A Home Reborn
When homeowners Alex and Tammy moved into their Edwardian property in Ealing three years ago, it had all the potential, but very little polish. The kitchen, in particular, was a cramped, outdated relic: just 3×3 metres in size and untouched since the 1970s. It lacked light, flow, and any real sense of joy.
Fast forward to today, and the transformation is astonishing. By extending the ground floor by eight metres, Alex and Tammy created a large, open-plan space that seamlessly brings together cooking, dining, lounging and entertaining. The space is now a true heart of the home; bright, warm and endlessly sociable, tailored around their family lifestyle.
The Vision
The brief from the start was clear: to craft a kitchen and living area that didn’t just serve a practical purpose, but celebrated the rituals of modern life. A space to cook, gather, talk, pour a drink, and unwind. A hub that feels as welcoming during the school run as it does hosting friends late into the evening.
Inspired by one of our earlier projects featured on social media, Alex and Tammy reached out to Corby Croft. They had explored names like DeVol and Herringbone House, but felt a personal connection to our design-first, collaborative approach. What followed was a rich two-year journey layered with ideas, sketches, CGI renders, and conversation that led to a home they now say “feels exactly like them.”
The Design Process
We began with Rev 1: an initial concept exploring classic cooker-centred symmetry and heritage detail. But as the space evolved, so did the vision. By Rev 2, the plan had matured into something even more considered, a sociable, island-focused kitchen built for modern family life.
The final design centres around a generous oak island fitted with downdraft hobs, gas, induction. Bringing the cook into the conversation, rather than isolating them against a wall. The hob configuration, paired with a flush Miele downdraft extractor, allowed the traditional cooker to be replaced with clean, modular flexibility. Wall-mounted Miele ovens, a steam oven, and an integrated Fisher & Paykel fridge round out the tech, wrapped seamlessly in cabinetry that feels timeless.
Every element was painstakingly colour-matched and finished to the highest standards. From the brass tapware by Quooker and Perrin & Rowe, down to the hand-sprayed cabinetry, this is a kitchen that takes detail seriously.
A Palette of Comfort and Confidence
The design blends rich, rooted colours with natural materiality. The base cabinets and breakfast larder are painted in Benjamin Moore’s ‘Night Owl’, a smoky olive-grey that brings depth and warmth. In contrast, the wall cabinets and island are crafted in oak, oiled to reveal the timber’s natural variation.
At the bar, the mood shifts Farrow & Ball’s ‘Dead Salmon’ gives a slightly playful, dusky rose tone, offering a handsome contrast to the checkerboard marble floor beneath. Even the pantry interior carries a hidden moment of joy, painted in Little Greene’s ‘Yellow Pink’, while the banquette seating is softened in Stone Pale Warm.
Tying it all together is a dramatic Arabescato marble used across worktops, splashbacks and the double-bowl Shaws Ribchester sink surround. The marble’s bold veining injects movement and texture, bringing a natural dynamism to the otherwise calming palette.
A Layout Designed for Living
The layout invites flow and interaction. The island sits at the centre of the room, inviting family and guests alike to gather around whether sharing a drink, helping with prep, or chatting while dinner is on.
To one side, a bespoke bar area offers another layer of sociability, dressed in brass, marble and mirrored glass. On the other, a built-in banquette dining nook creates a relaxed spot to gather, softened with layered cushions and carefully chosen textures.
At the far end of the room, the living space and media wall continue the same visual language, ensuring cohesion from every angle.
Thoughtful Touches, Timeless Feel
Though contemporary in function, the Ealing Project exudes a heritage sensibility, from the panelled cabinetry and fluted glass doors to the aged brass hardware, honed and patinated by hand.
It’s a space full of intelligent contrasts: tradition and technology, bold pattern and soft neutrals, robust materials and refined details. It feels lived-in, loved, and entirely in tune with the family who calls it home.
To find out more about how to begin your kitchen journey, get in touch.
Reflections
“It doesn’t feel brand new—it feels like it’s always been here,” says Tammy.
“Like a Sussex country pub, but made for our life now.”
