'The brief for the kitchen of this Victorian house in Surrey was a design that was both practical and beautiful,’ explains Maddy Minerva, who worked for decorators Rosanna Bossom and Rita Konig before establishing her own studio earlier this year.
‘The family has four children and a host of cats and dogs, so a large hard-working kitchen that would comfortably accommodate everyone was fundamental,’ she says.
‘When my clients bought this house, this space was used as a playroom and the kitchen was at the other end of the house. Early on, it was clear that proportions and light here lent themselves to this room becoming the central hub of the home.’
A few structural changes had to be made. The first was to close off a pair of double doors to create space for the Esse range cooker (01282 813235; www.esse.com). Next came the cabinetry, which is from the English classic collection by deVOL painted in a bespoke dark green with a subtle blue tint (01509 261000; www.devolkitchens.co.uk).
‘It’s a lovely colour; depending on the light, it has different tones and works particularly well with the brass details on the joinery and links in with the greens in the garden beyond,’ says Miss Minerva.
Work surfaces are in a combination of rustic oak, also by deVOL, and an island in Silestone with subtle veins of grey-green and blue (01708 869102; www.cosentino.com). Above are Fin pendants by Original BTC (020–7351 2130; www.originalbtc.com). ‘These are made of bone china, but have a softness both to their shape and the light they give out.’
The walls are painted in an off-white Flax Seed by Dulux Heritage (0161–968 3160; www.duluxheritage.co.uk) and the floors are laid with hard-wearing tiles by Floors of Stone and a kilim runner (01509 234000; www.floorsofstone.com). The windows are free of blinds or curtains — ‘I wanted it to be light and unfussy’.
Maddalena Minerva — 07540 088183; www.maddalenaminerva.com
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