Detailed Elegance
When Peter and Jackie first envisioned their kitchen renovation in their North Down home, they knew they wanted something truly spectacular and Daniel George was the chosen supplier.
To bring their vision to life in this gorgeous space, the couple turned to Irene McGeehan from Hummingbirds Design, whose reputation for creating timeless, luxurious spaces
preceded her.
The resulting kitchen, a masterpiece of design and practicality, perfectly complements the architectural beauty of their home, originally designed by Emily Warwick of Warwick Architects.
The Brief
The brief from Peter and Jackie was clear: they wanted a kitchen that would impress but have longevity.
‘The overall brief was something with a ‘wow’ factor and something to withstand ‘the test of time,’ Irene explains. ‘It needed to work well with all the architectural features of the house designed by Emily Warwick.’
This vision set the stage for a meticulous design process that involved not just the kitchen, but seamlessly integrating it into the broader aesthetic flow of their home.
Peter and Jackie had specific ideas about the appliances they wanted, but they leaned heavily on Irene’s expertise to make the final selections.
Premium Appliances
The kitchen features a range of premium appliances, each chosen for its quality and design.
‘I helped the clients in choosing the right appliances for them,’ Irene says divulging that the final lineup includes a feature sink and taps by Waterworks, an impressive electric Range cooker and warming drawer from Subzero-Wolf and an elite Fisher and Paykel fridge freezer and dishwasher.
The clients asked for the Quooker tap boiling tap with an additional Cube which offers the additional chilled and sparkling water. In a kitchen this size and with her clients being very keen amateur chefs Irene also recommended bespoke extractors for both the kitchen and pantry by Westin UK.
The pantry fridge and the hob are by Siemens UK. Turnstyle Designs were chosen for the door furniture with a stunning Shagreen finish.
One of the unique design elements is the separation of the Waterworks tap and the Quooker tap, says Irene. ‘As the Waterworks tap is such a feature piece on the island, I didn’t want to detract from this, so I housed the Quooker tap into a separate drinks larder,’ she explains.
The Subzero-Wolf range cooker is another focal point, strategically placed directly opposite the island. ‘The clients wanted two large ovens and a large cooking surface, and due to the design and proportions of the room, this suited this particular range cooker,’ she says.
This alignment creates a functional yet visually appealing cooking space, ideal for both daily use and entertaining.
Peter and Jackie, while influenced by their designer along the way, had their own wish list including several must-haves for their dream kitchen.
This included a larger fridge, two large ovens and a hidden warming drawer. The convenience of a Quooker Tap dispensing chilled and sparkling water was a non-negotiable while having the microwave hidden from sight was another request.
Integrated dish drawers and bookshelves for cookery books were among the more subtle requests while a large island with raised seating for six people with a TV viewable from there and working areas was a big demand. Irene expertly incorporated each of these elements, ensuring that the kitchen was not only beautiful but also highly practical.
Challenges
Designing such a large kitchen space came with its own set of challenges. ‘It’s a big space, and I needed to fill out the floor space in the middle of the room better,’ Irene said.
She addressed this by incorporating a raised seating area on the island, which helped pull the kitchen and dining areas together.
Throughout the design process, Irene faced no major problems, a testament to the thorough planning and collaboration with the clients and architects.
The Finer Details
The kitchen’s beauty lies in its finer details, she says. ‘It’s all about the finer details, from the little bead detail between the tall cabinets and the top boxes to the detailed pillar and corner details on the island.’
She particularly loves the top boxes with a single glazed bottom opening door, providing a large display area.
The curved door details soften the tall cabinets on the fridge wall, leading seamlessly into the snug area.
The T-shaped island and two-tone shelving at the end complement the exquisite timber flooring from Watson and Brown, creating a beautiful blend of textures.
The Larger Project
The transformation of Peter and Jackie’s kitchen was part of a larger renovation project spanning approximately two years. ‘Because it’s a large project, with various other rooms, I’ve been working with the clients for around two years, from the architect’s original concept drawings to the final build,’ Irene reveals.
Peter and Jackie were drawn to Daniel George, Irene continues. ’They liked the quality and craftsmanship of everything they saw, and Ronnie and Johnny at Daniel George had fitted furniture for a friend of theirs.’
Daniel George is one of the few kitchen manufacturing companies in Northern Ireland that manufacture everything themselves, ensuring high standards and attention to detail.
Irene says the final result exceeded Peter and Jackie’s expectations. ‘The large sink and feature taps from Waterworks,’ are among their favourite elements here.
The kitchen’s luxurious materials and meticulous craftsmanship make it a space that will continue to impress and function beautifully for years to come.
