Traditional country kitchens often take their design cue from the Victorian era, incorporating details inspired by the period. But rather than faithfully replicating what an authentic kitchen would have looked like back in the 19th century, the trick is to devise an original scheme that fits with our 21st century lifestyle yet complements the rest of your Victorian home in terms of design.
While no-one wants to live in a museum, it is possible to create truly bespoke kitchens that fulfil our need for multifunctional kitchen space, ample storage and modern appliances. Here are 7 suggestions on how to incorporate the best of Victorian kitchen style into your home.
Install a butler sink
For a classic country kitchen look that is very modern yet reminiscent of a Victorian scullery, a Butler or Belfast sink is a must. The difference between the two is that Belfast sinks have overflows while Butler sinks do not. Instead, they were made for homes in London where water had to be drawn from deep wells and was precious and not to be wasted.
Both are made from porcelain, a hard working yet elegant material, while the deep, wide shape of the sink makes it perfect for cleaning crockery and cookware including large pans and baking trays.
Put a heart into your kitchen
No classic Victorian kitchen would be complete without a range cooker at the heart of it. Originally a cast iron oven with a flat stovetop run on coal or wood, it also provided a constant source of heat in the farmhouse kitchen.
Today’s range cookers have at least 2 ovens, a grill and spacious hob, as well as intelligent features to control fuel usage (gas, oil, electric or solid fuel), timers and programmes that make short work of elaborate recipes. Whether you choose an AGA, Rayburn or other brand, there’s a wealth of styles and colours to fit with your kitchen interior.
Display your cookware
In a Victorian scullery, gleaming copper pots and pans would have been displayed on open shelving, ready for use. Copper was a staple material used for everything from saucepans to kettles and even pipes and taps.
Copper is a huge kitchen trend at the moment that’s easy to tap (!) into, creating a striking accent in an otherwise modern, pared back kitchen. Why not create a Victorian ambiance by showcasing your best cookware – copper or stainless steel – on shelves or hanging racks?
Add antique furniture
Add a sense of history to your contemporary kitchen by bringing in a statement piece or two of Victorian antique furniture. Choose solid wood freestanding items that add depth and charm to the room scheme while complementing your fitted kitchen cabinets.
A beautiful old Welsh dresser can be a useful storage space for everyday crockery while displaying your best china. A large ‘preloved’ pine farmhouse table in the centre of the room in place of a kitchen island is a practical surface for food preparation, serving family dinners and endless cups of tea.
Victorian wall and floor tiles
The Victorians were huge fans of practical tiles, as can be seen in the London Underground. Metro tiles were very popular in Victorian homes and can be used on the walls or as a simple splashback. White is the traditional colour but you could choose a darker colour to suit your room scheme.
On the floor, Victorian homes were known for their intricately laid floor tiles inside and out. From classic black and white tiles to decorative encaustics in a multitude of colours and geometric patterns, there’s a huge range of designs available to give your kitchen the wow factor.
Add wood panelling
Nothing says ‘Victorian home’ like aged wood panelling, but unless you’re lucky enough to have original features, you may have to retrofit. There are plenty of panelling designs available to add real character to your kitchen, or you can substitute with tongue and groove. As an added bonus, you’ll find that panelled walls are a great way to provide additional insulation and sound proofing.
If covering an entire wall is not the right solutions for your kitchen, why not create a separate breakfast area with banquette seating against a tongue and groove backed wall?
Show off original features
Finally, if you have a Victorian or Edwardian period home, chances are that at least some original features will have remained intact. Make the most of them!
If you have wonderfully high ceilings, think about commissioning bespoke kitchen wall units that will showcase the height of the room while giving you oodles of useful extra storage space. Pay attention to detailed decoration on cornices, friezes, corbels and pilasters that were revered back in the day. Echo Victorian details and ornate carvings in stone, wood or marble to recreate the enduring style of the Victorian home.