Light is a key element in the design of any kitchen. It changes any room, giving new life to wasted space.

When we first visited John & Suzanne, they had a low flat ceiling, small windows to the gable end, a larger window at one end of a long room, and a back door they never used. For a bright friendly family, this gloomy space was no place to spend their precious free time. So when we re-designed the roof, we brought as much light in as we could. It was vaulted along the full length, so the roof lights could go in. You'll see the virtue of opening up the reveals to let as much light into the far corners as possible. The arched plasterwork softens the shadows at the highest point of the room.

Where the couch now sits there used to live an old corner cupboard, where those hiddens gems you never use get left unloved. Now the light streams down over the new couch, where the family can sit, read, chat, watch the TV. In a contemporary kitchen like this, where the colours range from white through mid grey to anthracite, you need colour to give life and contrast, and where better to bring out the colour than under the light from the roof window and the new patio doors?

Light has given this room new life. Light is an invaluable element to any kitchen design. It bounces off even the darkest surface in Suzanne & John's new kitchen, and the simplicity of white emulsion means it reflects back from every wall and ceiling. The house is transformed now, but there will be other rooms that are a little jealous. Where the family once spent their free time in lighter parts of their home, they are drawn to the kitchen now. Some of the old haunts will be left behind. We are all drawn to the light.