The moody kitchen in this Victorian home has the most unique wall design I've ever seen – it's the perfect way to bring an elegant, aged feel to the space

It's not often I come across a kitchen that features a detail I haven't seen at least once before. Whether it's a unique color or a statement backsplash, there's usually something similar in other designs.

But when I saw deVOL Kitchens' latest project – a dark, moody kitchen in a Victorian property – there was one distinct feature that immediately caught my eye. It wasn't the cabinetry or the oversized light fixtures, but the totally unique finished applied to the walls.

They've approached kitchen wall decor in a different way, opting for an aged, mottled paint effect rather than traditional artwork. And it's a design that's set the tone for the whole kitchen.

'The property is situated in one of London's most sought-after neighborhoods, Blackheath. First built in the 1870s, the property still held many of its original Victorian features; however, it was looking tired and needed to be restored to its former glory,' says Kristina McIntyre, senior kitchen designer at deVOL Kitchens.

With so much history, the home deserved a kitchen that honored the heritage while still functioning for modern-day needs. However, the existing kitchen was cold and too contemporary, something the owners and Kristina were keen to rectify.

'The clients purchased the house a couple of years ago and decided they wanted to complete a full house renovation and build a large side extension. This would increase the overall footprint of the house and allow them to create their dream home,' Kristina explains, which meant they could really overhaul the kitchen to create something truly striking.

During the renovation, several changes were made to make the kitchen the real heart of the home while also making it much more functional. 'The full-height run of cabinetry in the pantry area at the back of the kitchen is part of the side extension, and the opening between the kitchen and pantry was created to make the kitchen much larger,' she adds.

But the project wasn't without its challenges – though it never is when you're renovating a historic property. The first obstacle was the partial wall uncovered behind the kitchen cabinets, which they were unsure if they would be able to remove.

'Luckily, the clients were open to having the back wall built out and the doorway openings extended to allow the range cooker run of cabinets to sit flush with the back wall without having to make any bespoke-shaped carcasses,' says Kristina.

With the setbacks overcome, the remodel could be completed. And what a showstopping space it is. Balancing the traditional, original features with a rich, moody color palette, the kitchen is now full of character and personality.

'The design of the kitchen plays homage to the original period features in the property. The clients hired a decorative artist to paint and distress the walls to create a unique, mottled, and textured look,' she adds, and the walls truly are a stand-out feature.

The design was inspired by a wall that was revealed after removing the existing paneling – a small patch mottled with old bits of paint. But the aged, almost patinated look appealed to the homeowners, who commissioned a decorative artist to replicate the effect throughout the ground floor.

The wall texture was completely hand-painted using shades of yellow, green, and brown, with hints of cream to add balance. The effect is a perfectly imperfect distressed finish that gives the illusion of age and tells the home's story. And it's the perfect detail paired with the moody kitchen cabinets, painted in Bakehouse Green.

'The contrast of the dark-colored cabinetry against the earthy tones on the walls creates a warm, moody, and atmospheric space. A sharp contrast to the kitchen that was there previously!'

One of the biggest changes made was to integrate the appliances throughout the kitchen. 'The fridge and freezer, dishwasher, and extractor fan were all integrated behind our cabinetry. The clients did, however, want the range cooker to be freestanding and make this a focal point in the kitchen,' Katrina explains.

The homeowners also wanted to mix freestanding furniture into the kitchen, which has been achieved through the island using deVOL's Heirloom Dairy Table, an antique-inspired piece that adds plenty of functional prep space..

'The hand-turned legs and dark stained oak against the light Carrara marble countertop was an interesting contrast to the fitted dark cabinetry in the kitchen. The kitchen now feels like a welcoming space for the clients and their family to enjoy together with plenty of character and old charm,' she says.

But for Katrina, it's the aged copper countertops that are the star of the show. 'The bespoke copper kitchen sink and dimple draining board have been welded into the copper countertop to create a single seamless piece. The tall kitchen backsplash behind the range cooker with the pot filler and brass rail helps reflect light around the room and adds an element of luxury and grandeur.'

There are so many elements in this kitchen that have been really thought out to maximize every inch of space. Opting for countertop cabinets over wall-mounted ones makes full use of the tall ceilings and provides ample storage for kitchen essentials within easy reach.

And the attention to detail on the cabinet doors cannot be overlooked. 'The intricate beading, vertical styles, and scale of the doors feel impressive in the space and suit the Victorian proportions of the room,' says Katrina.

Every detail, from the aged copper backsplash the the brass candlesticks decorating various surfaces, adds a subtle nod to the unique wall finish, giving the whole scheme a sense of age, history, and patina without feeling dated or out of touch.

This kitchen is a perfect example of how to reverse the over-modernization of a kitchen in a period home and bring in elements that pay homage to its roots. This bold and utterly unique wall design was inspired by one small patch of preserved paint from over the years.

This space balances traditional design with modern living. It's also an important lesson in preserving period details – it's always worth making sure you know the original features you should never replace before embarking on a remodel, even in the kitchen.