How Makers brought luxury contemporary design to a Victorian London home

When the owners of a period London house decided to embark on a kitchen renovation, they turned to the team at bespoke kitchen manufacturer Makers for help – we find out how the process went.

Transforming a small, outdated kitchen in a Victorian property into a spacious, functional and social area that can support a growing family is no mean feat, so this couple consulted the team at Makers to bring their dream kitchen to life.

Due to the limitations of the original space, the room underwent architectural changes. Makers collaborated closely with the architect and builders to devise a layout that would not only maximise the available space but also enhance the sense of openness.

Internal walls were removed and elegant floor-to-ceiling Crittall-style doors added to join the existing skylights, flooding the space with natural light and blurring the lines between indoor and outdoor living. This transformation provided the ideal foundation for Makers to design a truly beautiful, and entirely bespoke, kitchen.

The brief was for a kitchen that somehow felt both timeless and contemporary, and Lizzie Spinks, head designer at Makers, chose a combination of classic Shaker cabinetry and luxurious, natural materials to achieve just that. The main cabinetry run, hand-painted in Little Green’s Portland Stone, is perfectly complemented by a unique glass-fronted cabinet, featuring a warm bookmatched oak veneer. Very much on trend, yet timeless and classic, warm bronze hardware perfectly complements the natural materials and warm-toned neutrals whilst bringing a stylish finishing touch to the design.

Curves feature often in this kitchen, lending an elegant and organic feel, and help to create an air of spaciousness whilst maintaining natural flow. The arched design of the oak cabinet on the sink run mirrors the bookshelf opposite, and the rounded bespoke dining table and curved bench seat are a continuation of the natural theme.

Looking to create the social heart of the home, incorporating ample seating for dining and relaxing was a top priority for the family. With limited space available, it was important to create a clever dining solution that maintained the feeling of openness.

Lizzie suggested a curved built-in oak bench, cutting seamlessly into the island, complemented by a bespoke oak table and additional chairs. The ingenious space-saving dining area is a natural focal point of the kitchen, and creates a central area for socialising, dining and even studying. Additional seating is available at the island for a multitude of dining options and allows the family to socialise during meal preparation.

As functional as it is beautiful, the kitchen was designed to perform. The striking waterfall edge island featuring Artemistone Arabescato Cremo houses a downdraft vented hob from Fisher & Paykel and a luxurious wine fridge, whilst the Franke sink and main fridge are closely located opposite to form a functional triangle layout. 

On the other side of the island, a generous pantry and additional storage keeps ingredients and kitchen essentials neatly tucked away and within easy reach. All drawers are hand crafted from solid wood using dovetail joins for durability and feature exquisite warm oak interiors.