3 Brilliant Design Lessons to Steal from This Gorgeous Kitchen in England
It was love at first sight when Stacey Dyer and her husband, Adam, found this 1910 Suffolk, England, home. “When we viewed the house for the first time we knew that it was for us even before we walked in the door,” says Stacey, who has been documenting her home’s remodel on @end_of_the_row, an Instagram account that has amassed 210,000 followers. Since that first visit, Stacey and Adam have redecorated every room, including the kitchen.
“This room has completely [improved] how we live, and it really is the heart of the home,” Stacey says of her kitchen. We totally get it. This room has it all — including three really smart lessons that every homeowner should learn. Let’s take a look!
Tour the full space: A Colorful UK Home Features the Neatest Wooden Apothecary Drawers in the Kitchen at Apartment Therapy
1. Pick a color scheme and stick to it.
You don’t need to know the ins and outs of color theory in order to design around a color scheme. If you have a favorite piece to begin with — say, a rug or artwork — you can often pick up color inspiration. For Stacey, it was the blue tone of Moroccan-style tiles she had once admired that motivated her color choices.
In the kitchen, the Dyers stick mostly to shades of blues, greens, and grays. “Our home is quite calm and relaxing but with pops of color, which is a true reflection of our personalities,” Stacey says.
2. Assess the way you live before picking a new countertop.
While it may be easy enough to choose a countertop based on looks alone, a material’s maintenance, durability, and cost are also important factors to consider when selecting a new surface for a kitchen remodel.
Originally, the Dyers’ kitchen was outfitted with beech countertops. They were attractive, but weren’t practical because they required a lot of maintenance, according to Stacey. “They fade in the sunny areas of the kitchen, and turn black in the areas that are frequently damp,” she explains. Wood countertops, in fact, must be oiled frequently to seal the surface. The family decided to replace the old counters with Cullifords‘ Michelangelo quartz in a satin finish — a sophisticated choice that echoes the modern, white walls.
3. Be strategic yet creative when planning for built-in storage space.
Kitchens can undoubtedly collect a lot of clutter — especially with kids. The Dyers, who have two young children of their own, knew they wanted to add plenty of storage space. “Our home is over 100 years old, so we wanted something in keeping with the age of our property, but also to fulfill our need for extra storage in our kitchen,” Stacey says.
The couple decided to install custom, apothecary-style drawers built by master craftsman Christian Blake. While the oak drawers are absolutely charming, they also appear to be tiny and singular. Many times, Stacey admits, people have commented on how she fits anything in there. In truth, the drawers’ appearance is deceivingly smart: lots of them are connected, making ideal hiding spaces for pots and pans, ceramic pieces, utensils, and more. The drawers also have a soft close, which Stacey admits is a nice feature when you have children running around.
“I’ve always filled my home with useful items. I’m not one for a lot of ‘extra stuff’ just for decoration, but I love functional pieces that serve a purpose whilst reflecting my style,” Stacey explains.
What do you love most about this stunning kitchen? Tell us in the comments below.