Falls Village - The kitchen

The Kitchen

This was the first project we took on as soon as we bought the house, and we were faced with some architectural problems from the outset - namely there were too many doors and not enough wall space. The original fireplace, which dates back to 1780, is the star of this room and we are so lucky to have it.

My husband and I both like cooking within a relatively small area so that everything is close to hand. The stove, sink and fridge should all be nearby, with lots of counter space opposite for food preparation. We inherited a large work table with the house, which was likely handmade inside the property. It offers incredible storage, as well as giving the whole room personality.

When approaching the decoration of a kitchen, I would recommend choosing a simple colour as your base across cabinets and tiles and then layering with patterned textiles, paintings and colourful ceramics to add interest. This way, the bones of the room remain timeless, and you can change the accessories to mix up the look.

My biggest mistake when first renovating this kitchen was opting for Pine flooring, as the wood was too soft. Always go for hardwood floors such as Oak, Ash or Elm, as they are much more durable. In a kitchen, it's more important than ever to really consider your material choices. For example, stone countertops can look beautiful, but are porous and prone to staining. Do your research and speak to suppliers about the longevity of materials, and how they will age over time.

Kitchen lighting needs to be both practical and comfortable; you need bright lighting in order to prepare food safely, but you also want to be able to create a softer atmosphere when entertaining or relaxing. I opted for downlights beneath the cabinets and a pendant light over the worktable. Make sure everything is on a dimmer to give you the maximum flexibility.

I always want every kitchen I design to feel like a proper 'room' with comfort and personality, rather than just a practical space. Including antiques and vintage freestanding furniture helps to provide this element of cosiness. Making space for a seating area also enables the space to feel more relaxed and social.