cut down the usable space. Bedroom walls painted in Farrow & Ball’s Setting Plaster.

“Since we wanted both, my answer was to forget about the door and add an open archway between the bedroom and bathroom instead,” says Clodagh. “It was the best decision – it makes the bedroom feel so big and luxurious and the bathroom feel much larger too, with space for a bath, a shower and double vanity.”

The design elements

“I really wanted the space to feel like a luxurious hotel suite,” she says. “My ‘wind down’ ritual at the end of the day is to take a bath, so that was the focus of the space.”

Keen to avoid a clunky side table to rest a glass of wine or cup of tea, Clodagh chose a built-in bath with elegant marble surround to offer space for drinks, candles and bath oils. Soft white wall tiles are balanced by striking green tiles, opposite. “I love the idea of a beautiful sea of green in the city, bringing in a sense of calm and nature,” she says.

And how does she feel now that the project is complete? “I can’t quite believe we got it all done in eight months, without an architect or interior designer,” says Clodagh. “I feel a great sense of accomplishment.”