This week's instalment of SBID's Product of the Week series features a standout kitchen design by 2021 SBID Awards Finalist, Roundhouse.
SBID Awards Category: Kitchen Product
Practice: Roundhouse
Project: Bottomhouse Farm
This standout kitchen offers a serious amount of space with doors to the back terrace and a woodburner for winter comfort. Complete with an island that features polished concrete worktops, an underside in patinated corrugated iron and splashback in Lilac Milas marble, the textures used are purposefully varied and wonderfully original. With reused and recycled elements from the original barn, this is a space designed to be seen and used for all occasions.
The SBID International Design Awards programme serves to recognise, reward and celebrate design excellence across a broad range of categories spanning Interior Design, Product Design and Fit-Out. Click here to find out more.
The Myers Touch designed a new-build family home based in Chandlers Ford, Hampshire for owners that wanted a sociable, connected, family kitchen space with neutral tones that they could entertain and cook in.
Designer, Keith Myers worked with the client and builder to propose a solution to the kitchen living space that involved knocking down a wall, redesigning a larger kitchen space and relocating the utility room to another area of the house.
Siematic S2 handleless furniture was chosen for the cabinetry with 12mm Silestone Niebla and Dekton Fossil worktops.
Three unique zones – cooking area, prep area and storage that connected the kitchen within the dining space.
Photography credits: Phil Green
About The Myers Touch
The Myers Touch specialises in the holistic design of luxury kitchens in the Winchester area, creating truly bespoke living spaces that offer far more than conventional cooking environments. Established in 2003 and based in Winchester, they enjoy long-standing partnerships with the iconic German manufacturer SieMatic and other leading brands including Gaggenau, Wolf, Sub-Zero, Miele and Siemens.
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This London pied-à-terre is a masterclass in open-plan living. Despite its relatively compact proportions (5m x 7m), the homeowners wanted to slot in a well-equipped kitchen, dining and living areas. Charlie Smallbone of Ledbury Studio was tasked with designing a kitchen that would both furnish the space and enhance its overall look.
“Just because a kitchen is bijou, it doesn’t mean it can’t be big on style, and I think this project perfectly demonstrates this,” says Charlie. “We have hidden much of the functionality behind closed doors meaning that all you can see is a collection of handmade pieces of furniture. So, whether the family are dining at the table or lounging in the living area, they always have a beautiful view.”
To ensure the kitchen is a seamless extension of the living area, Charlie opted not to install wall cupboards above the base cabinets. This created space for floating glass shelves, allowing the homeowners to weave in a touch of character with plants and decorative objects. A hanging rail was also added, retaining the much-coveted open feel whilst keeping kitchen paraphernalia close to hand.
Charlie’s greatest challenge was to fit all the functional aspects of a kitchen into the single wall of furniture. “It was tricky but I am happy with the final arrangement, which incorporates a lot of storage as well as all the essentials,” he explains. “It features a stone sink and Miele induction hob sandwiched between a tall, integrated fridge-freezer and larder cupboard at one end, and a dropped-down worktop with storage above it at the other.”
The cupboards themselves feature pewter fronts, which speak to the homeowners’ eclectic style. Made from sheet metal that is hand textured with hammers and heat, and given an aged patina using acid, the surface is then sealed with lacquer so that it stands the test of time. The cupboards are finished with concave stainless-steel handles that have been blasted to dull the shine and darken their appearance.
Bianco Macaubas Quartzite was specified for the worktop; a hardwearing but stunning natural stone with rich marble-esque veining. Charlie paired this with a Verre Eglomise splashback, whereby pure gold leaf was applied to the reverse of toughened glass and antiqued. Not only does it look stunning, but its reflective properties help to bounce light around the room and increase the feeling of space.
Ledbury Studio kitchens start from £50,000.
About Ledbury Studio
Charlie Smallbone needs little introduction. The founder of iconic brand Smallbone of Devizes, he has been pushing the boundaries of kitchen design for over 40 years. Charlie’s latest venture, Ledbury Studio, was born of his desire to harness the beauty of original materials whilst creating practical kitchens that exude style and elegance.
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Designed for multifunctional living, whether cooking for the family, entertaining friends or simply catching up over coffee, this kitchen from My Fathers Heart features stunning Dekton® by Cosentino worksurfaces on both the central island and the surrounding cabinetry within this large, open-plan space.
Created by Sheffield-based kitchen designers My Fathers Heart, the room combines stunning SieMatic S2 handleless cabinets in the Umbra velvet-matt finish with Dekton® in Kira, an earthy toned ultra-compact surface that has the look and feel of natural brownstones. Highly resistant to UV rays, scratches, stains and thermal shock, Dekton® is the ideal choice for homeowners looking for a durable, hardwearing worksurface solution and it can also be used for flooring and wall cladding both indoors and out. What's more, carbon neutrality has been achieved for the entire life cycle of Dekton, so homeowners can rest assured that their surface of choice is sustainable and helps build a better future.
Within the central island, Dekton® blends effortlessly with rich walnut, which creates visual contrast and provides a warm tone for the breakfast bar area with its high stools for snacks and coffee. The BORA Professional extractor hob in an all-black steel finish sits neatly within the surface while antique brass pendant lights from Italy drop stylishly from above. The slim profile of the worksurface beautifully enhances the elegance of the appliances and kitchen furniture, while the colour palette is warm and inviting, creating a relaxed, contemporary look.
Chrissi Batey, Senior Kitchen Designer for My Fathers Heart, explains the process behind the design, “We spent a long time with the customer and their interior designer choosing a door finish from the SieMatic palette that would perfectly balance the wider scheme of the room and settled on Umbra. Dekton was the natural choice for worktops due its superior hardwearing qualities and Kira, with its warm earthy tones and elegant fine veining, was chosen to seamlessly complement the doors whilst adding subtle drama to this impressive open plan space.”
Added features such as the black Quooker tap, which provides boiling, sparkling and chilled water on demand, an antique mirrored splashback and bespoke metal framed shelving provide the perfect balance between practicality and beautiful aesthetic.
Dekton® by Cosentino is available in a range of designs, from industrial inspired to marble look.
About Cosentino
Cosentino Group is a global, Spanish, family-owned company that produces and distributes high value innovative surfaces for the world of design and architecture. It works together with its clients and partners to provide with solutions that offer design and value, and inspire the life of many people.
Charlie Smallbone, founder of Ledbury Studio, and his team faced a significant design challenge in this latest project. The existing kitchen of a 1920s house in North London was long and narrow with very little natural light. Located to the rear of the house and accessed via an adjoining dining room off the entrance hall, the advantageous lofty proportions of the space were unfortunately complicated by three different ceiling heights (the consequence of crude building works some 30 years ago). At the back of the kitchen was a door leading to a former cold store that had been converted into a cramped utility room. Here, Charlie reveals how they created the stunning new space.
Firstly, I wanted to get more natural light into the space. To achieve this, the utility room was replaced by a small lean-to extension accessed via glass doors at the rear of the kitchen and we also installed a large roof light.
Secondly, the client was keen to push the cupboards as high as they could to maximise every inch of storage space. However, at the same time, they wanted to retain the original coving. My solution was to put coving on top of the furniture and use this as the lighting recess that runs all the way round the room. The recess then joins seamlessly with the ceiling coving above, which in turn becomes part of the furniture. It is a great way to link the architecture of the room and the furniture, making them appear as one.
We chose fluted glass for cabinet fronts to keep the design light and airy, but without having the contents on display as you would with open shelves. The worktops are hard-wearing Classico Marble Arabesque quartz coupled with Verre Eglomise splashbacks, whereby pure gold leaf was applied to the reverse of toughened glass and antiqued. Demonstrating an eye for detail, the client requested a floral design be gilded onto the Verre Eglomise surface behind the hob, transforming it into a standout feature.
The kitchen is mainly taken from our Ledbury Shaker collection, but the client was also keen to introduce our signature use of metals. We added aged brass to the edge of the cooker hood and also used it for the plate rack’s supporting brackets, the hanging rails mounted on the splashbacks and the cupboard handles.
The client is a prolific cook with a library of recipe books now housed in a floor-to-ceiling bookshelf within easy reach of the prep space. There is a generous breakfast cupboard too, combining a wealth of storage with dedicated space for microwave and coffee machine. Space to store wine was another priority, so we integrated a wine storage appliance into the design, in addition to the open wine storage in the mint-coloured cupboard. To the right of this is a walk-in cupboard for the boiler, and a slot for the washing machine and tumble dryer, stacked one on top of the other to maximise space.
Finally, the units either side of the range cooker constitute one of the most important parts of the design for me. What looks like multiple wall and base cupboards are actually two complete pieces of furniture.
The revolutionary ultra-compact surface, Dekton® by Cosentino has been specified at the trendy Kol restaurant in Marylebone, London. Opened in October 2020 by former Noma Mexico chef Santiago Lastra, his debut restaurant Kol brings together Mexican cuisine with local British produce, including shellfish from Scotland's shoreline and foraged ingredients from Kent's woodlands. Kol offers a set menu of unique, thoughtfully curated dishes with plenty of flavour, such as short rib with quince mole, and squash sorbet with rattlesnake chilli.
Designed by A-nrd Studio, Kol's distinctive open plan layout with its kitchen as the central focus pays homage to Mexico with its warming, vibrant colour palette, while also incorporating a sense of pared back, minimalist Scandinavian design with plenty of wooden elements, straight lines and foliage. Spanning across two levels and five hundred square meters, the restaurant also boasts a mezcal bar on the ground floor, for serving up Mexican cocktails and spirits to guests.
Fabricated by LBS Enterprises Ltd, bestselling Dekton® Trilium, made from up to 80% of recycled materials, was the surface of choice throughout the restaurant's kitchen and serving areas. Showcasing a mixture of colours inspired by volcanic rock, Dekton® Trilium's intense and irregular accents of black and grey and its matte finish result in a rich and varied surface design, with an appearance that alters depending on the angle of the light on the surface.
"Dekton was always the surface of choice for my new Kol restaurant in Marylebone, London," says Santiago. "Its technical properties exceed the other options available and there is so much choice when it comes to the look and feel of the surface; it was difficult to choose a colour! We decided that Dekton Trilium was perfect for helping to convey the relaxed yet fun feel that we wanted in the restaurant - plus, we loved the fact that Dekton Trilium is made from 80% recycled materials. I am so pleased with how Trilium has brought the open-plan restaurant kitchen design to life, and its durability is second to none."
As with all Dekton® designs, Dekton® Trilium boasts superior technical properties, such as high resistance to UV rays, scratches, stains and thermal shock, and very low water absorption. Made from a sophisticated mixture of the raw materials used to make glass, next-generation porcelain surfaces and quartz surfaces, Dekton® is suitable for a variety of different projects, including worktops, flooring and wall cladding, both inside and outside. Dekton® Trilium is also available in Dekton® 4mm Slim, which combines the technical and mechanical features that Dekton® is known for with a much thinner (4mm), lighter (10 kg/m2), and manageable format for installation - ideal for wall, door and furniture cladding.
In addition, carbon neutrality has been achieved for the entire life cycle of Dekton® (from cradle to grave), covering Scopes 1, 2 and 3, from the extraction of the raw material, to the use of the product and the end of its life. This recognition, obtained through emission reduction and compensation projects certified by the United Nations, confirms the good practices of Cosentino Group in terms of sustainability and environmental management.
Image credits: Bircan Tulga, Black Edge Productions.
Charlie Smallbone, founder of Ledbury Studio, has garnered a reputation for collaborating with talented artisans. His latest project in Wimbledon is no exception. It features stunning stained-glass windows by celebrated artist Brian Clarke that strike a colourful contrast to Charlie’s cool, industrial-inspired design.
“As a lover and collector of modern art, our client wanted a minimal look to the kitchen that would allow her paintings, as well as the stained-glass windows, to really pop,” explains Charlie. To achieve this, Charlie used aged, hand-finished solid zinc doors from the Metallics Collection on the side of the island facing the room. Elsewhere, the cabinetry features a specially commissioned paint-effect created onsite by Ledbury Studio’s resident artist Emma Culshaw Bell. “To maintain the less-is-more approach that our client covets, all cabinets are handleless to create a sleek, unfussy look,” adds Charlie.
Two sets of natural oak drawers with exposed dovetail joints inject a craft-inspired vibe into the pared-back design. Airy Concrete Caesarstone was then chosen for the worktops; a perfect complement to the concrete flooring. The finishing flourish is Crittall patio doors that open into the garden – an essential element of any industrial-inspired kitchen.
“This is a kitchen that works on so many levels,” concludes Charlie. “It’s a highly functional family kitchen, a great open-plan entertaining space – that links so well with the garden – and the backdrop for some truly stunning pieces of art. I couldn’t be more delighted with the finished effect.”
With a wealth of experience in the bespoke kitchen, interiors and property market, Alex Crabtree specialises in providing PR services to the interior design industry. Alexandra shares her journey in marketing, interior styling and public relations, and how this lead her to establish her career as a PR consultant for interior designers. She provides her professional insight; from the influence of Instagram for sourcing and inspiration, to her key tips for improving PR strategies in the interior sector.
Tell us about how you started as an interiors stylist and why you came to specialise in PR for the interior design industry? Have you always been interested in this field?
Back in the day my brother and father had a bespoke kitchen company – Crabtree Kitchens. I was working for Pete Townshend of the Who, running his recording studio and I wanted a new challenge and thought that I could help them with getting the brand out there and become more known with interior designers and clients alike. So, I joined their company and immediately employed an interior photographer to start shooting their fabulous kitchens. I had not taken on any styling professionally before but I always styled my home constantly (long before Instagram). Once I had decent images of the kitchens I started pitching them out to magazines and soon discovered that I achieved quite a lot of features and Crabtree Kitchens became very well known even though we were a relatively small brand. At one stage about 60% of our work was from interior designers.
You’ve worked in the kitchen, interiors and property market for many years. What’s been the most memorable highlight or achievement of your career so far?
I think that when I was PR and marketing Director at Crabtree Kitchens I just loved it when clients came in and said they had seen the company everywhere. But generally when I achieve a feature in a magazine for a client I still get such a massive buzz and specially if I have also styled the shots too. The excitement of achieving a feature for a client has not diminished at all over the years at all.
Do you have a signature style when it comes to interior styling? How has the Instagram era affected this and the way you find inspiration?
It’s such an interesting question as in my own home I definitely style in a very maximalist eclectic style but most kitchen clients don’t want that look so if you look at my website you will see the kitchens on there that I have styled and it’s in a much more minimalist way – so I can style in whichever way is required.
Instagram has certainly been so amazing in so many ways for me. Both in terms of my styling and PR and also having met some wonderful people who are also passionate about interior design. It’s also a fabulous source of small interiors businesses to feed my passion and so many different styles in which to create my maximalist dark eclectic home. I also buy pieces from Instagram sources for my client shoots too.
How do you help interior designers in gaining essential coverage for their projects and providing valuable exposure for their work?
I help my clients gain essential coverage by getting under the skin of the company so to speak and understand what their company is all about and then making sure that they have the best professionally shot photography. Then of course keeping in constant contact with the relevant editors and freelancers and updating them on the clients most recent projects etc.
If you had to give one top tip for interior designers looking to improve their PR strategy to grow their business, what would it be?
Really take THE best photography and employ THE best PR and keep in contact with the editors. I know that's three! But they all go hand in hand!
Cover image credits: Brayer Design. Photos by Nick Smith Photography ©
About the Author
Alex Crabtree offers a hands-on and highly personal PR service, without the big agency costs. Alex is flexible and enthusiastic. Extensive knowledge of these markets ensures a tailor-made campaign, and means that the quality of service is never compromised. Follow for more @alexcrabtreepr
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This week's instalment of the #SBIDinspire interior design series features a complete townhouse conversion. Prestige Design, in collaboration with Martini Interiors, were involved in the design and construction of different rooms of the villa, among which the living area and the kitchen stand out. The latter, in white lacquered and with steel details, was arranged in a horseshoe shape and equipped with a large central island, an imposing hood and marble worktops.
The living area, on the other hand, is characterized by marble and lacquered wood furniture in pastel tones and is completed by sofas, armchairs and home accessories that give the room a unique style and a metropolitan vibe, but always in a luxury key.
Company: Prestige Design & Martini Interiors
Project: Stylish Chicago Townhouse
Location: London, United Kingdom
What was the client's brief?
The customer wanted a classy classical design, thanks to which he could share his status with friends and colleagues. The furnishings had to be very welcoming and warm, for a home to live in.
What inspired the interior design of the project?
The homes length was particularly narrow. This architectural characteristic inspired the entire design: custom-made furnishings to take advantage of every inch of space and symmetries.
What was the toughest hurdle your team overcame during the project?
Undoubtedly the shape of the house, which on the one hand made this project fascinating, challenging and extremely rewarding.
What was your team’s highlight of the project?
The coordination of the different phases, from the first design to the realization of the furnishings, up to the final installation. During each phase we checked the quality, keeping attention to detail in each step.
Questions answered by Serge Belferman, CEO and President of Prestige Designs.
We hope you feel inspired by this week's design! Let us know what inspired you #SBIDinspire
If you missed last week's Project of the Week, featuring a Victorian residential refurbishment, click here to see more.
This week's instalment of the #SBIDinspire interior design series features a beautiful stucco-fronted Victorian residence situated in St John’s Wood, a tranquil village in the heart of London that sweeps along the side of Regent’s Park.
Company: Roselind Wilson Design
Project: Carlton Hill
The owners had reached a stage in their lives where their children had left home, and it had been over a decade since they previously renovated and refurbished the property. They felt it was time for a change as their personal style and lifestyle had changed dramatically and they wanted their home to equally reflect this.
Spanning 5 floors and circa 5,000 sq. ft, Roselind Wilson Design was appointed to refurbish, including the interior architecture, interior design, and project management of this five-bedroom, five-bathroom home. The space is arranged with the entertaining areas on the lower ground and ground floors and the bedrooms on the upper floors. A sweeping staircase allows for an elegant and graceful division between the entertainment and sleeping areas, which are all set against a backdrop of exquisitely balanced proportions, harmonious symmetry and classical detailing.
The brief comprised the complete refurbishment of the existing property; revising the current layout and making changes that would befit the client’s new lifestyle; which included both now working from home. The interior also needed to consider an entertaining space to accommodate up to 16 people on various occasions and had a requirement for a formal living and informal living space as well as a suitable dining area that could be an open plan as well as accommodate more intimate dining. The kitchen and all bathrooms were to be redesigned together with new services including integrated lighting, audiovisual and security services.
The interior design and interior architecture focus on creating harmony and balance within the space. Delicate furnishings and uncluttered décor allow for timeless elegance and graceful grandeur, while the colour palette showcases neutral blues, soft greys, dusky pinks and flat whites. This perfectly marries the interiors of handsome beauty, modern-day luxury and contemporary styling. The carefully considered interior design scheme is balanced – the furniture, fabrics and colour palette all work in harmony with the architectural backdrop within the property. The tiniest of details have been used to inject colour, texture or character to create an opulent interior – from incorporating striking cornicing to adorning the walls with elegant and sophisticated light fixtures.
Without doubt, it was trying to get the enormous 3 metre by 1.5 metre porcelain tiles we specified for the master bathroom into the first floor of the property! Working alongside our contractor on various options, we came to the solution of lifting them in through the window of the adjoining dressing room with the help of a cherry picker. A successful solution and fantastic result as the tiles look absolutely stunning on the wall.
It’s incredibly rewarding to experience first-hand a client’s reaction to their completed project – this is always a highlight for us. In this instance, the design journey and close collaboration between us and our client allowed them to realise their dream home - one that is elegant and sophisticated as well as warm and inviting.
Questions answered by Roselind Wilson, Owner & Creative Director of Roselind Wilson Design.
If you missed last week's Project of the Week, featuring a residential villa, click here to see more.
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