This couple is looking to create an open-plan kitchen-diner with a Scandi feel in their forever home. Here, we’ve asked two designers to come up with plans and ideas for the perfect layout…

Gavin Magee, 59, and his wife, Kirsteen Magee, 60, both recently retired, purchased a bungalow in Kent last year with the aim of renovating and extending the property. They plan to add a first floor and extend to the rear to create an open-plan kitchen-dining-lounge area but would like some ideas for the layout.

So, they decided to take part in our Drawing Board feature, where interiors experts come up with creative ideas for our readers’ renovations and design dilemmas. This time, KBB journo Rachel Ogden asked Alexandra Shepherd, a kitchen designer at Olive & Barr, and Barnaby Partridge, founder and owner of Britannia Design, to help plan a convivial space in the couple’s forever home.

The space

The property is being extended to the rear and will gain a first floor with a galleried landing. The lounge area will be open to the first-floor ceiling. This creates an open-plan kitchen-diner that’s approximately 4.5m at its widest point with a maximum length of around 10.3m, and a ceiling height of 2.4m.

The brief for the open-plan kitchen-diner

• Gavin and Kirsteen would like the newly extended ground floor to have a Scandi feel. Think bold colours for the walls, acoustic panelling for the snug, and brick slips on the dining area wall. The kitchen furniture will be dark with light work surfaces – stone or quartz. All the finishes (window frames, sockets, and switches) will be black.
• Underfloor heating is a must, and possibly laminate or vinyl flooring. The couple would like to reuse or upcycle their oak dining table and chairs. The dining area should accommodate up to eight people.
• A well-organised pantry/utility/laundry room, which will contain services for solar panels and an air source heat pump, is key.
• In the lounge area, they would like a corner sofa. They plan to retain their Ercol light oak Pebbles nest of tables and matching coffee table. This section will also contain a log burner, and some open shelving.

Designer one

Alexandra Shepherd is a kitchen designer at Olive & Barr, specialising in handcrafted Shaker kitchens. She is a BA (Hons) Interior Design graduate and has more than six years’ experience creating timeless and practical kitchens.

Solution one

“Gavin and Kirsteen wanted to create a Scandi-inspired open-plan kitchen that would feel warm, minimal, and timeless, while still reflecting the character of their new home. Their brief called for dark cabinetry, natural textures and a light worktop, with a considered connection between the kitchen, dining, and lounge areas.”

“To fulfil this, my design uses Olive & Barr’s bespoke English handmade Shaker cabinetry in rich Pitch Black by Farrow & Ball across the back run. However, I’ve paired it with a light oak island. This adds warmth while also complementing the couple’s Ercol furniture. To maintain a streamlined look, I selected a 20mm natural quartz worktop in Unique Gold. This gives the design a more modern feel than the more traditional 30mm profile often found in Shaker kitchens, yet isn’t as ultra-contemporary as a 12mm work surface. A Quooker tap in patinated brass echoes the quartz’s golden flecks.”

“The layout has been carefully planned to create visual balance in the living space. For example, the Neff ovens and warming drawer are positioned on the left-hand side to form a pleasing focal point when viewed from the lounge. Open oak shelving softens the wall cabinetry and creates a seamless link between the kitchen and dining areas. And two tall cabinets straddle a niche and have a matching oak back panel. This subtly references the island and creates a piece of ‘furniture’ that feels at home within the open-plan setting.”

“As the couple chose exposed brick slips for the dining wall, I used these behind the tall cabinet niche as well, to create flow between the zones. The shelving detail continues visually across the two areas, providing a subtle grid effect that links all three spaces together. I have also constrained seating to one side of the island to maintain clear circulation between the dining and kitchen spaces. The result is a cohesive, functional kitchen, tailored to the couple’s vision of a warm and welcoming heart of their home.”

Gavin’s verdict

“This design closely aligned with our concept of how the elements that we like might work in our space. The contrast of black units on the run and oak units on the island, Shaker style, with the hob on the island with integrated extraction, plus the herringbone floor in lighter oak, and even the dining room furniture, all looked like the style we had earmarked.

“The features we liked and hadn’t considered were the lighting styles and layout, the full-height splashback in the sink area, the open shelving across the dining room wall, and the clean end to the island with seating opposite the cooking area. This design also illustrated how things we thought we liked may not work as well – such as the brick slips on the side wall. Still, having seen the island in oak, we think the space could carry all black units.”

Designer two

Barnaby Partridge, founder and owner of Britannia Design in Chelmsford, has been working in the kitchen industry for more than two decades. Barnaby and his team ensure every kitchen feels personal, functional, and built to last.

Solution two

“I wanted to create a space for Gavin and Kirsteen that felt both open and connected, yet still clearly defined the different zones within the overall plan. The aim was to give each area its own character and purpose, while ensuring an easy flow. This results in a harmonious rather than disjointed room. The layout posed an interesting challenge, as the kitchen is deceptively narrow once an island is added.”

“To make the best use of the footprint, I opted for a longer island with seating where the kitchen naturally opens up into the snug. This allowed me to maximise the work surface area without creating awkward pinch points. Another advantage is that the island can function as both a practical workspace and a casual spot for socialising, bridging the two zones seamlessly.

“Above the island, a plastered bulkhead in the ceiling gives the design a sense of grounding. Helping to visually anchor the island within the larger room, it introduces the opportunity for layered lighting, too. Different lighting options over the island not only add flexibility – from bright task lighting to softer ambient settings – but also reinforce the zoning, making the kitchen feel well-defined within the open-plan environment.”

“For the kitchen furniture, I’ve chosen Zerox FM Olive Green cabinetry by Rotpunkt, complemented with the natural oak accents of Memory RI New Forest Oak. This combination brings a soft, Scandi-inspired warmth. The green establishes the kitchen as a feature in its own right, but also balances with the oak, creating an inviting atmosphere.

“The cabinetry is topped with a matt, earthy Caesarstone Topus Concrete quartz work surface. Its subtle texture and warm undertones bring a tactile quality, adding depth and character without feeling cold or industrial. The material is highly durable, perfectly suited for everyday use, while still carrying a refined, understated elegance. By echoing the natural finishes elsewhere, it enhances the Scandi-inspired aesthetic of the kitchen – calm, welcoming, and stylish.”

Gavin’s verdict

“The most obvious difference in this design was the colour and style of the kitchen. This challenged our preconceptions as the combination worked really well. The olive green with the oak sparked a debate in the Magee household! The smooth surfaces and handle-free cupboards and drawers make it all look less fussy. We also liked where the brick slips had been relocated to, resulting in a less dominating look.

“The lighting was thought-provoking and the bulkhead above the island is something we will discuss with our builder. We liked the glass doors to the pantry area and the utility room, too. They will optimise light in the dark corner. It was also good to see a black sink and tap offering a contrast to the layout. However, living in a hard water area, black is not a good idea.”

Got a design dilemma? For a chance to feature in Kitchens Bedrooms & Bathrooms magazine, submit your plans here

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