With summer here, India Yellow and Parade Pink are just some of the hues bringing a colour pop to kitchens. For one Canterbury couple drawn to the colour confidence of Kent-based Herringbone House, transforming a former doctor’s surgery into a home has become the perfect medicine.
Speaking about their project, Jo and Melissa say: ‘Our last house was very different, so we had to invent a new look for our new home, one that we hope incorporated some playful elements of late-Victorian Arts & Crafts with a few mid-century elements like the Crittall windows and doors.
‘This kitchen was part of a big new extension for the house, which had been a doctor’s surgery only a few years ago. The kitchen never really lived up to the rest of the house – being small and more of a scullery.
‘The other rooms in the house are generous, big rooms with high ceilings. Even before we moved in, we knew we wanted to balance things with an extension that you could cook and entertain in.’
The married couple, who have grown-up children, love entertaining and say they love Canterbury ‘despite its sometimes brassy heart’, so wishing to stay local they headed to Herringbone House in the city’s Sun Street.
‘We had seen Herringbone’s shop and admired the beautiful joinery and finish of their display kitchens. There was a calm confidence to their design that I think you probably only get if you not just design, but also build the furniture.
‘They are also very bold with their colour, they don’t just serve up the ubiquitous dark blues and greys. We wanted to try something new and always liked the autumnal palette of russet, mustard and browns.
‘It was a bit scary to go there but we’re glad we did. The Farrow and Ball colour of India Yellow is easy to live with and easy to complement with other furnishing and decorative elements made of wood, terracotta and fabrics. And the “mustardy” yellow lives nicely with the wood-burning stove which is a deep magenta, it’s a ceramic stove made by the Italian company La Castellamonte.
‘To be honest the stove was the starting point in terms of colour even though it only arrived after the kitchen was pretty much completed. Importing a wood-burner from Italy is not for the faint-hearted!’
When it came to those hub-of-the-home essentials, one key ingredient is something they now can’t live without.
‘The larder is just great. It’s a TARDIS, there’s always space for another jar or tin. We love the “charging cupboard”, suggested to us by our designer Elly, which is where all the tech gadgets get stuffed when we want to look organised, as well as all the other clutter we live with normally.
‘We asked Herringbone to design us a drinks cupboard, and they really came up to the mark – it is stylish, capacious and incorporates the wine fridge. I love the vintage-look mercury glass inside behind the hanging glasses. It is situated opposite the kitchen and emphasises the intentionality of the colour choices being set against the exposed, creamy-hued brick.’
Melissa also welcomed the pot-filling tap above the hob. ‘It is not strictly speaking necessary (as Jo kept telling me!) as the actual tap is only a huge two steps away but it does break up the impressive but dark slab of the Dekton back-splash and adds a little asymmetry, which I like.’
With the kitchen a real hub of the home, the couple added it’s a ‘lovely place to be, functions well and looks beautiful.’
Want to bring colour to your kitchen?
Herringbone House’s owner William Durrant shares his top 10 tips for choosing a kitchen colour
1 Set the mood
The colour of your kitchen will impact your mood daily. Do you prefer a dark kitchen, perfect for late-night socialising, or a neat, bright kitchen to energise you in the morning? Each household has its own unique patterns.
2 Consider the natural light
The quality of light has a huge impact on how colours read. In north or east-facing kitchens, warm tones such as cream, beige, peach, and yellow greens will add warmth. In south or west-facing spaces, soft greys and blues work beautifully without feeling cold.
3 Consider room size
It’s a myth that dark colours will make small spaces feel smaller. In compact kitchens painting the walls the same shade as the cupboards gives the illusion of spaciousness. In larger kitchens, a strong colour helps the space feel cosy and atmospheric.
4 Be bold
Regardless of the size of your space, you will never regret going bold.
5 Collect physical samples
Cabinet colour matters, but it’s the combination of worktops, backsplashes, hardware, flooring and wall colours that defines the room. Lay everything out in your kitchen’s natural light and see how it works together.
6 Create depth
Many paint companies provide colour scales – a single colour in a variety of five or more shades ranging from darkest to lighter. Even in a monochromatic kitchen make sure you mix shades and textures of the colour to achieve depth.
7 Use the 60:30:10 rule
Use a base colour on large surfaces, such as walls and cabinet doors, then add a supporting layer (worktops, floors) and a moment of contrast (tiles, accessories). Imagine a light coloured kitchen with a bright range cooker – this rule keeps everything balanced, but never boring.
8 Consider the finish
Eggshell or gloss are the most practical choices, easy to clean and great at reflecting natural light. Mixing painted cabinetry with natural wood island or dresser is also becoming increasingly popular. The contrast between a soft gloss and raw wood adds warmth and personality.
9 Think beyond the kitchen
Are there colours you’re repeatedly drawn to, in your interiors or even your wardrobe? When choosing the best kitchen colour feels daunting, looking at what you already have and love is always a good start.
10 Ignore trends, keep personality
Trends fade quickly, but trying too hard to remain timeless can feel overly safe. What matters most is adaptability and your genuine connection to the space. Choose what will last and what will bring you joy every day..
herringbonehouse.com @herringbonehouse
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