Lewis Knox
Lewis Knox

Phase 2: Kitchen, Dining, Living Area & Utility

Balancing style and function for busy family life

The second part of an evolution. Big spaces to truly live in. Smart updates, clever zoning, and plenty of character.

Sector: Residential
Style: Contemporary Classic
Location: Cheshire, UK
Status: Completed 2023

This house redesign was all about adapting to the changing needs of a family of six. With the bedrooms complete in Phase One it was time to breathe new life into the living spaces.

To do this our architectural designers had to remodel the entire back of the house. It was a real collaboration with the family. They had grown out of the much-used kitchen, dining, day-living, and utility/boot room and needed help to make it work again for them.

As an interior design practice we take time to understand your vision, your space, and your needs. We discovered that the overall layout of the kitchen already worked well for the family, but they wanted it to feel more modern and welcoming.

Previously the kitchen was dark, and we wanted to create a scheme that was both contemporary and neutral, but warm and characterful. We fitted a new porcelain floor reminiscent of traditional pillow-edge flagstones, introduced warm neutral and honey tones, and the painted panelling added a classic backdrop for weathered oak cabinetry.

It was the finishing touches that really elevated this project. Bronze elements in light fittings, hardware and accessories added a contemporary edge. Linens, woven fabrics, weathered timbers, rattan, and touches of blackened bronze metals created a relaxed, lived in aesthetic perfectly suited to our young family’s lifestyle.

Open-plan kitchen and dining area featuring a white marble island with a potted green plant in the foreground, a rustic wooden dining table with dark woven chairs beneath black pendant lights, a neutral living space with a wall-mounted TV and linear fireplace in the background, and tall cream cabinets with black handles to the right.

In place of the separate utility and boot room we created one large cohesive space with a dividing wall.

Bright, minimalist laundry/mudroom featuring a white farmhouse sink and brass faucet set into a marble-effect countertop, tall paneled storage cabinets, a wooden shelf with black hooks holding pottery and a knotted tassel, and a vase of dried flowers plus a cleaning brush on the island.
Bright, minimalist mudroom with floor-to-ceiling white shaker cabinets, a central white marble-topped island, black handles and a wooden bench with drawers along one wall.
A family of six plus a dog makes storage a top priority. So we designed individual cloak cupboards with a bench and drawer each to ease the school-run chaos.
Two open mudroom cubbies with a blue coat and matching blue backpack (yellow paw-print) on the left and a red coat with red backpack (white paw-print) on the right, each above a pair of black rubber boots on a light wood shelf.
Neutral farmhouse laundry nook with a white apron sink and brass faucet set into a marble-effect countertop, a wooden shelf with black hooks above holding a framed print, two ceramic jugs and a knotted rope tassel, and a ceramic vase of dried flowers with soap and brushes on the counter.

We carried the cabinetry through to the utility to add a sleek symmetry and installed a hidden warming/airing cupboard and stacked washer/drier with pull-out ledges.

Close-up of a stacked white Bosch front-loading washing machine and dryer fitted into a built-in cabinet, showing the washer's control dial and door, the dryer's vented access panel with circular perforations and a dark vertical cabinet handle.
Close-up of a stacked Bosch front-loading washer and dryer inside a white cabinet, featuring a pull-out wooden shelf, a black vertical handle and the dryer's circular vent panel.
Bright, neutral-toned open-plan kitchen with a large white marble-topped island topped by a potted green plant, two black cone pendant lights, a farmhouse sink beneath leaded windows with Roman shades, and a wooden dining table and chairs in the background.
Bright contemporary kitchen with a large white marble-topped island centred in the room, a potted green plant on the island, two black cone pendant lights above, a farmhouse sink beneath diamond‑pane windows and a wood dining table and chairs visible in the adjoining space.

Our studio designed a new contemporary cabinet style and introduced more material finishes to inject warmth into the neutral palette.

White farmhouse-style kitchen island with a smooth marble countertop, shaker-style drawers fitted with black handles, a bronze faucet and sink by a diamond-paned window, a terracotta vase with dried flowers on the back counter, and a slatted wooden shelf below holding cast-iron pots and mixing bowls.
Close-up of a modern kitchen corner featuring a black stainless-steel range with multiple control knobs, white marble countertops and backsplash, white cabinets with dark handles, and a wood-framed recessed niche holding two ceramic bottles beside a wood shelving unit with a glass-front door.
Light oak open shelving beside a black-framed glass cabinet holds stacked white plates and bowls, two glass jars with wooden lids filled with brown and white pantry ingredients, a small pile of black bowls, cookbooks, round wooden cutting boards tucked behind a dark ceramic vase of white blossoms, and a woven basket on the marble countertop.

Display cabinets were installed to add interest and break up the bank of kitchen storage – in a warm weathered oak with black detailing to add contrast.

Bright modern farmhouse-style kitchen with white marble countertops and apron-front sink under a brass tap by diamond‑pane windows, a black range with brass pot‑filler set into a marble recess, open oak shelving and a glass-front cabinet, and a large black pendant light over a potted plant.
Bronze gooseneck kitchen tap with dual lever handles mounted on a white marble worktop above a deep ceramic sink, beside an Aesop hand‑wash bottle and wooden brush, set in front of diamond‑paned windows overlooking a green garden.
Close-up of a light wood serving tray with oval cutout handles resting on a white marble kitchen island, showing pale grey shaker-style cabinetry, a built-in vertical wood wine rack with oval cutouts and a black stove with silver knobs blurred in the background.
Rustic wooden dining table with dark curved-frame woven-seat chairs and two rough ceramic bowls, positioned beside large windows and a neutral-toned sofa with curtains.

The display cabinets and shelves allowed us to introduce a mix of antiques and contemporary pieces. Giving the kitchen a unique and bespoke feel.

Tall black glass-front cabinet filled with neatly stacked white bowls, plates and glassware, topped by rustic ceramic jugs and flanked by black adjustable wall lamps beside a wooden dining table and curved wooden chairs.
Black metal wall sconce beside a tall grey glass-fronted cabinet filled with stacked white bowls, plates, books and woven baskets, two rustic ceramic jars on top and a wicker basket on the floor, the cabinet glass reflecting garden greenery.

We regularly source at antique and salvage fairs. Preloved items with their natural patina and one of kind nature add a characterful layer to our interiors. It’s something you just can’t achieve with buying new – it’s also really nice to involve our clients in this process as they enjoy the trips!

Helen, Founder & Interior Designer

Cosy neutral-toned living room centred on a white paneled fireplace with an electric fire and a framed landscape above, flanked by built-in shelves with ceramics and books, a beige sectional sofa, round upholstered chairs, a small coffee table with a vase and glass doors opening onto a patio.
Cosy neutral-toned living room with a central wall of white panelling featuring a framed landscape painting above an electric fireplace, flanked by built-in shelves with decorative objects, plush beige sectional and round ottoman seating, a small coffee table with a vase, and large glass doors letting in garden light.

The final element was a cosy day-living space. A zone designed to offer space to chill out but stay connected. The large sofa with oversized swivel chairs is the perfect spot for the kids (and dog) to kick back and relax while the parents cook up a storm in the kitchen.

Neutral-toned living-room corner with a round upholstered chaise layered with textured taupe cushions, black nesting side tables with a candle and book, and built-in shelves behind holding two rustic ceramic jugs, a framed abstract painting, a small potted plant and a woven basket.
Two rustic clay jugs—one tall with a handle and one squat with a narrow neck—rest on a pale oak windowsill beside a framed abstract picture, with a textured neutral‑coloured cushion and armchair in the foreground.
Built-in light-wood shelves with a textured beige backing, featuring a lit metal wall light above a shallow wooden bowl, a dark ceramic vase and framed print on the middle shelf, and stacked ceramic boxes on books beside a woven basket and fabric lamp on the lower shelf.

The video below captures our team and trades meticulously carrying out this home redesign.

View the final phase of this home redesign, including the lounge, hallway, master suite and dining area.

Loved every minute. The whole Lewis Knox team are incredible at what they do, and I couldn’t have done it without them. Can’t wait to start the next project with them very soon.

Gemma, Homeowner

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