Mr & Mrs Backhouse were looking for a fun and vibrant space to entertain and socialise in their East London home.

We interviewed Life expert designer, Daniela, to discuss the project...

Daniela, could you tell us a little bit about the client's property?

"Mr & Mrs Backhouse's property is a beautiful terraced house in Bow, East London, which they share with their two dogs (who's photos you may spot in pride of place at either side of the Neff Angled Wall-Mounted Cooker Hood!).

"The house had recently suffered a basement/ground floor flood, so the room really needed to be renovated and the couple needed help to bring the space back to life."

What were the main requests the client had for her kitchen design?

"It was very important to the couple that the kitchen was bright and oozed personality, whilst being a modern, functional space that was perfect for entertaining and dining with friends.

"As soon as I heard what the clients were looking for, I knew they would fall in love with the shade Dry Rose as it's perfect for breathing fun into a space, whilst maintaining a sophisticated feel. We decided to pair Dry Rose with a contrasting yet complementing Slate peninsular, and chose the In-frame Slab door, Draycott, which was the perfect sleek and contemporary design to pair with such a bold colour combination."

"To accessorise, we chose the stunning, veined Strata Quartz Perlatino worksurface which reflects light beautifully. Then, to complete the look, we introduced quirky, industrial elements through black modular hardware, including our matt-black knurled handles, linear seating to accompany the peninsular, and striking tiles which lead from the floor and continue across the feature wall as a bold splashback."

"In terms of design features, it was also very important to Mr & Mrs Backhouse that they had a central hub in the kitchen- a place to gather and socialise with friends and a place to dine together. A peninsular was the ideal choice for their available space and works amazingly with the shape of the room, whilst offering an abundance of extra storage space should they need it."

What were the clients looking to improve on from their previous kitchen?

"After the downstairs of their property was flooded, the whole space needed to be renovated due to water damage, however, this gave the Backhouses' a chance to remodel the layout of their kitchen, so they could include further storage, a peninsular for dining and entertainment, and introduce new technology- like the Neff Angled Wall-Mounted Cooker Hood and a state-of-the-art Neff appliance bank."

Do you have any advice to give those who are planning a kitchen with a similar space?

"The easiest and most effective way of bringing an air of fun to your kitchen is through experimental and unique colour choices. The pastel shade of Dry Rose really helps to bring this beautiful design to life while maintaining a contemporary refinement."

Have you been inspired by Mr & Mrs Backhouse's kitchen?
Would you like Daniela, or another of our Life expert designers to bring your kitchen dreams to life?