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This exquisite Classic English kitchen in Southeast London caught my eye as it popped into my inbox a few days ago.
I have not shared any home design inspiration for some time, for all the same reasons why I had not posted or sent out newsletters for sometime. But make no mistake: my love for interior design and architecture has not dulled one iota. Actually, it is even stronger.
I love all rooms and spaces in a house, of course, but kitchens…. well, they are not called the heart of the home for nothing! And I see a lot of stunning kitchens in my perusals, with excellent cabinetry and design, but there is something about deVOL Kitchens that tends to really draw me in. Which is why I have stayed on their e-mail list for several years, even when I don’t take action.
And just to be clear, this is not a sponsored post. It is a “I love this so much I have to share it” post.
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Even though my general preference is for luminous spaces, when dark and moody is done right it just feels so intimate and comforting. I am also a no-clutter girl, and one who likes beautiful but practical spaces. This kitchen satisfies that point, too.
I would not have the copper pots on display over the stove for those practical reasons mentioned (they would get dusty and splattered with cooking vapors), but even that is done well and not too much.
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This glorious kitchen is located within a grand old Georgian home of a Southeast London neighborhood called Blackheath, known to be one of London’s most desirable areas to live. The house was originally built in the 1800’s and the owners have spent the last three years restructuring it back to its original glory.
They reinstated all of the intricate coving, and also hired a local decorative artist to hand-paint and distress the walls in order to recreate that perfect-imperfect, plaster-like finish.
Oh, how I would love to see the whole house and also see the before and after images!
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The custom kitchen cabinetry is in Classic English style and painted in deVol’s Bakehouse Green color. As you can see it is a dark green that carries lots of blue tones with it: my favorite range of colors in all shades and tonalities. The owner’s aim was to keep the space clutter free and everything stored behind closed doors. There are no open shelves or glass, and even the refrigerator is integrated within the cabinetry.
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The countertops are copper, which shines with a warm glow and a beautifully aged patina. There are two full-length runs, and one includes a seamless integrated copper sink and hammered draining board. The other continues up the wall behind the cooker, creating a backsplash.
This unusual choice in material for the countertops contributes to the drama and moodiness of the space, yet also cleverly adds a reflective touch to the room.
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Center stage – besides one of the owners’ cute dogs (I wonder if that is Amos or Duke) is one of deVol’s exquisite Dairy Tables. This unpainted, simple yet elegant piece adds much needed prep surface, and also offers a nice visual break in both style and color. The Carrara marble top contributes to the reflected light and, by extending out on one side, allows room for a few leather bar stools.
I know it is not part of the kitchen per se, but I love that sitting room with fireplace visible from the kitchen. It is not within the room, yet it is still connected in a way that to me feels very comforting. Despite the current trend in the United States to have open space kitchen-living-dining areas, my preference is for a self-enclosed (or semi-enclosed) kitchen that has a small sitting area or extra table for potential company. I would rather cooking smells and chaos not be shared with other rooms.
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Tell me, did you enjoy this kitchen? And is your preference for an open space style kitchen, or one in a dedicated room?
If you would like to see more in home design inspiration, you can click on the image below.
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