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When architect Mel Bax was overhauling the poorly optimized kitchen in her east London home, she knew she wanted a bright, garden-room-style extension with arched windows. She spent two years fine-tuning her ratio between paid jobs. But what about the interior? Mel admits she needs help. “Architects think they can design everything, and yes, if I want a plywood kitchen, I can do that,” she explains. “But I wanted it to be cozy, warm, and fun; I was afraid it would just be a box in the back of the house.”
Enter neighbor and interior designer Laura Parkinson of newly established Palmer & Stone. Parkinson had used Meier for his own structural remodeling, and the pair’s skills blended naturally, with Parkinson’s awareness of process and furniture planning enhancing Meier’s designs. Looking at Mel’s original blueprints, Parkinson’s first suggestion was to move the kitchen cabinets to the opposite wall so that the dramatic windows would be clearly visible from the moment one enters the space. She had many more careful considerations.
Incorporate emotion into your plan from the start
Mel’s planning was very thorough and she knew how long her dining room table would need to be before construction began. This allows Parkinson to map out exactly where task lighting and accent lighting go, each on a separate circuit. “Creating little moods and corners is something Mel and I feel strongly about,” says the designer.
Music was also important to Mel and her husband Bev, but they didn’t want to bet on a potentially moody integrated sound system, so they opted for synced Alexa speakers. Usually it will sit on a small shelf in the dining nook, but on quiet evenings it will house a scented candle.
Choose a color that “dings” in the sun
Mel really wanted to make the new windows and exposed steel beams stand out – and what better way to do that than with an unexpected splash of color? Bev went all in, telling her, “If we’re doing color, we’re doing color.” Mel’s RAL chart came out.
They decided to use ruby red (Ral Color 3003) on all the steel and Farrow & Ball’s Parish Red on the woodwork, which complements the inlaid plaster on the ceiling and baseboards. “Bev wanted to be brighter, but when the sun shines in, it’s really harsh. It’s a good life,” Mel testified.
Make your open bookshelf full of art
Parkinson’s idea was to use an open shelf to break up the storage cabinets that house the family’s coats and shoes. But Bev suggested making the ledge a heart shape. “Builders said it looked like a bum or boobs — we got a few comments,” Mel said with a laugh. The beautifully shaped opening of the built-in dining table has more open storage for tablecloths and toys, providing another opportunity to play with colour.
Mel’s favorite detail is the pantry cabinets with reed glass doors. “It’s intentionally made very shallow so we can immediately see what’s inside,” she said. “When we moved, we found some things that were five years out of date because they had been pushed to the back.”
Chop while watching the game – and then put it away
Bev is the cook in the family and his biggest request for the kitchen was a TV to keep him company while he prepares food on the island. The trick is not to make the room look like just another sitting area. Parkinson’s charming solution is to hide the wall-mounted monitor behind a handmade patchwork cover by Liz Scarlett.
The custom textiles feature birthday flowers for the couple’s two young daughters. This personal touch keeps the kitchen from being a soulless extension.
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