37
The book-matched granite
features beautiful, natural
veining and subtle variances in
shades of grey and white
While living close by, Nick and Alisha set about a six month
project. Originally a single flat over two floors, the couple
made the first floor into a one bedroom flat to rent. Then they
refurbished the second floor and converted the loft space,
creating a two bedroom, two bathroom apartment for themselves,
spread over the two floors, with new roof terrace added on to the
rear of the property. The entire second floor, once two bedrooms,
is now given over to an open-plan kitchen-dining-living space.
Alisha, born in Australia, explains, “We always had large, open
kitchens when I was growing up, and I wanted to create a similar
sense of free-flowing space here, with room for entertaining and
relaxing, rather than a kitchen that’s hidden away.”
With a pile of pictures of they liked, Nick and Alisha contacted
kitchen designer Neil Norton. “By that time, we had developed a
clear idea of the look we wanted – something timeless to blend in
with the classic style of the living area, the herringbone parquet
floor and the age of the property,” explains Nick.
While Neil began to develop plans for the painted cabinetry, with
appliances sleekly hidden away to emphasise the “non-kitcheny”
look of the design, Nick and Alisha chose furnishings for the rest
of the room to echo the timeless mood, given personality with
elements of industrial and eclectic style. “It’s a room with lots of
warmth, that feels inviting whatever the time of day or night,” says
Nick. “We love it.”