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This Fulham townhouse has been transformed through a complete renovation, including both extension and excavation, into a light-filled, practical, and elegant family home. At its centre is a kitchen with an unusual and charming story of continuity. First created by Tom Howley in collaboration with Icon Architects for the previous owners, the design was so admired by the new custodians, interior designer Diane Brennan Kim and her family, that it was carefully removed, preserved during the major works, and later reinstated with only subtle refinements to suit its new chapter.
Mark Sylvester, Founding Director of Icon Architects, reflects on this unusual process: “The previous owners, who were also clients of Icon Architects, commissioned the Tom Howley kitchen, and when the house was sold, the new owners loved it and didn’t want to lose it. It was decided to temporarily remove the entire kitchen to allow for a basement to be dug out under the space. The same kitchen was then reinstated with a few minor aesthetic and functional tweaks to suit the new owners’ requirements. It is the most wonderful proof of how lovely the kitchen is!”
The project itself was a complete reimagining of a mid-terrace Fulham townhouse. The brief was to craft a home that blended casual comfort with considered style, creating a backdrop for both the rhythms of everyday family life and moments of lively entertaining. The kitchen, naturally, became the hub around which everything revolved.
“The kitchen needed to suit multifunctional everyday living,” explains Sylvester. “It was designed to support everything from homework sessions and family suppers to expansive dinner parties, with a layout generous enough to encourage conversation and flow.”
What makes this kitchen especially remarkable is not only its story but also its resilience. Few handcrafted kitchens could withstand removal and reinstatement after such substantial works as a full basement excavation. Yet, as Sylvester notes: “The fact that the Tom Howley kitchen could be removed during the basement excavation and then reinstated to fit back almost perfectly, as though it had never been taken out, is a true testament to its robust build quality.”
The kitchen strikes a delicate balance between functionality and style, with expansive surfaces that make family cooking and preparation effortless. A large, multifunctional island conceals the everyday workings of a busy household, while generous floor-to-ceiling cabinetry and twin pantry cupboards provide exceptional storage and organisation for ingredients, tableware, and small appliances. At its heart sits a striking blue Lacanche range cooker, a true focal point that brings both character and personality to the space.
The materials and finishes were carefully selected to create a soft, welcoming atmosphere. Neutral cabinetry provides a calm backdrop, beautifully complemented by light oak chevron parquet flooring, which adds elegance and warmth to the space underfoot. Crisp, pale quartz worktops reflect natural light, keeping the room feeling fresh and open.
Personal touches, from the styled open shelving to the bold wallpaper, give the space its unique character. The family are keen wine collectors, so brass wine glass racks paired with handmade Zellige tiles create a chic, joyful moment within the scheme. Elsewhere, the Waterworks gooseneck mixer tap brings what Sylvester calls “a decorative gravitas to the central island,” elevating the kitchen’s classic lines with sculptural presence.
Attention to detail and perfect proportion lies at the heart of Tom Howley’s approach, which is why Icon Architects often recommend them to clients. ‘Tom Howley is one of our go-to brands,’ says Sylvester. Their expertise in creating high-quality, handmade kitchens, rooted in classical design, careful proportion, and refined detailing, makes them ideal for our clients.
That timelessness is key to the kitchen’s success, it is elegant enough for entertaining, practical enough for family life, and so enduringly appealing that it has now charmed two sets of owners.
For Icon Architects, the collaboration affirms their trust in Tom Howley’s craft. “To involve Tom Howley as early as possible in the design process ensures that the design of the kitchen and the overall host space are conceptualised in conjunction with one another,” Sylvester advises. “We routinely recommend Tom Howley to our clients who are looking to commission a classic English kitchen.”
For Diane and her family, this was much more than a renovation. It has become a home that seamlessly blends comfort and style, where daily living and entertaining feel effortless, with the kitchen remaining firmly at its heart.
If this project has inspired you, why not take the first step towards your dream kitchen? Visit one of our nationwide showrooms to begin your bespoke Tom Howley experience.
Architects: Icon Architects
Owner / Interior Designer: Diane Brennan Kim
Photographer: Lucy Butler Walters