The Scandi-Minimalist Kitchen in London
Mid-century modern architecture meets minimalist Scandinavian design in this Dulwich home in South London. At its heart is a bespoke kitchen in oak and marble from Nordiska Kök, designed to blend in seamlessly, and to enhance the light, airy sense of openness while adding warmth, material depth and a quiet, refined elegance.
See all wood kitchens | About our wood kitchens | Wood kitchen prices
The bespoke kitchen from Nordiska Kök embodies a minimalist Scandi aesthetic, with clean lines, well-considered proportions and natural materials, perfectly in tune with the home’s mid-century character.
The kitchen is positioned to overlook the lush garden, with large glazing creating a seamless connection between indoors and out.
The house is home to Amy and Steve and their two children. Built in the 1950s as part of the Dulwich Estate, it is a detached property set in a leafy, family-friendly area. Surrounded by trees on a south-facing plot, the house immediately appealed to the couple. It was originally designed by the Dulwich Estate architects Austin Vernon & Partners.
Limewash paint across walls and ceilings softens the overall look, lending the space a muted, cohesive backdrop that enhances the kitchen’s Scandinavian aesthetic. Range by Bertazzoni.
Instead of upper cabinets, open shelving and a marble splashback were chosen to maintain a bright, open and uncluttered expression.
The mid-century character is evident throughout the home, in both its architectural language and material palette — with open spaces, large floor-to-ceiling windows, seamless indoor-outdoor living, and use of materials like glass, metal, wood and concrete-like floors.
Amy and her husband Steve, who works as an architect, run their own development and architectural design company, WM Studio – a practice that has grown out of their own projects and property developments over the past decade.
– We have renovated and extended the whole house, as it was in need of updating. Austin Vernon & Partners were influenced by Scandinavian design and Bauhaus principles and we wanted to stay true to the original design, says Amy continuing:
– We felt that the Nordiska Kök kitchen suited the style of the house perfectly with its mid-century and Scandinavian design.
The home’s open-plan layout creates a natural flow between kitchen and living spaces, allowing light to move freely and giving the interior a calm, airy and connected feel. Lights from The Lamp Workshop and a brass tap by Dent & Hellyer.
The couple introduced extensive glazing to the rear of the house to take advantage of the surrounding greenery and the sunny plot, reimagining the kitchen as a central, open and integrated space overlooking the garden.
The kitchen is defined by a restrained, minimalist design where function and simplicity are at the forefront. Oak base units run along one wall, free from upper cabinets. Instead, open shelving and a Calacatta Monet splashback keep the space light and uncluttered, while lending the kitchen a refined elegance. A generous kitchen island anchors the room, complemented by tall cabinets. Thoughtfully crafted to maximise space, the cabinetry balances practical usability with a timeless aesthetic.
Light oak complements the Calacatta Monet marble worktop and splashback, which extends into a beautifully integrated shelf.
The large glazing allows natural light to flood the space, softening the interior and creating a seamless connection to the garden beyond, where the boundary between indoors and outdoors gently dissolves.
The material palette is deliberately pared back, centred around light oak and Calacatta Viola Monet marble, with elegant brass details adding a subtle sense of warmth and contrast. Clean lines and carefully considered proportions create a calm, balanced expression, where every element feels intentional.
The minimalist Scandi kitchen combines soft, muted tones with the warmth of wood, creating a calm and airy atmosphere.
The front of the house was restored to remain in keeping with the local area, as the Dulwich Estate has strict guidelines to preserve its mid-century housing.
The kitchen is bespoke and carefully tailored to the home’s architecture.
What drew Amy and Steve to Nordiska Kök – and to ordering a kitchen from Sweden – was the design.
– We were unable to find anything equivalent in the UK with the same quality and materials. Nordiska Kök were able to provide bespoke options to our exact specifications, which resulted in a high-end finish. Our kitchen designer showed great attention to detail, and when the cabinets arrived, they fit to the millimetre, says Amy.
When asked what advice they would give to someone considering ordering a kitchen from Nordiska Kök, Amy highlights the experience as a whole.
– We had a wonderful experience from the design to the installation – I would definitely encourage them to go ahead.
Explore more of our UK projects and learn more about ordering a Nordiska Kök kitchen to the UK.
Photo: Anders Schønnemann
In the home of: @duststory
About Austin Vernon & Partners
Austin Vernon & Partners was a prominent British architectural practice, most renowned for designing high-quality, mid-century modern housing on the Dulwich Estate in South-East London during the 1950s and 60s.
What is mid-century modern (MCM)?
Mid-century modern is a design movement and style that emerged roughly between the 1940s and 1960s. It’s defined by clean lines, simple forms and a strong focus on function.
Defining features of mid-century modern:
The style often features natural materials like oak and teak, glass and metal, and a muted colour palette, sometimes contrasted by bolder colour accents. Open layouts, large windows and a connection to the outdoors are also key elements.
The design principle of form follows function
The principle form follows function was coined by the American architect Louis Sullivan in the late 19th century. It expresses the idea that design – whether of objects, buildings or interiors – should be shaped by its intended purpose. This principle became central to both the mid-century modern and Bauhaus movements, where simplicity, functionality and the honest use of materials were prioritised over ornamentation.
The kitchen is designed by Nordiska Kök and crafted in our carpentry studio in Gräfsnäs, Sweden. We are proud to offer our bespoke high-quality kitchens and interiors to customers across Europe.
Learn more about the process of ordering a kitchen from Nordiska Kök.
Find more kitchen inspiration.
