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MEL.ARCHITECT
We spoke to Melanie Bax, architect and founder of MEL. ARCHITECT, who talks us through her kitchen extension. Mel explores how thoughtful material choices and design details can seamlessly blend traditional and contemporary elements.
By focusing on both aesthetic and practical needs, the kitchen extension not only respects the Victorian heritage of the home but also provides a modern, functional, and inviting space that reflects the personality and lifestyle of its inhabitants.
The build has a cosy element whilst maintaining a very light and open feel, how did you achieve this?
The choice of materials was key to making the feeling right in our kitchen. I chose the amazing terrazzo floor which is a man made material but this needed to be softened with other natural materials; the exposed oak joinery, the natural marble work surface (we almost chose quartz for its hardiness but soon realised with the terrazzo it would have been too much man made – our two largest surfaces in the kitchen. The marble offered more depth and personality that we wanted in the kitchen). Also the marble is polished which I love but it is terrible with water marks… However, I very much have the attitude that our kitchen reflects our family and our lifestyle so any tarnishes are only a good thing. The hand made zellige tiles help layer upon this natural and handmade quality which helps soften the floor, therefore all ‘core’ materials in the kitchen were considered to help soften the floor. Then another layer comes in, with the ratten of the Cesca chairs, the soft plump seating on the timber painted bench, the cushions, the table cloth, the art work, the lighting and then the family items along the shelves including kids artwork.
Can you tell us about marrying the traditional look of Victorian properties with a contemporary style?
I wanted your extension to be architecturally sensitive to our Victorian terraced home but include modern traits. These include:
Arched windows that reflect our neighbours houses that are opposite us. I chose steel, a material that would have been used in the Victorian times (there’s an old stable building that can be seen from our garden with beautiful original crittall glazing too), but they are in a punchy bold red to offer a contemporary twist (and because I love colour).
Internally I didn’t want a bare box that so many extensions can end up being, therefore the internal decisions all started with the floor (this is described further below). I had wanted the traditional black and white marble checkerboard floor but thought your terrazzo would be much better suited to us.
Contemporary orangery style extension with the skylights – nod to Victorian times too, but has a more contemporary aesthetic with cleaner lines. However, the rafters are exposed but painted the same colour as the ceiling and walls to envelope all surfaces so they are seen as one.
What is your favourite thing about the project?
I have two favourite elements. I love our floor as it is what started the stream of choices to follow, it really grounds the project. It represents us as a family so well with the colour and playfulness. The arched windows are great too and I always love having separate windows to a door as it offers different views of our garden depending on where you are sitting and standing. If you live in a Victorian terraced house, you’ll know you can be overlooked quite a lot. The windows and doors help to reduce this exposure.
Was there a mood you wanted to convey with the design? If so could you tell us a bit about the design choices which reflect this?
Our ambition at Mel.Architect is always to create spaces that authentically express our client’s unique style, life and personality. For my own home I wanted this too. I wanted colour but for it to be calm and welcoming, I had chosen the red windows and doors – these wouldn’t have been as successful if I didn’t follow it through to the steel work internally, then I took it a step further and picked up the red internally in all white painted joinery. The choices in colour are followed through into the stools that I chose specific colours to match key items – and then further pop with the light blue, and the pink. Due to these choices, we’re able to use it as the backdrop to our family life and nothing looks out of place – this is what I think is the charm is of our kitchen – it represents us as a family so well. It can have things out on surfaces that people are using but nothing looks out of place.
What drew you to our terrazzo tiles?
As briefly mentioned before, I had wanted to use black and white marble as a traditional checkerboard floor. However, being a north facing house I knew it would look too stark. I wanted our kitchen to be light and airy. Therefore I looked into terrazzo which is more contemporary and felt fresher. Also mentioned, the first internal finish decision was the terrazzo floor, and everything fell into place after this.
What is your favourite thing about the tiles?
I love the depth of colour to them, both tiles have flecks of an orangey brown tone, this picks up the natural oak cabinets, the rattan in the cesca chairs, there are flecks of black that pick up other items in the kitchen too. These tiles enabled me to introduce lots of colours into our kitchen, without anything looking out of place.
Another added bonus is it’s ability to disguise dirt on the floor! Our garden is used a lot, and with people going in and out (especially kids) the floor hides this dirt instantly so we can return to cleaning it when we’re ready.
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The kitchen extension project used our Modena and Bari Terrazzo tiles, which fit perfectly within the scheme. The kitchen design blends the cosy, traditional elements of a Victorian home with modern, open-plan features, the space not only serves as a functional kitchen but also as a reflection of the family’s personality and lifestyle.
Credits:
Interior design in collaboration with: Palmer and Stone / @palmer_and_stone / www.palmerandstone.com
Kitchen & carpentry: Jon Currie / @jcurrie_designs
Build: Lorne Lofts / @lornelofts / www.lornelofts.com
Windows and Doors: Bespoke Glazing Design / @bespokeglazingdesign/ www.bespokeglazingdesign.co.uk
