Blurring the boundaries

The London Festival of Architecture takes place every summer, and as designers we take this opportunity to learn from fellow professionals. This year we got the chance to go to a number of talks and events. One that jumped out in particular was the talk at Poggenpohl, one of the oldest kitchen manufacturers in Europe.

The talk focused on the role the kitchen plays in modern day living, and how this has evolved over the years. Traditionally, the kitchen was always at the rear of the property, and behind closed doors. Today, these walls are being knocked down as the kitchen becomes an integral part of the living space. 

When clients approach us to re-invent their homes, CATO’s challenge is always to create a space as individual as the people who are going to live there. When we open up the kitchen space, through knocking down walls or forming a new rear extension, it more often than not becomes the focal point of the design – and more importantly the client’s home. 

As the kitchen integrates with the entertainment space when guests come over, it’s no longer just a room to prepare food in; its identity shifts as well. It’s now popular to have appliances integrated and hidden behind carpentry to make the kitchen blend into its walls when it is not in use, introduce feature lighting, and make the area seamlessly flow within the home. This optimises the space, making it functional for modern family living.

But it’s not just the room’s internal boundaries that can be challenged. Large glazed openings at the rear of the property are key to introduce the outside; to allow light to flow through the space, even on a gloomy winter’s day. And for those rare sunny spells, the open space works as the perfect entertainment spot to enjoy an ice-cold G&T. 

Let CATO show you how we can create spaces you’ll love to live in. Call Mark on 07740 699860.