Open Plan Kitchen with a Belfast Sink Ideas and Designs

Modern shaker cabinetry, timeless white quartz worktops and brushed nickel hardware have transformed this kitchen. This space has been maximised with storage and a peninsula breakfast bar seating to help make this family kitchen the new hub of the home. Photography: Malonda Photos

A traditional kitchen, with beautiful oak cabinetry, unique details and marble worktops.
Inspiration for a large traditional open plan kitchen in London with a belfast sink, shaker cabinets, light wood cabinets, marble worktops, white splashback, marble splashback, porcelain flooring, an island, beige floors, white worktops and black appliances.

Set within the former Royal British Legion Club in Bishop’s Stortford, this 18th-century Grade II listed building has been restored to its former glory and transformed into a luxury, modern home, beautifully designed, where heritage charm is blended with contemporary living. Dedicated local experts preserved the character of the original structure while introducing contemporary comfort at every design decision. Peter, the developer, and interior designer Helen Tigue worked together to create the wonderful layout. With Helen’s artistic flair, she finalised the finishing touches for this colourful space. Handcrafted in our Classic In-Frame Shaker style with a refined beaded front frame for sculpted decorative detail, the kitchen is now part of the newly built extension, where high ceilings, Crittall-style windows, and floods of natural light create the perfect backdrop. The cabinetry needs to feel authentically connected to the building’s history, so the Classic In-Frame was the natural choice. The additional beading adds a subtle decorative flourish without overwhelming the cabinetry, becoming a meaningful part of the kitchen’s next chapter. The ceiling was recommended to be opened up to expose the full height of the room. Designed in this spacious layout, the long sink run offers generous storage without wall cabinetry, allowing the timeless craftsmanship to sit proudly in the natural daylight. The central island anchors the room as a multifunction hub, while a dedicated range cooker area and nearby pantry dresser complete the space with both elegance and practicality. The result is a bespoke handmade kitchen that perfectly balances the building’s historic charm with modern design excellence, creating a space that is deeply personal to the family who now calls it home. Colour plays a defining role in this handmade kitchen, bringing plenty of character and individuality to the space. The main cabinetry and dressers are hand-painted in Pink Ground by Farrow & Ball, a soft, dusty blush chosen by the client to reflect their personality. This beautifully warm shade offers a soothing presence, pretty without being sugary, elegant without feeling formal, and perfectly balanced for a modern classic home. Bathed in plenty of natural light, the Pink Ground cabinetry feels calm, inviting, and effortlessly timeless. In striking contrast, the island becomes a bold centrepiece, hand-painted in Farrow & Ball’s Down Pipe. With its dramatic lead-grey base and subtle blue undertones, this rich colour adds depth and sophistication to the room. Down Pipe brings a fanatical zeal, grounding the space with a confident, contemporary edge. This daringly dark hue is ideal for a statement island, allowing the kitchen’s craftsmanship to shine while creating a beautiful visual balance against the softer blush tones. At the heart of this kitchen sits a beautifully unique appliance choice, the Everhot 150+ cooker in dusky pink. This was a personal request from our client, who wanted to introduce a touch of femininity into the space while celebrating their love for cooking. Positioned thoughtfully in its own dedicated section of the room, the Everhot becomes both a visual highlight and a hardworking centrepiece. The kettle is always ready to make a fresh pot of tea, cakes bake evenly in the radiant heat, and the family naturally gathers around to warm their hands while the meal cooks. Living with an Everhot is an experience in itself, designed to be the comforting hub of daily life, offering background warmth and a constant sense of homeliness. Yet behind its charming appearance lies impressive capability, perfectly equipped for hosting friends, preparing generous family meals, or quietly simmering something delicious throughout the day. To complement this iconic cooker, the kitchen features a refined selection of high-performance appliances seamlessly integrated with our handmade cabinetry. These include the Liebherr integrated food centre fridge and freezer, offering ample storage while remaining discreet. A Caple integrated wine cabinet for the perfect pour, a Siemens built-in microwave for convenience, and a Siemens integrated dishwasher for effortless clean-up. Together, these carefully chosen appliances create a kitchen that functions flawlessly for modern family life and looks beautiful at the same time. The sink area in this iconic historic Bishop’s Stortford property is a perfect example of how traditional craftsmanship, modern convenience and personal style can work in harmony. Positioned along the main run beneath the large windows, this zone is bathed in natural light throughout the day, an intentional design choice that allows both the handcrafted cabinetry and the high-quality fixtures to truly shine. At its centre sits the Shaws of Darwen double bowl sink, chosen in a generously wide size to support everything from daily family prep to hosting and entertaining. Its timeless fireclay design brings an unmistakable heritage feel, adding charm and authenticity to the space. To complement this, we paired two taps for ultimate functionality. The Perrin & Rowe Ionian mixer with rinse, finished in luxurious Aged Brass, introduced a warm, characterful tone and a beautifully traditional silhouette. Alongside it, the Quooker PRO3 Classic Nordic Round in Stainless Steel offers instant boiling water, an essential for modern luxury setups. Together, the workstation is made to be efficient and elegant. Filling the kitchen with thoughtful and functional design elements is our handcrafted cabinetry concealing a variety of bespoke storage solutions that make day-to-day life beautifully organised. Inside the drawers, tailored inserts such as spice trays, utensil trays, and cutlery dividers ensure every item has a place. All details are maximised for efficiency to bring a sense of calm and order to the kitchen’s workflow. One of the standout features is amongst the dresser: a cleverly designed pull-out dog bowl drawer at the bottom, seamlessly integrated to maintain a clean aesthetic while catering to the family’s furry friend. Above, bi-fold doors open to reveal a stunning breakfast pantry and coffee bar, making morning routines effortless and luxurious. Complementing our British handcrafted furniture is the Birmingham-made Armac Martin’s Sparkbrook collection in Aged Brass, featuring a combination of t-bars and cabinet pulls. These handles introduce an elegant detail that pairs beautifully with each of the beautiful cabinetry colours. The Carrara Misterio quartz finishes the worktops, a timeless choice known for its subtle, classic veining. This surface brings sophistication and durability to the space while allowing the blush tones and deep island hue to remain the stars of the palette. Adding a unique layer to the design is the green-grey splashback tile, which introduces soft contrast and a gentle hint of character against the pink cabinetry. The overall styling of the home further enhances its charm with selected wall art, sculptural vases, and statement light pendants with pops of colour. This kitchen is full of playful personality, where each of the pieces reflects the client’s vibrant spirit and brings an uplifting, contemporary energy to this restored historic property.

A custom designed kitchen in a Barn conversation with a oak vaulted ceiling.
Photo of a medium sized rural u-shaped open plan kitchen in Kent with a belfast sink, shaker cabinets, green cabinets, quartz worktops, green splashback, ceramic splashback, black appliances, terracotta flooring, no island, orange floors, white worktops and exposed beams.

“A bold artistic expression, it radiates a unique and inimitable charm that captivates at first glance.” Set within a charming period property in the village of Shillington, Hertfordshire, this kitchen was designed to capture the romance, colour, and character of our clients’ time spent in Italy. Their love for the country and the many memories made there became the driving inspiration for this warm, vibrant, and timeless space. Opting for our In-Frame Shaker cabinetry, the clients embraced its classic proportions and enduring style, having it hand-painted in Farrow & Ball Cooks Blue – a vivid hue reminiscent of the Mediterranean, chosen to perfectly complement the magnificent Smeg x Dolce & Gabbana Range Cooker. The cabinetry is elevated further with Hendel & Hendel Belgravia polished nickel handles, offering a refined and timeless finishing touch. The kitchen follows an L-shaped layout anchored by a central rectangular island, complete with an elevated solid oak breakfast bar stained in Rubio Cotton White – the ideal gathering spot for casual dining or morning coffee. The Smeg x Dolce & Gabbana Range Cooker and matching extractor hood form the heart of the design, turning cooking into a work of art. This limited-edition collaboration celebrates all things Made in Italy, featuring the Divina Cucina collection’s bold colours and intricate patterns inspired by Sicilian majolica ceramicware. The Chimney Hood proudly wears the vibrant Dolce & Gabbana print, making it a true statement piece and a fitting tribute to our client’s love for Italian culture and cuisine. Alongside the statement range, the kitchen is equipped with Premium NEFF integrated appliances, including a fridge freezer and dishwasher, as well as a Caple Wine Cooler and Caple Microwave, all positioned for convenience. The sink run features a Shaws Shaker double bowl paired with a Perrin & Rowe Phoenician widespread mixer with rinse in pewter, and a Quooker Nordic Round in stainless steel for instant boiling water. And not forgetting the bespoke over-window mantle that seamlessly connects the cabinetry, with integrated LED lighting adding both practical illusions and a refined design detail. All surfaces are finished in Dekton Malibu, a porcelain worktop that brings a fresh, modern look, both stylish and durable, to this Italian-inspired hub. Additional touches include a coffee station with reeded glass-fronted doors and jars filled with rich Italian coffee, and the tall, slim pantry cupboard is discreet yet provides generous storage. There are also deep drawers with custom inserts, a corner Le Mans, and a pull-out unit for cooking oils and spices. This kitchen tells a beautiful story of the Mediterranean, bringing a slice of this into a quintessentially English home.

Mulberry House is situated in Newbury, Berkshire. The clients were keen for the space to function as a social hub, adaptable for entertaining larger groups in addition to everyday family living. It was vital the kitchen married the functionality and practically of young family life, with the warmth of the adjacent snug and dining areas. Stylistically we studied the property's architecture and concluded on a traditional shaker kitchen, with beaded in-frame detailing best suited the space. We worked with the finest bespoke hand-crafted British cabinetry, complete with solid antique brass handles to create a timeless look.

The kitchen at the heart of this Cobham garage conversion. A generous island in warm oak effect timber, topped in black granite, carries bar seating for four beneath a rustic ring chandelier and a decorative moulded beam. Cream shaker cabinetry lines the room, with glazed display cabinets, open shelving and a range cooker set beneath an exposed brick chimney breast. A shimmering blue mosaic splashback runs the length of the worktop, and large format grey floor tiles carry the underfloor heating throughout. What was once a garage now anchors the whole ground floor. Designed, planned and built by The Plan Hub, one team from first drawing to final finish.

This kitchen showcases a harmonious blend of contemporary design and classic architecture. The room is well-lit, with natural light streaming in from a large window on the left. The ceiling features intricate crown molding, indicative of the building's Grade 2 listing and historical significance. Three elegant pendant lights with a brass finish and frosted glass shades hang above the central island, which is topped with a pristine white countertop. The island also incorporates a built-in sink and a cooktop, offering functionality within its streamlined form. Two modern bar stools with curved silhouettes and dark wooden legs are positioned at the island, providing casual seating. The kitchen cabinetry is minimalistic, with handleless doors painted in a muted off-white tone that complements the overall neutral palette. A splashback of white marble adds a touch of luxury and ties in with the countertop. The flooring is laid in a herringbone pattern, adding texture and a classic touch to the space. A small selection of books and a vase with eucalyptus branches introduce a personal and lived-in feel to the otherwise minimalist kitchen.

Reimagining a Grade II Listed Gatehouse on Haslemere’s Lythe Hill Park Estate, balancing historic lineage and simple country living with a contemporary approach, we worked proactively with the Planning Heritage Team and positive, open minded clients to sensitively extend and retain the original character of the Gatehouse.

Inspiration for a large country l-shaped open plan kitchen in Manchester with a belfast sink, shaker cabinets, beige cabinets, granite worktops, beige splashback, ceramic splashback, black appliances, limestone flooring, an island, beige floors, beige worktops, a drop ceiling and a feature wall.

Although compact, the kitchen benefits from generous natural light thanks to the large window positioned above the sink. The Regis French farmhouse sink is centred on this elevation, making the most of the view and reinforcing the practical workflow of the room. It is paired with a Bidbury & Co. Moreton Bridge Tap, chosen for its traditional detailing and everyday usability. To maintain clean lines, the dishwasher is fully integrated to one side of the sink, with waste and recycling bins housed discreetly on the other. This arrangement allows the main working zone to remain efficient without interrupting the visual rhythm of the cabinetry.

Take a tour of this stunning bespoke kitchen designed by Spires Interiors for a family in Stansted Mountfitchet. Featuring: - Inky green and English white cabinetry with walnut and oak coloured carcases - Calacatta gold quartz waterfall-edge island and walnut breakfast bar - Neff appliances and Blanco ceramic butler sink - Butler’s pantry with integrated LED lighting - Built-in wine fridge - Separate cabinetry for hidden laundry appliances and boiler storage - Amtico flooring for warmth and durability This kitchen was designed to complement the room’s unique angles while delivering refined, practical luxury for everyday family life. ? Visit our Stanway showroom or explore more at spiresinteriors.co.uk info@spiresinteriors.co.uk 01206 234864 2, Peartree Business Centre, Peartree Centre, Stanway, Colchester CO3 0JN Video credit to Joe Nichols at @visual_peakuk for this stunning kitchen shoot. #BespokeInteriors #LuxuryKitchenDesign #SpiresInteriors #KitchenRenovation #EssexHomes #InteriorCraftsmanship #ButlersPantry #QuartzIsland #ColchesterBusiness #LocalBusiness #interiordesign #kitchen #home #kitchendesign #homeinspiration #Essex #green

We had the privilege of transforming the kitchen space of a beautiful Grade 2 listed farmhouse located in the serene village of Great Bealings, Suffolk. The property, set within 2 acres of picturesque landscape, presented a unique canvas for our design team. Our objective was to harmonise the traditional charm of the farmhouse with contemporary design elements, achieving a timeless and modern look. For this project, we selected the Davonport Shoreditch range. The kitchen cabinetry, adorned with cock-beading, was painted in 'Plaster Pink' by Farrow & Ball, providing a soft, warm hue that enhances the room's welcoming atmosphere. The countertops were Cloudy Gris by Cosistone, which complements the cabinetry's gentle tones while offering durability and a luxurious finish. The kitchen was equipped with state-of-the-art appliances to meet the modern homeowner's needs, including: - 2 Siemens under-counter ovens for efficient cooking. - A Capel 90cm full flex hob with a downdraught extractor, blending seamlessly into the design. - Shaws Ribblesdale sink, combining functionality with aesthetic appeal. - Liebherr Integrated tall fridge, ensuring ample storage with a sleek design. - Capel full-height wine cabinet, a must-have for wine enthusiasts. - An additional Liebherr under-counter fridge for extra convenience. Beyond the main kitchen, we designed and installed a fully functional pantry, addressing storage needs and organising the space. Our clients sought to create a space that respects the property's historical essence while infusing modern elements that reflect their style. The result is a pared-down traditional look with a contemporary twist, achieving a balanced and inviting kitchen space that serves as the heart of the home. This project exemplifies our commitment to delivering bespoke kitchen solutions that meet our clients' aspirations. Feel inspired? Get in touch to get started.

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Fine House Photography
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