Classic Contemporary Orangery for Family Living in Kent

Although they had already extended their home by about 6m in a previous renovation project, the homeowners’ wanted to go further and open up their kitchen with a new, glazed orangery. As this property is located on a green belt in Kent, they were limited in terms of options. Still, under permitted development, they could extend a further 2m. To comply with the regulations, we designed a half-sized orangery measuring at 7.3m x 2m, that we installed onto the rear of the kitchen. The new extension has wholly transformed the interiors, creating an open-plan room with a calming, tranquil feel.

During the initial meeting, we spent time understanding the client’s requirements and exploring their home’s current layout. We suggested a half roof lantern so that the extension would still look like a complete orangery, with an abundance of natural light streaming in. We fitted the roof lantern with Solar Reflective Glazing – which is excellent for helping to maintain a cool temperature inside the room during the summer and retain heat in the winter. We fitted large, glazed windows across the back and left side of the orangery, to bring the outside in. All were finished with oil rubbed ironmongery.

Using a combination of traditional joinery techniques and modern manufacturing technology, we constructed the orangery from engineered timber. This creates a timeless aesthetic that complements the detailing of the dark Portobello oak kitchen cabinets. We always use Accoya – a revolutionary material made from fast-growing FSC® or PEFC™ Radiata pine. Accoya is highly stable, meaning it will not shrink or swell in the way that standard timber tends to do. We spray-applied the internal and external joinery in three coats of water-based microporous paint in Portland Stone, a cool grey shade from our palette collection. By using such a high-quality paint system, we can protect the joinery from weather exposure, high levels of UV and fungal damage. When properly cared for, our paints will protect a timber orangery for up to 12 years before it needs repainting. Both the paint and the Accoya work together to ensure the orangery will maintain its elegant finish for 50 years or more.

Our friends at Humphrey Munson designed, manufactured and installed the reconfigured kitchen. It gives the house an ample, welcoming, multi-functional space, complete with an accessible and functional scullery, utility room and walk-in pantry, which all lead off to one side. The new area is intended for the family to gather at all times of the day, and it is ideal for entertaining. The family love to catch up on their favourite television series together, so they choose to have a concealed TV cabinet in the left side of the orangery.

There is a casual upholstered seating area built into one end of the island, with hanging pendant lights to accentuate the space. While there is a larger, more formal dining room in another part of the house, this smaller seating area is ideal for a busy open-plan family kitchen. Whether you want a quiet evening meal after you have put the children to bed, or like to serve your breakfast muffins fresh out the oven on a Sunday morning, its proximity to the cooking area makes it a multi-functional part of the room.