We have just bought a nice flat - Victorian conversion, which still has all the original cornices and coving. Now, it seems to make sense to fit a timeless kitchen for resale purposes in the future, but I am having a real problem deciding whether to install a modern (Nolte spot range for example) or a kitchen keeping in with the Victorian style.
The kitchen size is 11 / 7 with an old Victorian door onto a garden area.
There really no hard and fast rules when designing kitchens these days. You can create a blend of the contemporary with traditional in a seamless fashion. I guess your conversion is contemporary with some of the traditonal left intact. You can reflect this in the kitchen by creating a blend of contemporary and traditional. For example rather than install contemporary handles on your doors - put traditional handles or knobs. I would suggest a hammered pewter knob for example. Also some range cookers cross both divides and you will find some that are exactly in keeping with your needs. As a designer, I feel passionately that we should always go with the character of the property as much as possible. However, given that this is a conversion rather than a whole house, the ethos itself of conversions is "contemporary" if one thinks about it. So if we are to go with the character - we would have the basic Victorian framework and a contemporary fitted kitchen - I would suggest painted Shaker fascias with granite worktops (being a timeless material) adorned with stainless steel appliances.
Fiona Blythe
I couldn't have asked for a better response. What do you think of the below, and what changes would you make?
The Nolte Spot range is very modern, white or vanilla laminated doors with steel plinth and carcasses, black granite top with range gas cooker, and enclosed appliances. As this kitchen is highly reflective and light in colour, I was hoping it would create the sense of space. I was also thinking of a stylish granite table and glass shelves on the other wall, Dulux Tusk-Tusk to match remaining flat, and Teak Amtico for kitchen flooring.
However, the Spot would not have any traditional touches. Do you think this kitchen could prove too modern, or could this be offset with traditional handles etc? I can get Nolte and Alno cheaper (Friend) and save $$$
I fully agree with Fiona's design principles and you really do have licence to create your own vision regardless of a set of invisible design standards.
Being radical after all, is how all design trends originate and what is fashionable now would have been considered outrageous 10 years ago.
Fiona's ethos is all too rare nowadays and I take my hat off to her.
Tim
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T Foley Interiors Corian and Quartz surfaces fitted nationwide-click on www.kitchensfitted.co.uk
Peter,
Glad you like my suggestions. I found thinking about your kitchen very useful today when seeing a client who has bought a flat in a complex that has been converted within an old Victorian school. He is insisting on a completely traditional kitchen despite the efforts of us all. My Japanese colleague had to lie down in a dark room.
I lean towards the contemporary as long as one avoids the sterility it can convey and I think your choice is excellent.
It really shouldn't be a consideration that traditional coving stops you from fitting the kitchen of your choice.
To highlght it in a contrasting colour would, I believe, be a mistake and divert attention from your kitchen.
A range such as the Nolte Spot promotes the idea that a difference in design ideas is acceptable by use of contrasting colours, varying heigh units, a blend of different materials in one room etc. so your coving can be an extension of this.
Amtico flooring is the correct choice for your flooring and teak in this instance would be an ideal choice, particularly briging out the best against a high gloss vanilla fascia, and stainless steel plinth. Amtico will provide not only an aesthetically pleasing finish but, greater longevity than it's rivals and an excellent damage barrier in a steamy and vulnerable environment.
Perhaps the only point we differ on is your choice of table and I would introduce glass table with stainless steel rectangular framing as the perfect choice for your dining area. Chairs in vanilla fabric and again framework stainless steel.
Something that I am a great fan of is stainless steel bar shelves for storing/display of pans - it adds a touch of realism to kitchens that can often look sterile.
I hope this is of use to you. I was pleased to see that Tim agrees with my earlier suggestions - I have followed his comments over the past weeks, through colleagues, and have quoted him many times in my liaision with other designers and consultants. Thank you Tim!
Fiona
I read comments with some interest like i mine bought recentemente a property in this country. I have asked that a number examines to be performed on the actual kitchen and is pertained to the quality of advises is givened.
I have not the large trust in the tradesmen and the designer i was in the contact with until now. The style is mattering me and I have worried to the suggestions that I received and the costs that I receive.
I should thank you for its urgent reply to my question. I should say it of my situation, and of my interest:
I moved recentemente to London from Milan, Italy. I bought a property in Ealing, London West. I am unhappy with the condition of my property, and the desire of to do a lot of changes. It was informed that the changes in the appearance that I want to make is able to be unacceptable to the authority of Ealing??? I do not understand this. That it has the authority of Ealing to do with this?
The designer that entered in the discussions with. I am not hopeful of their capacity or their honesty in the business. I am suspicious of their prices how I hear that is a lot of highs, also for the extensive work that I ask for.
Like a native of this country and a person of experience in these matters, happier to learn of advises for my replies.
Sorry Antonio - you really do need to offer some clarification otherwise I can not help. Must say that your spelling is excellent despite English obviously being your second language! Perhaps you could ask a friend who has English as a first language to translate exactly what you require.
Fiona
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