This project showcases the design and execution of a stunning, bespoke, handcrafted kitchen tailored for a spacious, open-plan modern home. The brief called for a space that felt deeply grounded in traditional English cabinetry craftsmanship yet fully equipped for high-performance contemporary living and entertaining.
By marrying timeless in-frame cabinetry, rich contrasting colour palettes, and a blend of heritage and state-of-the-art appliances, the resulting design acts as both a functional open-plan kitchen diner and the aesthetic anchor of the home.
The expansive, light-filled space required a kitchen with bold architectural presence to complement its open-plan design and floor-to-ceiling bi-fold doors.
The layout centres around an expansive multi-functional central island, establishing an ergonomic work triangle between the cooking zones, food preparation areas, and integrated refrigeration. This effortlessly transitions from a high-capacity chef’s kitchen into an inviting social hub with a fluid connection to the adjacent dining and living areas. The resulting effect is a space that achieves a timeless, lived-in grandeur perfectly tailored for 21st-century luxury living.
Materials, Finishings & Key Features
At the heart of the kitchen’s luxury appeal is traditional in-frame cabinetry, handcrafted by master carpenters and fitted within solid timber frames using classic butt hinges for exceptional strength and longevity. Refined shaker-style doors with elegant ogee detailing add subtle texture and depth. The central island is designed as a freestanding furniture piece, distinguished by bespoke fluted pilasters and stepped plinths that lend a sense of classical grandeur. Solid brass cup and bar handles provide a warm metallic contrast, enhancing the richness of the navy cabinetry.
The colour curation plays heavily on contrast to define different zones within the open-plan architecture:
- Perimeter Cabinetry & Pantry Wall: Painted in a soft, luminous off-white/chalk tone. This keeps the perimeter feeling light, airy, and expansive against the stone flooring.
- Centre Island & Dining Accents: Finished in a commanding, deep classic navy blue. This bold hue anchors the centre of the room, drawing the eye in and adding a sophisticated, regal weight to the space.
- Walls: Wrapped in a textured, slate-blue wallpaper that echoes the tones of the island, creating a cohesive, immersive atmosphere.
Appliances
Positioned along the perimeter wall is a magnificent, deep black AGA cooker. Framed by a custom-built, oversized extractor mantle with classic corbels, the AGA serves as the undisputed heart of the kitchen. It provides a warm, nostalgic focal point that beautifully contrasts with the surrounding light cabinetry, grounding the space with a sense of rustic heritage.
While the AGA celebrates traditional cooking, modern culinary precision is seamlessly woven into the design via premium Neff appliances. A sleek, flush-mounted Neff induction hob is integrated directly into the island surface for rapid everyday cooking, accompanied by a built-in Neff oven and a seamlessly integrated wine cooler. On the main tall pantry wall, a Neff handleless speed oven and coffee station are flush-fitted into the cabinetry, offering high-tech convenience without disrupting the clean, timeless lines of the woodwork.
High-Performance Dekton Worktops
To balance the traditional woodwork, Dekton was selected for the worktops and full-height slab splashbacks. Featuring a polished, soft white base with subtle, elegant grey veining that mimics natural calacatta marble, Dekton brings an ultra-luxurious sheen to the room. Beyond its beauty, Dekton was chosen for its unrivalled technical properties, including maximum heat resistance, zero porosity and high scratch and UV resistance.
