Kitchen Cool
It was the private garden that did it for them, when they, a year ago became owners of an apartment in a 100 year old wooden house. The garden was there, but the kitchen they had in mind, wasn’t.
— “We like to think that we have green fingers, even though we are both well-indoctrinated city slickers.”
Their acute need to get dirt under their nails and their boots all mudded up, took them by surprise a couple of years ago. This need, as the Norwegians say, ‘to stick their fingers in the earth’, brought them to the edge of the city, and halfway into the suburbs in search of a garden. Being in a central location just didn’t seem to cut it anymore, and number one on their list was the chance to have a fabulously big kitchen with direct access to a garden. A garden for growing and cultivating vegetables, herbs, plants, berries, flowers and whatnot. Oh, and to have a bit of peace and quiet. They locked in an auto-search on finn.no for just over a year, before the perfect match entered their lives. Well almost…
The existing kitchen left everything to the imagination. That particular criteria had not been fulfilled. Even though the framing was right, the kitchen was not much to boast about, with little character and functionality - it was also placed in a narrow nook with almost no natural light entering. With guidance from The Chromarty, they decided to open up the entire floor, remove an excess bathroom and build a brand new kitchen at the opposite end of the ground floor.
— “With the layout as it is today, we have direct access to the garden through the kitchen, and a kitchen, which really is the heart of our home.”
The kitchen units are from IKEA, and has been upgraded with spray-coated fronts in NCS colour 8502-B. As a warm contrast to the otherwise cold colour scheme, the tall cabinets have got new doors in oak from Studio 10. The countertop is in composite stone, and the metro tiles are in a sober green tone.
1.
2.
At the same time, the couple installed glass doors to provide privacy to the lounge area and separate it from the kitchen. — “Now, we get the best of both worlds! Not only has it created a more spacious and airy sensation, but by letting the light shine through, it has changed the character of the light entirely.”
Now, the interior is meticulously thought out, (almost) complete, classic and sophisticated. The colour usage is minimal with the appearance of muted green tones and contrasting colours.
3.
The Chromarty has recommended durable materials like leather, natural fabrics, wood and stone.
— “In auctions and antiques-markets, we have found classics and design icons, which in some cases have received a small upgrade. Others have been with us for decades. You can get a lot of wear out of a piece of furniture if you only use your creativity and expertise.”
The couple is very pleased with the collaboration with The Chromarty, adhering to their suggestion that they bring with her the timeless pieces they’d acquired over the years, despite fluctuating trends.
— “I have never used lots of colours, but I like wood, plants and art. I prefer to shop second hand items and I like good furniture with patina. Our interior is not made up from a one-stop shop. It is slow decoration so to speak, and we are taking our time. These days we are thinking about and enjoying the search of that specific picture to hang on the wall by the stairs. A big one! Or maybe many small ones in a group. I don’t know.. we have the Chromarty looking for us as well.”
