A Thoughtful Kitchen Redesign in Fulham, West London
A functional and material-led upgrade for a busy family home
The kitchen was the starting point of the open plan design. Located within the apartment’s existing footprint, the space required a complete rethink to better suit the needs of a busy, food-loving family.
While generous in size, the original kitchen felt dark and visually heavy, with inefficient internal layouts that didn’t support everyday cooking or storage. The brief was clear: elevate both function and aesthetics, without unnecessary waste.
The kitchen - BEFORE
Working with what already worked
A key part of our approach was to retain and repurpose elements that were still performing well. The original layout was sound, and the kitchen carcasses were solid and well-built, so we chose to keep them as the backbone of the design.
Most importantly, a beautiful Arabescato marble worktop was carefully restored and became the hero of the new scheme. Several appliances were also kept and seamlessly reintegrated, reducing waste while allowing budget to be focused where it would have the greatest impact.
The kitchen - AFTER
A smarter, more efficient layout
Behind the scenes, the kitchen was entirely reconfigured internally. All shelving was replaced with deep drawers for easier access, and bespoke pull-out systems were introduced in corner units to eliminate wasted space. These changes alone transformed how the kitchen functions on a daily basis.
Externally, the cabinetry was refreshed with a two-tone finish. The lower units are finished in a high-quality laminate chosen for durability, while the upper units are clad in warm walnut veneer and taken all the way up to the ceiling, creating a more architectural and streamlined feel.
Material contrasts and softened details
To balance the strong geometry of the space, some upper cabinets were replaced with open shelves, finished with a rounded edge to soften the overall look. These shelves wrap around a structural column, turning a constraint into a considered design feature.
The back of the kitchen peninsula was wrapped in a striking ribbed ebony veneer, introducing texture and depth. The same material was used to clad another structural column, which was transformed into a bookshelf and bar unit, subtly dividing the kitchen, dining and lounge areas without interrupting flow.
Thoughtful details at every touchpoint
To echo the softened lines introduced through the open shelving, we selected bar stools with rounded edges for the peninsula seating. Their gentle curves provide a subtle contrast to the strong architectural lines of the kitchen, while making the space feel more inviting and comfortable for everyday family use.
Positioned at the heart of the kitchen, the stools encourage informal meals, conversations and moments spent together, reinforcing the kitchen’s role as a social hub rather than a purely functional workspace.
Kitchen stools by AYTM
A calm backdrop for the marble
Given the scale of the splashback area, we opted for a minimal Corian backsplash that visually recedes into the background, allowing the marble worktops to take centre stage.
Beyond its aesthetic qualities, Corian offered a practical solution. It can be installed in sections and finished seamlessly on site, avoiding the logistical challenges of transporting a single large stone slab through the apartment’s staircase, while achieving a clean, jointless finish.
Lighting as a finishing layer
Lighting played a crucial role in elevating the finished space. Inefficient existing fixtures were replaced with architectural spotlights positioned over the peninsula, finished in a warm bronze tone.
This finish is echoed throughout the adjoining living spaces in track lighting and decorative elements, creating a cohesive and inviting atmosphere across the apartment.
If you’re planning a renovation or dreaming about a kitchen that truly works for the way you live, I’d love to help. Get in touch to book a consultation and let’s create a kitchen that feels beautiful, functional and effortless every day.