No matter how trends change each year, neutrals always have a place. They form the perfect base for any room, especially a kitchen, where you don’t want to overhaul the scheme every couple of years.
While bold, colorful designs may be in vogue right now, this neutral kitchen shows just how enduring – and versatile – a pared-back palette can be. ‘The overall aesthetic was geared towards light, calm, and a neutral palette, allowing the layered textures, antiques, art, and fabrics to shine,’ says designer Jack Simpson.
With a timeless mix of materials and a carefully layered approach to décor, this once uninspiring kitchen is now the epitome of a space that feels perfectly at home in Georgian architecture. Here, Jack explains exactly how he reimagined it.
While you would never guess it from the transformed space, this kitchen remodel was no simple task. Not only were they working in an old property, which always comes with its own set of challenges, but the overall layout of the home was unfit for the homeowners' needs.
‘Before the renovation, there were two tiny kitchens in the house, neither fit for purpose. The house felt like a time capsule, a tired, compartmentalized space that had suffered through several poor refurbishments,’ says Jack Simpson, founder and creative director of Nomad Developments.
‘It was damp, patchworked, and entirely lacking in architectural charm. The project was both exciting and daunting, but we wanted to inject as much personality and love into the space as possible so that it would withstand the test of time.’
A full-scale interior rebuild was required to fix the flow and reintroduce lost period features – the only part of the home kept the same was the original façade, which exudes Georgian elegance.
Walls and doors were removed to create a more open-plan layout, featuring tall ceilings, a new banquette seating area, and direct access from the kitchen to the courtyard garden. Smaller spaces were reimagined as essential storage, including a kitchen larder. But it wasn’t without its challenges.
‘Working within a Georgian townhouse meant dealing with structural sensitivity, damp issues, and highly compartmentalized rooms. The excavation of the lower ground floor and extension of ceiling heights required precision planning to integrate modern comfort with conservation obligations,’ Jack explains.
But the complex remodel was clearly worth it. The new kitchen is a far cry from its original state – an open, light-filled room with timeless features and striking details. It’s all thanks to the careful balance of period elements, natural light, and thoughtfully chosen materials.
‘The kitchen is a meticulously layered, calm, and characterful space. It fuses hard materials, like marble and brass, with antique furniture and bespoke elements, creating a richly textured, warm, and grown-up aesthetic. It’s both elevated and lived-in, a place that feels elegant as well as intensely welcoming,’ he describes.
It’s the mix of materials that truly brings the kitchen to life. There’s a sense of tactility that complements the neutral palette and natural finishes – from the soft hue of the cabinets to the striking Calacatta Verde marble kitchen countertops, a more personality-filled choice than the usual white and grey tones, which instantly draws the eye.
‘These hard materials are softened by antique furniture and bespoke pieces, such as the Rose Uniacke–upholstered bar stools. Art and the layering of textures – velvet, linen, boucle – add depth and warmth. This material mix reflects our fundamental philosophy: thoughtful contrast and layering that result in spaces that feel curated, timeless, and lived-in,’ Jack notes.
Everywhere you look, this layered approach is evident, from the black frames on the beautiful arched windows paired with soft, lightweight curtains, to the marble shelf set against the organic warmth of rich wooden décor.
The kitchen island, a farmhouse-inspired design that bridges the gap between island and table, offers a subtle contrast to the light neutral palette used throughout the kitchen. Yet it remains a central element, bringing a sense of timelessness and character to the room.
But nothing stands out quite like the statement kitchen sink. ‘We opted for a brass sink instead of the traditional white or stainless steel so that the metal would soften and age beautifully over time,’ he says.
‘A brass sink provides an unexpected metallic accent that contrasts beautifully with the marble, creating layers within the space and adding a sense of textural depth. It’s just one of the personal touches we included to infuse personality into the kitchen.’
Every carefully chosen feature contributes to making this kitchen feel original, full of character, and perfectly balanced between thoughtful design and functional flow. From the woven sideboard and collected ceramics to the striking marble and statement sink, this layered approach to design offers a blueprint for creating a truly timeless kitchen.
Get the look
Love the statement sink in Jack's design? This brass sink from Rejuvenation is a great option, complete with a textured finish for added interest. It also comes in three other colors that feel just as timeless.
Wooden decor plays a key part in this design – it adds warmth and interest against the hard materials. This dark wood tray not only looks chic on display, but it comes in handy for hosting, too.
For another layer and approach to contrast, Jack has introduced marble decor in deeper hues to the shelf above the backsplash. This moody marble salt cellar is the perfect kitchenware piece to recreate the look.
The warm, creamy neutral on the walls of this kitchen is key to its appeal. Jack chose School House White by Farrow & Ball, a timeless shade of white that sets the tone for the whole scheme.
The sheer curtains in this kitchen really finish the space, and add a softer detail against the steel window frames. This linen curtain from Pottery Barn has a light, airy feel while still feeling really elevated.
A relaxed, warm gray-white tone, Farrow & Ball's Stirabout is the color of choice for the kitchen cabinets in this design. It contrasts beautifully with the walls and the striking marble for a cohesive scheme.
At a time when everyone seems to be looking towards more colorful kitchen designs, this space makes a strong case for more neutral designs. It proves that with the right mix of materials and layered decor, you can create a kitchen that feels characterful and like a breath of fresh air.
