Created for a keen cook with her own bakery business, the Rhapsody kitchen by Julia Brown plays all the right notes with a melody of material and colour contrasts and a free-flowing arrangement that makes working, living and socialising in this space a dream. Classic design principles combined with innovative touches and characterful accents means this framed and hand-painted scheme is absolutely one of a kind.

All of which confirms why this project is one of three Finalists in the British Design & Manufacturing category of the Designer K&B Awards 2021.

The client needed a kitchen that would not only allow her to work from home, but also accommodate busy family life. Spending so much time in the space demanded that it not only function fantastically but also be aesthetically pleasing and aligned with her personal tastes and style preferences. Ample storage and work space was also essential, not only to house all the ingredients and equipment for the making of commercial cakes and macaroons, but also to feed three growing boys. 

Julia Brown set to work, settling on the ideal layout of an L-shape that maximised all available wall space while also fitting in a sociable and practical island unit. By taking one section of cabinets into the short end of the L and reducing the size of the island slightly, optimal storage was attained. This also created a definitive ‘clearing up’ zone for the sink area, a helpful addition in a very busy kitchen that doubles for business and domestic life, and allowed for not only a generous double bowl but the addition of integrated bins and a dishwasher.

This delineation nevertheless involved some tricky juggling of space and the addition of an extra room dividing element so the sink run could butt against this new section of a wall that otherwise curves away into an open plan living area. After solving the sink run, the next challenge was the optimum use of a large bank of tall units at the long end of the L. 

The all-important ovens are given centre stage and framed in dark cabinetry. To one side in the lighter-painted units is a bi-fold double larder for all of the professional baking gear (together with a tall single larder for any overflow needs in the darker unit). To the other side is a generous integrated fridge and a second bi-fold larder dedicated for family use.

 

The client is delighted and feels that her ‘Rhapsody’ kitchen succeeds on both counts. In terms of the aesthetics there’s a blend of enticing colours and quality materials. A mix of unframed Shaker with framed flat cabinetry is hand painted in Farrow & Ball’s Off Black while the lighter units are Little Greene’s French Green. 

The wall units are topped in Carrara Gioia marble and the marble-wrapped island features a generous cantilevered walnut breakfast bar, supported on curving, solid brass legs. Brass is a key accent, also appearing on the cabinetry handles from Buster and Punch and on other accessories. Appliances are by Siemens and Quooker.

  

Mowlem & Co is regular awards nominee and winner, taking home the trophy in this category at these awards before, as well as in numerous other competitions.
www.mowlemandco.com