Renowned for creating mood-enhancing sanctuaries for clients, Yoko Kloeden Design reimagines the idea of a ‘cook’s kitchen’ as an inspiring space for Cameroonian chef, Carine Ottou, who runs her culinary business from her Brixton home.
Demonstrating a fluid relationship between inside and outdoors, it was Yoko's ambition to create synonymous kitchen spaces inside and outside of the home, reflecting Carine's 'straight from nature' style cooking.
Staying true to Yoko's design ethos, natural textures and a continuous minimal colour palette is evident throughout, including the master bedroom and family areas - adding a calming contrast to the convivial heart of the home.
What was the brief?
Creating both a home and a chef's paradise, the aim was to allow the ground floor to also work as a headquarter for the Carine's cooking business - where she provides catering services, supper clubs and workshops.
With the previous space having little connection to the garden, the aim was to transform the entire ground floor into a seamless indoor/outdoor space. While the vision for the top-floor of the home was to include a second bathroom, becoming the ensuite for the couple.
What was the design inspiration for the project?
Inspired by the client's culinary adoration, the project reimagines the idea of a ‘cook’s kitchen’ as an inspiring space for Carine, who runs supper clubs and cookery classes from her Brixton home.
Across the project natural clean-lined materials were incorporated – vintage oak, Belgian lime paint, zinc, concrete, and brass – mirroring Carine’s “straight from nature” style cooking.
The design details are to reflect a pared-back feel with more intricate styling detailing, as a nod to the combined roots of this West African-meets-Scandinavian family.
What was the design concept behind the kitchen?
Half the size and with little connection to the garden, the original kitchen needed to be extended to the rear and the side - bringing about a fluid relationship between the kitchen and its exterior counterpart, with bi-folding doors that open fully and lead to the horticultural haven beyond.
As part of this versatile design, a movable island was incorporated to allow Carine the ability to host from either the outside or inside kitchen areas.
What was the design concept behind the garden?
The garden is considered a vital extension to the house, and most significantly the kitchen - demonstrated by the large outdoor BBQ kitchen.
The vertical garden wall was designed to bestow the space with a nurturing, atmospheric undertone whilst not encroaching on the valuable entertaining space. Serving as a botanical oasis amongst Brixton’s cityscape, the garden is visible from every room on the ground floor and acts as a restorative escape for the clients and their guests.
The Siberian Larch decking was chosen for its beautiful ageing qualities which, developing a silvery patina over time, will only add to the garden’s sensory function.
What was the design concept behind the living room?
The living space is situated in a quiet corner of the ground floor, utilised by installing a light-filled window seat where her client can read and unwind in front of the large windows.
The minimal colour palette enhances this sense of tranquillity which is essential for Carine who leads a busy lifestyle. Introducing texture and interest to the monochrome scheme is Yoko’s use of a concrete fire surround, lime paint and a vintage coffee table.
What was the design concept behind the dining room?
As the location for Carine’s supper clubs, the dining area needed to accommodate 12 guests, as well as impart an evocative and authentic eating experience for her invitees. Yoko handpicked an extendable table, alongside a custom-made bench that is built-in and doubles up as storage.
Born in Cameroon and brought up in France, Carine also wanted to draw on her cultural heritage; hence the antique pendant lights were acquired in Brocantes, France and the decorative masks and mud cloth cushions were both sourced from West Africa.
