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Between chronic dampness and a cramped, segmented floor plan, the lower ground level of a young family’s Victorian townhouse was incredibly dreary. To vanquish the gloom, architecture studio Office S&M gave the kitchen and dining area a bright, rainbow rehaul that’s in stark contrast to its dingy former state.
Joyful colors, geometric shapes, and rounded edges also juxtapose with London’s perpetually cloudy skies, offering the homeowners a much-needed getaway from the gray weather. Upon entering, they’re met with an explosion of tropical hues that instantly lifts their spirits and transports them to a sunny island. “They wanted to create a space that felt like being on holiday,” explains Office S&M founding partner Catrina Stewart.
She and her team achieved this transformation on a budget, all the while adhering to the clients’ request to work as sustainably as possible. On top of employing recycled materials and restoring existing features, Catrina was able to minimize costs and waste by crafting dynamic pieces that each serve numerous purposes.
The arched, baby blue larder cleverly provides storage for dry goods and cookware while also supplying a dedicated hideout for the small children and a built-in light that illuminates the countertop. Similarly, the pale pink and teal bench structure includes upper cupboards in the crownlike roof for the adults and lower lockers in the base for the kids. The vibrant, multifunctional designs are a perfect solution for the family of four.
Kitchen location: Set in a lively neighborhood called Dalston, the house is right around the corner from the historic Ridley Road Market.
The before: “They had a real problem with dampness,” recalls Catrina. “It was also incredibly dark because of its low stature and because it was partitioned into little rooms.”
The inspiration: The homeowners, one of whom runs a fashion rental company, were looking for an open, energetic escape with an eco-friendly angle.
Square footage: 43 square meters (approximately 463 square feet)
Budget: £60,000 (approximately $84,448)
Counters: InOpera Group Terrazzo Resin in Verdi Alpi. “This material uses marble offcuts and recomposes them into something luxurious,” describes Catrina.
Floors: Pinewood planks arranged diagonally. “Because the children are quite young, they wanted the floors to be hard-wearing but also not too hard,” Catrina reasons.
Cabinets: DIY Kitchens. “We specifically went for them because they do curved cabinets,” says Catrina.
Hardware: Swtch Katy Paty Roo Colours ceramic light switches and electrical outlets, Hoppe door handles, and Column Rads radiator.
Paint: Dulux Wellbeing on the walls, First Dawn on the pantry, Sorbet on the seating unit exterior, and Teal Touch on the seating unit interior. “We selected different shades of colors to give a false sense of shadows, which adds more depth and three-dimensionality because it is otherwise a box,” Catrina details.
Appliances: Cookology hood, Zanussi oven, and Zanussi range. “Cooker hoods are so difficult; there are not many nice ones,” admits Catrina. “We wanted it to have some character so it wasn’t forgotten. We wanted it to have a presence.”
Backsplash: Domus pink tiles with Mapei turquoise grout. “Using colored grout is an economical way to elevate a simple tile,” says Catrina.
Furniture: Artifort Palladio oval dining table, custom bench cushion made with Bute Fabrics, and clients’ own vintage chairs.
Lighting: Granby Workshop Speckled Porcelain Pendants and IKEA globe lights.“The lampshades over the dining table are made from recycled brick grog,” Catrina reveals.
Most bonkers splurge: “The most expensive bit and one of the bigger challenges was the damp issue,” laments Catrina. “They had to do quite a lot of work in tanking the whole space, which involved removing all the plaster from all the walls and then re-damp-proofing.”
Sneakiest save: “Carefully designing each element to have multiple uses is a really good way to limit your purchases,” Catrina says.
The best part: For both practical and aesthetic reasons, Catrina is partial to the funky larder.
What I'd never do again: Aside from a few logistical blips, the project was seamless.
Final bill: £73,000 (approximately $102,745)
