SHOWCASE design

Creating this bespoke scheme gave Lesley Wilcock and Mike Whalley the incentive to start up their own kitchen company.
What better way to start a new business making bespoke kitchens than by designing your own? That was the reasoning of Goodchild 0 Companys Lesley Wilcock and Mike Whalley wher. they moved into their Georgian property, along with Lesleys son Ted, some two years ago.
Set in a Victorian extension, the kitchen the family inherited had clearly seen better days. It desperately needed to be replaced, Lesley recalls. Mike and I wanted a showcase for our new company, so we decided to use this room as a template. We also thought it was a good idea to go through the same design process as our prospective customers. The first major problem the couple faced was the position of the boiler. As it was still in good order, they decided to build around it, planning a worktop - mounted cupboard with space for glassware and crockery either side. It works really well says Lesley. Youd never know the boiler is in there when the cupboard door is closed. Another issue to contend with
was the shape of the room. Its definitely on the small side, the ceiling is quite low and none of the walls arc particularly straight, explains Lesley. Also, it doesnt get much sunlight. We knew wed have to choose a muted palette to make it seem a bit brighter. As for the cabinets themselves, they fit edge - to - edge to make the most of the space. To add warmth to the look, we decided to paint one of the walls with the same aubergine shade wed used on the toiler housing.

CHOOSING APPLIANCES

A lack of space also meant making some tough decisions about which appliances to include. We considered two single ovens but after some thought, we opted to have a single oven alongside a microwave combination oven, says Lesley. Its nice and neat, plus it gives me a second oven when I need it.
What the pair did not compromise on. though, was food storage. My butlers pantry is like a Tardis. laughs Lesley. In a small kitchen, it gives you the best use of space for storing all your dry goods. I chose a simple interior with a cold shelf in the middle ar.d adjustable shelves alongside. It takes an absolute mountain of things and its easily accessible because its double dcored.

MAXIMISING THE SPACE

However, it is the island that has been the biggest change in the room. The problem we had with the old kitchen was its U - shape, says Lesley. When you opened the door to come in. you were immediately met by a tall end panel. I hated it and tried to avoid that at all costs with this design. Now, the island frees up that wall space, plus theres room for all three of us at the breakfast bar, and during the day I like to catch up on my paperwork there, too. Ted is learning to cook, so I can keep an eye on him and have a chat while hes busy.
The finishing touches to the homely. Shaker - style cabinetry are the stunning handles that Lesley managed to find online. Everybody who visits loves them because theyre so unusual, she says. Theyve added an interesting twist to an otherwise simple scheme Even though the room is still relatively small, it feels far more sociable. When it comes down to it, this is our home, so its not a showroom kitchen in the sense that its just nice to look at. It has to work for all the family and it does exactly that.

Advice from the DESIGNER

DO make a list of what you must have, followed by a list of what you would like to have, and work through it with your designer, incorporating as much as possible as you go down the list.
DONT go for gimmicks, as youH need space for the important stuff. In a smaller kitchen you have to prioritise and compromise. Use the area youve got to incorporate as many appliances as you can, but leave out things that are low on the wish - list. For example, I love coffee but I didnt put a coffee machine in this kitchen because it would have taken up too much room.
DO spend more on some items, but be sure to save on others. Because we splashed out on the granite worktops,
we went for a more competitively priced wooden flooring. Its still very nice, but if wed had a larger budget to play with, thats one of the features wed want to improve.