The Strata House Kitchen

Set within Strata House in Brockley, South London, this kitchen forms part of a contemporary reworking of a Victorian terraced home by Benjamin Wilkes Architecture. The wider project celebrates the layering of natural materials — oak, limestone, brick and plaster — chosen for their warmth, texture and ability to age gracefully over time. Positioned at the centre of the rear extension, the kitchen was designed as both a practical workspace and a calm architectural backdrop for daily life, opening directly onto the garden-facing dining area and surrounding living spaces through expansive oak-framed glazing. Inspired by a natural, Scandinavian-influenced material palette, the design carefully ties together the extensive oak detailing used throughout the renovation to create a space that feels cohesive, warm and quietly understated.

Natural oak veneer cabinetry with exposed ply edging wraps the perimeter of the room, bringing warmth and continuity to the long linear plan. In contrast, the island introduces a richer focal point through HUSK x Another Country cabinetry in Devon Red “Fallow”, adding depth and softness against the otherwise restrained palette. Integrated scallop handles reveal the exposed ply detailing throughout, while solid oak HUSK x Another Country pull-bar handles add a tactile, handcrafted quality. Large open bookcases integrated into either end of the island create additional storage and display space, softening the functional character of the island while giving the kitchen a more open, lived-in feel.

A key design consideration within the project was the precise alignment of the bespoke oak wall panelling and floating shelf spanning between the kitchen and built-in bench seating area. Carefully resolved proportions and spacing between the worktop, shelf and wall cabinetry were essential in maintaining the calm architectural rhythm of the room. Horizontal grain direction across the oak panelling reinforces the long sightlines through the extension, while bespoke detailing allows the kitchen to integrate seamlessly with the surrounding architecture rather than feeling separate from it. Built on Howdens cabinetry, the kitchen balances this bespoke detailing with practical flexibility, incorporating concealed pantry and utility areas alongside highly functional everyday storage.

Lighting plays an important role in shaping the atmosphere of the kitchen throughout the day. The oak-framed corner glazing and large rear opening draw natural light deep into the plan, creating shifting warmth and shadow across the timber surfaces as the light changes. Overhead, the exposed oak ceiling structure subtly frames this movement while emphasising the geometry of the extension itself. As daylight fades, layered decorative lighting introduces a softer and more intimate mood. Globe pendants by Kave Home bring sculptural warmth above the island, while Studio Haran wall lights cast focused pools of light across circulation spaces, cabinetry and textured surfaces. Together, the lighting, natural materials and carefully resolved detailing create a kitchen that feels calm, grounded and enduring — designed not only to function beautifully, but to evolve gracefully alongside the home over time.