The owners of this former industrial pump house have transformed the property into a light-filled family home.
KBB journo Ben Webb chats to Kate and Andrew, who chose H Miller Bros to design and build their green Shaker kitchen. The design uses the key features of the historic building to create a warm, organised and fun space for the family of four.
Fancy a nosy around this gorgeous space? Let’s dive in…
The brief
The couple bought the Victorian pump house in the Wirral, Merseyside, because it was a unique building with solid brick walls and large windows that let lots of light flood in. “It felt like a place with a history,” recalls Kate, “but it also had a lived-in feeling that made it feel like a home.”
To create a vibrant space where they could cook and socialise more easily, Kate and Andrew decided they wanted to design a new kitchen using largely natural materials. “We feel strongly about taking care of the planet we live in and love the look and feel of natural materials,” explains Kate.
Top of their priority list for their new green Shaker kitchen were plenty of clever storage ideas and, as keen bakers and pasta makers, a generous marble worktop.
What is a shaker-style kitchen and is it right for me? Click here to find out
The design process of the green Shaker kitchen
Choosing H Miller Bros to be their kitchen designers was an easy decision as Kate went to school with Howard, who runs the company with his brother Hugh.
By using a mixture of stand-alone pieces and bespoke cabinetry that fits into the building’s idiosyncratic niches, the Miller brothers have maximised storage while remaining sympathetic to the fabric of the building. “They have achieved the perfect balance of the decorative and functional,” says Kate.
The designers gained valuable extra room for the impressive new Arabescato marble-topped island by moving the dining table from the centre of the room to the corner. And they saved yet more space by building a bench seat against the wall opposite the green Shaker kitchen.
Finding the perfect shade of green
The room has a special atmosphere that blends traditional and industrial designs with the comforts of home. And the colour palette is striking but homely.
The Hunter’s Leaf green by Ca’ Pietra of the cabinetry perfectly complements the gorgeous patterned Blackthorn wallpaper by Morris & Co. And the unfinished brass fittings by Armac Martin add a warm and tactile feel, while the red bricks surrounding the Rayburn range cooker resonate with the room’s industrial heritage.
Dark, olive or sage green? Find your right green kitchen here
The diner
Kate and Andrew can now happily prepare food while facing the living space of the room. The open-plan space is perfect for keeping an eye on their children or sharing a glass of wine with friends. “We love our green Shaker kitchen now and find we use it as our main room to socialise in. It is a joy to get home to and always feels relaxed rather than cluttered,” says Kate happily.
As originally told to: Ben Webb | Photography: Robert Holmes
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