Snarøya, Oslo · Residential
The open fireplace became the heart of the kitchen.
Beautifully set by the Oslofjord, this older villa has fine architectural qualities. When the children had grown up and the family's needs changed, the owners asked us to rethink the kitchen.
It is a lovely house with a great deal of charm and beautiful materials, so the original mouldings, panelling and floors were kept. The clients gave the design team a free hand to create a kitchen in harmony with the house and the rest of the interior.
In the long room, with windows along both sides and a beautiful white fireplace at one end, it was natural to give the fire the leading role. The island next to it was designed with enough seating that, on cold days, meals can be enjoyed there while the fire keeps everyone warm.
The custom joinery — the island, a long counter along one wall and a row of tall cabinets, one of them hiding a coffee station — is designed by Colline Design and made by a cabinetmaker. It is painted in a blue-green shade mixed specially for the project, giving the room a warm, muted character.
The existing floor was sanded and finished with a custom Osmo colour, the walls painted in a warm light grey, and handmade zellige tiles placed above the counter. A seating bench with storage was built into the bay window by the dining table.
The result is classic and timeless with a more modern twist: a kitchen made to slow down in, and to enjoy good company while the fire burns in the background.
Start a new projectThe house itself had so many lovely details and such high quality that we wanted to keep.
