Space & light

THE ABUNDANT DAYLIGHT FLOWING INTO MANISSA PATEL'S NEW KITCHEN ALLOWED HER TO OPT FOR A DARING DARK GREEN

- RUTH CORBETT

KITCHEN PROJECT

PROJECT DETAILS

WHO LIVES HERE?

Manissa Patel and her daughter Jaine, six.

THE PROJECT 

Kitchen refit and extension in a four-bedroom detached 1930s house in Shenfield, Essex.

TOTAL COST

£65,000

THE PROBLEM 

Light-starved, dated kitchen, awkwardly located in the middle of the house

THE SOLUTION

‘I wanted a sociable kitchen that was light and airy with a good sense of flow: a space that reflected the 1930s aesthetic of the house but was not too modern or too country in style. An intensive search brought John Lewis of Hungerford to my attention. Designer Rebecca Nokes thoroughly explored what I wanted and we devised a scheme located in the large, new extension. The kitchen now opens onto the patio, and light floods in through large aluminium-framed doors and windows as well as the new skylight, which meant that I could choose a dramatic dark green shade for the cabinetry. A separate utility room was a must for the laundry and ironing paraphernalia. Now the kitchen provides the perfect balance of function and style, whether we’re entertaining, home-schooling or working from home.’