Situated in the rear return of an East London flat, this cool, contemporary kitchen demonstrates Uncommon’s Core system, an ‘almost-bespoke’ modular range utilising parametric cabinet designs for a more affordable project. Each unit can be custom sized to ensure a perfect fit, crucial in a Victorian property with its original chimney breast still in place. The challenge was to work with, rather than around, this feature, making sure it never felt like an obstacle that compromised the design.
Uncommon achieved this by fitting the tall fridge freezer and oven stack into the recess on the right-hand side, stepping it back. Instead of using traditional wall units, they recessed an open shelving unit in the alcove to the left, providing the clients with space to store and display cookbooks, ceramics and plants. An opportunity to further personalise the space.
Birch plywood cabinets with oak-veneered birch plywood wall units, kickboards and end panels are finished in a cool shade of Mushroom, the walls colour matched for a unified finish. Bold flashes of Sienna Red break up this muted scheme, utilised across the full-height cabinets for real impact. Both colours are part of the extensive Core range. Forbo linoleum flooring brings the entire palette together while lending the room a soft, cosy feel.
White Corian worktops were installed to draw as much light as possible into this relatively dark space, the surface stepped around the low window sill to manage what could have been a tricky interface. The extractor fan, often an awkward necessity, has been neatly housed in a minimal wall cabinet, this sleek addition helping to visually balance storage on this side of the room.
Core proved to be the ideal choice for the space, this flexible system making the most of a kitchen with a unique set of features - the finished design uniting craft, precision and functionality.
