The job
This project was for a busy family home in East Anton, Hampshire, where the existing developer-installed kitchen made limited use of a generously proportioned room.
Roost designed, supplied and installed a new kitchen and laundry/utility room, creating a more practical family space while keeping the clean, minimal look the owner wanted.
Why they wanted change
With two parents and three children at home, the kitchen needed to work much harder. The original layout offered limited storage, worktop space and no real zoning, leaving the family with plenty of room around the kitchen but not enough actual to support everyday life.
The design
The new design created three clear zones: the main sink run, a central island and a concealed breakfast pantry. The pantry uses Hawa Concepta 2 hide-and-slide doors, allowing coffee, breakfast items and small appliances to be easily accessed and then hidden away.
Symmetry was also important. The sink was centred between two tall units, with the dishwasher cleverly integrated into the lower section of one larder. This unit also houses the existing boiler and relocated water softener, keeping the services accessible without disrupting the clean lines of the design.
Challenges
The main challenge was fitting all the practical requirements into a clean, symmetrical design. The dishwasher, boiler, water softener and incoming water supply all needed to be accommodated, while the island also required a carefully planned downdraft extraction route.
The utility room was similarly tight. Although the original idea was to hide the washing machine and tumble dryer behind doors, leaving them open ultimately made the space more practical and easier to use.
The difference
The family now has a fully functioning kitchen with significantly more storage, worktop space and seating. The island gives the room a natural centre, while the breakfast pantry provides a dedicated home for the things used most during busy mornings.
The utility room also makes better use of its limited footprint, giving the family a more practical space for laundry and everyday tasks.
Favourite detail
Jamie particularly likes the dishwasher-in-larder solution. It allows the sink wall to retain its symmetry without compromising the dishwasher's position, while the same unit neatly accommodates the boiler and water softener.
The result
The finished space feels like a proper family kitchen. It still has the minimal, contemporary look the owner wanted, but now has the storage, worktop space, breakfast area and practical zoning needed for everyday family life.
