This couple needs help transforming their dated kitchen design into a welcoming family-friendly space. So, we’ve asked two designers to come up with ideas and help them visualise just what’s possible…

Cath Webster, 44, a humanitarian worker, lives with her husband, Chris Webster, 50, a teacher, and their two boys, Joshua, eight, and Jonathan, six, and dog, Ziggy. They have recently purchased a 1950s four-bedroom detached house in West Sussex, but it’s in need of renovation. They would like to start by reconfiguring the ground floor to open up its small rooms and make it more suitable for their family. A wall has already been removed between the kitchen and the dining room, creating a room that’s around 3.6 x 6m, with a ceiling height of 2.38m.

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 Olive & Barr’s designer and showroom host Rachael Mellings, and Louis Vanderman, designer at Woodmere, turn their dated kitchen into a light-filled, family-friendly space.

The brief for the new kitchen design

• Cath and Chris’s new home is surrounded by rural views, which they’re keen to make the most of. For the kitchen, they would like a simple, modern, clean look that’s natural, with texture and earthiness. They are drawn to greens and wood but open to alternative colours.
• The kitchen will be the hub of their home, so it must be welcoming, with space for chatting, cooking, and eating informally together.
• Light is an important factor: the couple envisage the entrance to the kitchen from the hallway to be an internal glass partition, such as panels with windows and a glass door, to give a sense of light.
• A sizeable island is also on the wishlist, so the family can sit around it and cook. Cath and Chris need space for their coffee machine, too.

Designer one

Designer and showroom host Rachael Mellings has worked for Olive & Barr for two years and has been in the trade and retail industry for six. She played a key role in helping design the company’s flagship showroom The Barn in Tenbury Wells, Worcestershire, which recently won Showroom of the Year.

Solution one

“My starting point for this kitchen was the breathtaking views of the South Downs National Park. I was keen to emphasise the location within the design, plus Cath was drawn to green shades and timber tones. So, I chose Farrow & Ball’s Calke Green for a run of tall cabinetry, with exposed light Ash for the island. This reflects the surrounding landscape while adding texture and contrast.

“As this is a busy kitchen, it was important to pick surfaces that would be easy to maintain. I selected the 30mm Arabesque quartz by Artscut: it’s an off-white shade with a subtle vein that adds interest without being overwhelming, plus it’s cost-effective. Along the same lines, I have used Neff appliances.

“The layout centres around a multifunctional island. Positioning the hob here allows the cook to face the room, meaning they can interact with the family while preparing meals. There’s generous preparation and serving space around the hob, while two drawer units, each with a hidden internal cutlery drawer, have been included on either side. This creates a consistent and symmetrical design while ensuring that utensils are conveniently located.

“Thanks to the vented hob, there’s no need for overhead extraction, allowing for pendants instead. This enhances the lighting and introduces a striking focal point. L-shaped seating on the opposite side of the island creates a social dining experience, allowing the family to chat to each other while eating.

“Cath and Chris love coffee, so I’ve included a bi-fold countertop unit above a two-door base cabinet to house their machine. At 120cm wide, it functions beautifully as a breakfast station, with space for a toaster and other essentials, or as a place the boys can grab snacks when the main kitchen is in use. Not only is this practical, but freestanding pieces of furniture also allow for flexibility, helping the kitchen to evolve with the family’s needs.”

Cath’s verdict

“We love the simplicity of this design. It looks like a spacious room, even though it’s small, and the layout feels practical as well as clean. The colours are soft and natural, bringing the outside indoors. They feel calm and welcoming. The breakfast bar is a lovely addition and an element the boys will really enjoy.

“I also love the Slide&Hide oven idea, which would be very practical. We hadn’t thought about putting tall oven units on the wall between the door and window, because I had imagined it would look crowded. However, seeing the design has made a real difference and it works really well with the light from either side.”

Designer two

Louis Vanderman is a designer at newly-launched Woodmere. He has worked for its parent company, Polar Build, for six years, and has more than 15 years of experience – from designing bespoke kitchens to new builds.

Solution two

“This lifestyle-led kitchen was inspired by Cath and Chris’s love of natural colours, open space, and the property’s views over the South Downs. My vision was to blend organic textures with modern functionality, creating a calm, grounded room that worked for both daily living and entertaining.

“Every detail combines practicality with personality. The brief focused on three core elements: a layout that celebrated the view, a central island for socialising, and a coffee zone. These priorities shaped each design decision I made.

“An L-shaped layout of cabinetry wraps around a two-tier island that anchors the space. Its lower level offers a generous food preparation surface, hob, and built-under oven, while the raised breakfast bar, clad in richly grained dark timber, forms a relaxed seating area that naturally draws the eye outdoors. A pair of comfortable stools reinforce the inviting feel.

“The palette takes its cues from nature. Sage green Ashcombe cabinetry reflects the landscape, paired with blonde wood worktops and white tiled flooring to keep the room feeling bright and airy. Brass-trimmed glass pendants bring subtle sophistication. Family kitchens can become cluttered, so I made storage a priority to maintain the room’s seamless look.

“Opposite the island, a bespoke coffee station, created from a slim worktop-mounted unit, offers convenience while maintaining flow. With space above the built-in machine for cups and coffee, its vertical storage maximises practicality while preserving a minimalist aesthetic. Below, open shelving is ideal for storing recipe books, while on the island, additional open shelves can store crockery.

“The result is a refined, characterful kitchen, thoughtfully designed and deeply connected to both the surrounding landscape and the way the family live. Its central island offers a hub for cooking, gathering, and taking in the views while soft tones and clever zoning make it both elegant and functional.”

Cath’s verdict

“The designer has used the space really well, especially given the many doorways in the room. I like the open shelving on the island, and the coffee station. The colour scheme feels a little smarter and sleeker than the other design but still ties into the landscape. The raised extension to the island would be well used and I like the contrasting material for the worktop, although I would probably choose a lighter, softer option.

“However, I worry that the toaster corner might become a little crowded, plus the room feels quite busy – even though I’m sure the extra storage would be helpful! It’s encouraging that both designers have helped us really make the most of the space.”

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

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