Jen has spent a lot of time working in the Nordic design sector, which has influenced her preferred colour palette; muted and tonal shades are her go-to. She incorporates other Scandinavian twists too, including designing with elegant proportions that allow for a more maximalist take when it comes to furnishings – maximalist ornaments and bold artwork feels proportionate against a neutral and tonal base colour palette.
Jen and her partner love cooking, and having a dedicated area for dining. They really wanted to create a kitchen where they could do this in both a practical and beautiful space – functionality was key, otherwise it wouldn’t have worked for their lifestyle. The end result is a sophisticated, design-led space, where they can celebrate their love of cooking and hosting for family and friends.
"The biggest challenge we faced within our renovation project was reassessing our space. We spent a lot of time designing around the elephant in the room – our chimney breast - and in the end, after seeking structural advice, we followed our instincts and removed it - I should’ve done it from the beginning!"
“Inspiration can come from anywhere! At a craft fair, I spotted a coaster which had a warm beige background and terracotta details, which I loved. Then, when the Dekton Awake worktop came out, it instantly reminded me of that same effect, and the design developed from there.
Jen had her eye on the worktop long before the kitchen renovation, “It’s great to find one detail that you love and let the room spill out of that. Whether it’s a cushion or wallpaper, you can use that to guide your design.”
Jen's range of NEFF appliances are the perfect match for her sleek, modern Soho cabinets.
Jen’s new kitchen follows an earthy colour palette that’s rooted in nature. The focus of the kitchen is the modern slab Soho cabinets, showcasing Magnet’s new paint-to-order Balmoral colour – a soft beige green tone. Soho Balmoral is a matte, contemporary take on a classic palette, and the perfect pairing for Jen’s warm-toned kitchen, with an Awake Dekton worktop that picks up earthy textures in its veined marble effect.
Jen created a truly bespoke kitchen combination with Nordic Craft timber drawers that showcase finger-jointed units and Magnet’s unique attention to craftsmanship and sustainability. Paired with durable engineered flooring in oak herringbone, Nordic Craft stands out and perfectly complements the whole kitchen.
Overall, Jen’s new kitchen is a cosy and autumnal take on the hub of the home, with a palette that’s versatile enough to feel inviting all year round. The colours in the kitchen change depending on the time of day, with a south-east facing home, Jen can enjoy warm tones throughout the day, fading into beige-green, and dark forest green as the evening draws in.
Don’t rush the process too much – carefully considered design choices will pay off in the long run! Be collaborative with your kitchen planner, partner and family – spend time in the space with whoever you’re going to be sharing the kitchen with, to consider the best layout that works for all of you.
Personally, I think smart appliances are a worthwhile investment if you know you’ll get lots of use out of them – my Quooker tap is one of the best parts of the kitchen that I use every day!
It’s great to think in advance about where you’ll want to put specific items like pots and pans, so you can plan for enough storage space in the right areas. Also, incorporate spare cupboards to allow space for new items – often people don’t consider these small elements of the kitchen and it ends up being unsuitable in the long run!
Inspiration can come from anywhere – look at the wallpaper, art and furnishings already in your home and let your kitchen design build from there. Tip: avoid starting with paint swatches – you can find yourself down a wormhole!
“The decision to take out the chimney breast was a difficult one, but while it added character to the property, removing it was absolutely the right decision. After creating 10 or so different designs with the chimney breast intact, we knew deep down we had to get rid of it, otherwise we would end up changing our minds in the future.”
“The only thing I would do differently is to do the project sooner! And maybe avoid wasting time trying to find a solution with the chimney breast - we knew we made the right decision in the end!”
Layout
One-wall, with island
Designer
Jen Nash
Cabinet style
Modern slab
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