Before & After: An interior designer tackles a cold, clinical kitchen

Daisy Bendall
·3-min read
open plan kitchen with dining table and kitchen island with garden views
Before & After: A warm & characterful kitchen Boz Gagovski

This kitchen, which was once cold and lacking personality, is now an inviting space that oozes style and character. Interior designer Laura Stephens is behind the transformation – here's how she helped her client create an ideal space for family gatherings in their Victorian home in north London.

Before

'It was a very sparse white box that contained a mishmash of Ikea units and a half-finished island that the client had started to replace,' says Laura.

kitchen island with integrated oven and hob
Before: The kitchen lacked personality and had lots of mismatched units Supplied by homeowner

What did you want to achieve?

LS: Our main aim was to inject warmth, colour and character into what was a cold, clinical box. I needed to make it a practical space, while working with the existing layout – and to stay within budget. Also, the design needed to incorporate an inviting area that would be suitable for entertaining and family gatherings.

room with kitchen units white painted ceiling beams and a window seat with curtain
Laura chose Shaker-style units in a soft terracotta and added wooden handles Boz Gagovski

Where did you start?

LS: The key decision was selecting a soft terracotta shade for the cabinets – we chose Menagerie from Farrow & Ball. This set the direction for the rest of the scheme and helped create a cohesive and streamlined look.

stylish kitchen base units and wall storage
A cavernous floor-to-ceiling pantry is concealed behind these stylish doors Boz Gagovski

How did you decide on the design of the room?

LS: As well as reflecting the homeowner’s personality, this room was designed to exist in harmony with the rest of the Victorian property while still acknowledging it as a new addition. For instance, as a nod to the home’s heritage, we went for a modern version of a Shaker-style kitchen with slim panelling. This blend of contemporary and traditional elements ensures it feels both fresh and integrated with the existing architecture.

So, you’ve created a space that’s super-stylish but also practical...

LS: Yes, that balance was an important consideration in the design. We incorporated functional elements such as a pantry with beautiful doors and a wall cabinet for storage. Rather than opting for a standard unit, we placed a display cabinet on the countertop for a freestanding look and added reeded glass for character; we also included a pull-out breakfast shelf for convenience. Reusing some of the existing cupboards meant we were able to invest in key elements, such as a Dekton worksurface, wooden hhandles,and quality fabrics.

console table with mirror and two lamps
Blending old and new elements creates a kitchen with warmth and character. This was originally the dining table but as it didn’t fit, Laura had it chopped lengthways to create a console Boz Gagovski

And your favourite thing about the space now?

LS: It must be the way the old and new elements have been combined. The juxtaposition of the worn wooden dining table and the modern concrete floor creates a unique and inviting atmosphere. Plus, the antique side table, spray-painted with red lacquer, adds a touch of unexpected colour and charm.

SOURCEBOOK

COSTS

A similar kitchen project should cost about £25,000.

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