If you think that using metal in the kitchen will create a cold and clinical look, then it's definitely time to think again. In the right hands, metal is actually one of the most flexible materials around and can be used to bring a wholly warm and inviting vibe. And unlocking the natural beauty of metallic finishes is both the passion and speciality of Charlie Smallbone, founder of Ledbury Studio.
By hand ageing and patinating everything from copper and brass to zinc and stainless steel, Charlie and his team of artisans craft unique kitchen designs. What they have in common, however, is these are simply beautiful kitchens in which to cook, gather and spend time.
Here are the three wildly different but equally luxurious kitchens created from stainless steel, copper and zinc...
The Oxford kitchen is proof positive that cool and masculine stainless steel can-in the right hands - be made to radiate warmth. The brushed effect on the cabinetry softens the feel and appearance of the metal, which is here further elevated by aged brass accents. Charlie was tasked with matching the metals to the La Cornue range cooker, which was done meticulously by hand, demonstrating the artistry of custom craftsmanship. Teamed with a Carrara marble, English walnut and fluted glass, the overall effect is breathtakingly luxurious.
The brief for the Cotswolds kitchen was to create a design of contrasting textures. To meet this, Charlie chose planks of crown oak for the furniture, which provides a tactile difference with the stainless-steel appliances. For further contrast in the open-plan space, he designed a breakfast and drinks cupboard, clad in patinated Verdigris copper. This showcases the natural variation that occurs when copper ages with all the resulting colour and pattern creating a striking focal point in the dining area of the room.
The owner of this Edwardian villa in the New Forest definitely didn't want a classic kitchen and tasked Charlie with creating something a world away from the standard Shaker. His response was to team beautiful book-matched walnut veneer with hand-patinated zinc panels. The zinc panels are edged in the same walnut and the cupboards feature aged-brass handles. The zinc helps to make a focal point not only of the island, but also the breakfast cupboard behind - and has been used to clad the fridge-freezer in the corner, bringing the whole design together.
Prices for a Ledbury Studio kitchen start from £70,000.
About Ledbury Studio Ltd
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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Ledbury Studio has elevated stainless steel from industrial to indulgent, marrying it with the warmth of aged brass, the richness of English walnut and the timeless elegance of Carrara marble. The result? A breathtakingly luxurious kitchen that exudes sophistication and charm.
The client's vision was nothing short of enchanting: a kitchen that radiated warmth and femininity, while remaining effortlessly practical for hosting. She also already had her heart set on a La Cornue range cooker. As such, Ledbury Studio founder Charlie Smallbone curated a scheme of brushed stainless-steel cabinetry softened by the opulence of aged brass accents. The bespoke finishes were meticulously hand-matched to the range, demonstrating the artistry of custom craftsmanship.
At the heart of the kitchen, a spectacular island commands attention, offering both a generous seating area for drinks or casual dining and plenty of prep space. The Carrara marble worktop is strikingly bisected by a strip of English walnut, visually defining the breakfast bar while adding warmth to the design. In addition, the marble is framed with patinated brass corner detailing, reminiscent of an elegant jewellery box.
Under the breakfast bar, the island is clad in a single sheet of hand-distressed brass, its rich patina lending texture and depth. On the working side, stainless steel drawers gleam with bespoke brass handles, while brass-framed steel panels at each end create a sleek, cohesive finish. Suspended above, a perfectly positioned pendant stylishly illuminates the island.
Storage is seamlessly integrated into the fabric of this exquisite kitchen. To the left of the La Cornue range, built-in shelving provides a refined yet highly functional display, while to the right, a seamlessly integrated fridge is discreetly concealed behind bespoke stainless-steel cabinetry. Underneath, a double sink - sculpted from Carrara marble - makes a striking focal point and is usefully flanked by twin dishwashers.
On the opposite side, a row of fluted glass wall cabinets, elegantly framed in brass, offers both practical storage and a touch of glamour. A thoughtful finishing touch: a brushed stainless-steel frame encasing the brass details subtly links the wall units to the base units, ensuring a cohesive aesthetic.
Beyond the kitchen, there is a stylish dining area featuring custom banquette seating and a showstopping round table crafted from book-matched walnut. Then, framing the French doors to the garden, twin storage cupboards - clad in Ledbury Studio's signature 'Choppy Water' carved oak with brass detailing - offer both beauty and function. One serves as a discreet cocktail cabinet, complete with pocket doors and a mirrored back, while the other is a fully equipped larder cupboard.
"This kitchen is a true reflection of Ledbury Studio's dedication to innovative materials and meticulous craftsmanship," says Charlie Smallbone. "The blend of glamour and practicality is seamless, creating a space that is as stunning as it is functional. And what better testament to its success than the client hosting a 50-guest gathering just one week after installation - effortlessly entertaining in her spectacular new kitchen!"
The owners of the latest Ledbury Studio project were undertaking a complete renovation of their home when they approached Charlie Smallbone and team to design this elegant open-plan kitchen. For this space, their primary goal was to create a kitchen and dining area that could serve as a versatile room for the entire family to cook, dine and spend time in together.
“This kitchen was designed to be both beautiful and practical,” explains Charlie. “The use of different materials and textures creates a dynamic and engaging space, while the layout ensures it meets the needs of a busy family. The combination of metal, marble and quartzite adds depth and interest, making it a room that is not only functional but also a joy to be in.”
The clients wanted a neutral palette, so Charlie selected painted cabinets with a single panel design in Ash White. But then to prevent the solid fronts from overwhelming the space, he added ribbed glass wall cabinets into the mix, bringing an element of lightness and texture that breaks up the uniformity and enhances visual interest.
Various metallic elements throughout the kitchen add Charlie’s signature wow factor. Aged brass handles and kickplates enhance the cabinetry, while the spice rack features delicate brass rails. The kitchen taps are also brass, as are the fittings on the trio of pendants hung over the island. These touches of brass not only add a luxurious feel but also provide a cohesive look to the kitchen.
The central island is another talking point of the space thanks to its reeded surround and stunning Diamond Quartzite top. Home to the kitchen sink as well as a breakfast bar for casual dining, this eye-catching island serves as both a functional workspace and a social centrepiece. The same Diamond Quartzite is used for the adjacent worktop and splashback, elegantly tying all the kitchen elements together and ensuring a harmonious flow throughout.
In contrast to the Ash White cabinets and cool quartzite, the coffee-making station and tall refrigeration cupboards are clad in sheets of zinc that have been aged and patinated. The zinc adds a touch of industrial chic, juxtaposing beautifully with the kitchen’s otherwise polished aesthetic. This contrast both highlights this functional section of the kitchen and adds depth to the overall design.
A walk-in pantry was a must-have addition for the clients, creating convenient storage for the family's food. Given their passion for cooking, Charlie also integrated a floor-to-ceiling book rack into the design, which is stylishly framed in marble and provides ample space for their collection of cookbooks.
What do you get if you bring together elegant, understated style and skilled craftsmanship? In this case, Ledbury Studio's beautiful new design, the Wimbledon Village kitchen. Charlie Smallbone, founder of Ledbury Studio, created the kitchen in partnership with renowned interior designers Hill House Interiors and the stunning results are a fitting showcase of their very considerable combined talents.
"We wanted to create a kitchen that not only complements the open-plan layout but also offers something truly special with artisanal finishes and custom touches," explains Charlie. "The result is a space that feels luxurious yet approachable, perfect for both everyday use and entertaining."
Ledbury Studio specialises in taking natural materials and giving them a bespoke finish, so every piece of furniture has a unique look. In this case, Charlie stained and coloured the oak cabinets with a grey colourwash, chosen to complement the scheme in this open-plan kitchen, dining and living space. For a luxurious artisanal touch, the cupboard doors are then inlaid with bronze marquetry, which beautifully frames each one.
In addition to the bronze inlay on the doors, Charlie used the metal for the cupboard handles and the kickplates underneath, and there is also a bronze tap. Meanwhile, the splashback, which reflects light back into the room behind, is made of bronze-tinted antiqued mirror. Bringing the wow factor, however, are the wall cupboards above the splashback. Here, the hand-applied textured liquid- bronze finish creates a real focal point in an already showstopping kitchen.
The comfortable bar stools at the island and large dining table show that this is clearly a space intended both for entertaining and family life. With that in mind, the relatively compact footprint of the kitchen has a practical layout with hob, ovens and sink all within easy reach. In addition, Princess Quartz was chosen for the worktops, which gives the cook useful prep space as well as the luxurious look of marble without the associated upkeep.
A fabulous finishing touch is the drinks and breakfast cupboard to the right of the kitchen. This essential station hides all its useful functionality behind pocket doors, which slide right out of the way when in use, but pull back over to create a seamless piece of furniture the rest of the time. And in a link back to the bronze detailing in the rest of the design, the glass shelves are edged in aged bronze.
As we step into 2025, kitchen design trends are taking a turn towards nature-inspired elements, textured surfaces and a renewed appreciation for craftsmanship and quality. This is something that chimes perfectly with the values of Ledbury Studio, where the team have always championed sustainability and the beauty of understated luxury. Here's Ledbury Studio's take on how those trends are set to redefine the heart of the home in the coming year.
Natural stone and sustainably sourced wood are increasingly popular in our kitchens, mirroring a broader societal move to reconnect with nature. Materials like marble, granite and richly grained woods such as oak and walnut are being celebrated for their unique imperfections, adding depth and authenticity to kitchen spaces. These elements don't just look great, they also tell a story and give each kitchen individual character.
Techniques like reeding and fluting, often applied to kitchen islands and cabinetry, add a rhythmic, sculptural quality to kitchen designs that feels both modern and timeless. Textured wood finishes, whether through hand-carved detailing or treatments that highlight natural grain, bring a sense of warmth and craftsmanship to kitchen designs. For example, Ledbury Studio's signature 'Choppy Water' surface, adds a tactile dimension to cabinetry and islands, softening the typically hard lines of kitchen spaces.
Distressed metals are making a strong comeback in 2025, offering a unique blend of character and history to kitchen interiors. Unlike the perfection of highly polished finishes, distressed metals bring a sense of heritage and authenticity to contemporary spaces. Their distinctive patinas add visual interest and evoke a feeling of craftsmanship that enriches the overall design. For those looking to create a warm, inviting atmosphere, these metals offer the perfect balance of rustic charm and modern elegance, transforming the kitchen into a lived-in, welcoming space.
The appreciation for mid-century design continues and deep wood tones, particularly walnut, are making a strong statement in today's kitchens. This rich, elegant wood, known for its complex patterns and warm hues, is being used in everything from cabinetry to furniture pieces, offering a sense of sophistication and grounded beauty. The appeal of mid-century design lies in its ability to blend form and function seamlessly, making it an enduring favourite for those seeking both style and practicality.
Quiet luxury is once again poised to be one of the defining trends of 2025. This design philosophy moves away from ostentation, instead embracing materials that are inherently luxurious, such as natural stone and fine woods. The result is a refined, serene atmosphere that feels effortlessly sophisticated. Quiet luxury also champions the principle of 'buying once, buying well', encouraging investment in durable designs that will stand the test of time. It's a smart, stylish approach for those who value longevity and authenticity in their home and bespoke kitchen furniture fits perfectly within it.
One of the most exciting emerging trends is the combination of stainless steel with wood and painted finishes. This design approach creates a striking visual contrast, balancing the sleek, industrial aesthetic of stainless steel with the warmth of wood or the soft tones of painted cabinetry. Coming soon to several stunning Ledbury Studio kitchen designs!
About Ledbury Studio
Whether you're hosting a cosy family dinner or a grand soirée, the design of your kitchen plays a pivotal role in creating a welcoming atmosphere. By blending functionality with aesthetic appeal, you can craft a space that not only meets your practical needs but also enhances the overall experience for you and your guests. After all, a well-designed kitchen is the heart of memorable gatherings. Here, Charlie Smallbone, the founder of Ledbury Studio, shares his insights on three key elements that make a kitchen perfect for socialising.
An island is an indispensable feature for any party kitchen, transforming the space into a lively, social hub. This versatile centrepiece invites guests to gather, chat and savour appetisers while meals are being prepared. My island designs often incorporate a breakfast bar, providing extra seating that encourages interaction and connection between guests and hosts. It also doubles as a practical area for buffet-style serving, allowing guests to effortlessly help themselves to food and drinks. The Kensington kitchen has a beautiful island with breakfast bar, prep space and sink.
A dedicated home bar can transform your kitchen into the ultimate entertainment powerhouse. With an array of spirits, mixers, and professional bar tools at your disposal, you’ll be mixing cocktails like a seasoned mixologist. Incorporating features such as a wine cooler, ample space for glassware and smart storage for all your essentials ensures that everything you need is always within reach. By strategically placing the bar away from the main kitchen area, guests can serve themselves without interrupting the chef’s flow. A well-stocked home bar not only enhances the functionality of your kitchen but also creates a perfect spot for socialising, making sure the good times keep flowing.
Integrating a dining table into your kitchen creates a seamless flow from meal preparation to dining, eliminating the need to relocate to a separate dining room - a practice that now feels outdated. This design keeps everyone at the heart of the action, fostering a lively and inclusive atmosphere. A perfect example is our St John’s Wood kitchen, where banquette seating is elegantly built into the island. This arrangement not only enhances the functionality of the space but also encourages longer, more relaxed meals, allowing guests to linger and enjoy each other's company. By combining the practical aspects of a kitchen with the comfort of a dining area, this setup elevates the entire entertaining experience, ensuring that your kitchen remains the true heart of your home.
At the halfway mark of 2024, it’s the perfect time to showcase some of the standout Ledbury Studio kitchen projects completed in the first six months of the year. The team has successfully completed stunning kitchens in Kensington, St John’s Wood and Hampstead, ranging from a basement setup to the top floor of a seven-storey townhouse. Despite their varied styles, these kitchens share Ledbury Studio’s hallmark features: the exquisite use of wood grain and metallics, creating unique and striking finishes in each space.
“I’m constantly interested in moving ahead to the next idea and trying out a new technique - pushing the boundaries of what materials can do and the effects we can achieve,” says Charlie Smallbone, founder of Ledbury Studio. “I’m obviously enormously proud of the beautiful kitchens the team has created and completed so far this year, but my mind is always sometime in the future, planning our next several projects!”. For the moment, though, here are some of the highlights of the three most recent.
This elegant Edwardian home needed a kitchen to match its classic lines, for which the Ledbury Shaker kitchen was the perfect fit. This modern interpretation of Charlie's original painted kitchens from the 1980s features beautifully crafted furniture, updated cornicing and bespoke aged-brass handles. It blends seamlessly with the house's age while maintaining a contemporary style. Painted in a muted colour pale^e of soft white, it incorporates luxurious materials such as Arabescato marble worktops, splashback and a specially designed integrated double sink. The cooker hood above the Wolf range cooker is finished with textured Marmorino Venetian Plaster for added visual appeal.
Charlie designed this kitchen to maximise the morning sunlight streaming through the windows. The light accentuates the classic light oak cupboards, which were sanded back to reveal the grain and then coated with a pale pigmented wash. To maintain a contemporary aesthetic, the base cabinets are handleless, while the wall cupboards feature on-trend ribbed glass. Additionally, the wall cupboards are adorned with patinated brass handles, matching the brass surrounds and kickplate on the base cabinets.
A notable feature is the sink, crafted from hardwearing Diamond quartzite. Not only does it have a stunning appearance, but it also catches the morning sunlight. The worktops are made from the same material, edged in patinated brass and underlit. This, together with LED lighting above and below the cupboards, adds real wow factor after nightfall.
The owner of the Kensington kitchen sought a design that seamlessly blended her Australian Scandi aesthetic, characterised by the cool simplicity of Scandinavian style and the warmth of her native Australia. To achieve this, Charlie selected oak for the cabinetry, book-matching it on the drawers of the hob run and island, while painting the full-height cupboards white. Additionally, Charlie incorporated fluted oak panels on the outside of the island and around the base of the breakfast bar. A Statuario marble worktop cascades down the end of the island in a stunning waterfall effect, adding a touch of elegance to the design.
All the hand-crafted handles are made of patinated brass, matching the kickplates, furniture surrounds, and the sculptural brass hanging structure above the island. This sculptural piece not only serves as an eye-catching focal point but also provides task lighting and additional storage.
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.
Basement spaces exude cosiness and charm, but subterranean living is not without risk, as this family in St John’s Wood sadly discovered when their home suffered a flood. Happily, they turned the disaster into an opportunity and enlisted the help of Charlie Smallbone from Ledbury Studio to give new life to their cooking, eating and living space.
For this project, Charlie created a new open-plan kitchen-living-media room, along with a utility and a master ensuite bathroom. Pale oak, illuminated quartzite and brass accents are just a few of the materials Charlie used to bring light into this basement space. Here, he elaborates on how the designs came together.
I designed the kitchen area to take advantage of the sun, which slants down through the windows in the morning. The family can sit at the breakfast bar and enjoy it while sipping a coffee. The working area of the kitchen is separated from the more formal dining area by a peninsula, the back of which forms the upholstered bench seating. This not only provides a comfortable solution for longer dinner parties, but also maximises the space available.
We selected a classic oak for the cupboards, which was sanded back to expose the grain and then coated with a pale pigmented wash. This treatment allows the natural beauty of the Ember - which is book matched across the furniture - to shine through while keeping the overall look of the cupboards light. To achieve a contemporary aesthetic, the base cabinets are handleless and the wall cupboards feature on-trend ribbed glass. Additionally, the wall cupboards have patinated brass handles that match the brass surrounds and kick plate on the base cupboards.
A notable feature is the sink, crafted from hardwearing Diamond quartzite. Not only does it have a stunning appearance, but it also catches the morning sunlight. We used the same material for the worktops, which we edged in patinated brass and underlit. This, together with LED lighting above and below the cupboards, adds real wow factor after nightfall.
The media room is an extension of the kitchen-dining space, so I continued the design of the furniture here to create a visual connection. I’ve used the same pale-washed oak to create fitted alcove drawers and cupboards. Additionally, there is a fireplace surround made from Diamond quartzite and patinated brass, along with a built-in TV. For the cupboard doors, we chose a sophisticated opaque bronze glass, which is illuminated by warm lighting to showcase the interior.
To maximise the use of the compact utility room, we installed oak cupboards that match the finish of the kitchen. These cupboards extend all the way to the ceiling and are illuminated at the top to create the illusion of height and provide practical light in this otherwise dark space. The furniture was custom designed to accommodate the washing machine, dryer, large fridge, and freezer. We also included tall pull-out cupboards for additional storage, ensuring that everything has its place. Additionally, we utilised the space under the window by installing a small sink for added convenience.
To maintain design continuity throughout the house, we carried key materials into the master ensuite bathroom. For the double vanity, we used pale-washed oak and Diamond quartzite, incorporating both open and drawer storage. The vanity also features patinated brass handles, adding a touch of elegance. A stunning point of difference, however, are the hand-painted mirrored panels in the cupboards placed either side of the mirror, which were designed to pick out the colours of the beautiful basins.
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.
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