A modern family kitchen in an open-plan period home
In this elegant North London home, the kitchen has been boldly relocated from the rear to the front of the house, transforming a former reception room into a bright, welcoming family space. Designed in close collaboration with the client and architect, the kitchen blends seamlessly with the wider renovation, balancing strong architectural features with a refined material palette and practical, ergonomic design.
The client came to us with a clear and considered brief. Having already reworked the ground floor with their architect, they chose to position the kitchen in the front reception room—an unconventional but inspired decision that made the most of the home’s proportions, natural light and architectural features.
The design challenge lay in balancing function with sensitivity to the space. Four large windows and an angled chimney breast limited opportunities for tall cabinetry, so we focused all tall storage between two windows on the long internal wall. This placement also allowed us to conceal the ceiling-level remnant of the chimney breast, using tall cabinets at 2.5m height to create a clean line across the room.
Below, the base cabinetry was split into two functional zones: one side for washing, bins and dishwasher; the other a dedicated breakfast and coffee station. By resisting the urge to place cabinets in front of the front-facing windows, we preserved the room’s openness and created a more efficient galley-style layout. In the adjacent dining area, we installed a cantilevered plywood window seat, which helps connect the two spaces.
The island, at 90cm wide, includes an integrated Bora hob, generous prep space and a breakfast bar—serving as the heart of the kitchen. Its open shelf returns offer easy access to daily items, softening the formality of the space and encouraging family use.
A restrained palette of ultra-matt black laminate and oak-veneered birch plywood ties the cabinetry to the architecture, complementing the red structural portals while offering contrast and warmth. White Corian worktops keep the space bright and practical.
This project reflects our core philosophy: thoughtful zoning, careful proportion, and material integrity—resulting in a kitchen that is both highly usable and deeply connected to its setting.
Colour: Fenix “Nero Ingo” (ultra matt black) doors, and oak-veneered birch cabinetry
Cabinet style: Edge
Handle type: Integrated
Product type: Bespoke
Tap(s): Quooker
Worktop: Corian
Splashback: Corian upstand
Flooring: Oak herringbone parquet
Lighting: Not sure
Oven: Neff
Hob: Bora
Fridge: Fisher & Paykel
Dishwasher: Fisher & Paykel DishDrawer
From the outset, we knew the kitchen would be the heart of our home. It wasn’t just about functionality, but about creating a space that reflected how we live. When we came across Uncommon Projects, we were immediately drawn to the clarity of their design, the attention to detail and the balance of modernity and character.
We decided to move the kitchen to the front room of the house, where the high ceilings, cornicing and natural light could really be appreciated. We wanted the kitchen to sit within the space, not overwhelm it, so that the room’s original features and the new elements could complement one another.
The layout is simple and intuitive, with separate zones for washing, prepping and cooking. Storage is generous and smartly designed, and nothing feels wasted. The team even made us a ply stool so we could reach the top cupboards, which was a thoughtful and personal touch.
The process was smooth and collaborative. We visited the workshop, finalised the details online, and really benefited from the team’s advice on getting the most out of the space.
Now that it’s finished, it’s a joy to live with. It looks beautiful and works effortlessly. Even our children commented on how “satisfying” it is to use — from the way the drawers glide to how everything fits together. It’s become a place we all naturally gravitate towards.
Loop House was conceived as a home for a young family: creative parents, three lively boys, and all the movement and energy that comes with them. The original Edwardian structure had great bones, but its layout was fragmented and dark. Our vision was to introduce a spatial loop that allowed each room to feel distinct, yet fluidly connected. Drawing on influences like Mies van der Rohe’s Krefeld houses, we introduced staggered openings and framed views to encourage a sense of flow and discovery, while retaining the character and intimacy of the house.
The kitchen played a central role in this vision. Positioned near the entrance, it’s the first space you encounter. It sets the tone for the entire house, and it needed to work incredibly hard — practically, visually, and emotionally. It had to support family life while also feeling calm and composed.
Working with Uncommon Projects was a natural fit. We knew and admired their work, and from the start we shared a common language. Together we developed a piece of joinery that is more than a kitchen. It supports everyday life, elevates the architectural experience, and brings a quiet joy to the sequence of spaces.
The biggest challenge was adapting a traditional house without losing its essence. We wanted to preserve the identity of individual rooms while making the whole feel open, connected and coherent. The kitchen, in its material and spatial clarity, was key to making that happen.
A modern family kitchen in an open-plan period home
In this elegant North London home, the kitchen has been boldly relocated from the rear to the front of the house, transforming a former reception room into a bright, welcoming family space. Designed in close collaboration with the client and architect, the kitchen blends seamlessly with the wider renovation, balancing strong architectural features with a refined material palette and practical, ergonomic design.
The client came to us with a clear and considered brief. Having already reworked the ground floor with their architect, they chose to position the kitchen in the front reception room—an unconventional but inspired decision that made the most of the home’s proportions, natural light and architectural features.
The design challenge lay in balancing function with sensitivity to the space. Four large windows and an angled chimney breast limited opportunities for tall cabinetry, so we focused all tall storage between two windows on the long internal wall. This placement also allowed us to conceal the ceiling-level remnant of the chimney breast, using tall cabinets at 2.5m height to create a clean line across the room.
Below, the base cabinetry was split into two functional zones: one side for washing, bins and dishwasher; the other a dedicated breakfast and coffee station. By resisting the urge to place cabinets in front of the front-facing windows, we preserved the room’s openness and created a more efficient galley-style layout. In the adjacent dining area, we installed a cantilevered plywood window seat, which helps connect the two spaces.
The island, at 90cm wide, includes an integrated Bora hob, generous prep space and a breakfast bar—serving as the heart of the kitchen. Its open shelf returns offer easy access to daily items, softening the formality of the space and encouraging family use.
A restrained palette of ultra-matt black laminate and oak-veneered birch plywood ties the cabinetry to the architecture, complementing the red structural portals while offering contrast and warmth. White Corian worktops keep the space bright and practical.
This project reflects our core philosophy: thoughtful zoning, careful proportion, and material integrity—resulting in a kitchen that is both highly usable and deeply connected to its setting.
From the outset, we knew the kitchen would be the heart of our home. It wasn’t just about functionality, but about creating a space that reflected how we live. When we came across Uncommon Projects, we were immediately drawn to the clarity of their design, the attention to detail and the balance of modernity and character.
We decided to move the kitchen to the front room of the house, where the high ceilings, cornicing and natural light could really be appreciated. We wanted the kitchen to sit within the space, not overwhelm it, so that the room’s original features and the new elements could complement one another.
The layout is simple and intuitive, with separate zones for washing, prepping and cooking. Storage is generous and smartly designed, and nothing feels wasted. The team even made us a ply stool so we could reach the top cupboards, which was a thoughtful and personal touch.
The process was smooth and collaborative. We visited the workshop, finalised the details online, and really benefited from the team’s advice on getting the most out of the space.
Now that it’s finished, it’s a joy to live with. It looks beautiful and works effortlessly. Even our children commented on how “satisfying” it is to use — from the way the drawers glide to how everything fits together. It’s become a place we all naturally gravitate towards.
Loop House was conceived as a home for a young family: creative parents, three lively boys, and all the movement and energy that comes with them. The original Edwardian structure had great bones, but its layout was fragmented and dark. Our vision was to introduce a spatial loop that allowed each room to feel distinct, yet fluidly connected. Drawing on influences like Mies van der Rohe’s Krefeld houses, we introduced staggered openings and framed views to encourage a sense of flow and discovery, while retaining the character and intimacy of the house.
The kitchen played a central role in this vision. Positioned near the entrance, it’s the first space you encounter. It sets the tone for the entire house, and it needed to work incredibly hard — practically, visually, and emotionally. It had to support family life while also feeling calm and composed.
Working with Uncommon Projects was a natural fit. We knew and admired their work, and from the start we shared a common language. Together we developed a piece of joinery that is more than a kitchen. It supports everyday life, elevates the architectural experience, and brings a quiet joy to the sequence of spaces.
The biggest challenge was adapting a traditional house without losing its essence. We wanted to preserve the identity of individual rooms while making the whole feel open, connected and coherent. The kitchen, in its material and spatial clarity, was key to making that happen.
