This blog post will give you a glimpse into all the behind the scenes action and some of the creative process that went into our “Ugly House” kitchen project.
We worked with architects CE+CA Studio and Amazing Productions to create a fabulous family kitchen. The project was part of a sustainable transformation for the Channel 4 TV programme Ugly House To Lovely House with George Clarke. If you missed it, don’t worry, it’s still available to watch on demand here.
Our clients needed a “living kitchen” for their growing family. We designed a seamless space to better integrate the open plan room. The main living area is an L-shaped space, and the kitchen is very much the focus and the hub of the home. Reclaimed iroko, a downdraft extractor fan and a bespoke window boot box are just a few features of the kitchen design.
Reclaimed Iroko
Firstly, our workshop team made a start on sanding down the reclaimed Iroko for the new worktops. Previously, the timber was school lab benches covered in graffiti, so needed a lot of work to make it kitchen-worthy.
After the wood was sanded and planed, a minimum of three hard wax oil coats were applied. This seals the timber, prolonging its life and making it an easy to wipe surface.
Cutting Out Drainer Grooves
James and Alex, our kitchen fitters, cut the drainer grooves for the worktop on site. The clients had chosen an undermount sink. This gives cleaner lines to the kitchen design, as the sink edges are hidden below the level of the worktop.
Cutlery Tray
To reduce waste, and to match the rest of the kitchen design, head bench joiner, Adam, used the smaller pieces of Iroko to make a bespoke cutlery tray by hand.
Once assembled, three coats of hard wax oil were applied. Adam then prepared the drawer by lining it with green felt and preparing the compartments.
One of the best features of a bespoke cutlery tray is that you no longer have to try and fit utensils in spaces that are too small! Because you can choose the sizes of the compartments, the tray can fit everything you need it to without any hassle.
The Final Reveal
After months of hard work, which spanned the COVID-19 lockdown, we were delighted to be finally able to reveal the finished kitchen to the clients on camera.
As you can see, the result is a beautiful and highly functional kitchen to meet their brief. Both clients were delighted with their new sustainable kitchen in their renovated sustainable home.
In conclusion, it was an exciting project to be involved with, and a great collaboration between everyone working to transform this 1930s home.
