This is an example of a large victorian galley enclosed kitchen in Melbourne with a submerged sink, raised-panel cabinets, white cabinets, marble worktops, white splashback, ceramic splashback, stainless steel appliances, an island and dark hardwood flooring.

Laura Dunraven
Inspiration for a medium sized modern kitchen in Other with a single-bowl sink, flat-panel cabinets, white cabinets, wood worktops, wood splashback, stainless steel appliances, light hardwood flooring and an island.

Design ideas for a small contemporary galley kitchen/diner in Sydney with flat-panel cabinets, white cabinets, stainless steel appliances, a submerged sink, engineered stone countertops, beige splashback, glass sheet splashback, medium hardwood flooring and an island.

Working with interior designer Hilary Scott, Mowlem & Co has created a stylish and sympathetic bespoke kitchen for a fascinating renovation and extension project. The impressive Victorian detached house has ‘an interesting planning history’ according to Hilary. Previously it had been bedsit accommodation with 27 units but in recent years it had become derelict and neglected, until was bought by a premiere league footballer with a view to restoring it to its former glory as a family home. Situated near the Botanic Gardens in Kew and in a conservation area, there was a significant investment and considerable planning negotiation to get it returned to a single dwelling. Hilary had worked closely with the client on previous projects and had their couple’s full trust to come up with a scheme that matched their tastes and needs. Many original features were restored or replaced to remain in keeping with the architecture, for example marble and cast iron fireplaces, panelling, cornices and architraves which were considered a key fabric of the building. The most contemporary element of the renovation is the striking double height glass extension to the rear in which the kitchen and living area are positioned. The room has wonderful views out to the garden is ideal both for family life and entertaining. The extension design involved an architect for the original plans and another to project-manage the build. Then Mowlem & Co were brought in because Hilary has worked with them for many years and says they were the natural choice to achieve the high quality of finish and bespoke joinery that was required. “They have done an amazing job,” says Hilary, “the design has certain quirky touches and an individual feel that you can only get with bespoke. All the timber has traditionally made dovetail joints and other handcrafted details. This is typical of Mowlem & Co’s work …they have a fantastic team and Julia Brown, who managed this project, is a great kitchen designer.” The kitchen has been conceived to match the contemporary feel of the new extension while also having a classic feel in terms of the finishes, such as the stained oak and exposed brickwork. The furniture has been made to bespoke proportions to match the scale of the double height extension, so that it fits the architecture. The look is clean and linear in feel and the design features specially created elements such as extra wide drawers and customised storage, and a separate walk-in pantry (plus a separate utility room in the basement). The furniture has been made in flat veneered stained oak and the seamless worktops are in Corian. Cooking appliances are by Wolf and refrigeration is by Sub-Zero. The exposed brick wall of the kitchen matches the external finishes of the brickwork of the house which can be seen through the glass extension. To harmonise, a thick glass shelf has been added, masterminded by Gary Craig of Architectural Metalworkers. This is supported by a cantilevered steel frame, so while it may look deceptively light and subtle, “a serious amount of engineering has gone into it,” according to Hilary. Mowlem & Co also created further bespoke furnishings and installations, for a dressing room plus bathrooms and cloakrooms in other parts of the house. The complexity of the project to restore the entire house took over a year to finish. As the client was transferred to another team before the renovation was complete, the property is now on the market for £9 million.

Photography: Karina Illovska The kitchen is divided into different colours to reduce its bulk and a surprise pink study inside it has its own little window. The front rooms were renovated to their former glory with replica plaster reinstated. A tasmanian Oak floor with a beautiful matt water based finish was selected by jess and its light and airy. this unifies the old and new parts. Colour was used playfully. Jess came up with a diverse colour scheme that somehow works really well. The wallpaper in the hall is warm and luxurious. ​

Large traditional kitchen/diner in Other with white cabinets, white splashback, an island, brown floors and grey worktops.

Mandy Donneky
This is an example of a small classic u-shaped kitchen in Cornwall with shaker cabinets, grey cabinets, grey splashback, stainless steel appliances, light hardwood flooring, no island, beige floors, black worktops and mosaic tiled splashback.

Roundhouse bespoke Urbo matt lacquer kitchen in dark grey with stainless steel worksurface.
This is an example of a large contemporary open plan kitchen in London with flat-panel cabinets, grey cabinets, stainless steel worktops, stainless steel appliances, a breakfast bar, concrete flooring and an integrated sink.

Someone who we work with regularly is Lucinda Sanford, a fantastic interior designer based in London. She first contacted us in late 2013 to see if we could help her with a project in Gilstead Road. As you walk in through the front door of the property you enter the hallway which leads off into the rest of the house. To give the illusion of space in this narrow hallway Lucinda asked us to design, manufacture and install two bespoke internal steel windows to give a sneak preview of the stunning family room which sits adjacent to the hallway. As you can see from the pictures the black of the steel frames really fits well with the deep red of the room. In keeping with this design style Lucinda also asked us to install a set of bespoke central double doors in the entrance to the family room. Lucinda was keen to keep this style of bespoke steel framed windows and doors running throughout the property wherever possible and asked us to also design, manufacture and install a set of bespoke French doors at the rear of the property. We installed a single right-hand side door with fixed screens and fanlights above. This feature really allowed natural light to flood the kitchen diner which, with no other space for additional windows, could’ve otherwise been quite a dark space. Our work paired with Lucinda’s keen eye for detail and style really suited this property and it was the beginning of our working relationship which has continued to grow ever since. Lucinda Sanford https://www.lucindasanford.com/

Bespoke Uncommon Projects plywood kitchen with black laminate doors, maple veneered plywood carcasses and a solid surface worktop. Photos by Jocelyn Low

Extension to cottage to provide dining room open plan to kitchen and family living room. New decking to the garden area over a flat roof of a garage/store, better transition to the garden, bring more light into the inside space. New ground floor WC and utility room.

Maximize space with this smartly designed kitchen. With a Scandinavian feel the NEW Portland range is perfect for a small but perfectly formed kitchen. High density particle board finished in melamine to give a matt finish with the look of Indian oak.

Chris Snook
Photo of a medium sized contemporary galley kitchen in London with a submerged sink, flat-panel cabinets, grey splashback, metro tiled splashback, stainless steel appliances, an island, grey floors, grey worktops, white cabinets and light hardwood flooring.

Photo of a large modern single-wall open plan kitchen in Dublin with a double-bowl sink, flat-panel cabinets, white cabinets, mirror splashback, stainless steel appliances, medium hardwood flooring and an island.

This is an example of a small contemporary grey and cream u-shaped kitchen in London with white splashback, ceramic splashback, white worktops, beaded cabinets, blue cabinets, granite worktops, a breakfast bar and grey floors.

Shark is an elegant handleless kitchen which captures the essence of minimalism. This open plan kitchen features fine mitred edges of the worktops and the cabinetry creates the illusion of a floating worksurface, which seems to rise and flow with a lightness of touch. Beveled edges on doors and drawer fronts allow for optimum storage. Drawers and cabinets can be opened with ease without detracting from the seamless look. Perfectly thought through and precision finished.

Inspiration for a medium sized contemporary kitchen in London with an integrated sink, flat-panel cabinets, dark wood cabinets, granite worktops, brown splashback, black appliances, concrete flooring and an island.

David Parmiter Photography
Medium sized classic single-wall kitchen in Oxfordshire with flat-panel cabinets, grey cabinets, white appliances, an island, grey floors and white worktops.

Light pours into this kitchen via a bespoke feature roof lantern. A mix of high level light wood kitchen cupboards with natural wood low level kitchen cupboards creates a nice contrast against a light and bright room.