An unusual home in Stoke Newington received a stunning makeover that included one of our favourite terrazzo designs, used to spectacular effect.
The layout of the property is ‘upside down’; the two bedrooms are located downstairs off the entrance hall, while upstairs is the kitchen area and living space. There’s a small balcony too, overlooking the beautiful Abney Park Cemetery which provides a tranquil setting with birdsong and nature abounding.
The homeowner is a keen cook and wanted everything in the kitchen to be perfect. Designer Ruth Milne of Studio Milne cleverly worked with the original layout, which included a Crittal-style glass screen separating the kitchen area from the living space. Crittal is a steel-framed glass which combines industrial charm with minimalist chic; the design is echoed in the large windows leading out to the balcony.
Ruth wanted to introduce a terrazzo into the mix. Diespeker’s popular TE007 was the perfect choice. This design almost needs no introduction; it’s a neutral terrazzo with flecks of black, brown, grey and white chippings that partners well with many interior styles.
Ruth said: “The steel frame and other elements in the kitchen including the hob, mixer tap and kettle are black – this particular terrazzo worked really well, giving a lovely pop of colour and sitting nicely with the oak pendants.”
TE007 was used as the surface for the two kitchen worktops with cut outs to incorporate the hob in one and sink in the other. The terrazzo was also used ingeniously to create a link between the two areas; the glass screen sits on a low level wall abutting one of the worktops; initially the sill top was a timber capping, but Ruth decided to add a strip of terrazzo to the side of the screen. The resulting effect is a single piece of terrazzo, with the polished edge adding a refined finish.
There’s another feature in the living space, a big oak unit with space for bar mixing. To tie this in with the kitchen, Ruth included TE007 on the exposed wall behind the bar area, and a shelf where black ornaments sit.
Further wood with a beautiful parquet floor, the calming white décor, together with the natural light flooding in from the main windows and the greenery of the cemetery trees has created a serene, harmonious space for cooking, eating and relaxing.
- Interior design Studio Milne
- Photo credit Alexandria Hall Photography
