The Kitchen of Beautiful Beiges
Home to a young family, this kitchen feels like an antidote to the glorious chaos of children on-the-go and that is because our client, food stylist Leonie Sooke, kept the palette neutral. This room is a celebration of cashmere, oatmeal, pale taupe, linen…those – often a little subjective – descriptions of beige shades, beautiful, soft natural colours that are warm and airy, welcoming and sophisticated. Used correctly, they manage to be many good things at once!
The drench of colour began with Pluck’s Eccles, a beige with pink undertones. The island and surrounding cupboards are all Eccles, making up probably the second, perhaps the third, largest surface area in the room. The largest, the walls and ceiling are dedicated to Farrow and Ball’s Dimity. The impact of these two combined is immense – a silken saturation.
The other notable finishes are the herringbone parquet floor by The Natural Wood Floor Company and the delight that is the fresh sage green frames of the glazing. The recessed handles of the cupboards are oak as is the floating shelf. The brass tap, sockets and light switches add a touch of old-fashioned glamour to the scheme.
Our design includes plenty of storage, a typical requirement for family kitchens! The run of tall cupboards has a double larder, with a cheeky pop of pink inside. Due to Leonie’s background as a professional chef, she knew exactly the layout of the kitchen that would work for her as she cooks up feasts for family and friends. A hob along the backwall was non-negotiable.
Another detail tailored for the family is the design of the island. The front has two cupboards on either side and this was to ensure there are no overhanging worktop corners that little people could walk or more likely run into…a kitchen designed for all ages!
Photographer: Rachael Smith
