“We are renovating a large manse which has many original features, but would like to remove some internal walls to create a large open-plan living space in keeping with our lifestyle. We are also planning to have a games room off the far end of this room. The new room’s doors are oak but the skirtings and architraves will remain white, in keeping with the rest of the house. We don’t think a contemporary kitchen would go with the style of house, but are unsure whether we should have a really “traditional” kitchen becfause we both like modern kitchen gadgets. What should we do?

Graham Crane is Senior Designer at Kitchens International, Aberdeen, 01224 824 300 and offers the following advice

A good starting point was to complete a comprehensive design brief to look at things such as lifestyle, wishlists, likes, and of course dislikes, which are as equally important. High on the Barr’s wish list was an island, modern appliances and an easy-to-use cooking area. I decided the solution to combining both traditional and contemporary would be achieved by staying with the traditional materials of natural oak and granite but incorporating a 21st century twist. The island was to become the main focal point of the working end of the large new room and would be a multifunctional area incorporating cooking, preparation, and socialising.

I designed the “cooking hub” of the kitchen to one side of the large island. Here there is a hob and downdraft extraction, while the ovens are cleverly located in mid-height units near to a sink, which has both a normal tap and a boiling water tap and looks out onto a small side window. This gives a defined working area for the cooking and cleaning functions of the kitchen, and leaves the opposite side for preparing and serving. The introduction of the curves softens the flow to both island and mid-height and keeps it in style with the rest of the house.

To maintain the traditional look of the manse, a simple flat panelled oak framed door was used, but with a modern internal variation. The centre panels are varied between standard oak veneer, black translucent glass and black mirror glass. The mid-height housing area also gives a greater feeling of space, to match the spatial effect intended at the sitting end of the room. The opposite wall is chosen as the main storage area of the kitchen for both crockery and dry foods. As well as the back wall there is storage on the island and on the far side of the utility room door.

One of the main requirements of the Barrs was a full size fridge and freezer, possibly an American style. However, to keep the clean styling common throughout, separate full height fridge and freezer were chosen with the door panels being black mirror glass. On either side storage units are installed with a coffee machine and flat screen TV on black glass to balance the link between kichen and dining areas. This gives the Barrs the hi-tch appliances they were looking for without making them too obtrusive.

Although midway in the room is a formal dining area, which connects the living and cooking areas, there was also the need to have an informal breakfast seating area. This has been achieved by designing an offset circular breakfast table on the end of the island, which contra reflected the curves to the window end of the island. This contemporary arrangement gives a closure to the business side of the kitchen, enhanced by it being offset and nestling in one corner of the island. To give a softer visual effect a wood finish is used in keeping with the rest of the oak in the kitchen. The combination of polished natural Angolan black granite worktops, natural oak units and black glass doors are complemented with a large format polished porcelain floor tile.

The smooth polished surfaces give that much desired clean, shiny kitchen but with a traditional feel. The end result is a traditional canvas onto which a contemporary 21st century kitchen has been created.

Island work stations are fast becoming an essential feature in kitchen design.  For added luxury and interest, consider mixed materials and levels for the island, perhaps a raised glass breakfast bar or a lowered “table” area for family dining.  Paul O’Brien, Business Development Director, Kitchens International, says “The island has become the sociable link between kitchen and living areas, we often recommend a raised or screened breakfast bar which keeps the functionality of the island without losing the style”.  And with so many options and designs to choose from, you are sure to find the perfect island to transform your kitchen space.

If you plan to update your kitchen why not consult kitchen expert Kieron Bell first for some design advice?

Q: I have a Victorian house and plan to extend it to house a new open plan kitchen and lounge area.  I am thinking of installing glass doors onto the garden and incorporating a dining area and I want it to flow as one space.  I love the existing pantry, but we’re thinking of removing this to form a totally modern space, do you think this is a good idea?  Style wise we would like cream cabinets and possibly a black granite worktop with inset sink.  We also love the accent of real wood.  We’ve been looking at designs but are totally confused! -

Sarah O’Donovan, Sutton Coldfield, West Midlands (more…)

This stylish Stoneham Marlborough Walnut kitchen has wonderful ebony macassar centre panels, which successfully add plenty of character to the space.  The dramatic curved island with round food preparation area really steals the show in this well appointed room.  Prices start from £20,000.

Stoneham Marlborough Walnut kitchen with macassar centre panels

Open your kitchen out onto a garden, terrace or balcony and bring a feeling of light and space to your home all year round.

The positioning of the island gives a convenient working area, plus a pleasant seating area without interrupting access to the garden.  The Geometric Callerton kitchen, with Chelsea oak and painted alabaster doors, has strong curves that are contrasted with bold side units to create an impressive open-plan kitchen.

Geometric Callerton kitchen with Chelsea Oak and painted alabaster doors

Available at Kitchens International, from £12,000.

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As a part of major building works, Kenneth and Catriona Stuart moved their kitchen one floor up to link in with their new two-storey extension.

Appliance Bank - built-in prolytic oven, warming drawer and steam oven, all by Siemens, have been positioned at waist height in a run of cabinetry to minimise the need for bending down. To the right of the oven, the fridge has been fully integrated behind a tall door to maintain the kitchen's sleek appearance"It was complete mayhem for aound eight months in total," says Kenneth. "However, compared to everything else that was going on at the time, the kitchen installation, which was done separately from the main contractor, was a relatively painless project".The new location for the L-shaped open-plan kitchen was one floor above the old one, in a former sitting room, complete with period plaster cornicing and a traditional sash and case window.With the new extension in place, the couple approached Kitchens International to design a modern scheme for the room. "We picked the company because designer Kieron Bell was in tune with our ideas and worked with us to evolve the finished design" explains Kenneth. "Kitchen's International's design software was a deciding factor in what is, after all, a major investment".Having chosen grey cabinets with a matt finish, Kenneth and Catriona decided to include an accent colour. Vibrant orange glass in a bespoke shade was incorporated into the island's raised partition and also forms an open shelving area on the far wall. The original pine door and window shutters were stripped back and their warm honey colour complements the vibrant orange glass perfectly.Keneth and Catriona had always planned to have a streamlined and understated kitchen with very little clutter, and this has been achieved thanks to designer Kieron's clever storage solutions and some smart finishing touches. The space below the island's breakfast bar, for example, incorporates a large area of handleless units for storing less frequently used items of kitchenware. Other subtle details include worktops with minimal overhang so that they fit flush with the drawers and cupboard doors, and boxed-in fluorescent strip lights that illuminate the cornicing.The central island is divided into two sections by a raised partition.

The couple’s choice of kitchen also gets the nod from their architect.  “The design is modern, simple and bold and sits well in what is now a generous, flowing, white space” smiles Nigel Somner. 

Both Kenneth and Catriona feel that the finished result strikes the perfect balance between 21st century design and Victorian architecture, and agree that their huge undertaking was worth the upheaval.  “We took a leap of faith undertaking a major building project and kitchen installation at the same time” says Kenneth “However, the end more than justifies the means”.

Since launching the first ever kitchen island in 1967 by Poggenpohl, it is the most popular part of kitchen design, says kitchen specialists, Kitchens International.

Islands have evolved hugely since the first one and have now become multi-functional designs housing cooking appliances, sinks, dining areas and storage. Paul O’Brien, Kitchens International Director says: “Most of our clients want some sort of island and see it as a feature of the room, whether it is a simple division between kitchen and living area or an island that houses many of the kitchen functions.”

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