Above is a detail of a photo taken of Lonlay l'Abbaye just after WW II. The big arrow is pointing at our house on the square. So we know the basic structure survived the war. But after our full demolition, our builder Jim was laughing yesterday that the inside looks as if it was hit by a bomb! (See Demolition pictures on the Before and After section of this website).
Well, after probably more than a hundred years, no doubt it needs a refresh inside in 2016. (You can see the bigger postwar photo of the whole village on the History of Lonlay L'Abbaye page of this website).
Jim has created a new plan for the main floor of the house that sounds very promising. Instead of many layers of stone and screed, building up a solid floor, we will be going back to something more akin to a suspended wooden floor over airspace, which is how we found the floor originally. Only this time, it will be insulated as well. More on that later, but in the meanwhile, I've been diverting myself by thinking about the kitchen.
Well, after probably more than a hundred years, no doubt it needs a refresh inside in 2016. (You can see the bigger postwar photo of the whole village on the History of Lonlay L'Abbaye page of this website).
Jim has created a new plan for the main floor of the house that sounds very promising. Instead of many layers of stone and screed, building up a solid floor, we will be going back to something more akin to a suspended wooden floor over airspace, which is how we found the floor originally. Only this time, it will be insulated as well. More on that later, but in the meanwhile, I've been diverting myself by thinking about the kitchen.
So here is our "bombed out" kitchen, suitably displayed in black & white. It's a small room, and still will be, even if we build the new living room wall a bit further out. Maybe 8 square meters. I'd like to have white cabinets, with our basic appliances beneath, and room near the front door for at least a small table. I'm not much of a cook, but we need to be able to prepare some decent meals here, especially on all those holidays when the surrounding restaurants will be closed.
Because the kitchen is so small, I was thinking it might be suitably fitted out like the "kitchenettes" or "coin cuisines" (corner kitchens) of tiny Paris apartments. We have seen some ingenious combinations that allow for most of the essentials in a very small space. In fact, some are entirely self-contained, with connections to the electrics and plumbing.
One company that makes very enticing self-contained "kitchenettes" is the Culshaw Company in Lancashire, UK. As these are custom-made, they are rather expensive, but very handsome. They come with a built-in sink, stovetop and mini fridge. I'm tempted, but will need to have a bit more space than that provided by the "Fearnley Petite Kitchenette." Love the functionality, however, and the look. This is definitely the style of kitchen we would like, only with lighter marble and a stove for roasting. http://www.culshaw.co/kitchenettes.html
Because the kitchen is so small, I was thinking it might be suitably fitted out like the "kitchenettes" or "coin cuisines" (corner kitchens) of tiny Paris apartments. We have seen some ingenious combinations that allow for most of the essentials in a very small space. In fact, some are entirely self-contained, with connections to the electrics and plumbing.
One company that makes very enticing self-contained "kitchenettes" is the Culshaw Company in Lancashire, UK. As these are custom-made, they are rather expensive, but very handsome. They come with a built-in sink, stovetop and mini fridge. I'm tempted, but will need to have a bit more space than that provided by the "Fearnley Petite Kitchenette." Love the functionality, however, and the look. This is definitely the style of kitchen we would like, only with lighter marble and a stove for roasting. http://www.culshaw.co/kitchenettes.html
Would love to hear your suggestions for our (eventual) tiny kitchen. Thanks!
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