What are the must-have essentials in a chef's kitchen? For Rosemary Shrager, TV cook and The Big Family Cooking Showdown judge, her kitchen was in need of a renovation because functionally, it failed to meet her needs.
Rosemary wanted to transform her two downstairs rooms, comprising a kitchen and dining room, into an open-plan kitchen-dining living area. For the kitchen, she required a kitchen island for creating recipes and for filming her TV shows; a large hardwearing stainless steel sink for all of her large pots and pans; a 3-in-2 hot tap for instant boiling water; and a place where she could store chopping boards.
It was a big job. The four-month transformation involved the removal of a wall and replacement flooring, and plastering, painting and wiring were needed to extend the kitchen into another room. The kitchen installation itself took around two weeks which included cabinetry, doors, panels, mechanisms, worktops and appliances.
The famed chef called upon Granite & TREND Transformations to help transform her kitchen. Granite & TREND Transformations remodels kitchens and bathrooms without the disruption of completely removing the old ones, and they had previously completed the worktops at the now-closed Rosemary Shrager Cookery School in Tunbridge Wells.
Rosemary also wanted to implement a sentimental material into her kitchen design – a stunning piece of Georgian marble, which has been in her family for 40 years. She requested something 'middle-of-the-road, functional and trendy'.
The design team recommended the Arabescato worktop for Rosemary's new kitchen units, as the colour matches the original marble, and slate cabinetry (Rothwell in Supermatt Dust Grey) which echoes the dark veining in the Georgian slab. The total cost for the doors and worktop was £15,000.
One of the designers took the original marble and incorporated it into the scheme as a countertop on a sideboard. 'He took something really important to me in my life, and my kitchen life, took it and transferred it into this contemporary kitchen,' said Rosemary. 'It is a workable piece of art.'
The units were designed with big drawers for plenty of storage space and fitted together carefully to ensure a gap was left to store away trays and chopping boards – easy access while minimising clutter was essential. The team also included shelving from the 1950s, which were stripped back, brought into the kitchen design, and filled with spices and herbs.
For a clean finish, they tied the whole scheme together with handleless cabinetry, as Rosemary thought handles 'would have looked a bit too bitty'.
With a new open-plan room and functional kitchen, is the famed chef pleased with the results? 'Everything has been thought of,' said Rosemary, as she reflected on the 'timeless and classic' colours that will stand the test of time. 'I feel like I'm walking into my dreamland!'
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Kitchen accessories: 7 must-have items to buy for your kitchen
Create a statement in your kitchen with this standout speckled jug. Crafted from fine enamelled steel, it's both stylish and practical.
Store your kitchen utensils in this beautiful marble jar. It's perfect to create a rustic, country style at home.
Haven't got time to water your plants? No problem! Cole & Mason's clever self-watering herb pot means you'll always have fresh ingredients whilst you cook. We recommend keeping this one on your kitchen windowsill.
In a soft baby blue, this vintage style toaster from Ariete will be sure to add a playful touch to your kitchen. Featuring six levels of browning control, you can serve up your toast just as you want.
Get sustainable in the kitchen this month by switching throw-away cleaning cloths for reusable ones. We love this colourful set of four from Anthropologie. They might be pricey, but they'll last for years to come.
With an angular shape and delicate floral design, this teapot is sure to brighten up your afternoon cuppa. Tea, anyone?
This sweet ladybird mug will get you in the mood for warmer, spring days.
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