How Callaghan Interiors designed a classic kitchen for an elegant Edwardian home

 

A: This kitchen was for a young family who had just returned to the UK after living abroad. Their home is an Edwardian semi-detached in Teddington, so it has lots of period character. From the start, we knew the kitchen had to feel completely at home in the house but also work really well for modern family life.

 

 

A: They wanted a traditional English kitchen that felt classic and elegant, but also practical. It needed to cope with everyday family life, entertaining friends, and quieter mornings alike. It had to feel timeless and calm, but also work perfectly for a busy household. We knew from the start that this would be one of the most ambitious projects we’ve ever created at Callaghan Interiors, and we were really excited to turn the family’s dream into reality.

 

 

A: We worked closely with the family from the beginning, understanding how they live and how they wanted the space to feel. Daryl Poliszewski, our head designer, designed every element in-house at our Twickenham showroom. All the cabinetry was made by us and installed by our own team.

 

 

On a project of this size, including the kitchen, hallway furniture, bar and utility room, having control over every stage was key. It meant we could make adjustments on-site, keep everything running smoothly, and ensure the quality and finish were exactly right.

 

 

A: All of the cabinetry was bespoke and made by us at Callaghan Interiors. Manufacturing it in-house allowed us to get every detail right – proportions, storage, finishes – so the kitchen feels like furniture rather than just fitted units. It was important that it sat naturally within the Edwardian space while still being really functional for modern life.

 

 

A: We chose 20mm honed Arabescato Corchia marble for the worktops. It has beautiful veining and a classic feel that will only get better over time. There’s something really warm and almost farmhouse-y about it, even though it’s so elegant. This was paired with aged oak herringbone flooring, Armac Martin brassware, and DeVOL aged brass taps, including the instant hot tap and pot filler. A deVOL 1000 double fluted Belfast sink sits beneath the window and acts as a really strong focal point.

 

 

A: The scale of the project was a challenge in itself. Co-ordinating the kitchen, hallway furniture, bar area, and utility room took careful planning from the team and myself. One specific technical challenge was the extractor. We used a Westin extractor, which was ideal because their range suits almost any situation. This one had exactly the right depth for the bespoke chimney and mantle we were designing, and they’re extremely reliable. That was really important because there’s a marble shelf below, and it’s not the easiest thing to get to if there were any issues later on.

 

 

A: Honestly, it’s not just one single feature – it’s the way it all comes together. The island works perfectly for cooking, hanging out, and everyday family life, with deep pan drawers, a dishwasher drawer, cookbook storage, and even a charging drawer for phones. The chimney has real presence without dominating the space, and the bar area with reeded glass and subtle lighting looks amazing in the evenings. Every detail was carefully considered, and it really shows when you spend time in the space. 

 

 

A: The clients love how the kitchen works for them day to day. They keep saying how practical it is, yet still elegant. The bar area has definitely become their favourite spot for entertaining, but the whole space flows so well for family life and just feels truly special.