The Dorking Kitchen
A family home in the hands of a new generation; one of the many wonderful things about this project was how familiar our clients were with this space, as it was the house one half of the couple grew-up in and then many years later bought from their parents. This home is a trove of memories and now more will be made, a continuity of generations and a lovely start to the story of a renovation…
Our clients wished to put their own stamp on this kitchen, introducing some colour and making small tweaks to the space that have a big impact. The door aperture to the garden was enlarged, forging a greater connection between the kitchen and garden. The ceiling height was also increased with a vaulted pitch; so though the footprint of the room was unchanged, the impression was that the space felt considerably larger.
There is really only one layout that would make the most of the kitchen – fitting in plenty of storage without blocking the natural flow – and it was galley, with cupboards on either side, including a much loved Pluck larder.
This is the home of an artist and determining the colour choices with a creative, visual individual is always a pleasure, combinations explored and glorious, unexpected pairings settled upon. The main colour of the cabinetry is Milton Blue, a chalky sky blue that almost glows in natural light; the secondary colour is Market Mustard, tonally very different to the blue as it’s on the darker side of yellows, a more muted, rich shade. Yet the combination works, a subversion of the expected – the yellow darker than the blue!
There is the perfect spot for a fluted glass cabinet, space around the piece, so the Ruskin Blossom interior and Elm wood have a moment to shine. Pluck’s cabinetry extends beyond the kitchen too. In the dining room, a custom cupboard nestled into an alcove houses the boiler and utility essentials. Above the beautiful marble tabletop, guaranteed to add a luxurious touch to any dining room, hangs artwork by super talented local artist Jilly Clark.
