The kitchen extension is one of the most popular home improvements, but how to make it feel modern and up-to-date? Gemma Ruse and Xavier Sheriff turned to an ancient approach to breathe new life into a tried-and-tested project. The couple borrowed a trick from classical Japanese palaces to reinvent their inner-city Victorian terrace. Gemma, 36, and Xavier, 35, who have a two-year-old son, Raffi, wanted to create a large, light kitchen at the heart of their family home in Clapton, east London.