Good morning dear Friends
With the arrival of Edwina Wedon, a new chapter of this Making of starts with the interior decorating of the Mansion.
I will start with the victorian kitchen which I want to be as bright as possible using materials which proved satisfactory in my previous project in the shape of a bue & white mural tiles in the "Delft" Dutch style on the top with a white painted wooden molding in the middle and a blue & white striped wallpaper at the bottom. On the floor, a plastic embossed sheet with a white & blue tiles offering a great refkectivity to light.
In this large remodeled mansion; I first and foremost wanted an enlarged kitchen surface and the new kitchen is nearly twice as large as the original. The same applies to the Great / Conservatory Room which has doubled in space.
Before even starting with the decorating détails, I will first focus on the visual appeal of this room and its lay out according to the pictures I will take as if I was staging a theatrical decor highlighting certain elements of the decor above others.
A little bonus of this remodeling is that the empty space originally occupied by the staircase has inspired me a faux 1900 style stained glass decor which will be lighted from above creating a significant source of lighting above the cooking area which I want to be positioned in the middle of what will become a very busy kitchen.
The remodeling also doubled the number of windows from 2 to 4 and which, just like in real life occupy a lot of useful space and which will be cut down to 2 windows freeing a useful space for a opened fireplace and some furniture for example.
The kitchen layout must include the cooking area ( in the centre ), food preparation area, sink, firepalce, storage, dining area with a large table and chairs, and if possible a small "cellar" area with barrel & wine bottles as well as a storage for food. I also want a system of mural service bells in the "Downton Abbey" style. So all in one a little challenge which I will try to face and overcome.
With a style as fresh as blue & white inspired by the "Gustavian" style, I owe to bring little touches of colour through objects and prints evocative of the 1900 era, Summertime and which will illustrate food delights in all shapes & forms.
So I will invite you in the weeks to come to follow this Making of the victorian kitchen through a step by step decorating of the "kingdom" of Mrs Applepie and her joyous Team
Karim
