Rustic elegance: a Victorian terrace kitchen renovation

Two years ago, we featured the renovation of Harriet and Oli's bathroom and hallway in their new home, a Victorian terrace in London. Their thoughtful approach to design, artful use of our tiles, and sensitive consideration of their home's heritage struck a chord with our readers, and the project quickly became one of our most beloved customer stories. Today, we're delighted to share with you their latest project: a kitchen space that seamlessly blends serene, rustic charm with modern functionality.

In this new chapter of their renovation journey, Harriet and Oli have created a warm, inviting kitchen that not only reflects their personal style but also caters to their love of entertaining.

"We have been completely immersed in renovating and finishing our home and we are so happy with how it has turned out," Harriet tells us. "Despite being a relatively small space, it has been a significant project for us — a true labour of love."

From corridor to kitchen

The original kitchen presented quite a challenge. "It was essentially a long, narrow space with a low ceiling, more like a wide corridor," Harriet recalls. Undeterred, the couple made some bold decisions to transform the space. "We decided to move the kitchen from one end of the room to the other, where we could convert the windows into doors, making the space feel much more open." This shift made a huge difference, allowing more natural light into the room and creating a seamless connection with their garden.

Light, warmth, texture

As with their bathroom and hallway renovation, tiles played a crucial role in defining the kitchen's character. They chose a neutral palette for the main elements of the kitchen, allowing them the flexibility to introduce colour through accessories, art, and flowers. "I love to regularly re-style things," Harriet shares, "and a neutral backdrop provides so much flexibility to refresh the space with minimal effort."

For the cooker surround, the couple chose handmade Kennet skinny brick tiles in Winterbourne. "They were a perfect solution for adding texture and warmth without overwhelming the room," Harriet notes. "They have the artisanal, handcrafted quality we were looking for. Because of the way tiles from the Kennet collection are made, each one is unique and they have so much character, which really drew us to them."

Harriet continues, "We arranged them vertically, which helped create the illusion of more height. Having tiles around the oven is not only hugely practical — so easy to wipe down! — but has given so much character to an otherwise quite functional space."

The couple introduced brass hardware to complement the tiles and enhance the overall warmth of the kitchen. "Given the low ceilings in our kitchen, we opted for light, airy tones to keep the space feeling open and bright," Harriet explains.

For the floor, Harriet and Oli selected our classic stone effect porcelain York Flag tiles in our four pattern mix. "We wanted something durable and classic, and these tiles were the perfect fit," Harriet notes. "They felt like they truly belonged to the building — they have a timeless quality, as though they have been there for years."

Flow and functionality

One of the key considerations for the couple was creating a sense of flow between different areas of their home. To that end, they chose to use square tiles in Willow from our Ullswater collection above the sink — referencing the same tiles used in the bathroom, with the same handmade finish as the tiles around the cooker.

Harriet advises, "Imagine the space empty of your belongings and focus on the key design elements — paint colours, architectural details, flooring, lighting, hardware... if those all flow and feel cohesive, everything else should come together."

The couple also made smart decisions about storage. "We have the luxury of a cellar space that serves as both a larder and a utility room, which allowed us to avoid overloading the kitchen with storage," Harriet explains. "This really gave us the freedom to focus on how we wanted the kitchen to look."

Overcoming challenges

Like any renovation, the project came with its share of challenges. "We were eager to finish our home in time for summer so we could enjoy barbecues in the garden with all the natural light flowing through the flat," Harriet recalls. "However, we underestimated just how cold it would be without windows or doors at the back in the middle of winter! December and January were quite challenging without a proper kitchen to warm us up."

Despite the temporary discomfort, Harriet has no regrets. "It was worth every moment."

The finishing touches

To complete the look, Harriet and Oli paid careful attention to lighting. "Lighting is such an often-overlooked element in design, yet it's crucial to shaping the mood of a room," Harriet advises. "It's worth investing in, both from a design and budget perspective. Having multiple layers of lighting is key to creating depth and warmth in a space."

For those looking to embark on their own renovation journey, Harriet offers this advice: "It really all starts with understanding the purpose and use of a space. Think about how you want to use the room — whether for storage, comfort, practicality, or a specific occasion — and design around those needs. It makes the whole process more focused and ensures the final space is both functional and cosy."

Settling in

Now that the dust has settled and the renovation is complete, Harriet and Oli are thrilled with the results. "We are so grateful to have got rid of all the building dust!" Harriet laughs. "We love being home now and are so enjoying having friends and family over."

Many thanks to Harriet and Oli for sharing their beautiful project with us. Their kitchen, with its warm, rustic farmhouse style, neutral palette, and pops of colour through carefully chosen fabrics and accessories, stands as a testament to their vision and hard work. It's a space that invites gatherings, encourages culinary creativity, and truly feels like the heart of their home.

If you've been inspired by their renovation and would like a little assistance in planning your own design project, please get in touch. Our design team is here to help.