Has kitchen company Plain English got a lock on the ultimate British kitchen design? It certainly seems that way. Here in the US, our friends are constantly asking, “How do I get the Plain English look?” and “When are they opening a store stateside?” Until that happens, here are some ideas for re-creating the look.
Above: The Hampshire Hop Kiln Kitchen from Plain English.
Above: Industrial pendant lamps and unlacquered brass hardware contrast with the kitchen island’s modern profile and crisp detailing.
Above: On either end of the island are shelves for storing items of odd shapes and sizes.
The Basics
Above: For a color similar to the one used on the kitchen cabinets and lower half of the island, consider Fine Paints of Europe’s Eurolux Flat Base Paint in factory color 7034 Winter Sky. The color is a pale gray with just a hint of blue.
Above: For an alternating color, as used on wooden cupboards along the side wall of the kitchen, Farrow & Ball’s Mole’s Breath is a basic dark gray with a great deal of depth; $95 per gallon of Modern Emulsion finish.
Above: Countertops are a mix of wood on the kitchen island and concrete on the back counter. Shown here is Ikea’s affordable oiled-beech Numerär Wood Countertop, which comes in precut lengths. Kitchen counters measuring 49 5/8 by 25 5/8 by 1 1/2 inches are $89. For more on countertops, see 10 Easy Pieces: Remodelista Kitchen Countertop Picks.
Faucets & Fixtures
Above: The brass Deck-Mounted Faucet with Gooseneck Spout by family-owned UK company Barber Wilson is $1,760 at Quality Bath. From Trade Secrets: Notting Hill House by Charles Mellersh.
Above: The Alfi Concrete Farm Sink is $1,160.71 at Plumber’s Stock.
Lighting & Appliances
Above: Schoolhouse Electric’s Factory Light No. 5 Cable has a white interior and clear-coated steel shade; $299.
Above: From French company La Cornu, the CornuFé 110 Range in gloss black with a satin chrome trim is available directly through La Cornu.
Accessories
Above: Plain English uses a clever mix of bin pulls, knobs, and latches for cabinet hardware. Shown here is Whitechapel’s Half Round Bin Pull (left) for $19.05 and One-Inch Plain Knob for $8.54 (right), both in antiqued brass.
Above: The Marseilles Chalkboard from Restoration Hardware has a weathered oak frame; $349 for the small size.
Above: At Food 52’s Provisions, the Large Replica Apple Crate in a gray wash is $35. Alternatively, source a vintage Wooden Fruit Crate for from Washington-based Etsy seller the Front House for $40 or from other Etsy sellers.
Above: Set on the wood-topped kitchen island is a slab of white marble for food preparation. Sur La Table’s White Marble Pastry Board is $44.95. For more, see 5 Favorites: Marble Boards in the Kitchen.
Above: Fog Linen Work’s Kitchen Cloth in navy and white checkerboard (also available in reddish pink, purple, brown, and yellow) is $15 from Fog Linen Work. The cloth is also available for £9.95 at Atelier Home & Garden in the UK.
Above: Brendan Ravenhill’s Red Dustbin is on sale for $55.99 (down from $74.99) at West Elm.
Above: A set of six small glass Weck Jars is $27 at Heath Ceramics. The jars are also available from Schoolhouse Electric starting at $4 per jar.
For more ideas, see our post with founder Katie Fontana, Kitchen Confidential: 10 Ways to Achieve the Plain English Look.
Can’t get enough of Brit kitchen style? See:
11 Design Details to Steal from High-End Bespoke Kitchens
A Kitchen for the People, Courtesy of Prince Charles
Rehab Diary: A British Standard Kitchen in a Shepherd’s Hut
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