The Palmers Green Project

The Design

The family had bought their home back in 2018 and although it was bought as a finished, they always intended to renovate the space. They could see the house had been done up to sell, and the family wanted to put their own stamp on it and inject their personality. Having come from a background in fashion, the owners knew that the design and colour would be so important to how they live their life. With children, dogs a cat and busy schedules they find themselves always in the kitchen and use it as a family room. They gutted their large open plan living, kitchen and dining area down to the foundations to start with a blank canvas. They put in underfloor heating (for themselves and their beautiful naked dogs, a Xolo and Peruvian Inca Orchid). Ella helped them in designing a space that could both be used to bring the whole family together.

‘I knew Herringbone House was the right fit for us after the first phone call to the studio; it was the first conversation with a kitchen company where I felt like someone understood what I was asking and was friendly. Style is important to me and Herringbone is the perfect mixture of classic and modern, they get the right balance and are modern enough to be up-to-date, without overdoing it. I loved that the designs are timeless and that everything is made here in the UK. Making the cabinetry in the UK meant a lot to us, as UK industries are getting smaller and smaller. Our Designer Ella was very good, the second you ask her something she was always on-it already.’

The bespoke cabinetry was designed with our client and is a slim shaker Westgate door, whose shaker frame follows the handles, this works beautifully in this modern open family kitchen and is the sort of bespoke detail we love working on with clients. In terms of the design, it all fell into place rather easily. The trickiest bit was whether or not to put in a little doggy sink. Which the client opted for in the end and is very happy about having this as an overflow sink.

In terms of colours, there was a little wobble after originally choosing a cabinet colour close to F&B Dimpse, but after seeing the sample, it just didn’t go with the rest of the room which was painted in F&B Peignoir. The client felt the colours just didn’t look right together as they have different base tones. She then decided to pivot, had the kitchen painted in a colour close to F&B Blackened, which was the perfect choice and brought the whole project together beautifully.

Mark was their main kitchen fitter, and the client loved his calming nature and attention to detail. When we asked what their favourite part of the kitchen is, there were many elements discussed!

‘There are so many favourite parts to the kitchen! Having the huge 800mm sink makes such a difference, just being able to lie large pans flat in the sink to soak makes life so much easier. I love the Quooker tap. I love the massive larder cupboard. We chose to have a utility instead of a pantry, which I thought would mean I would miss having a pantry, but there is just so much space in the huge larder cupboard that I really didn’t need a pantry. Finally, I love having the ladder, more than anything I just love the aesthetic of it.’

The Details: Colours, Handles & Bespoke Details

The cabinetry on the wall run is a bespoke colour made for our clients similar to F&B Dimpse. The handles are Armac Martin Washwood and the Cotswold Ball, which look great together.

“If you are not someone who works with colour, I would consider getting Martyna, the Herringbone Interior Designer, involved. I didn’t do this but I do feel she is a really valuable resource from Herringbone. Colour can be make or break a space, if you don’t have the harmony between the blend of different colours, you will never be happy in the space.’

Family Life

How a space functions in the normal everyday world is so important to us at Herringbone, so we are very happy to hear that it works perfectly for their large family, with two children, two dogs and a cat.

‘Yes, we quite often eat at the breakfast bar; our children are now in Uni and the breakfast bar feels more informal and warm. I think the happiest in the family, are all are the pets; we have two dogs and a cat they just love it. The kitchen is just a much friendlier, happier, coming together space and is enjoyed so much more now. It’s a whole different level of relaxing, enjoyment, cooking and baking. This weekend I baked three cakes for my son to take to Uni and its such a pleasure to have everything so organised, it was so quick.’

Craftsmanship

This project was so great to work on as it highlights how we can make any style door the client wants.

‘If anyone is looking at doing a renovation, and within the Herringbone price bracket, they would be crazy not to get Herringbone involved! While there is a gap between when the kitchen is measurable and when they install, once the cabinetry arrives you understand why. The craftmanship is outstanding.”

The whole project has turned out so beautifully, and learning that it works well for every member of their family makes us all very proud and happy to have had the opportunity to work on this project. We wish the family a lifetime of happiness in their new beautiful home.