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Kitchen Renovation with Abigail Ahern

“The kitchen really is the heart of the home and in my book, needs to be noticed.”

Last year Abi Ahern, interior design expert, embarked on an ambitious renovation project to transform her kitchen into a space for cooking, dining and entertaining. We caught up with her to find out how the project went and what she loves most about her new space.

Abigail Ahern kitchen layout

Tell us about your kitchen renovation

In November of last year I installed the kitchen of my dreams which I designed in collaboration with Herringbone Kitchen's, who produce sustainable kitchens made in the UK.

We wanted to come up with a modular design that looked and felt bespoke but which you can actually buy online at a fraction of the cost. Beautifully designed cabinetry, boasting sleek units with clean lines make the kitchen chic yet timeless. The kitchen offers up an au courant mix of materials. From slabs of natural quartz (Arden Blue on the island and work benches from Silestone) to the cabinetry painted out in my infamous saturated palette - a beautiful burnt toffee. 

Brass hardware, black plumbing fixtures and a concrete floor covered with vintage rugs sourced in souks across Morocco add another level of texture. I also upgraded all the appliances with NEFF ovens, an induction hob, a fridge, separate freezer and a warming drawer - which I am so obsessed with!

Abigail Ahern kitchen countertop

What’s your favourite part of your new kitchen space?

It's super hard to pinpoint just one thing because the upgraded appliances in conjunction with the beautifully designed cabinetry elevate this room from just a place to cook in, to a space that I actually want to spend time in and hang out in. 

I think kitchens can often feel a little bit too practical so it was super important for me to design a space that flowed seamlessly into the dining area and living space. As I wanted the kitchen to integrate with the rest of my open plan space, the down draft extractor hood was a game changer. In fact when I used to hold design classes here pre-Covid everyone asked me where the extractor was! I love that it just pops up at the click of a button and yet for most of the time it's so cleverly hidden.

Abigail Ahern kitchen features

Do you have a favourite appliance or food you cook in the kitchen?

Fave appliances - EVERTHING! 

For sure the Slide&Hide® oven – it’s so easy to taste and baste whatever is cooking. I adore it and became so obsessed with it on Bake Off that I just knew that it had to go in the new kitchen. 

At the weekend I'll whip up a simple tart like artichoke, pesto and brie for lunch to something like baked chilli tofu and kale noodles with black sesame dressing for supper - yum yum! It's constantly in use, everything I make is made from scratch, from granola to banana bread to no carb spinach bread.

My steam oven is also a game changer. 

I had read that steam ovens are not only a healthier way of cooking but food can retain 25% more vitamin content and I have to say everything I make in it tastes delicious - from a steamed snapper with lime and lemon grass to a decadent steamed chocolate sponge with malt ice cream (my weekend treat). My induction hob is all new for me having had gas for 20 years, but it's cleaner to use, it's nicer to look at (so much more stylish) and the fact that I can merge cooking zones for larger casserole type dishes is so very cool, especially when entertaining. 

The kitchen really is the heart of the home and in my book needs to be noticed! It's the most frequented room in the house so getting my dream kitchen has been one of the most transformative things I've done to this house.

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