Being just footsteps from the sea, it was imperative that the kitchen in this refurbished cottage was designed to let the environment on its doorstep inside.
Beach Cottage sits in an enviable location at the head of Readymoney Cove in Fowey; you step directly through the garden gate, out onto the sand. When owners Lorraine and Mike first contacted Landmark, the major refurbishment of their holiday cottage was not yet underway, but they were keen to appoint the services of a specialist kitchen company who could work alongside the main building contractor. The relationship of the kitchen design with the rest of the project was pivotal to the success of the whole house, as the open living, dining and kitchen space was at the heart of the cottage.
On Landmark's first visit to the property the emphasis was placed upon the functions of, and flow between, the ground floor rooms and how it was essential that they related to the outside spaces. With the kitchen opening onto a walled courtyard, bathed in the afternoon and evening sun, this was also to become integrated with the rest of the kitchen design as a private, alfresco dining area.
Not only did we end up with our dream kitchen in our cottage by the sea, but Landmark were fantastic to work with from start to finish. Every design detail was well considered, the project management completely painless and the quality of craftsmanship, superb.
Lorraine & Mike France,
Beach Cottage, Readymoney Cove
Specification
Overview
As well as expressing and relating to the beach environment right on the doorstep, the challenge of this kitchen was to create a calm, inviting atmosphere and bring a cohesion and definition to the interconnecting spaces. What Landmark came up with was a result that is stylish, practical, harmonious and spacious.
Key objectives
From the very beginning of the project it was essential that our design ethos and craftsmanship dovetailed into the walled garden design that was already underway. Fully endorsing 'Wheelbarrow' garden design's vision, it was agreed to unite the garden and kitchen, by running the large slate flagstones throughout the kitchen and on out, into the courtyard.
Taking into consideration the need maximise the space available, Landmark were asked to design a bespoke dining table to sit in the centre of the room. Our solution was a table and long bench seat, which tucks neatly away when not in use, crafted from oak. The design uses oversized green oak legs, adding an organic contrast to the clean lines and fine square table top. To complete the set, pure white classic chairs by Charles and Ray Eames were used to great visual effect.
Landmark specified a large dual-fuel Falcon range cooker in a stainless steel finish with a custom splash-back to meet the client's demands for performance, capacity and good looks. A Franke chimney hood was chosen for its efficient extraction, fine lines and glass canopy that helps counter the low ceiling. Again to address the limited height of the room, the only tall units spanning floor to ceiling are the integrated fridge freezer by Liebherr and the adjacent larder cupboard. Conventional wall cabinets have been replaced with a continuous open box shelf, and behind the sink an original, blocked-up window was discovered and neatly incorporated for additional storage and display.
It was the beach garden that was the final element of the project to be completed. Lorraine and Mike had searched unsuccessfully to find an informal table and seating to suit the circular patio area (and something that could withstand the rigours of an exposed location by the sea). Again, Landmark was able to provide a solution with the creation of an original circular table with three matching benches in natural green oak.
Unique features
- Tulipwood in-frame cabinetry, hand-painted in Farrow & Ball’s Parma Gray No.27 with Azul Platino granite worktops (similar to the Cornish granite found in abundance along the surrounding coastline).
- Stainless steel under-mounted sinks by Franke, with tap by Hansgrohe featuring a pullout spray head.
- A magic corner unit by Peka, fitted into the corner cabinet to make full use of the available cabinet volume.
- A Fisher and Paykel double-drawer dishwasher, enabling the couple to use just the top drawer when they are on their own and giving them full capacity when entertaining guests.
- As well as the unique dining table and bench in the kitchen, there is also the circular oak table and benches in the garden. Now weathered to a beautiful silvery grey this garden furniture is - according to the owners - fast becoming a local landmark!
The outside furniture we talked Mat into designing for our very visible beach garden, has already lived up to the name of his company by becoming a local landmark!
