Our artistic client wanted a new kitchen with modern, industrial feel for their converted barn in Suffolk.
Challenge
The kitchen was inherited with the purchase of this small converted barn near Lavenham. Previously used as a holiday home, the barn’s kitchen was in need of significant updating. Our clients wanted a new kitchen in a style that suited their personal taste and wanted to move away from a traditional style. Inspired by the original features of the barn, including the high vaulted ceiling and exposed beams, the client wanted a more modern aesthetic with industrial finishes. They also wanted to create as much worktop and storage space as possible as the previous kitchen layout offered minimal space for food preparation and storage.
Solution
To create additional worktop area and storage we suggested adding an island to the room. As there wasn’t enough space for a dining table we created a breakfast bar adjoining the island that our client could comfortably sit and eat at. The breakfast bar was built using Spekva wooden panels in ‘Grey Oiled Oak’. The island includes a flip socket so that the client can plug in their laptops when working at the breakfast bar.
The colours and finishes of the room were inspired by a Dekton worktop that our client had seen in a magazine. The Dekton worktop in ‘Trillium’ offers an industrialised look of oxidised steel and mixes shades of grey, brown and deep black to create a rusted effect. Starting with the palette from the worktops we chose the kitchen units in similar colours. We suggested a Beckermann handleless kitchen with a Peru door in ‘Dark Graphite’ for the kitchen. For the island we used a Beckermann Silvia door in ‘Light Concrete’.
Originally we wanted to see if it was possible to strip back a wall to the brickwork below to create a feature wall. However on inspection it was found that the original bricks were not in a presentable state. Therefore to create the effect we were looking for we used reclaimed brick tiles instead. The brick wall, not only adds some additional interest to the room, but also again offers a different but authentic texture.
The ovens were built into a tall unit so that the client, being tall themselves, would find them easier to use. The client chose a BORA Basic cooktop with built in extractor system. An integrated fridge freezer and slimline dishwasher were also included in the kitchen, despite the limited amount of space. The sink is from Blanco in stainless steel.
Lighting was very important with this project. Due to the vaulted high ceilings it was difficult to find a solution that would offer overhead lighting. However we used LED strip lighting on the top of the beams which reflected the light upwards. We also used industrial style pendant lights from Buster and Punch which hung from the beams. LED strip lighting was also used under the breakfast bar and was connected to the overhead strip light system so that both sets of lights are dimmable.
The striking blue splashback from Vlaze adds a splash of colour to the room as well as matching the existing surround to the wood burner.
“This kitchen has been a great success. The industrial finishes work perfectly in this barn conversion. I particularly like the lighting solution for this room, the Buster and Punch pendant lights provide a real focal point.”
– Rebecca Brown
