Homes & Gardens UK - 09.2019

FE ATURE

ARABELLA YOUENS

PHOTOGRAPHS

(BOX CLEVER) ALEX JAMES;

(FINE FORM) NICK SMITH; (INTO THE BLUE) GARY SUMMER/SMD

enough room to turn. ‘Using slatted shelves will give

a lighter look and an airier feel, and will also help

to make the room look larger,’ says Andy Barette.

‘If you are really tight on space, I would suggest

going for a 60cm-wide, 58cm-deep larder unit,’

says Amy Stoddart of Day True. ‘This is essentially

half a standard size but will still provide space

for pan drawers, shelving units and a door rack for

storing spices and cooking oils.’

DECORATE‘Storage areas such as walk-in pantries

are ideal for being a bit experimental with colour,’ says

Charlotte Cosby of Farrow & Ball. ‘Often overlooked or

untouched, pantries and cupboards can resemble

jewel boxes when painted in beautiful bright hues.’

In a large walk-in pantry, choose furniture from the

same collection as the kitchen for an elegant, unified

scheme, advises Richard Moore of Martin Moore.

‘Also use plenty of natural materials such as walnut

and marble, or try black steel or aluminium shelving

systems for a more contemporary take.’&

ONTRENDOld-fashioned pantries are enjoying

a resurgence in popularity ‘as we realise how useful

storage furniture really is’, says Tom Howley, founder

of his bespoke kitchen brand. ‘Designs can offer a

huge capacity, roughly equal to six wall cabinets, so

food items are all located in one convenient area.’

While some attribute the increased interest to the

revival of homebaking, and others feel the trend away

from wall-hung cupboards has made pantries more

necessary, Andy Barette of McCarron and Company

believes they are also something of a status symbol.

‘They certainly have their place and can free up the

main kitchen for everything else, rather than storage.

It’s a trend that I can’t see dying off,’ he says.

DESIGNTo maximise efficiency, make sure every

functional element is detailed at the earliest stage.

In a walk-in pantry, a classic configuration includes

low-level drawers that can be reached without bending

and baskets on tracks to store foods such as potatoes

and onions in semi-darkness. A cool stone shelf

adds another dimension while helping to keep the

temperature down, and provides a place to store

cheeses or cold meats. Sturdy oak shelving is a good

option to hold the weight of jars and tins. ‘The key to

a handy pantry is to be able to walk in, take a look and

quickly grab what you need,’ says John Sims-Hilditch

of Neptune. ‘Consider running shelves up to the

ceiling and have plenty of drawers under worksurfaces

for easy access to the items you use most.’

TIGHT SPACESFor a walk-in pantry, you will

need at least 80cm square of floor area to have

TOPTIPS FOR PLANNING A PANTRY

HARVEYJONES

Choose from larder options

in a range of widths and

internal configurations that

include spice racks and pull-

out shelves, all of which can

be painted in any colour or

finish, harveyjones.com.

PETER HUMPHREY, founder and design director,

Humphrey Munson, humphreymunson.co.uk

“WE ARE SEEING A MOVE

TOWARDS THE BAKING

PANTRY OR PREP KITCHEN –

SO AS WELL AS STORAGE,

YOU HAVE SPACE FOR

APPLIANCES AND A SINK”

INSIDER INSIGHT

THE SOURCEBOOK: WHERE TO GO FOR PANTRIES

WRENKITCHENS

With dozens of showrooms

across the UK, this designer

and manufacturer offers

plenty of storage solutions,

from fitted and freestanding

units to walk-in larders,

wrenkitchens.com.

SMALLBONE OF DEVIZES

The furniture maker that

pioneered designer country

kitchens in the Eighties offers

beautifully crafted larder

cupboards and pantries in

classic and contemporary

styles, smallbone.co.uk.

CHAMBER FURNITURE

Experts in hardwood

kitchens, this Kent-based

company has more than

20 years of experience in

designing fitted and walk-

in pantries and larders,

chamberfurniture.co.uk.

DESIGN