The Essex Kitchen with Earthy Tones

This riverside house has spectacular views over an estuary in Essex, the house is narrow and tall which is reflected in the unusual L-shape of the kitchen. Our client, enamoured with our Eco Colours, not only used these for the cabinetry, but the rich blue of the wall is inspired by Midnight Blue.

There were a couple of very specific requests for this kitchen. Firstly, it must include two sinks – generally unusual for a space of this size, but a priority for our client who is a keen cook, so there is a food prep sink adjacent to the hob. The second request is for a cupboard large enough to house a rotary iron. This you will find in the tall run.

Elsewhere, the earthy colours in this room are lovely – Terracotta with Ochre, with the blue of the walls balancing these hues. The floor is terrazzo from In Opera and has cool grey undertones.

The shape of this room dictated where certain elements naturally fit – the spot for the dining table, the main sink with a garden view, the taller cabinetry tucked away and incorporating the fridge and freezer. Our design includes open shelving and drawers in the centre to break up what would be a wall of doors.

There are slimline Ochre cupboards on the walls by the window, utilising a corner for storage, whilst avoiding blocking natural light. The design also includes a narrow peninsula, meaning a bookshelf can face the dining table, softening the transition between cupboard and eating area.

The cabinets in this room feel nestled into the space, they work with the contours of the room – the beauty of tailoring cabinetry to room, rather than letting predetermined cupboard sizes dictate the design.