Vintage gems and subtle sophistication abound in Pearl Lowe's kitchen, nestled within her Portobello residence.
## Vintage-Inspired Kitchen Design by deVol for Pearl Lowe's London Townhouse
Pearl Lowe, a celebrated designer and singer, has transformed her London townhouse on Portobello Road with a vintage-inspired kitchen, created in collaboration with luxury kitchen designers, deVol. This project aimed to blend Pearl's love for vintage style with the functional needs of a modern kitchen. Let's delve into the details of the layout, storage, color palette, and challenges faced during the design process.
### Layout
The kitchen is part of an open-plan living area, which incorporates the high ceilings and ornate cornicing of the Victorian building. This open layout allows for a seamless blend of kitchen functionality with the rest of the living space, creating a spacious and inviting atmosphere [1]. The design likely utilizes the vertical space effectively, drawing attention to the high ceilings and adding to the sense of grandeur in the room [1].
### Storage
deVol's custom cabinets, such as those in other projects, typically feature classic designs that provide ample storage while maintaining a vintage aesthetic. These might include traditional cabinet styles with ornate details or period-specific materials [5]. To enhance the vintage charm, the kitchen might incorporate mismatched crockery and other vintage items, which not only add to the aesthetic but also provide additional storage for decorative pieces [1].
### Color Palette
The color palette likely features elegant neutrals and whites, which are common in vintage-inspired kitchens. These colors help maintain the light and airy feel that Pearl Lowe is known for [1]. Accent colors might be introduced through vintage accessories or decorative items, adding layers of visual interest to the space [1].
### Challenges
The primary challenge was to merge the functional needs of a kitchen with Pearl Lowe's signature vintage style. The team had to balance modern kitchen requirements with the desire for a time-worn, romantic look [1]. Another challenge was ensuring that the design adhered closely to the period style of the Victorian townhouse while still incorporating modern elements for functionality [1].
A nearly full-height cabinetry was built to hide the boiler and provide storage, with glass fronts and ruched fabric inserts to soften its appearance [2]. The open-plan room features a high ceiling with ornate cornicing and ceiling rose, which were intended to echo the romantic, time-worn quality of the building [3].
Pearl Lowe, a singer-turned-designer, recently purchased a ground-floor flat in a Victorian townhouse on Portobello Road, London [4]. Freestanding kitchen furniture solves the problem of limited storage in a flat kitchen and pairs well with freestanding antique pieces in the wider room [6].
The flat was a challenge to design due to its industrial and functional nature, but the Victorian Portobello townhouse helped in the process [7]. Designing a kitchen for a flat, rather than a house, poses challenges due to the room serving as the only living space and having more demands [8].
The free-standing fridge and blue Lacanche range in Pearl Lowe's kitchen are both beautiful and functional, featuring traditional design [9]. Pairing cabinetry painted in Farrow & Ball's Mizzle and Farrow & Ball's Setting Plaster creates a soothing backdrop in the kitchen, lending a more lifestyle feel [10].
Francesca Froggatt, a kitchen designer at deVol, was involved in the project due to her love of antiques and period style [11]. Holly Reaney, content editor for the platform with a passion for traditional and country-inspired interiors, especially kitchen design, also contributed to the project [12].
The kitchen design embodies Pearl's world, her history, and her eye for beauty [13]. One of the layout challenges was the positioning of the boiler, which could not be moved [14]. Despite this, the team managed to create a space that is both aesthetically pleasing and functional, thanks to Pearl's insistence on having a cream Smeg fridge in the design [15].
Sources: [1] www.deVOL.com [2] www.deVOL.com [3] www.deVOL.com [4] www.deVOL.com [5] www.deVOL.com [6] www.deVOL.com [7] www.deVOL.com [8] www.deVOL.com [9] www.deVOL.com [10] www.deVOL.com [11] www.deVOL.com [12] www.deVOL.com [13] www.deVOL.com [14] www.deVOL.com [15] www.deVOL.com
Incorporating vintage-inspired elements, the houseplants could find a charming nook within the open-plan living space of Pearl Lowe's townhouse kitchen, adding a touch of nature to the vintage-modern blend [1]. For the interior-design enthusiasts who appreciate the lifestyle blend of vintage charm and contemporary living, this home-and-garden setting would be an inspiring source of ideas [2].