Kitchen Design, Interior Renovation

Reigate, Surrey

Kitchen Design, Interior Renovation

Reigate, Surrey

Framed artwork on a wall above a black cabinet with glass doors and metal handles.

The kitchen was envisioned as the heart of the home—bright, functional, and beautifully modern. The clients desired clean lines and a clutter-free space that embodies simplicity and style.

Interior dining area with glass cabinet, wooden chairs, and large glass window overlooking a garden with greenery.
Modern kitchen with blue island, white cabinets, built-in ovens, glass door opening to patio, wooden chairs, and outdoor greenery.

The Project

Brick house with large windows and sliding glass doors, tree and table in the yard, sunny day.

This Arts and Crafts house, while rich in period features, needed a fresh, modern touch. The clients envisioned a crisp, contemporary aesthetic complemented by a timeless Shaker kitchen. Careful thought was required to mesh the contemporary elements with the period features of the house. Paperdog Architecture collaborated closely with the clients to create a detailed kitchen design that met their exacting brief. To seamlessly conceal appliances like toasters and microwaves, bespoke joinery was expertly crafted, ensuring a clean and functional space.

One of the main challenges was relocating the existing staircase, which opened up the design and significantly improved flow throughout the home. The entire house was thoughtfully redesigned to enhance circulation, strengthen connections to the garden, and bring light into darker spaces.

Minimal kitchen design

Modern kitchen with white countertops, blue island, built-in ovens, and large window.

The brief envisioned a classic in-frame Shaker kitchen that emantes timeless elegance

Interior of modern kitchen with light wood sliding doors, dark cabinetry, white countertops, and tall white cabinets with metal handles.

The kitchen design featured traditional colours that evoked warmth and comfort. To add a contemporary flair, modern handles were thoughtfully incorporated, striking a perfect balance between heritage charm and fresh design.

The original house

A bright and airy kitchen with white cabinets and a black oven. The countertop has various items including a stand mixer, fruit, and food packaging. The room opens into a dining area with a table, chairs, and a large window letting in natural light. Shelving and artwork decorate the adjacent wall.

The existing house is a beautiful Arts and Crafts property, full of character, but it wasn’t fully meeting the clients' needs. While it has a unique charm, some areas felt a bit dark and didn’t flow seamlessly with the garden, limiting the potential for natural light and creating the open, welcoming atmosphere the clients envisioned.

The Design

Architectural floor plan layout for a residential space, featuring labeled areas such as kitchen, utility room, dining, entrance hall, WC, and family room. Includes detailed kitchen and utility specifications, with directions for storage units, appliances, and bespoke joinery. The design includes measurements, appliances like an oven, dishwasher, and utility shelves, along with a manhole marker outside.

The design prioritized not only the kitchen but also the entire ground floor configuration. The central family room, which housed the staircase, felt more like a “through space,” with a layout that lacked coherence.

Through a series of 3D models, design layouts (plans below), and open discussions, the clients began to see the true potential of their home. They realised that rethinking the ground floor as a whole—rather than solely concentrating on the kitchen—was essential to creating the sociable family space they had been dreaming of.

Original house

Floor plan of a residential space, labeled "Measured Survey Ground Floor Plan," showing rooms such as hallway, lounge, family room, dining area, kitchen, pantry, utility room, and WC. Includes technical details and architectural annotations from PaperDog Architecture.

Design Option

Architectural floor plan of a ground-floor house layout labeled as "Option 02" with sections for an entrance hall, kitchen/dining area, utility room, family room, lounge, and patio. Includes elements like a staircase, fireplace, sliding doors, storage spaces, and furniture layouts. Key provided for specific features like glazing, doors, and seating. Scale indicated as 1:50 A3.