Calm is restored in this Bristol family home, where the owners’ love of Japandi style has been created with the use of pale plywood cabinetry and light grey microcement flooring. KBB journo Louise O’Bryan shares the story behind this renovation…

Eager to find a house with more space for their two young boys, Siobhan and Josh Lewkowicz decided to swap their Victorian terrace in Bristol for a 1930s semi in a hip area south of the city. The couple had been on the lookout for a house with a bigger garden and the potential to extend, and this property was ideal. The biggest priority was creating a spacious, open-plan kitchen-living area where the family could hang out together without tripping over each other.

“The outdoor space wraps around the house, which meant we could extend to the side without losing too much garden. My brief to our architect, Matt Coe from Cryer and Coe, was to create a family hub, where we could keep an eye on the boys while they played or did homework,” says Siobhan.

The plans

The solution was to extend to the side of the house and out the back to create an L-shaped open-plan room, with cooking and eating in the larger part of the space, and a snug with a sofa and TV around the corner. Off the kitchen, there’s a utility room connected by a glass door to allow light to flow through.

With a strong vision for her home’s aesthetic, Siobhan gathered interior design ideas from magazines and Pinterest for months before the renovation and was always drawn to the calming combination of pale wood against a white backdrop.

“Our jobs are stressful, so it was important for us to create a home that made us feel calm and not overpowering in the visual sense,” says Siobhan. “I wanted to capture the light and bright look of Japandi style – a fusion of natural Scandinavian and minimalist Japanese interiors – but with a bit more warmth and texture. We also wanted to include touches of colour, but decided to do this through accessories and artwork, so it wasn’t too permanent and easily changeable.”

The kitchen layout

While on maternity leave, Siobhan used her time to meticulously plan the kitchen’s layout. “I used Ikea’s free online planner to create the layout, spending a good few weeks tweaking the design. I would really recommend the free software if you’re like me and have an interest in drawing up the plan yourself,” she says.

Despite this thoroughly considered approach, the couple were still keen to seek the guidance of an experienced kitchen company to help them create an impactful space, so they engaged local firm, Husk, which makes beautiful bespoke doors for Ikea and Howdens carcasses.

“We’d walked past the original Bristol showroom in Wapping Wharf for many years previous to our renovation, admiring the quiet luxury of their minimal designs, so when it came to designing our new kitchen they were very much on our radar,” says Siobhan. “Even though I’d planned the layout, Husk helpfully refined my design and gave me advice on what size units to order, including full-height cupboards that would reach the ceiling. The whole process was stress-free.”

The kitchen design

Working closely with Husk’s kitchen designer, Georgia Wells, the couple mulled over many wood samples until they finally fell for the beautiful grain of birch plywood. “Our plywood is protected with a matt lacquer finish, so it’s incredibly durable,” says Georgia.

The brass cut-out handles catch the eye and elevate the scheme. “We created bespoke brass metal plates for the kitchen cabinetry, but when it came to the utility I suggested the money-saving option of brass profile handles instead, to tie in with the brass metal plates,” explains Georgia.

With storage a top priority, a walk-in larder was built under the stairs for dry foods, while large drawers allowed space for heavy items like pots and dishes.

The long, narrow window installed behind the sink left room to include cabinets above for less-used items, while open shelves at the back of the island utilise the space here. “As the kitchen is minimal and neutral, these shelves were a great opportunity to add colour through personal items such as cookbooks and ceramics,” says Georgia.

The flooring

One of the biggest successes has been the contemporary microcement flooring, with its silky smooth, durable finish. “Complemented with underfloor heating, the concrete flooring is toasty underfoot and pairs beautifully with the wood,” says Siobhan. “It might be more labour intensive than tiles to lay, but it’s been one of our greatest design choices, adding extra light and calmness, while standing up to busy family life.”

As originally told to: Louise O’Bryan | Photography: Brett Charles

This house tour was featured in the March 2024 issue of Kitchens Bedrooms & Bathrooms magazine.

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