An Open, Contemporary Kitchen That Makes a Great Party Space

Kitchen designers these days have their work cut out for them. The modern family really does expect this room to fulfill many functions. First and foremost, it has to be a streamlined work space, with plentiful storage and where food preparation can be carried out efficiently. It has to have a spacious dining area – preferably overlooking the garden – for family meals and dinner parties. It has to have different areas, so that all members can come together for different tasks without getting under each other’s feet. And quite often it also has a TV/sitting area too, so that the cook is not isolated and can still join in all the fun. This kitchen, designed by Ruth Gray at Planet Furniture has it all.

The house itself is a double fronted red brick detached house built in the 1920s and is in North London. When the new owners bought the property in 2012 very little had been done to it so they carried out extensive renovations to make it suit their family of two adults and three children and their needs.  A side extension was built behind the garage which allowed scope to create a large kitchen in the centre of the house.

The brief to the designer was to create a modern, contemporary kitchen that would feel warm and inviting for the whole family. As the ground floor had been opened up, the kitchen had to aesthetically flow with the dining, family and living areas all linked from it.  A double sided fireplace placed between the dining space and the back reception room helps with this flow.

With doors to the garden, garage, hall and living room to consider there was limited wall space on which to place the kitchen. Also, with the rooms all linked up, a clear walkway had to be incorporated through to the back of the property. For this reason it was important to keep the working area of the kitchen on one wall where everyday storage and cooking appliances could be accessed without walking miles! The main preparation space and hob were placed on the central island so that the cook can face into the room and talk to the children doing homework at the breakfast bar, or guests sitting at the table.

The opposite side of the kitchen was then made more decorative as this is seen when sitting at the dining table and bar area. This is where cook books and china are displayed, whilst still concealing a lot of extra storage. The tall wine cooler is perfectly placed near the dining table, with a serving space and wine glasses stored in the worktop cabinets. An ideal space for pouring and serving drinks. One of the deep drawers on this side also has some suspension file storage so that paperwork is kept close to hand and easy to file once the mail has been opened.

The family are delighted with it. “We really like the way the breakfast bar bridges the wide space without impeding flow, and the decorative elements of the space which ensure it fits in with the rest of the house. It’s also a great party space and the breakfast bar is great for setting out a buffet or drinks.”

This is the ‘Made In Hitchin’ kitchen from Planet Furniture

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from Dear Designer http://deardesigner.co.uk/open-contemparary-modern-contemporary-kitchen/