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Located on the cusp of Epping Forest in Theydon Bois, this incredible property has been subject to an extensive renovation that has lasted over two years and completely transformed the space into a classic contemporary family home. With a young family and busy everyday lives, the homeowners wanted a space that was family-orientated but also suitable for entertaining friends and family at weekends. Overcoming extensive structural issues such as the removal of a large chimney was a time-consuming process, but the end result meant that the space for the kitchen, dining and living areas are sufficiently open enough to really encompass modern family living.

With a large Spenlow island and a huge false chimney surround for the Wolf range cooker, there is plenty of space for food prep on the island where the prep sink and Quooker hot tap are located with integrated dishwasher and pull out bin handily positioned either side.

The clients wanted the space to have a relaxed and welcoming feel so designating the island for food prep means they can cook and chat to family and friends at the same time. The island has seating for the children to have meals during the day and a spot to serve pre-dinner drinks in the evening.

To the left of the cooking run is the large Sub-Zero fridge freezer while to the right is the day pantry which is used for storing all the dry goods and ingredients. Locating the main fridge freezer and pantry either side of the chimney means that everything is easily to hand – no mean feat in such a large space.

The main sink run is on the far side with a large deerfield sink and second dishwasher and pull out eurocargo bin – this area is tucked just around the corner from the dining area and means tableware and glassware can be easily cleared away after meals.

The kitchen dining area is framed by the bespoke Spenlow cabinetry finished in Smithfield oak with double doors leading out to the utility room and boot room which are nearby but hidden from view from the main kitchen. A large Smithfield pantry cupboard is used for storing additional tableware but could also be utilised as a breakfast pantry, while the two Sub-Zero wine preservation units provide ample storage for wines and champagnes.

Just along from the main kitchen is the living area – an informal space for the family to watch television and enjoy movie nights. With the kitchen, dining and living areas all separated into distinctive zones, the space reflects the versatility of modern family living.

The contemporary clean lines of the Spenlow kitchen suit this space perfectly especially with the soft grey colour palette of our own HM paint colour “Tailored Grey” and the muted tone of the Smithfield oak finish used on the island and dining area cabinetry. The use of the Smithfield oak finish was particularly appropriate given the property is situated on the fringe of Epping Forest and really fits in with the idea of bringing the outdoors in and creating a relaxed and welcoming space.

Contemporary Open Plan Kitchen, Theydon Bois

A calm and light open plan kitchen designed for everyday family life as well as entertaining on a large scale. The island is finished in Smithfield oak which compliments the painted perimeter cabinetry finished in H|M Tailored Grey perfectly.

Part of a large scale renovation, this large open plan kitchen has been transformed into a light, classic contemporary space designed for low key family dinners and full scale entertaining at the weekends.

An open plan kitchen designed for everyday family life as well as entertaining on a large scale. The kitchen consists of a large island used for food prep, a scullery run for efficient clearing away, a run of cabinetry designated to both food storage and cooking and on the far side of the kitchen - an informal dining area for low-key meals.

Double doors leading out to the utility room and boot room are framed by bespoke Spenlow cabinetry finished in Smithfield oak. A large pantry cupboard on the left is used for storing tableware and to the right are two Sub-Zero wine preservation units integrated into cabinetry.

Large Smithfield oak pantry cupboard used to store tableware close to the dining table.

Two side by side Sub-Zero wine preservation units integrated into Spenlow cabinetry, provide ample storage for wines and champagnes that can be served to guests at the nearby dining table.

This scullery run is finished in H|M paint colour Tailored Grey and has a large deerfield sink with a Perrin & Rowe tap. Under the counter is a dishwasher and pull out bin – this area is tucked just around the corner from the dining area and means tableware and glassware can be easily cleared away after meals.

This huge Sub-Zero fridge freezer provides masses of cold food storage close to the kitchen island which is used as the main food prep area, so that preparing meals is quick and easy.

The island in this open plan kitchen project has seating for the children to have meals during the day and a spot to serve pre-dinner drinks in the evening.

A huge false chimney is the focal point to this kitchen and conceals a Westin extraction unit with a Wolf range cooker below. Behind the range cooker is a toughened antique effect mirror splashback, useful for bouncing light back across the room as well as chatting to guests sat at the island while the host cooks.

This cutlery drawer interior is finished in Smithfield oak. A muted wood finish that works particularly in well contemporary spaces and against polished nickel hardware.

A day pantry concealed behind Spenlow cabinetry finished in H|M paint colour Tailored Grey. When open the pantry reveals a mix of open and closed storage for dried foods as well as a cold shelf that can be used to store larger everyday appliances or for preparing food.

This day pantry interior is finished in Smithfield oak and provides an abundance of open and closed food storage. Open shelves are used to store jars, boxes and packets of food, the worktop below is ideal for bottles and food prep, deep drawers beneath the counter hide away open and more unsightly packets and finally, spice racks on the back of the doors keep all herbs and spices neatly organised.

This formal dining space is located just off a large open plan kitchen and is used for entertaining on a larger scale. A drinks cabinet has been designed at the far end of the room so that guests can be served drinks close to the table without the need to leave the room.

When open, this drinks cabinet reveals storage for glassware and bottles providing a space for preparing and serving cocktails and pre-dinner drinks to guests sat at the formal dining table nearby.

The drinks cabinet shown open here houses glassware, bottles and ice buckets, providing a space for preparing and serving pre-dinner drinks to guests sat at the formal dining table nearby.

A dream utility room with Spenlow cabinetry painted in Tailored Grey and finished with polished nickel quilp handles. At the centre of the run is a butler sink with a Perrin & Rowe Ionian tap and rinse and under the counter either side of the sink is a Miele washing machine and tumble dryer.

The right side of this utility room has a thermostatically controlled drying cupboard which can be neatly hidden away behind Spenlow cabinetry – perfect for busy families.

This boot room has a wall of Spenlow cabinetry to the left hand side and to the right, bench seating used for storage as well as provising a place to prepare a bag before heading out for the day.

Bench seating in this boot room opens to reveal storage space inside. When closed it is the ideal place to sit and put on wellies before heading out for a walk.

Bench seating in this boot room is used to store towels and linens. When closed it is the ideal place to sit and put on wellies before heading out for a walk.

Floor to ceiling cabinetry in this boot room provides masses of storage space for larger items like hampers, baskets and servingware all tucked away out of sight of the main kitchen.