A Modern UK Kitchen Redo With Major “Wow Factor”

published Oct 9, 2016

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(Image credit: Photos by Derek Robinson )

Project by: Darren Morgan of Designer Kitchen by Morgan Interiors
Location: Armagh, United Kingdom

Darren Morgan was given a bit of a design puzzle: keep pieces of the old kitchen, yet add flair and pizzaz. He knocked it out of the park, creating a warm and modern space. Here’s how he did it.

(Image credit: Photos by Derek Robinson )

(Image credit: Photos by Derek Robinson)

(Image credit: Photos by Derek Robinson )

(Image credit: Photos by Derek Robinson)

(Image credit: Photos by Derek Robinson )

From Darren:

	We were hired to refurbish an existing kitchen into an airy and modern space that included some “wow factor” features to satisfy the very precise tastes of this design-savvy client. A few prerequisites: We had to use the ovens from the old kitchen, include a large island with seating and create a visually attractive feature around the main entrance doorway. We extended the mezzanine and introduced a bulkhead above the window near the sink, which obscured the top of the units from above; this allowed us to add mood up-lighting and task lighting. The junction between the new bulkhead and mezzanine created a natural break between the entrance door and the kitchen, and we used this to define our approach. A large solid ash pivot door enhances the existing entrance. The entrance door’s angular solid ash frame was designed to absorb the angular nature of the surrounding architecture. The existing under-floor heating meant that a conventional pivot system couldn’t be introduced into the floor, so we sourced a specialized system that could be concealed within the door which needed only an 8mm protrusion into the floor. The island was designed with simplicity in mind with subtle hidden layers that help to deliver visual impact, while the waterfall worktops create a monolithic presence from various angles which is purposefully contradicted by using heavily chamfered edges along the front of the island to create a floating appearance. The holistic impact is enhanced further by detaching the cabinetry from all surrounding surfaces and including LED lighting which can create a glowing effect at night. The inclusion of a custom made Gutmann Abajo extraction system delivers unobtrusive functionality to enhance the look further.

We were hired to refurbish an existing kitchen into an airy and modern space that included some “wow factor” features to satisfy the very precise tastes of this design-savvy client. A few prerequisites: We had to use the ovens from the old kitchen, include a large island with seating and create a visually attractive feature around the main entrance doorway.

We extended the mezzanine and introduced a bulkhead above the window near the sink, which obscured the top of the units from above; this allowed us to add mood up-lighting and task lighting. The junction between the new bulkhead and mezzanine created a natural break between the entrance door and the kitchen, and we used this to define our approach.

A large solid ash pivot door enhances the existing entrance. The entrance door’s angular solid ash frame was designed to absorb the angular nature of the surrounding architecture. The existing under-floor heating meant that a conventional pivot system couldn’t be introduced into the floor, so we sourced a specialized system that could be concealed within the door which needed only an 8mm protrusion into the floor.

The island was designed with simplicity in mind with subtle hidden layers that help to deliver visual impact, while the waterfall worktops create a monolithic presence from various angles which is purposefully contradicted by using heavily chamfered edges along the front of the island to create a floating appearance. The holistic impact is enhanced further by detaching the cabinetry from all surrounding surfaces and including LED lighting which can create a glowing effect at night. The inclusion of a custom made Gutmann Abajo extraction system delivers unobtrusive functionality to enhance the look further.

(Image credit: Photos by Derek Robinson )

Thanks, Designer Kitchen by Morgan Interiors!

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