A Teddington Kitchen

This Teddington kitchen project showcases how a thoughtful renovation can truly transform a living space into the heart of a bustling family home. The goal was to create a kitchen that perfectly blends timeless style with everyday practicality for a growing family.

The homeowners, who purchased their four-bedroom, 1,938 sq ft home in 2019, had always envisioned a new kitchen. With three young children and a spirited Dachshund named Monty, they needed a space that could keep up with their busy lives. A recent loft conversion had already added a much-needed fourth bedroom, allowing the focus to shift to optimising the existing layout. Their primary objective: a family-friendly kitchen incorporating a dining area, which would free up the former dining room to become a dedicated playroom.

The couple enlisted the services of Callaghan Interiors to create a kitchen that combined dining, storage, and functionality within the relatively compact footprint. The design process began by exploring various layout options, prioritising practicality before delving into the aesthetic details. Once the layout was finalised, a kitchen concept was then developed to reflect their vision. After a few refinements, the design was approved, and production began in Callaghan Interior’s local workshop in Twickenham.

The finished kitchen is a bespoke in-frame Shaker design, featuring hand-painted cabinetry, elegant tongue-and-groove panelling, and durable quartz worktops. With a timeless combination from Farrow & Ball, the main units are painted in ‘Skimming Stone’, contrasted by ‘Downpipe’ on the island unit for depth. They are finished with distinctive solid brass Armac Martin hardware that adds a touch of warmth and refinement. The overall look is traditional, airy, and classic Shaker, achieving a beautiful balance between aesthetics and functionality.

With the family planning to stay in the property long-term, longevity and timelessness were key design considerations. The homeowners had always loved traditional Shaker-style kitchens and had already chosen a Rangemaster cooker, which helped guide the design direction from the outset. The neutral colour palette creates a light and airy feel, making the space bright and allowing their colourful accessories to stand out.

The generous Shaws Double Bowl sink was chosen to separate washing up from food preparation and minimise clutter. While the Shaws Ribchester 800 was initially considered, the Shaws Shaker 800 double bowl was ultimately selected for its cleaner, more understated look, ensuring it wouldn't detract from the beautiful tongue-and-groove panelling or the Rangemaster. This was perfectly paired with a Perrin & Rowe Ionian Bridge Mixer Tap in Aged Brass, coordinating beautifully with the brass cabinetry hardware and towel rail.

The sink's position beneath the window allows the owners to enjoy views of the garden and keep an eye on their children while cooking. By keeping the island free of a sink, an uninterrupted surface was created, ideal for seating, homework, and casual dining, reinforcing its role as the social hub of the kitchen. The adjacent placement of the sink to the Rangemaster creates a highly efficient workflow between cooking, prepping, and cleaning zones.

As passionate home cooks, the couple own a large collection of recipe books. To celebrate this, open shelving was incorporated on the back of the island, transforming storage into a personally curated foodie’s library that adds personality and warmth to the space.

For extraction, a Westin Prime Slim was chosen, cleverly concealed within bespoke cabinetry. It performs beautifully over the Rangemaster and maintains the traditional look without compromise.

Aside from tackling one particularly crooked wall, the project proceeded smoothly. The true reward came on reveal day. The family had been away during installation, and the children’s wide-eyed reaction made the whole journey worthwhile – as if the kitchen had appeared by magic!

The final space is a wonderful addition to their beautiful family home, and because the owners prioritised quality and longevity, the new kitchen has achieved a classic elegance that will serve the family for many years to come.