Kitchen Tour: A Sleek Yet Characterful Social Hub
Designing a room to allow plenty of socialising and family meals was the aim with this clean-lined yet warm kitchen
Design A Space Kitchens, Bedrooms & Interiors were called in to work on this project after an extension had already been added to the house. “The brief was for a large, open-plan kitchen and dining area that looked impressive and yet was also characterful and practical,” designer Federica Gavazza explains. The new kitchen needed to easily accommodate lots of social gatherings as well as quality family time.
The family have a sociable lifestyle and they wanted a large, open-plan kitchen and dining area.
“Key to the design was the inclusion of a central island, which would also serve as a breakfast bar,” Federica explains. “They were keen for their kids to be involved in cooking as well as having a free-flowing sociable space for entertaining guests.”
“Key to the design was the inclusion of a central island, which would also serve as a breakfast bar,” Federica explains. “They were keen for their kids to be involved in cooking as well as having a free-flowing sociable space for entertaining guests.”
“The owners wanted a relatively minimal kitchen, but one that was packed with features and storage,” Federica says. “They were keen on a clean look, but bringing the wood in gives it a warm effect.”
The wood, which is used for the bank of tall units on the left and continues onto the unusual two-tone island and wall niches, is iroko.
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The wood, which is used for the bank of tall units on the left and continues onto the unusual two-tone island and wall niches, is iroko.
Find kitchen designers and fitters in your area in the Houzz Professionals Directory.
The rest of the island is 20mm Cimstone, a quartz worksurface. “The slim profile makes it half the thickness of the wooden breakfast bar,” Federica says. “Again, this makes for a nice contrast – modern plus warmth.”
On the units, the wood is a veneer, but the island features a solid piece of 40mm iroko.
Artemis quartz worksurface, Cimstone. Ovens; warming drawer; fridge, all Neff.
On the units, the wood is a veneer, but the island features a solid piece of 40mm iroko.
Artemis quartz worksurface, Cimstone. Ovens; warming drawer; fridge, all Neff.
The bank of iroko-clad units includes bespoke and functional housing for three ovens – a microwave, a combination oven and a standard oven.
“The housing for each oven is designed to include drawers below and cabinets above for less-used items,” Federica says. “There are also drawers for baking trays and bulky items.
“Having the ovens next to each other rather than stacked gives a bit more space for storage, as well as that continual run of warm wood,” she adds
On the left side of the ovens is a fridge-freezer, while on the right, there’s a larder unit. Next to that is an additional pull-out larder.
“The housing for each oven is designed to include drawers below and cabinets above for less-used items,” Federica says. “There are also drawers for baking trays and bulky items.
“Having the ovens next to each other rather than stacked gives a bit more space for storage, as well as that continual run of warm wood,” she adds
On the left side of the ovens is a fridge-freezer, while on the right, there’s a larder unit. Next to that is an additional pull-out larder.
The floor-to-ceiling pull-out larder is 300mm wide. “Being so close to the prep space and ovens, it’s perfect for smaller items that you want on hand for cooking,” Federica says.
“An induction hob is cleaner and easier to maintain than a standard gas hob,” Federica says. It’s also popular with young families, as the surface doesn’t remain hot when pans aren’t in contact with it, making it safer for wandering little hands.
The splashback is glass, back-painted to blend with the wall. The cooker hood complements the splashback – it’s angled black glass and also features LED lighting for a soft glow after dark. “It’s quite funky, isn’t it?” Federica says.
Induction hob, Neff. Cooker hood, Faber.
The splashback is glass, back-painted to blend with the wall. The cooker hood complements the splashback – it’s angled black glass and also features LED lighting for a soft glow after dark. “It’s quite funky, isn’t it?” Federica says.
Induction hob, Neff. Cooker hood, Faber.
“The owners wanted a characterful, creative look, so we came up with this idea of mixing niches with closed cabinetry,” Federica says.
The resulting wall unit adds a homely touch. “Open shelving keeps things less clinical. It’s quite an unusual detail for an ultra-modern German kitchen,” she adds.
Echoing the breakfast bar, the unit is a mix of iroko with white cupboard doors.
Fusion tap in chrome, Quooker. Undermounted sink, Blanco Germany.
The resulting wall unit adds a homely touch. “Open shelving keeps things less clinical. It’s quite an unusual detail for an ultra-modern German kitchen,” she adds.
Echoing the breakfast bar, the unit is a mix of iroko with white cupboard doors.
Fusion tap in chrome, Quooker. Undermounted sink, Blanco Germany.
“The benefit of units that open upwards is there’s no need to duck out of the way when opening the doors,” Federica says. “It also gives you a good clear look into the cupboard.”
The plan for the new design.
Tell us…
Which ideas would you steal from this unusual kitchen? Let us know your thoughts in the Comments section.
Tell us…
Which ideas would you steal from this unusual kitchen? Let us know your thoughts in the Comments section.
Who lives here? A couple with two children under 10
Location Great Missenden, Buckinghamshire
Property A five-bedroom detached house built in the 1970s
Designer Federica Gavazza of Design A Space Kitchens, Bedrooms & Interiors
Photos by Lauren Mitton Photography
Design A Space were asked to fit out the new rear extension with a high-spec kitchen, and the owners chose from the Next125 range by the firm’s German supplier, Schüller.
Having chosen a German kitchen, they were keen for a striking design, but not one so sleek that it looked soulless. “In terms of design, the main consideration was to blend aesthetics with practicality,” Federica says. “The owners wanted a visually impressive kitchen, but it was imperative that they, with a growing family, got plenty of storage space.”
Next125 Sand Grey Satin and Iroko Wood kitchen, Schüller. Chairs and lighting sourced by the owners.