It's hard to make wallpaper work in a kitchen – but this stylish, pattern drenched space proves that mixing function and florals is always a good idea

Sometimes when scrolling Instagram there comes along a kitchen that just stops you in your tracks.

Bursting with personality, when I came across this calming yet charming London kitchen, owned by interior designer Rita Konig, on my feed I just had to know more.

Dreamed up and brought into reality alongside the brilliantly British kitchen makers at Plain English Design, this eclectic kitchen stands out for two reasons: the clever mix of prints and the sense of home you get just from simply peering in. Here, I asked design director Merlin Wright to walk me through the design process behind this more-is-more space.

Marble and Florals meet in this Plain English Kitchen

Thanks to its bright and sunny disposition, it is hard to imagine that this serene-looking space was once subject to quite a large design challenge for both Rita and Plain English Design's team.

'The whole space on this project was reconfigured architecturally, as Rita’s previous flat extended over the upper floor, turning it into a two-story family home,' Merlin explains. 'The open-plan kitchen dining room had previously served as Rita’s bedroom but with walls removed, extended, and rebuilt, the new and generous open kitchen area could enjoy light from a large bay window and the charming smaller Gothic window, allowing morning sunlight to flood in.'

Describing the unique kitchen storage space seen above, Merlin says: 'An interesting addition to this project is the small, recessed wall cupboard opposite the Gothic window and to the end of the sink run. Where previously there had been a doorway, we recessed a shallow wall cupboard into the space, adding glazed doors and a hand-painted interior. It provides a wonderful space for glasses while reflecting sunlight and looking like it has always been very much part of the room.'

And the duo didn't stop there when it came to clever kitchen storage ideas.

Off to the side and fitted around the doorway, 'a tall bank of floor-to-ceiling cupboards took care of the bulk of storage – including a larder cupboard and the fridge – so with all tall items having been incorporated on one wall, this enabled the sink and cooking areas to remain low-level,' Merlin explains.

'The sink has been under-mounted and concealed fully behind the cupboard front, while an extra-wide integrated oven is cleverly concealed within the island cupboards and fully out of sight from the table,' Merlin continues. 'Opting for a downdraft extractor to accompany the flush fitting hob keeps the area at eye-level completely free from appliances and cupboards.'

Alongside giving Rita heaps of hidden storage, this opened up the prep zone of the kitchen to more styled-focussed design choices that didn't need to be compromised on.

'Focus instead is drawn to the dramatic expanse of Calacatta Viola marble worktop and backsplash, topped with a full-width marble shelf – perfect for dressing with a selection of vases, cups, and pottery finds,' says Merlin. 'The room is then papered in Antoinette Poisson's 'Petite Indienne' wallpaper from France.'

Aside from the smart use of space, the real stand-out – and what initially drew me to this project – is the bold mix of marble with a wall-to-wall dainty floral wallpaper. On paper, this kitchen wallpaper idea shouldn't work but in reality, it is oh-so-good.

'Rita had gathered inspiration for the project referencing details from French cafés and Chateaus,' Merlin explains. 'The curved corners of the central kitchen island are taken from a French café counter and provide a gentle detail on entering the kitchen. An overhang and nook for stools offers space for breakfast at the Oak topped island.'

The kitchen color scheme, a gentle mix of contrasting light and dark tones, was created in collaboration between Plain English and Rita Konig and comprises 12 timeless hues including 'Burnt Toast' for cabinetry and 'Flummery', a weathered neutral which Rita chose for the rest of the room. Large bottle green pendants add a pop of unexpected green to lift the entire space.

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