RO-109_HERNE HILL
Library Ladder Kitchen: Internal Kitchen Reconfiguration and Side Extension
The generous and bright, classical front drawing room of this three-storey, period property is used as a music room and overlooks the lovely Ruskin Park while the rear annex of the L-shaped footprint features high ceilings and a well-proportioned generous living room facing the garden. This left a rather dark rear reception room with odd proportions - slightly too high for its size – and a far too small kitchen squeezed in between at the centre of the house.
The task was a bit like solving a three-dimensional puzzle. The family needed a larger and brighter kitchen and a more social cooking and dining space, which can accommodate occasional guests as well, however there was not much room to extend without interfering with the quality of adjacent spaces as well as the appreciated garden access.
We swapped the functions, added a small side extension, removed a corridor wall, and opened up both areas with neatly designed steel work to replace the rear wall of the main house. This offers a central space in which the dining table is comfortably positioned in the middle and circulation can flow past. The kitchen inhabits the rear reception room and features a library ladder to access the top cabinets. Despite the smallish footprint we managed to maximise kitchen worktop and cupboard space. (A small spare room at the first floor was converted into a utility room next to the main bathroom thus freeing up further kitchen cupboard space). The layout allows for a glimpse of garden and sky while cooking.
A well-designed lighting scheme and fully glazed roof brightens up the new space. Enhanced by a light oak parquet and gentle grey and blue colour scheme it feels warm, light and generous.
External trellis dividers and external finishes were replaced with lighter materials, patterns and openness supporting the better connection to the garden.
Photos: Agnese Sanvito