The beautiful Contemporary New Build on an old barn site is a high end, low carbon family home. Encompassing an environmental architecture ethos, that’s fully accessible in a sensitive conservation area. Designed by Terry Pinto at PADD Architects Ltd.
Our wonderful clients Debra & Kim were a fabulous, creative couple. As a Horticulturalist (Debra) and Sculptor (Kim) they moved from London to Dorset to create their dream home and enjoy a slightly slower pace of life. Both were instrumental in the design process and wanted to create a unique personalised kitchen to enjoy for years to come. The Kitchen brief for this stunning New Build Home in the heart of the beautiful Dorset countryside was clear...
'I want a truly bespoke reclaimed wood and galvanised steel kitchen, reminiscent of outback buildings back home in Australia,’ said Debra. Before adding 'Fully loaded with uber cool Wolf & Sub-Zero appliances, concrete worktops and a walk-in larder.'
The brief was detailed yet open to Katies creative input in terms of colours, finishes and the small yet important details, such as the seating area, integrated chopping blocks and storage configuration.
Debra had been to numerous kitchen design companies before approaching Elementi Cucina and was told the same thing 'Sorry we can’t do that' Katie Lusty, Design Director at Elementi Cucina, on meeting Debra said 'Hell yeah! We can do that’ and then set about designing and creating a truly unique, showstopping kitchen, with the client on board for the entire wild ride from conception to completion.
Katie set about designing the kitchen with our joinery team, with the starting point of using reclaimed wood was sourced from an old school in Scotland, complete with the ink stains still visible on the planks, which we retained, of course. We teamed egger board carcasses in sultry graphite grey (well the inside needed to be as amazing as the outside), a mild steel was used to band the edges of the doors and stabilise the doors, rivet detailing was used as the frame for the reclaimed wood doors. Finally galvanised sheet material cladding was used for the island back units and cladding panels (outback building style, just like the client requested) also concealing the Sub-Zero wine fridge, all finished off with rusted mild steel plinth with a clear lacquer.
Next were the appliances and we opted for Sub-Zero & Wolf for the drama and industrial feel they brought to the space but also the practicality and functionality, as Debra is a very keen cook, and the kitchen is very much a stunning yet usable working space for her. The imposing freestanding Sub-Zero fridge freezer looks stunning and gives fantastic refrigeration storage space whilst the Wolf range with its iconic red knobs gives amazing function and stunning looks teamed with the Wolf extractor in steel to compliment the other appliances. A Sub-Zero wine fridge incorporated on the back of the island gives perfect wine storage for parties. The client re-used their own Neff microwave and Coffee Machine as they had been recently purchased for their old property and were keen to upcycle and re use.
Worktops were fabricated in poured concrete which gives an industrial feel to the space, with the large island most certainly the focal point, Antique Mirror was used as a splashback to reflect the stunning Dorset countryside and Debra’s beautiful gardens surrounding the property.
The brassware needed to look just as amazing, so the Watermark collection Elan wall mounted tap was used on the main sink with a Zip tap for hot, chilled, and sparking water at the touch of a button on the island, Debra also wanted the functionality of the Kholer tap on the prep sink.
The finished kitchen and the overall effect is simply very unique and the clients love the new space created just for them!
About Elementi Cucina LTD
Here at Elementi Cucina we create beautiful bespoke Interiors for your private residence, development, retail space or show home. Working with the finest kitchen, bedroom and lifestyle furniture manufactures, we can create timeless interior solutions for your home. Renowned worldwide for their design flair we believe that luxury Italian furniture & kitchen brands have it all. Flexibility in manufacturing, colour palette, veneers and high end quality. As designers, this gives us the ability to create truly unique spaces. As an addition to this Elementi Cucina has its own Taylor Made solutions made in the UK. By working closely with our design team and our highly skilled craftsmen/women we can produce one off creations for your space.
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John Pickering, Managing Director at Miele GB has given his insights into the industry.
Celebrating its 125th anniversary this year, Miele is a German manufacturer renowned for its premium home appliances. Known for its unwavering commitment to quality, innovation, and sustainability, Miele continually sets the benchmark in durability and performance. Its motto, "Immer Besser" (Forever Better), underpins its dedication to continuous improvement and excellence in all its products and services.
Miele was established in 1899 by Carl Miele and Reinhard Zinkann in Herzebrock, Germany. The founders shared a vision to produce high-quality, long-lasting appliances that simplified household chores. Starting with cream separators and butter churners, Miele quickly expanded its product range to include washing machines, dishwashers, and refrigerators. Over the years, Miele has grown into a global brand, celebrated for its innovative engineering and commitment to the highest standards of quality and sustainability.
Miele appliances are designed to seamlessly integrate into any interior design project, providing both functionality and aesthetic appeal. Our products, available in a range of colours and finishes, complement both modern and timeless design trends while ensuring superior performance. The sleek, minimalist design of Miele appliances enhances the overall look of kitchens and living spaces, allowing designers to create cohesive and stylish spaces without compromising on quality or technology.
As a leader in premium home appliances, Miele adds value to the interior design industry by combining cutting-edge technology with timeless design. Our commitment to quality and innovation ensures that designers have access to appliances that not only look elegant but also perform reliably over the long term, giving clients peace of mind. Miele’s sustainability credentials are also a key value proposition; most of our products are tested to perform for 20 years of use, ensuring durability and reducing environmental impact.
We collaborate closely with interior designers to ensure our appliances fit seamlessly into their design projects. Through our seven Experience Centres, (Mayfair & Oxford Circus in London, Bluewater, Brentcross, Solihull, Abingdon Edinburgh) designers and their customers can explore our full range of products, receive expert advice, and see first-hand how Miele appliances can be integrated into various design schemes. Additionally, we offer custom solutions and finishes to meet specific project requirements, ensuring that every detail aligns with the designer’s aesthetic and functional goals.
Opening our new Experience Centre in Mayfair, directly opposite The Ritz Hotel. It is a fantastic destination for designers to take their customers to see our products first-hand and receive expert advice on individual products. There have also been new product launches and product updates throughout the year in dishwashing and refrigeration.
Recently, there has been a growing trend for mixing natural materials and dark, matt finishes in interior design. Our products align with these contemporary design trends that emphasise understated, timeless elegance. We have just launched a range of matt black finishes which are proving popular. Clients are also increasingly interested in smart home technologies and energy-efficient solutions, seeking appliances that not only enhance the aesthetics of their homes but also contribute to a more efficient and sustainable lifestyle.
The interior design industry is likely to see a continued emphasis on sustainability, with a growing focus on eco-friendly materials and energy-efficient solutions. Smart home technology will become increasingly integrated into design projects, offering greater convenience and control for homeowners. The demand for personalised and customised design solutions will continue, as clients seek spaces that reflect their individual tastes and lifestyles.
At Miele, we are always looking to be ‘Immer Besser’ - forever better in all aspects of our business. There are always new products or enhancements coming out across all our product categories from floorcare and cooking through to dishwashing and laundry. Our upcoming products are likely to feature even more advanced connectivity options and energy-saving technologies, reinforcing our commitment to innovation and environmental responsibility. Also, look out for specialist training events dedicated to the specific needs of interior designers.
Being an SBID Accredited Industry Partner is a prestigious recognition of our commitment to excellence in design and quality. It provides us with valuable opportunities to connect with leading interior designers and industry professionals, fostering collaborations that drive innovation and elevate standards within the industry. This partnership underscores our dedication to supporting the design community and contributing to the creation of exceptional and sustainable living spaces.
About Miele
All Miele appliances are designed to enjoy a long lifespan, have a strong focus on sustainability through efficiency and innovative features, and further enrich your kitchen with timeless looks.
The Myers Touch is delighted to announce that eggersmann’s masterpiece kitchen island launch SKYWALK’®, officially launched at Milan’s international EuroCucina 2024 Fair, is now available at their Winchester kitchen design studio.
Driven by a passion for bringing extraordinary concepts and materials into the kitchen, eggersmann constantly creates special detailed solutions. The design of the SKYWALK’® island reflects their architectural approach to kitchen design, as it defies gravity with its unexpected, cantilevered structure and angled LED under-lighting. Made entirely of solid natural stone, the SKYWALK® island showcases luxury materials such as burnished or bronzed brass, granite, and Taj Mahal leather quartzite which are meticulously cut by their skilled craftsmen and set onto the stone in hexagonal-shaped pieces to create a striking visual statement in any modern home.
The island’s design has a cantilevered design structure which appears to be floating in the air with a discreet glimpse of the structure’s natural stone set between the two island elements. The SKYWALK® design achieves this floating effect through a cantilevered structure with a central support that provides both stability and space for essential installations such as an integrated hob, sink and tap.
In addition to the SKYWALK® island is the SKYWALK® wall cabinetry also available in a range of superior finishes. This innovative design has options to include hidden pocket-door storage, integrated appliances and eggersmann's recently launched Depot sliding door system which allows the user to hide the sink area when not in use to enhance the overall aesthetic and functionality of a space.
The Myers Touch partnership with eggersmann answers their client's desire for a premium German kitchen brand that offers innovative design, luxury material finishes and premium craftsmanship, enabling their expert design team to incorporate texture, personality, and individuality into their high-end residential kitchen projects for homeowners and architects. Eggersmann’s range of superior-quality cabinetry can be matched to designs available in a range of materials such as marble, textures, grain and gloss finishes, to create kitchens that are perfect in the balance of form and function.
Eggersmann also offers flowing transitions from kitchen architecture to living concepts such as room dividers, shelving systems and units so their design team can create the most sophisticated, luxury interior schemes.
The Myers Touch is eggersmann’s UK retailer in the Southwest region. The studio’s first Eggersmann display within the showroom features a large, contemporary central island with a cantilevered-style concrete finish worktop. Complementing the concrete finish are Twill veneered mitre-edge door fronts that are adjacent to a bank of light oak Eggersmann cabinetry with integrated, fully functioning Gaggenau appliances. A second eggersmann display is due to be installed in the Winter of 2024.
About The Myers Touch
We are The Myers Touch, award-winning interior architects and designers who specialise in creating luxury kitchen living spaces. Our goal is to enrich your life through the creation of an exceptional kitchen space that reflects your practical, aesthetic and emotional aspirations. We believe every kitchen should contain elements of beauty, efficiency and personalisation – a place that expresses Light, Space and Laughter for you.
Mansfield House, our recent installation for a wonderful repeat client in Berkshire.
The clients wanted a contemporary and unique new kitchen to replace the traditional shaker style kitchen they inherited when they moved into their beautiful home, an old coach house with stunning views over a lake.
Everyone thought they were mad to take out the perfectly fine existing kitchen, cream shaker with granite worktops and Miele appliances, but the clients really wanted the kitchen to wow and work for them and their young family.
Having worked with the clients on their previous 2 kitchen projects we knew they were open to ideas and really wanted a much more contemporary cutting-edge space. The scheme had to look individual and stunning with cutting edge Gaggenau appliances throughout, for the keen cook in the house.
We teamed our sleek Italian handle less furniture units in dark soft grey with the stunning tropical storm granite wall cladding, its beautiful organic veining and iridescent properties just shine through and bring a unique, individual element to the project.
Then uber practical Quartz Rokface Luna textured worktops were used on the 5-metre island and hob run add depth and texture to the scheme. Brass accents finish off the look, featuring bespoke artisan painted bronze wall units with a pitted, aged antique brass finish and patinated brass Quooker tap and Dowsing & Reynolds handles on the larder unit to compliment the brass flashes. Gaggenau appliances were the only choice for this discerning client, we went all out with the with the 400 series used throughout, a coffee machine, warming drawer, oven, steam oven, Vario Cool fridge freezer and flex induction hob.
A wine room really ties the space to the dining and living areas and the clients absolutely love the space that reflects their family, as individual as they are.
Charlie Smallbone’s designs can be seen throughout this Kensington home, where he and the Ledbury Studio team were tasked with creating furniture for several spaces. Harnessing a style his client coined as ‘Australian Scandi’, Charlie designed beautiful and harmonious pieces for the kitchen, dining area, TV snug, home office, utility room and hallway.
Reoccurring themes such as the use of pale oak, fluted finishes, brass handles and marble countertops tie the rooms together. As such, far from being a collection of rooms under one roof, the spaces are united by the warmth of the materials and the pleasing lines of finely crafted bespoke furniture.
Highlights of the kitchen include natural and painted oak cabinetry, which has been book matched on the drawers, as well as fluted on the outside of the island. All the handles are patinated brass, as are the kickplates, furniture surrounds and the sculptural brass hanging structure above the island.
Over in the dining area, the enviable drinks cabinet ties in with the kitchen design, featuring fluted oak and glass, along with a Statuario marble worktop and panelling. The glass cabinet is lit from within to create a display of the contents, while the open shelves have a mirrored panel behind to reflect the displayed bottles and decanters. An eye-catching wall-hung fluted TV cabinet continues the aesthetic at the other end of the room, in the TV snug.
Stunning floor-to-ceiling cabinetry ensures the home office downstairs is kept clutter free and takes advantage of the high ceilings. The furniture, like the kitchen design, features fluted oak doors, an internally lit fluted glass cabinet and hand-made patinated brass handles. However, to create a contrast with the oak, Charlie chose walnut for the desk and lower section of the cabinetry. A lovely detail is the burnt orange leather inset on the desk, the colour of which is mirrored in the orange paint finish at the back of the fluted glass cupboard.
In the hallway on the lower ground floor, furniture has once again been used to make the most of the space available. Here, Charlie designed a boot area with racks and built-in seat, plus floor-to-ceiling wardrobes and cupboards to store all outdoor wear in one place. Once again, fluted oak and brass handles unite the design with the spaces upstairs. Meanwhile, there are pale oak cabinets in the compact utility room. These have been teamed with a rich but practoical ombre quartz and complemented by deep green tiles in the cloakroom.
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.
For more than 100 years, La Cornue has striven for excellence, with high standards as a guide and the pleasure of the senses as its inspiration. From the vaulted oven conceived and patented in 1908 to the custom-designed ‘haute couture’ ranges of today, La Cornue has always been able to combine authenticity and modernity, tradition and innovation, in order to embody a certain idea of the art of living the French way. La Cornue’s exceptional cooking ranges are crafted by artisans, passionate women and men. They are the result of precision know-how, which combines meticulous handling, the finest materials, attention to detail and five-star service. Appreciated throughout the world, La Cornue's creations have earned it the trust and friendship of great names in gastronomy and are suitable for preparing everything from a simple cake through to a seven-hour leg of lamb. The centrepiece and true keystone of La Cornue cookers, the vaulted oven is the fruit of the abundant imagination of Albert Dupuy, a herbalist-perfumier and a renowned gourmet. His invention in 1908, just like La Cornue, was inspired by the vaulted tunnels of the Paris metro, inaugurated in 1900. Thanks to its particular shape – then unprecedented – the vaulted oven allowed air to circulate in a natural and even way, making it the first convection oven.
The product range from La Cornue is designed to be flexible and versatile. The use of colour, the wide selection of trims and the numerous size options available all make it easy for the customer to transform their home and tell a design story through its interior. As well as its iconic ranges, La Cornue also makes kitchen islands and cabinetry. In fact, we have just launched new cabinetry designs that allow for greater symmetry in kitchen design and the lining up of horizontal surfaces for a cleaner look. The breadth of La Cornue's offering means the consumer can achieve a stylishly pared-back, look or an opulent kitchen with a real sense of drama.
The kitchen is generally seen as the heart of the home and the cooker the centrepiece of that space. La Cornue is an artisan brand which, for more than a century, has offered luxury ovens that are hand-crafted, designed for performance and are utterly beautiful. Our products are investment pieces, once-in-a-generation purchases that come with a long history of French culinary savoir-faire as standard.
La Cornue works with some of the world's most renowned interior designers and does so in a spirit of true partnership. We see ourselves as an extension of their in-house teams, working directly with them and their clients. We usually begin with a virtual consultation during which we explore every aspect of the brief, and pinpoint what is most important to the designer. We then interpret the brief to provide either a quotation or an initial design concept. The starting point can either be an interior designer's ideas and how we work within that or, more usually, we begin with the La Cornue cooker and they build around that.
One of the highlights of the past year was the launch of the gorgeous Castel 60. A brilliant small space design solution, the award-winning 60cm model is our very first cooker with a touch-sensitive induction hob, offering a range of functions and it is a joy to use. It’s also been a year of hugely successful exhibitions for La Cornue, including KBIS – the largest kitchen industry show in North America – EuroCucina in Milan, and our first-ever appearance at kbb at the NEC in Birmingham. Over the past 12 months, we've also been involved in many significant and truly exciting (but sadly secret) client projects.
There’s a real move towards adding more personality everywhere in the home and this is particularly true in the kitchen. People are moving away from the idea that everything should be neutral and are embracing colour and pattern more and we are seeing the same thing. We’ve been able to help clients make a real statement in kitchens where budgets have been tighter. For example, we've been able to meet investment level expectations – while still achieving an ultra-high-end look – by using two 90cm Cornufé models side by side to create a dramatic statement making focal point in the kitchen. Colour, too, has become more popular with designers taking advantage of La Cornue's extensive colour palette, bespoke colours and our hugely accurate colour-matching service.
Homes are becoming more personalised, with many of us wanting somewhere they feel at home in, more than one that is simply super-fashionable for a short time. We see people looking for buy-once investment pieces, subscribing to a more sustainable, longer-term approach based on high-quality pieces that will stay with them for a long period. It is the opposite of fast fashion.
We have been working with internationally renowned artists and designers to create stunning re-imaginings of three of our most iconic cookers. Ferris Rafauli is best known for seamlessly integrating timeless architecture and sumptuous interior designs into each project, with a masterful attention to detail. To create his exclusive reworking of the iconic Château Suprême collection for La Cornue, Rafauli considered and revised elements of the range to bring out its most quintessential qualities, taking the precision of the lines and exquisite details to a whole new level. Matthew Quinn – an international figure in design and architecture – has created the Château Moderne to offer contemporary styling and a new aesthetic symmetry. Finally, the French jeweller Tournaire has created a series of intricate bas-relief sculptures in bronze to further enhance the controls, handles, brackets and trims on the La Cornue collections. We have also launched a new range of sumptuous gold-plated and silver-plated trims, as well as Blue Velvet, a gorgeous navy blue satin finish, and two new bronze trims. Our smaller projects, too, are also very satisfying. It is so rewarding when you work directly with the client and provide something really special that makes a huge difference within a smaller kitchen project. Equally, we are seeing projects getting bigger and bigger and ever more elaborate.
We love working with designers and value hugely the creative conversations that come from being a member of a body like the SBID. We are also excited to see what others are doing. Every project is so very different and, having a bespoke product range, we are always challenging ourselves to realise the look and feel interior designers are striving to achieve. It is amazing how a 360º vision can be achieved through creative partnership.
About Middleby Residential Luxury and Premium Brands
La Cornue is part of Middleby Residential, a collection of premier international consumer brands dedicated to manufacturing and distributing many of the best-known and loved kitchen appliances in the world. Middleby is a world leader in developing advanced innovation and solutions for commercial, residential, and industrial foodservice. The company is proud to connect with communities through philanthropic engagement, sustainable initiatives and more. Middleby’s aim is to set the standard for tomorrow, with a goal of serving excellence in everything we do.
Allison Lynch, Senior Designer at Roundhouse Design has given her insights into the industry.
Founded by architects over 27 years ago, Roundhouse is a multi-award-winning British company, creating beautiful bespoke kitchens and furniture. Our designs feature a signature understated aesthetic, influenced by contemporary and traditional design, using innovative materials, texture and colour. Each project is made to measure from a wide range of stunning finishes. Expertly crafted by skilled designers and makers in our state-of-the-art manufacturing facility in Malvern, Worcestershire.
As we specialise in bespoke kitchens and furniture, we can accommodate any project, regardless of size or complexity. Our custom approach means we're not restricted to standard sizes, finishes, or details, allowing us to tailor each design to clients' exact specifications. Furthermore, all Roundhouse kitchens are meticulously made to order by skilled makers, giving us complete control over every aspect of the process, from design conception to production and installation.
Our sector allows for boundless creativity in space design, with no constraints on our imagination. Our commitment to precise joinery and all-British craftsmanship sets us apart in the market. At Roundhouse, we understand that everyday essentials like kitchens must cater to individual needs, and that's precisely what we deliver.
We start by inviting interior designers to discuss their initial concepts for the kitchen and surrounding areas. This allows us to ensure that the materials, style, and budget align with our offerings. We would then move to an initial design meeting with the client present in which we showcase our displays, providing insight into how we build our cabinetry, company ethos, and service process. It’s important that they see the value in using a bespoke British company and the steps we take to ensure they will be looked after and the kitchen will meet if not exceed their expectations. We feel too that the client needs to appreciate the quality and not just selecting their kitchen supplier from a directory. Afterall it’s a bespoke kitchen so speaking to them directly along with their interior designer will keep the lines of communication open. We pay close attention to the detail so all parties involved are on the same page.
Subsequently, we schedule another meeting to present the designs and quote. Prior to this, we involve the interior designer to address any design queries and costings. Often, interior designers join clients at this meeting to provide their approval once they see the designs and understand the costs. This collaborative approach extends to liaising with architects and builders when necessary. It’s a collaborative effort with the same goal!
It's challenging to pinpoint a single highlight because my role at Roundhouse Design is constantly evolving. With each project we explore new styles, materials, and layouts, ensuring that every endeavour is unique. However, one moment stands out: the opportunity to open the Cambridge showroom. After 18 years with the company it was a proud moment to be entrusted with such a responsibility and to be recognised for my strengths. This experience has kept my work dynamic, challenging, and incredibly rewarding. In the first month of opening, I had the pleasure of selling a kitchen to a couple seeking a unique style. I even had the chance to integrate a large fridge/freezer with Antique Copper metal doors - an exciting first in my tenure!
I find the most excitement in incorporating a standout island into the design. It's an opportunity to explore unique materials, whether it's in the stone or the cabinet door finish. At Roundhouse, we offer a range of options, from metal wraps to textured veneers and our own metallic paint finishes. The island is where the "wow" factor truly shines! Vented hobs integrated into the island have become increasingly popular and are now a staple in nearly every kitchen design. Additionally, prioritising storage solutions is crucial. Including a spacious pantry like our Fulham pantry is essential for functionality and organisation.
We aren't interior designers, so we can only speak from our recent experiences with clients. Their desire to refurbish their homes needs to be carefully considered for a timeless look, rather than just following current trends. With the rising costs of materials and services, clients are increasingly mindful of their budgets when investing in their homes, their most significant asset. They seek a cohesive design that flows seamlessly throughout the house, avoiding any elements that may quickly become dated. The kitchen in particular should not stand out in isolation but should blend harmoniously with the rest of the home. Therefore, interior designers face the challenge of selecting furniture and pieces that offer a classic aesthetic, durability, and suitability for family life. Design shows offer valuable inspiration and innovative solutions for storage and practical gadgets, enabling designers to incorporate useful and enduring elements into their projects.
I'm currently juggling several projects that are stretching my creative boundaries as the spaces feature expansive, open-plan layouts, with the focal point being the kitchen island. By incorporating a diverse mix of materials, we're able to craft kitchens that truly stand out. We are fortunate at Roundhouse to be able to meet this kind of brief as there’s such a range of options, from colour choices to unique finishes. It’s all very exciting!
We are finding the attention to detail is playing a huge role in the design and decisions of the clients. The style and finish of a handle has meant we have gone beyond our usual specifiers to look for something different. The way we play with stone worktops in the kitchen makes it another area where clients are keen to go beyond the norm, mitring stone edges to appear thicker, split level islands and textures in stone are all being implemented. I love that every kitchen I am designing at present is unique and no two are the same, which keeps it interesting and fun!
Being part of an extensive and diverse design community and building relationships. To be recognised for our high level of service, our design aesthetic and sustainability as a brand. With the accreditation of the SBID clients and interior designers have complete confidence when commissioning Roundhouse.
About Roundhouse Design Ltd
Founded by architects, Roundhouse is a multi-award-winning British company, creating beautiful bespoke kitchens and furniture. Their stunning kitchen designs feature a signature understated aesthetic, influenced by contemporary and traditional design, using innovative materials, texture and colour. Each project is made to measure from a wide range of stunning finishes. Expertly crafted by skilled designers and makers in a state-of-the-art manufacturing facility in Malvern, Worcestershire.
La Cornue is proud to unveil the Castel 60, the latest addition to its celebrated Château range. The smallest La Cornue model ever, the Castel 60 features all the classic – and prestigious – elements of the brand’s iconic cookers. The Castel 60 is designed with today’s lifestyles very much in mind and has been crafted to fit perfectly into modern houses, holiday homes or urban apartments, as well as in more traditional settings.
It has an electric version of the renowned vaulted oven to guarantee delicious, evenly cooked food. The Castel 60 is also the first La Cornue cooker to be fitted with a four-zone touch-control induction hob. The Castel 60 features the hallmark La Cornue details, such as the towel rail, snail knob and engraved five-star plate.
The cooker is available in all 40 Château colours and 16 trim options too, ensuring it blends seamlessly with the full range of La Cornue cookers. There’s even the option to have your own bespoke colour. With the Castel 60, then, culinary performance and elegance meet in a cooker designed to ensure every minute spent in the kitchen is an absolute pleasure.
Created in 1964 by the second generation of the Dupuy family and considered to be the jewel in the La Cornue crown, the Château range showcases the brand’s unrivalled expertise. The result of more than 100 years of research and development, each Château cooker is entirely hand-assembled by craftsmen in a production workshop in Saint-Ouen l’Aumône. Their knowledge has been passed down from generation to generation, resulting in a cooker that offers outstanding culinary performance and elegance. A masterpiece with every single detail designed to make your kitchen unique…
Charlie Smallbone, the founder of Ledbury Studio, has created a signature style that combines contemporary elements with traditional artisanal skills. His kitchen designs are meticulously handcrafted using techniques that have been passed down for generations, while also incorporating modern methods. One stunning example of this is Ledbury Studio's Marquetry Collection.
"Marquetry is the art and craft of applying pieces of veneer to form decorative patterns, designs, or pictures, and it has adorned finely crafted furniture since the 15th century," explains Charlie Smallbone. "We've given this exquisitely detailed art form a 21st-century redesign, with crosslaid veneers accented with liquid metal inlays. The result is our very special Marquetry Collection."
“Marquetry can be created with any wood and to any design – our clients might have a piece of marquetry furniture that they would like us to recreate in their kitchen. We will then interpret this to form a part of their unique kitchen design,” Charlie continues. Here, we highlight some of the features of the Wey Valley and Weybridge kitchens.
Charlie applied a grey colourwash to the walnut joinery, creating the unique hue of the Wey Valley kitchen. The doors showcase veneers arranged in a herringbone marquetry pattern, enhanced with liquid bronze inlays, and completed with custom-designed and hand-aged bronze bar handles. The cabinetry is framed with a brushed brass frame and illuminated with concealed LED lighting.
This sleek kitchen is part of an open-plan living space, so the stunning marquetry design conceals many of the working parts of the kitchen, including a second kitchen hidden behind sliding pocket doors. Pocket doors also conceal a pantry with integrated microwave, while access to the utility and boot room is designed to look like part of the kitchen with double doors in the same finish. The L-shaped Cambria Berwyn quartz-topped central island accommodates a breakfast bar and dining area complete with banquette seating.
Aged bronze inlays highlight the hand-applied directional veneers featured in the Weybridge kitchen, which adorn the full-height cupboards and sink run. These cupboard conceal ovens and pull-out storage, as well as the fridge and freezer. Meanwhile, bespoke handles also in aged bronze add the finishing touch.
The relatively dark cabinetry is complemented by a hardwearing porcelain, designed to mimic natural stone and used for worktops and wall cladding. It also wraps round the solid brass panel that features on the outside of the island, which has been distressed by hand, then aged and patinated to create this show-stopping effect.
Prices for a Ledbury Studio kitchen start from £70,000.
ERA is a mix of evolution and revolution. It’s where technology meets design and where heritage meets modernity.
And it’s where glass is used extensively for the first time to create a striking, unified aesthetic that is beautiful, contemporary and fits perfectly into a modern kitchen.
When David Fisher, Chief Design Consultant to AGA, was asked to consider how a new, disruptive and mould-breaking cooker from AGA might look and feel, he responded with the tantalising question: why not a glass AGA?
David says: “The use of glass lends ERA a liquid quality as the sleek black glass cascades down from the top. The design is clean, cohesive and beautiful while also functionally brilliantly capable. It is modern and progressive while also faithful to a heritage stretching back more than 100 years.”
With a design, then, that is both discreet and striking, this exceptional, unexpected cooker has a natural place in today’s kitchen.
Each element of ERA – including the pristine lines of the glass-fronted oven doors and the ergonomically designed handles – has been carefully considered to create an appliance with premium design values, honest, hard-working materials and a quietly assertive aesthetic.
With engaging tactility and mindful detailing, life with ERA from AGA offers the best of both worlds – from a quick weeknight dinner through to the meditative practice that helps us unwind.
ERA offers an all-in-one solution. It takes a sensory approach to cooking, with every feature touch-screen controlled. There are details so cleverly designed they go unnoticed, but it is these touches that ensure you get the very best from the ingredients you choose to cook.
On top there is an induction hob beside a cast-iron hotplate. Alongside a fan oven, ERA also has two cast-iron ovens which cook using radiant heat. This offers an intuitive, kind-to-food way of cooking. It’s natural and elemental.
We think of it as akin to sunshine through a window. It’s a warm and penetrating heat made possible due to the thermal properties of cast iron. Food cooked this way tastes better because it has been treated gently. Radiant heat cooking is an effective, efficient and effortless way to roast, bake, grill, steam, fry and slow-cook and to get the most succulent, nutritious dishes.
ERA, then, is a cook’s cooker, created to fit seamlessly into your kitchen and to effortlessly integrate into your life.
Expect the unexpected with ERA. The new glass AGA.
AGA is part of Middleby Residential, a collection of premier international consumer brands dedicated to manufacturing and distributing many of the best-known and loved kitchen appliances in the world. Middleby is a world leader in developing advanced innovation and solutions for commercial, residential, and industrial foodservice. The company is proud to connect with communities through philanthropic engagement, sustainable initiatives and more. Middleby’s aim is to set the standard for tomorrow, with a goal of serving excellence in everything we do.
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