Kitchen Tour: An Elegant Shaker Kitchen with a Feature Range
An extension created the opportunity for a generously sized family kitchen with a range cooker centre stage
Designer Steve Flower of Ashford Kitchens & Interiors was called in on this kitchen extension project at just the right moment. The family’s architect had designed the new space, but the build hadn’t yet started. “We could make adjustments,” Steve says. “We always say, ‘Get the architect in, get them to do the floorplan, then we can look over it.’”
The couple chose the colour Anthracite for the kitchen island to make a statement, with paler Limestone for the remainder of the bespoke cabinetry. The Shaker-style doors are made from ash and the attractive grain of the wood remains apparent, even through the painted finish, “particularly on the dark colour,” Steve says.
Considering an extension? Find out how to work remotely with an architect.
Considering an extension? Find out how to work remotely with an architect.
Although there are four family members, the island was designed with space for two bar stools. “The owners were keen on the idea of the island being a piece of furniture, and there was a debate about whether there would be any stools,” Steve says. “This way, it makes it look like a luxury piece of furniture, but there’s still somewhere to perch.”
The room also has a large dining table at the other end.
Bar stools, John Lewis & Partners.
The room also has a large dining table at the other end.
Bar stools, John Lewis & Partners.
The island houses a wine cooler facing the cooker. “It’s slightly unusual, as most people want a wine cooler on show,” Steve says, “but the owners were set on the island looking like chunky furniture and didn’t want to disturb it with any appliances.”
The island includes strong, easy-to-clean drawers, which are made from metal with glass sides. Oak inserts and pegs hold plates in place and create an attractive detail.
Find builders in your area on Houzz.
Find builders in your area on Houzz.
As well as taking into account the requirement for a mantel above the range cooker, the skylight’s location also allowed lights to be suspended above the island. “The owners were keen to have pendants as a feature and if a skylight is directly above an island, you can’t hang them,” Steve says.
Baldwin pendant lights, John Lewis & Partners.
Baldwin pendant lights, John Lewis & Partners.
The bifold door in the rear corner of the room leads to a walk-in larder with fitted shelving. “It freed up space,” Steve says. “I knew the owners wanted a range cooker, so all we needed then was the fridge-freezer, which is in the right-hand corner, and that gave us the opportunity for a long run of cabinetry with a breakfront.”
Like the mantel, the stepping forward of the worktop to create the breakfront draws attention to the range cooker.
Like the mantel, the stepping forward of the worktop to create the breakfront draws attention to the range cooker.
The design of the breakfront creates extra work space in the cooking area. It’s finished with substantial pillars at each side.
Here’s the breakfront seen from the other side. The units flanking the range have pull-outs for items such as spices, oils and condiments to keep the worktop uncluttered.
The kitchen worktop is quartz. “We always recommend quartz for pale surfaces,” Steve says. “It’s hard-wearing and non-porous. This one has a mottled vein, so it’s fairly neutral, but not plain.”
Silestone worksurface in Snowy Ibiza, Cosentino.
Silestone worksurface in Snowy Ibiza, Cosentino.
Behind the range is a splashback in grey glass. “It felt as if it needed an extra feature on the back wall with the light colours,” Steve says.
A powerful extractor is built into the mantel above. Its surround is in laminated oak that’s wipeable. “It’s bound to get greasy and moist underneath, so this is easy to maintain,” Steve says.
Extractor, Elica.
A powerful extractor is built into the mantel above. Its surround is in laminated oak that’s wipeable. “It’s bound to get greasy and moist underneath, so this is easy to maintain,” Steve says.
Extractor, Elica.
The floor tiles are large format and light in colour. “They’re not glossy white, because the owners have a dog and kids. In a living space, you want the overall impression of a neutral floor, but not too stark,” Steve says.
Glass-fronted cabinets were used either side of the mantel to break up the run of solid doors. “I liked the idea of seeing oak through the cupboards, so I made the insides oak,” Steve explains.
The cupboard for everyday mugs and glasses has a solid door and is on the far left of the run.
Glass-fronted cabinets were used either side of the mantel to break up the run of solid doors. “I liked the idea of seeing oak through the cupboards, so I made the insides oak,” Steve explains.
The cupboard for everyday mugs and glasses has a solid door and is on the far left of the run.
Downlights let the glasses inside the glass-fronted cabinets sparkle.
The kitchen sink was positioned underneath the window for a view of the garden, and the extension’s bifold door is located to the left.
The knobs of the kitchen cupboards have ‘beehive’-style ribbing. “They’re very heavy handles and have a nice feel,” Steve says.
Like the breakfront, the island features pillars. “They make a big difference in terms of making it look like furniture,” Steve says.
A pillar finishes the run of units beneath the window, too.
Tell us…
What do you like best about this kitchen? Share your thoughts in the Comments section.
Tell us…
What do you like best about this kitchen? Share your thoughts in the Comments section.
Who lives here? Kirsti and Trevor Parsons and their two teenagers, plus cockerpoo Syke
Location Windsor, Berkshire
Property A detached period house
Kitchen dimensions 5.2m x 6.6m
Designer Steve Flower of Ashford Kitchens & Interiors
Photos by Conor Sheehan
One of the things Steve could influence at the pre-build stage was the position of the skylight. Kirsti and Trevor wanted a big range cooker, so to make it a feature, Steve planned a mantel above it. The roof window’s position needed to allow for this.
Also in the brief? A kitchen with a classic look. “But the owners didn’t want it to be fussy and old-fashioned,” Steve says. “It has a slightly contemporary feel because it has the skylight, and because of the colours.”