Interior Design

Notes on Design With Mary Graham

Mary Graham shares her insights on kitchen design, tile placement choices, lighting strategies, and the appeal of unfitted kitchens.

Kitchens

How to make the most of a dark kitchen?

Open shelving is a practical way to lighten a dark kitchen. By replacing solid upper cabinets, it reduces visual weight and allows more wall and light to remain visible, creating a sense of openness. It also offers functional display space for glassware and ceramics, turning everyday items into decorative accents while breaking up large areas of dark colour.

Choosing a countertop, we often opt for marble over other materials like quartz or wood. Marble’s natural sheen and veining adds elegance and introduces a reflective quality that helps bounce light around the room. Its organic patterns add depth without overwhelming.

Coloured or patterned window treatments are an opportunity to inject personality and warmth, but they should always gather off the glass to preserve precious daylight.

Should you put a sink on the kitchen island?

Placing a sink on the island often leads to clutter, piles of washing-up and wasted workspace, making the island far less useful and far less beautiful. Instead, treat the island as a freestanding piece of furniture, perhaps with interesting legs, bold materials or a statement colour. Keeping it clear makes the space more practical and visually appealing.

I am a strong advocate for tidy work surfaces and will do anything to keep them that way. One feature that truly helps is an instant hot water tap. It is a definite yes for both tidiness and convenience, as it keeps the worktop clear of kettles and trailing cables while providing boiling water on demand.

Is hardware worth the investment?

Hardware is one of the most frequently used elements in a kitchen, so it is not the place to economise. Investing in high quality handles and fittings ensures longevity, improves daily use and instantly elevates the overall feel of the room. Even the simplest joinery looks far more refined when paired with well-made hardware.

The same principle applies to taps. A well designed tap is more than a finishing touch; it is a hardworking feature that you will use countless times each day. Functionality and a design that complements the rest of your kitchen.

Flooring deserves the same consideration. The more wear a material receives, the more hardwearing it needs to be. For this reason, I often choose tumbled limestone, which combines durability with timeless character.

Why does lighting matter so much in a kitchen?

Lighting is absolutely essential in a kitchen. It is not only about visibility but about creating the right balance of softness, atmosphere and precision. The most effective schemes layer different types of light: ambient lighting for overall warmth combined with focused task lighting for safety and efficiency.

Pendant lights above islands or dining areas add a welcoming glow and a sense of intimacy, while task lighting ensures you can chop and prepare with confidence.

Picture lights are a clever choice as they double as elegant wall lights while casting illumination onto your worktops. Under cabinet lighting is equally important. When designed well, it provides practical brightness without the harsh glare of artificial strips, making your surfaces both beautiful and usable.

Where do tiles belong in a kitchen?

Tiles should only be used where they are genuinely needed, typically behind the cooker or the sink where splashes are unavoidable. Avoid tiling simply to fill space, as too much can feel busy and will quickly date. Instead, choose tiles that age gracefully and are not tied to short-lived trends. Balineum tiles are a perfect example, offering a timeless English country feel that remains quietly elegant for years.

For material, glazed ceramic or zellige tiles work beautifully – provided they are properly sealed.

Do you prefer a fitted or unfitted kitchen?

A fully fitted kitchen can feel efficient, but too many wall cabinets often create a closed-in and uninviting atmosphere. An unfitted or partly unfitted approach is usually far more charming and practical. The key is to keep storage while separating the elements. One generous freestanding cupboard can hold as much as several wall units, yet allows the room to feel open and breathable. This arrangement makes everything easier to see and reach while creating a more welcoming, characterful kitchen.

A favourite feature is the freestanding island, which clients are requesting more and more. It offers flexibility, adds personality and can become the centrepiece of the room without overwhelming the space.