Beetroot and Black: Rachael's Designer Kitchen With Big, Brave Colour Choices

Anyone who follows photographer Rachael Wilshaw on Instagram will know she loves to decorate her home with bold, dark shades - and her beautiful new kitchen is no different.

Rachael has created a stunning open space where the whole family can eat, do homework and relax together.

She chatted to us about what she wanted to achieve with her dream kitchen - and how she makes her trademark bold colours work.

“The design of our kitchen is very important to me and my family.

“That’s why we’ve gone through this renovation as - although the old kitchen wasn’t small - it was divided into three separate rooms.

“It was important to us to create a larger space we could do everything in - we wanted to spend time together as a family.

“Now it’s all opened up, that’s exactly what we do: it’s become a modern, family space - plus I’ve incorporated all the design touches I love.

“For example, I’ve always wanted a marble work surface - but I wasn’t sure it was the right choice for us as it would need a lot of looking after.

“Then quartz worktops from Gemini Worktops caught my eye. I got in touch and it was a really fast and efficient service - I was really impressed.

“Gemini’s Calacatta Silver Superior was the perfect solution as it has the same heavy-veined marble look I love, but there’s a lot less maintenance needed.

• Related: You may be interested in exploring our marble quartz collection.

“The worktops and the walls are light colours, which is a good contrast to the dark green worktops I’ve chosen.

“My kitchen is south-facing, so it's a light, bright room and the dark colours really work.

“A lot of people are afraid to use dark colours, especially in small rooms - but I think they can add some interest.

“It’s important to also add some contrast, though, so you’re not just walking into a black box.

“You can have a light-coloured ceiling, flooring and furniture, for example.

“Colour confidence comes with experience - I first tried decorating with darker shades a long time ago, when I was living in Dubai with my friend.

“Our apartment was very bare and modern - so we thought ‘let’s just try painting a wall black’!

“We loved it! Since then, in each house I’ve lived in, I’ve always gone dark.

“I love how moody and cosy it can make a room, especially a big room. I think it kind of draws it in.”

Rachael chose Minerox Quartz in Calacatta Silver Superior for her kitchen worktops, island and upstands - plus a floating shelf to make the most of an unused corner and a handy little additional shelf behind the range cooker.

She also opted for an AXIX sink, supplied and fitted by Gemini Worktops.

You can follow Rachael on Instagram @beetrootandblack.

Part 2: Rachael shares her kitchen inspiration

You may recognise Rachael @beetrootandblack from our kitchen stories back in Summer. Her kitchen renovation journey began with a showroom visit and a mountain of ideas. She wanted to create an open space for her family, with a traditional yet modern style. As the heart of the home, it was vital that her kitchen layout was an open space that reflected her style choices and had the functionality and practicality for busy family life.

Rachael wanted to create her dream kitchen, with a style that stood out and her colour choice was no different. Her inspiration for her colour scheme came from wanting to create a dark and moody atmosphere with a traditional twist. “I love how moody and cosy it can make a room, especially a big room. I think it kind of draws it in.”

As a south-facing kitchen, it’s a light and bright room which works perfectly with the dark colours, which add visual interest to the space. Rachael wanted to take advantage of the whole space and that’s why her renovation project involved opening the kitchen into the connecting rooms, she created a much-needed space that was perfect for cooking, dining and more importantly, her busy family life.

Choosing Minerox Quartz worktops

When choosing her worktops Rachael was keen to incorporate marble-style countertops for her surfaces, but was unsure if this would be the right choice for her kitchen. However, "Gemini’s Calacatta Silver Superior was the perfect solution as it has the same heavy-veined marble look I love, but there’s a lot less maintenance needed."

The countertops and walls were light making them a perfect contrast to her deep green cupboards. Rachael is known for her bright, bold colour choices and her new kitchen would be no different. Her 'colour confidence’ comes with experience, she is used to experimenting with colours to create the perfect aesthetic within her home.

• Related: If you are looking to complete your kitchen with a spectacular marble effect quartz worktop, you may be interested in viewing our marble quartz collection.

Design Features

Rachael’s design explores a range of features and styles that help to create the kitchen of her dreams. The large island in the centre of the room is a standalone feature. With a 60mm depth, a double ogee edge and ornate detail, this is the perfect centrepiece for creating that traditional style that Rachael was keen to achieve.

Within the island, Rachael opted for an AXIX sink, a combination of the Calacatta Silver Superior surface with a contemporary steel bottom to give a designer-finished look.

Designing the sink on the island adds purpose and utilises the space.

Whilst taking advantage of unused space and adding a feature to her kitchen, Rachael wanted to incorporate a floating shelf to make the most out of an unused corner, this became the perfect space to display her cooking essentials and her cookbooks.

Whilst opening out the kitchen was essential, Rachael wanted to create enough storage space so her kitchen would have a clean and uncluttered aesthetic, adding a pantry was the perfect way to do this.

She was able to use the larder cupboard to conceal her appliances and dry foods, by making use of the full cupboard space, she was able to add spice racks to the door, this way her spices and herbs could be displayed in an organised manner for her cooking needs.