A family needs help reconfiguring their open-plan kitchen-diner into a pretty and practical space. So, we’ve asked two designers to come up with ideas and bring their vision to life…
Sarah Browne, an operations director, and her husband, Rob, a lighting specification manager, live in a detached house in west London, with their son, Louis, daughter, Shae, and cat, Rocky. The family moved in four years ago as they loved the property’s open-plan layout. However, they felt it lacked focal points, so would now like to rethink the kitchen-dining space.
So, Sarah decided to take part in our Drawing Board feature where interiors experts come up with creative ideas for our readers’ renovations and design dilemmas. This time, KBB journo Rachel Ogden asked designer at InHouse Inspired Room Design, James Compton, and Shehryar Khan, owner of Sheraton Interiors, to help the family transform their space.
The space
The dining, living and kitchen areas form a rough L-shape, with two pillars jutting in along the longest interior wall. There are double French doors to work around, as well as a pair of interior doors. The kitchen has one window and behind it is a utility. The entire room measures approximately 7.5 x 6.4m at its widest and deepest points. The ceiling height is 2.3m in the kitchen, which has a suspended ceiling, and 2.46m in the dining area.
The brief for the new open-plan kitchen-diner
- Sarah and Rob like modern kitchen styles, handleless furniture and darker-coloured cabinetry. A durable work surface is a must.
- They would like to replace the existing French doors with larger bi-fold doors. However, they are unlikely to make any other structural changes to the space.
- On the kitchen wishlist are two ovens, a built-in coffee machine, instant hot water tap, waste disposal, warming drawer and wine fridge.
- Storage is a priority. Sarah would like cupboards that rise up to the ceiling, a step stool concealed in a kitchen plinth, and either a drawer with a charging point in it, or a hidden charging space.
Ideally around £40,000, or maximum £90,000 including kitchen relocation.
Designer one
James Compton is a designer at InHouse Inspired Room Design. He began his 20-year career in the family business showroom and credits his father with fuelling his passion for kitchen design.
Solution one
“In their brief, Sarah and Rob mentioned that they loved the open-plan layout of their home and the size of the rooms, but felt that the house needed a wow factor. When designing this project, I aimed for a showstopping and, just as importantly, functional kitchen. To achieve a design that includes the sleek and modern look they were after, I’ve chosen furniture by next125.
“As they mentioned that they loved darker colours, I selected the NX510 range in Lava Black and NX670 in Walnut for the larder doors, which are both dramatic and stunning. The design is further enhanced by the highly practical next125 island in matching Lava Black. For ease of maintenance, the NX510 range has a clever anti-fingerprint finish. The larder doors are NX670, a fluted veneer door, which adds to the luxury feel. A herringbone pattern floor ties the design together.
“For the worktops, I selected ceramic Marble Nero from Systemo. Not only is the surface incredibly strong and durable, the pattern flows over the edge, achieving a distinctive finish. The Next125 pocket door system along one wall cleverly hides the double ovens and a fridge freezer, while creating a concealed entrance to the utility room. This has been designed with functionality in mind.
“I’ve chosen Schüller’s Nova range in Lava Black to continue the theme, and make the best use of space. The design includes two specially made units to house the washer and dryer. Each has a push-to-open drawer that can support a washing basket.
“At the centre of the kitchen is an island designed for everyday life and entertaining. Its hob has a downdraft extractor, so there is a clear view to the fireplace and TV, while at one end is a Kaelo wine chiller, within easy reach of the dining table – perfect for when the Brownes have family and friends over.”
Sarah’s verdict
“This design blew us away. We had considered an island, and even a walk-through to the utility room, but had dismissed it all because of lack of space. However, we’d never considered removing all the cabinets from the wall with the window, which creates all the room we need. And we can put extra cupboards in the utility.
“We loved the way that the three separate spaces were defined in the main room. We might change the window into bi-fold doors to let more light in and give a sense of even more space. In the kitchen, we like the hob with the fan built in, allowing us to cook and look over the garden, and also the doors that hide all the ovens. But we’d like some seating around the island, where the children can do homework.”
Designer two
Shehryar Khan is the owner of Sheraton Interiors. He has been designing kitchens for more than 21 years, picking up an award for Kitchen Designer of the Year (up to £30k) in kbbreview Retail & Design Awards 2022, and was a finalist in the Kitchen Designer of the Year (over £50k) category in kbbreview Retail & Design Awards 2023.
Solution two
“I had the pleasure of reimagining Sarah and Rob’s kitchen into a sleek, modern space tailored to their vision. The brief called for a contemporary, open-concept kitchen that seamlessly integrated with the living area. So, I opted for minimal building work, shifting the utility’s wall by 60cm to create more space.
“The centerpiece of the design is an Italian handleless kitchen system with 23mm thick chamfered doors in Doimo Cucine’s Synchroface Metal Lava finish: a textured slate grey. Complementing the kitchen are black handleless channel rails and striking XTone Calacatta Green porcelain worktops, featuring waterfall edges that elegantly frame the peninsula breakfast bar. This includes seating space for four bar stools and an integrated wine cooler at the end. Above, stylish black-accented glass pendant lights will provide warm, ambient lighting in the evenings.
“The reconfiguration of the kitchen in a U-shaped layout provides space for a run of cabinetry and a ‘coffee centre’. Hidden behind pocket doors when not in use, this features internal drawers, LED lighting, space to make drinks, power points for a kettle or toaster and, above, a built-in coffee machine.
“Around the corner, ‘floating’ cabinets in metallic brass paint and glass dressers frame the TV and create a harmonious flow into the living area. By the glass doors, a circular dining table sits under a skylight. This echoes the shape of the table, while flooding the space with natural light during the day.
“The design is functional yet contemporary, incorporating industrial touches such as the dark metallic cabinetry, beautifully contrasted with the Calacatta Green worktops, alongside warm, herringbone wooden floors. Black fixtures and fittings tie the space together.”
Sarah’s verdict
“While there was plenty we liked about this design, it didn’t excite us quite as much. The breakfast bar encroaches on the dining area, limiting the size of dining table we could have. And, the skylight idea won’t work, as there is a bedroom above. We weren’t keen on how the units wrapped around the wall and into the living space, either. While the design brings the space together, it also feels like it would limit the versatility of the room in the future. I am quite short, so the coffee machine being high up wouldn’t really be suitable.
“However, we liked that the wine cooler was located at the end of the breakfast bar, so it would be easily accessible without going into the kitchen. And we really liked the unit with the mirror above it, in the alcove by the back door. That is currently a very awkward space, so this gives it purpose.”
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