Some homes tell their story through age; others through the vision of those who inhabit them. Andrea and Janet’s expansive three-storey terraced house is a captivating blend of both - a grand Victorian property infused with the clarity of modern design. Over time, the couple have carefully curated each space with an eye for clean architectural lines, exquisite art, and a palette of light that allows every detail to sing. Their renovation journey has been about more than updating; it’s been about creating a home that feels like a gallery of living, where every room is an experience.
Step into their hallway and you are instantly enveloped by drama and opulence. Sculptural statues and bold artwork command attention, while the white-washed walls act as a luminous canvas, bouncing light and heightening the sense of scale. The journey through the house is a visual play on perspective: spaces flow seamlessly, drawing you through to the courtyard at the rear, where manicured shrubbery and privacy come together in a modern oasis.
Yet, at the heart of any home lies its kitchen - and for Andrea and Janet, this was where the most exciting transformation unfolded.
Typical of houses built in the late 1800s and early 1900s, the original kitchen was tucked away at the back, segmented and practical but hardly the social hub of the home. The couple were determined to bring the space into the modern era. Their first bold step was structural: the dividing wall between the dining room and kitchen was removed, instantly inviting in light and improving flow.
Interestingly, while many homeowners might have extended the kitchen further into the dining space, Andrea and Janet resisted. Their beloved six-seater wooden dining table - warm, characterful, and the centre of countless gatherings - was non-negotiable. The challenge, then, was to design a kitchen that maximised every inch without overpowering the dining area.
The result is a masterclass in restraint and clever design. By concealing the majority of appliances and storage behind seamless, white cabinetry, the kitchen achieves an architectural purity - sleek, crisp, and unencumbered. The eye is naturally drawn to the far wall, where a striking run of deep navy cabinets grounds the scheme, providing not only balance but also a chic focal point.
This two-tone effect elevates the space beyond the everyday, adding depth and drama while preserving its calm sophistication. Subtle LED lighting enhances the clean lines, ensuring the kitchen doesn’t just function well, but glows with a designer edge.
If the cabinetry sets the stage, the quartz worktops are undoubtedly the leading act. Andrea and Janet chose Calacatta Eternal quartz from the Minerox collection, a surface so refined and luxurious it could easily grace the pages of an architectural digest. With its soft white background and bold, elegant veining, the quartz ties the entire scheme together - adding luminosity, elegance, and a sense of permanence.
Interested in a Calacatta Eternal worktop for your kitchen? Get in touch for a free, no-obligation quote today.
The couple opted for a waterfall drop on the island, where the veining cascades seamlessly to the floor, amplifying the drama. The same quartz extends to the window cill, splashback, and even the sink grooves, creating continuity that feels utterly bespoke. Every detail is finished with precision - from the polished sink edge cutouts to the carefully aligned veining. It’s a design that doesn’t just impress once but takes your breath away every time you enter the room.
Andrea and Janet credit much of the project’s success to their choice of worktop supplier. A recommendation from a family member led them to Gemini Worktops, whose reputation for quality and seamless service immediately appealed.
“We didn’t want to mess about,” Janet admits with a smile. Both confessed that measurements were not their strong point, so the laser-precision templating service was a godsend. The accuracy gave them peace of mind that every element would fit flawlessly.
That peace of mind translated into excitement as the installation unfolded, each stage carried out with the kind of meticulous care that reflects a true five-star service.
Beyond aesthetics, the couple invested in smart solutions that keep their kitchen as functional as it is beautiful. An instant boiling-water Quooker tap means the absence of kettles or clutter on the pristine surfaces. An automated pop-up socket, complete with USB and 13A outlets, ensures that connectivity is at hand without the need for visible socket cut-outs in the quartz. These thoughtful details protect the integrity of the design while enhancing its day-to-day practicality.
The result? A kitchen that is not only striking but supremely liveable - a rare balance of technology, craftsmanship, and style.
Andrea and Janet’s new kitchen is more than a renovation; it’s a reinvention of what a Victorian terrace can be. By respecting the home’s character while infusing it with contemporary elegance, they’ve created a space that is as suited to morning coffee as it is to evening entertaining.
From the drama of the navy cabinetry to the luminosity of the Calacatta Eternal quartz, every detail speaks to a vision realised with confidence. And while the space looks undeniably high-end, it is anchored in clever design choices and a supplier who offered a truly seamless experience - proof that luxury is as much about precision and service as it is about aesthetic.
For Andrea and Janet, the transformation has been transformative in more ways than one. Their home now feels cohesive, their kitchen the centrepiece of a house that tells a story of light, art, and modern elegance. It is a renovation that achieves the ultimate design goal: to make everyday life feel just a little bit extraordinary.
Arctic Starburst
Aspen Ice
Capri White
Calacatta Gold Superior
