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An Elegance Kitchen Makeover With Laura

For a fresh take on a luxe look, this Elegance kitchen makeover with Laura Hayward - interior Instagrammer and lover of the luxury trend - will inspire any home renovation project. Updating her Edwardian home on the Essex coast, she paired a decorative shaker style with a grey colour scheme in a versatile island format to bring the Elegance kitchen trend to life. For a contemporary twist, she also introduced smart storage, including a bespoke laundry solution to add a unique touch to her kitchen makeover. The result is a refined design that complements Laura’s heritage home, while offering the flexible functionality her young family needs.

Meet Laura

Interior Instagrammer, Laura Hayward, lives with her husband and young son in an Edwardian house in Leigh-on-Sea, which has been styled into a luxurious retreat.

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Meet Laura

In 2020 during lockdown, Laura began sharing her passion for interiors through her home Instagram account, where she has detailed the journey of bringing her shaker-style cooking space to life. As an NHS physiotherapist with a demanding job, Laura wanted to create a sophisticated sanctuary where she can relax with her family, while honouring the heritage of the house.
Traditional with a twist

To replace a dark and dated look, Laura crafted a shaker-inspired scheme in keeping with her period property, with contemporary details that suit modern life.

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Traditional with a twist

Combining vintage styling with a versatile layout resulted in a design that is both luxurious and liveable. A side return extension added valuable extra width to the floorplan, allowing Laura to include an island complete with breakfast bar. This set up also allowed space for a separate dining table, turning the room into a multipurpose living area for eating, entertaining, and family time.

The design details

Stately shaker

Elmbridge was the exact style Laura had in mind for her Edwardian home. Made from solid wood, its luxurious beaded detail fits the Elegance trend flawlessly.

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Bright and inviting

A light colour palette lifts the space, with dove grey giving Laura's classic scheme a fresh twist that is easy to style with refined features.

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Symmetry is key

Laura wanted a symmetrical layout, so she placed a classically-styled cooking area at the centre of her design. Her slim island also increased workspace.

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Easy-access storage

Placing crockery close by, Laura's pan drawers are her favourite feature and were added to the island to keep the counters streamlined and clutter free.

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Compact cleaning station

To free up floor space, laundry devices were stacked in a bespoke cupboard made from tower units, concealing equipment so the design remains uninterrupted.

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A final flourish

Laura completed her cupboards with a decorative plinth that mirrors the fine detail of the door fronts and adds a high-end finish to her luxurious interior.

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Launch the 2023 kitchen trends guide

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