For years, interior designer Sophie Rowell had been wanting to use lilac in one of her projects. ‘But at that point, my clients just weren’t brave enough to make that leap,’ she says. So when Sophie was renovating her own kitchen in Folkestone, she finally got her chance.
Until then, Sophie had been living with an Ikea-heavy, budget-friendly kitchen. ‘It worked perfectly for our needs,’ she explains, ‘but it was never my dream.’ As the founder of interior design studio Côte de Folk, it had been Sophie’s job to fill other people’s homes with soul, and now she had the opportunity to get creative in her own space.
Updating the kitchen was part of a whole-house renovation. ‘It was a huge undertaking,’ Sophie remembers, ‘and I completed it in 18 weeks with two builders, an electrician and a plumber!’
The before
‘The budget was tight, so I chose a simple white handleless design that was clean, functional and cost-effective – Ikea really came to the rescue.’
The plan
Sophie’s priority was to inject some joy and character into her ‘purely functional’ kitchen. ‘Colour was the driving force,’ she explains. ‘I wanted to experiment with slightly unusual combinations to create something that felt much more reflective of my personality.’
She also wanted to overhaul the layout and add extra seating: ‘I needed somewhere comfortable for guests to sit and chat while I was cooking.’ This meant removing the island and creating a more sociable space with a dining table in the middle of the room as well as a cosy second sitting room at the front of the house.
The process
Practical steps included taking out the island and fitting bespoke cabinetry, but some aspects needed more imaginative solutions. A multicoloured hearth was created from tiles Sophie had lying around in her studio, and the stained-glass doors were made by adding coloured film to their clear glass.
‘I chose London Brown by Mylands for the cabinets,' says Sophie. 'I was inspired by a vintage car I saw in our town. It’s such a rich, complex shade, I was nervous it might feel too dark or heavy, but I absolutely love it. The lilac paint was inspired by a Marni fashion campaign from 2015.’
The biggest lesson Sophie learnt during the renovation was the power of cracking on: ‘It’s amazing how long you can live with that unpainted skirting board! It’s important to push through and complete every aspect, even the small finishing touches, because it’s these details that can completely change the feel of a space.’ And now, thanks to plenty of creativity and a fair bit of patience, her soulful, lilac-powered vision has been realised.
Design hero
‘The restored parquet floor was rescued from an old post office in Kent. We actually got it from Ebay and, as we’d just moved to Kent, it was nice to know it hadn’t travelled too far.’
Best bargain
‘The lighting is all antique and was found at Ardingly Antiques Fair. You can get everything there, from major pieces to tiny trinkets.’
Biggest splurge
‘The bespoke cabinetry that hides the fridges. I designed it based on an antique Swedish armoire. It makes the space feel larger, calmer and more practical.’
Get the look: the designer's lilac kitchen
Biggest challenge
‘Balancing our budget between essential structural work and the more aesthetic elements. It was a constant exercise in prioritising long-term value over immediate visual impact.’
Sourcebook
- Design Sophie Rowell, Côte de Folk
- Paint Mylands
- Lamp and dining chairs Ardingly Antiques Fair
- Jug vase Soap and Salvation
- Table lamp Next Home
