This beautiful kitchen design began in the Ledbury Studio showroom, when the owner of a central London townhouse was drawn to the studio’s signature Verdigris copper. But she so loved the effect that she asked that the Verdigris be boosted even more. “It took us some time to craft a sample closer to the effect seen in the finished kitchen, but it took many more months of work to develop each sheet of copper so that it perfectly matched her vision,” explains Charlie Smallbone, founder of Ledbury Studio.
The kitchen is part of a complete two-year renovation of a stunning Georgian townhouse in central London. The client’s brief to her designer was to create a home that was ‘better than any hotel, superlatively comfortable, flexible to their needs and alive’. And, as the kitchen is the star of a dramatic open-plan living space, it needed to live up to and even exceed those expectations. This is where the warm tones of the copper come into their own, adding a sense of theatre to the light-filled interior.
Ledbury Studio has developed a well-earned reputation for creating beautiful effects with aged metals. “However even with all our acquired skill, patinating a sheet of copper is anything but an exact science,” says Charlie. “Over several months, we had to refine the patination, carefully developing each sheet by hand so it both matched out client’s vision and they came together as a whole.”
The team also created a bespoke protective finish to ensure the kitchen was durable enough for day-to-day use, while retaining its good looks. Instead of a worktop, the island is topped with a sheet of low-iron glass. This both protects the copper and makes the island appear as a solid piece of sculpted copper.
While this is a fully functioning kitchen, there is a commercial kitchen elsewhere in the house where all the main cooking takes places. So Charlie was free to design it with pared-back elegance, allowing the copper to take centre stage. However the key to that elegance is ensuring it is clutter free, so there is plenty of hidden storage. Behind the solid copper doors there is both a larder with full-width wooden drawers and a crockery cupboard to store all essentials.
There are also drawers and cupboards under the sink run, as well as within the island, which feature dividers to keep the contents organised. Finally, under the stairs are discreet painted cabinets, which conceal further storage as well as a handy breakfast cupboard.
“Placed at the heart of a dramatic space, the finished result is a kitchen of remarkable restraint,” concludes Charlie. “It’s more akin to a finely crafted piece of contemporary furniture than a conventional kitchen, sitting effortlessly among the artwork, sculpture and architecture of this impressive room.”
About Ledbury Studio Ltd
Ledbury Studio is a new and exciting design studio, showcasing Charlie Smallbone’s latest kitchen designs. Small and personal, Ledbury Studio has been established to explore and develop the interface between kitchens to cook and work in, and kitchens to live in. The company offers something very different in the world of kitchen design, something not found elsewhere. Combining exquisite materials and artisan craftsmanship, the new kitchen collections are striking and innovative and the culmination of Charlie Smallbone’s history at the forefront of cutting edge kitchen design.
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At Orchard House, Lewis Knox's aim was to reimagine what a country home could feel like - to honour the character of a traditional oak frame build while giving it a lighter, brighter sensibility. Joining the project during the build stage, we were able to influence key design decisions early and ensure the interior worked seamlessly with the architecture.
The oak frame brings a natural warmth and depth of character, so rather than compete with it, we chose to complement it: a softer palette, natural materials and gentle contrasts that keep the overall mood light and uplifting. Finishes were chosen for their texture and subtlety, with painted cabinetry, timber detailing and stone surfaces balanced against layered fabrics and softer furnishings. Each room feels light and open, with a natural flow from one space to the next.
Bespoke joinery plays an important role throughout, adding character, function and structure without interrupting the overall feel. In the kitchen, a muted blue island introduces a gentle contrast against the warmth of the oak and the neutrality of the surrounding finishes. Elsewhere, bespoke joinery and panelling frame the fireplace and window seat, bringing a real sense of continuity to the living space.
In the bathrooms, herringbone tiles within the shower area add subtle texture and movement, complementing the sloping ceiling and drawing the eye through the space without disrupting its simplicity. Brass fittings were chosen for their warmth against the cooler tones of stone and tile. The bedrooms follow the same philosophy, using a restrained palette of neutrals and natural textures to create spaces that feel calm, comfortable and consistent with the rest of the house.
Our role extended far beyond design concepts. Regular site visits to Kent allowed us to work closely with contractors, suppliers and trades, resolving details in situ and ensuring the final finish met our exacting standards. By staying involved throughout, we delivered a cohesive, top-quality interior - a home that beautifully balances the traditional charm of an oak frame build with a fresh country aesthetic.
"Every choice at Orchard House was about balance - letting the oak frame lead while keeping the whole home feeling light, calm and fresh." — Helen, Interior Designer
About Lewis Knox
A dynamic interior design studio providing bespoke architectural and interior design services. More than 30 years experience in the luxury residential sector.
A townhouse in Notting Hill needed a kitchen that could do two jobs at once: look sophisticated and contemporary, while providing enough storage and space for informal family eating. For Ledbury Studio founder Charlie Smallbone, the brief also arrived with its material already chosen. The clients had fallen in love with Arabescato Nero marble and it became the starting point for the whole design.
It’s the reverse of how most kitchen briefs start. Instead of working from a floor plan outward, Charlie was working from one slab of stone inward: the layout, the storage and the material palette elsewhere in the room all had to be resolved around a single decision the clients had already made.
“Our clients came to us already in love with the stone,” says Charlie. “That’s not unusual and it’s no bad thing, it’s actually a gift. It sets the ambition for everything else. Once you’ve chosen a material like Arabescato Nero marble, there’s no hiding behind a neutral scheme. The rest of the kitchen has to be as considered as the stone is dramatic.”
Charlie made the marble the dramatic centrepiece of the room, wrapping it around an imposing pedestal base beneath the breakfast bar for maximum impact. A fabricated bullnose edge was specially designed for the effect, and the marble was honed rather than polished, for a softer, more understated elegance.
Book-matching, where two adjoining slabs of stone are cut and laid so their veining mirrors across the seam, has become one of the clearest signatures of a considered kitchen island. Rather than a run of stone broken up by a visible join, the effect reads as one continuous surface, and it’s increasingly the detail that separates a bespoke kitchen from an off-the-shelf one.
In the case of this kitchen, because the island sits on a suspended floor, its construction had to be carefully engineered to carry the weight of a 5.25-metre worktop, with two slabs of the marble book-matched at the centre for a seamless effect. It’s a structural question that comes up often in London’s period townhouses. Many have suspended timber floors, rather than a solid concrete slab, so for a large-format stone island the floor should be checked, and often reinforced, before the design can be finalised.
Charlie chose natural oak for the cupboards, which was given a light finish, rubbed back to expose the grain and finished with a pigmented pale wash. Handleless base cupboards and specially designed recessed handles on the tall cupboards keep the design minimal and contemporary, with the wine cooler and oven sitting flush within the run rather than sitting as separate elements.
In addition, the wall cupboards and room-facing island cupboard doors were given shallow fluting, with the timber grain fluted horizontally rather than vertically, for a softer, textured finish. Pairing a warm, pale oak with a cool, heavily veined marble is one of the more enduring material conversations in kitchen design: the wood softens the drama of the stone, while the marble stops the joinery from reading as flat.
“A kitchen this striking still has to work every single day,” concludes Charlie. “The marble is what you notice first. But it’s the storage, the fluting and the way the oak sits against the stone that make you want to live in it.”
The result is a kitchen that is chic and understated, brought to life with the sophistication and drama that mark out a Ledbury Studio design. It’s a useful example of how a single material decision, made early and followed through with conviction, can shape everything else in a room: the cabinetry finish, the storage strategy, even the lighting, all worked out in relation to one slab of stone rather than added on top of it afterwards.
What we now call Shaker-style kitchens started life in the early 1980s, when Charlie Smallbone launched the Original Hand Painted kitchen. Its single panel door in a frame with a hand-painted finish became synonymous with the simplicity and functionality of 18th century Shaker furniture. Since then, Shaker-style kitchens have become the characteristic of country-style kitchens and one looks much like another. As such, when Charlie founded Ledbury Studio, he was determined to evolve the story once again and to redefine Shaker furniture in a contemporary way, to suit today’s kitchens.
“Design shouldn’t stand still, as its very essence is to present something new and offer an alternative way of seeing things. I believe in staying open to new ideas and constantly evolving,” explains Charlie. “With the Shaker kitchen I took all the traditional elements and then added contemporary touches, such as variations on the frame and panel sizes of the doors, adding an oversized contemporary cornice and modern cast handles in aged and patinated brass. The result is our Ledbury Shaker range.” Here are three beautiful examples.
The Shaker-style evolution: Slim down the width of the door framing, add reeded cupboards and mix with aged and patinated zinc.
The result: The slimmed-down framing creates a contemporary feel, while the ribbed glass wall cabinets bring an element of lightness and texture that breaks up uniformity and enhances visual interest. In response to the client’s request for a neutral palette, the furniture is painted in Ash White, in stark contrast to the coffee making station and tall refrigeration cupboards, which are clad in in aged and patinated sheets of zinc. And again to bring this Shaker design bang up to date, instead of the usual small round knob handles there are tactile aged-brass ones, plus brass kickplates and fixtures throughout.
The Shaker-style evolution: Add stainless steel into the mix to provide contrast to the minimal framing on the doors.
The result: Designed as part of a renovation of a country house, the Hampshire kitchen is a scheme that perfectly balances rustic simplicity with contemporary sophistication. At the heart of the kitchen sits a stainless-steel island, conceived as both a showpiece and a hardworking hub. It houses a Lacanche range cooker, has custom-cast stainless steel and brass handles and limestone worktop edged in stainless steel. As a contrast, allowing the island to take centre stage, Charlie designed the surrounding cabinetry in the Ledbury Studio Shaker style, using minimal framing to the single-panel hand-painted doors.
The Shaker-style evolution: Add an over-sized contemporary cornice and brass detailing.
The result: The brief for the Muswell Hill design was to maximise every inch of storage space by pushing the cupboards as high as they could go. Charlie therefore designed the cupboards almost to the ceiling, introducing a large contemporary cornice with a lighting recess in between the cornice and the cabinets. This Shaker-style hand-painted kitchen achieves its contemporary resonance with the introduction of Ledbury Studio’s signature metals. Charlie 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.
Prices for a Ledbury Studio kitchen start from £70,000.
Ledbury Studio, the luxury design studio founded by Charlie Smallbone, is excited to unveil its latest stunning kitchen, created for a family home in the heart of the Kent countryside. The Sevenoaks kitchen is the final chapter in a complete house renovation that has taken its owners 10 years to fulfil.
The result is a kitchen entirely worth the wait, in which rich materials and artisanal touches combine to deliver something that is truly one of a kind. It delights both on first sight and on closer inspection into the thoughtful design touches Charlie and the team have included. Here, he explains how it was all achieved.
Our clients had owned the house for 10 years, slowly renovating and making it their own. After contemplating the plan for kitchen all that time, they had a really clear idea of what they wanted – which is where we came in. The brief was for a contemporary kitchen that had exciting, individual touches. In short, they wanted something that didn’t look like anything they’d seen before. That’s exactly the kind of challenge we like at Ledbury Studio!
The kitchen is part of a large open-plan space that flows into a beautiful glass orangery, which serves as both dining and living room. With views over the surrounding countryside, the rooms are flooded with natural light. As such, I created a deliberate contrast by choosing dark stained oak as the primary material for the cabinetry. This is then complemented by aged brass accents and our signature Verdigris copper panels.
The tall floor-to-ceiling cabinetry along the back wall incorporates the fridge-freezer, plus both pantry and breakfast cupboards. With the addition of six panels of aged Verdigris copper, it becomes a striking feature wall and a focal point in its own right. Other details include liquid metal trims on the copper-fronted cabinets, as well as on the glazed cabinets, which are fluted for another point of interest.
There are a number of Ledbury Studio signature finishes crafted in our workshops by hand, ensuring they are unique to each project. As well as the aged metallic panels and accents, we include painted fluted wall cabinetry for a tactile touch. In addition, the crockery and drinks cupboards have our Choppy Water finish, hand-carved oak that adds even more texture. The latter piece also has a bi-fold door, so looks just as beautiful whether open or closed.
This is a family home, so the kitchen was always destined to be its focal point. As such, the large island was an essential feature. It is a working space but also a natural gathering point, whether for drinks with friends or cosy family dinners at the breakfast bar. I chose Monte Cristo Oro Quartzite for the worktops, which gives the luxurious veining of a natural stone in a hard-wearing surface that will retain its good looks. The waterfall sides on the island deliver real wow factor, creating a magnificent centrepiece in this sleek, stylish and one-of-a-kind kitchen.
Located in the heart of NW6, a house named 'Serene' lives up to its name. A tranquil, design-led space where delicate tones, organic textures, and architectural clarity come together in harmony. Developed by Kyte Properties, a boutique London-based property company known for their meticulous attention to detail, this project captures the true essence of what makes a house a home.
From the very beginning, the vision was clear: To create a seamless connection between the polished concrete interiors and a quiet, courtyard retreat. The design called for a material that could bridge this transition without losing warmth or texture. Brick slips were the perfect solution offering a tactile surface with timeless character.
Inspired by homes discovered on Pinterest, the team set out to blur the line between indoor and outdoor living. Every detail was carefully considered from the soldier courses that echo the shadow gap skirting, to the orientation of each brick slip. The result is a space that flows effortlessly, both visually and functionally.
Chosen for its warm, earthy tones, blend 71 complements the Bauwerk Limewash walls that feature prominently throughout the interior. The soft colour variation of the slips enhances the natural aesthetic of the space, creating a soothing contrast to the crisp, modern lines of the architectural design.
Laid in a stacked bond with crisp white mortar, Blend 71 spans both walls and floors — becoming the unifying design element in this carefully curated interior. Its soft, organic texture anchors the home with a sense of warmth and understated sophistication.
The stacked bond brings something different - an extra detail, flourish, boldness and individuality that traditional stretcher bonds don't match. It's not suitable for every project, but with the surrounding decor and styling here it is a perfect match.
The installation process was smooth and creatively rewarding. The team took great care in experimenting with layout directions, pushing the design further with small but impactful details.
Blend 71 has natural variation of colouring between browns and white, with salts developing the whiteness through moisture. This means that consideration on blending is important to ensure you don't end up with patches of brown and patches of white, rather a more mixed variation throughout.
From the moment you step into the basement, the impact is immediate. The brick slip flooring in particular has become the signature feature of the home — consistently drawing compliments and attention.
“Every time someone steps into the basement, they comment on how incredible the floor looks. It’s the talking feature of the house.”
This project is a testament to how thoughtful material selection, inspired design, and expert craftsmanship can come together to create a home that is both modern and deeply comforting.
The aesthetic materials used in this case were blend 71 brick slips and white pointing mortar.
About The Brick Tile Company
The Brick Tile Company supplies brick slips - real bricks cut into tiles. These means you can bring the texture and colour variation of fired clay into any project inside or out. With styles from the worn, rustic and industrial reclaimed collection, up to the sleek and sharp contemporary range there is something for every project. From whites and blacks to yellows and reds there is a great range of stocked colours for inspiration and to tie in with existing schemes. We can also look to match existing brickwork where desired.
Situated in a peaceful, tree-lined suburb on the edge of Chester, Hidden Meadow is a newly built luxury family home defined by its scale, light and sense of calm.
Lewis Knox were involved from the early stages of the build to shape the complete interior vision, covering spatial planning, interior architecture, bespoke furnishings and final styling.
Set amongst mature trees with sweeping views across the Cheshire plains, the property enjoys both the tranquillity of the countryside and the ease of village living. Our role was to craft every interior element to suit contemporary family life, guided by a timeless and refined aesthetic.
Throughout its expansive layout, we created a consistent design language that pairs simple architectural forms with layers of texture and tone. Considered spatial planning enhances both light and flow, while bespoke details in joinery, lighting and soft furnishings bring depth and cohesion to every space.
The house unfolds gradually, offering balance between openness and comfort. It is conceived as a highly tailored sanctuary, deeply connected to its rural context yet elevated by its thoughtful design.
Generous proportions and tall ceilings lend a feeling of freedom, while also requiring careful consideration to ensure each area feels grounded. Circulation spaces were refined to improve sightlines and rhythm, introducing moments of visual interest that guide the eye naturally through the home.
Collaborating closely with the architectural framework, we developed a complete interior identity that transitions seamlessly from one area to the next.
At the centre, a sweeping staircase draws attention upward with subtle drama. Sculptural in form yet gentle in expression, it combines a natural oak handrail with textured plaster walls that catch and soften the light throughout the day.
To complete the interior, we will provide a full styling scheme, curating art, accessories and textiles that enhance warmth and personality across the home. Further updates will follow as the project continues to unfold.
What began as a simple reconfiguration evolved into a carefully layered family home, shaped over two years in response to the changing needs of a young family.
Lewis Knox's work started with a full spatial review to help the clients realise the full potential of their new property. With a clear goal to improve flow and day-to-day usability, we developed a series of proposals that enhanced circulation and function, forming the basis of a cohesive interior scheme. These plans were implemented in close collaboration with the builder to ensure precision and continuity throughout.
Custom joinery was introduced in every area of the home, creating a consistent visual thread while addressing the specific requirements of each room. Lighting and electrical layouts were drawn around detailed furniture plans to achieve seamless integration. Bespoke flooring, handcrafted fireplaces and a discreet, panelled doorway leading to a private cinema contribute to the home’s layered character.
As family life evolved, so too did the design. Guest bedrooms were planned to convert easily into nurseries, providing flexibility for the years ahead. At the centre of the home, a large open-plan kitchen links to a games room and central bar, forming a natural space for entertaining. Smaller areas were given equal attention: a feminine home office, a dedicated playroom adjoining the kitchen, and a well-organised utility and boot room that can be tucked away when not in use.
Every detail has been designed to serve both comfort and purpose. The games room encourages connection, with a tailored bar that draws people together and deep midnight blue walls that lend a touch of theatre. In quieter moments, the cinema room offers a hidden retreat behind panelled joinery, while the master bedroom brings calm through soft textures and minimal detailing.
The bathrooms follow a similarly tactile approach, combining natural stone, bronze accents and layered lighting to create spaces that feel indulgent yet understated. A soft neutral palette runs throughout the home, enriched by warm timber tones that add depth and balance.
Rectory House is grounded in practicality yet imbued with warmth. Every space invites connection, yet offers a sense of calm and retreat. It is a home designed for the present, and ready to grow with the family into the future.
Set within one of Shrewsbury’s most distinguished streets, Edge Hill is an exceptional new build spanning over 14,000 square feet of refined contemporary living. Designed to unite elegance and practicality, this landmark residence will establish a new benchmark for luxury homes in the area.
The project began with the expertise of renowned architects Anderson Orr, who secured full architectural and planning permissions. Their ambition was to design a home that feels both timeless and modern, combining classical architectural forms with a contemporary sensibility that reflects the surrounding context. The design is rooted in principles of symmetry, proportion and balance, all while maximising the property’s unique position and sweeping views of the landscape.
A defining aspect of the design is the seamless relationship between the interior and exterior. This is where Lewis Knox was brought on board to develop the interior vision. The home is conceived not merely as a place to live but as a space to experience, offering a sanctuary that feels naturally connected to its setting. Expansive glazing and open-plan living areas allow light to pour through the interiors, creating a sense of calm and openness that enhances the feeling of space throughout.
The property’s design is a reflection of its picturesque Shrewsbury surroundings. Classical forms and traditional details blend effortlessly with the local architecture, ensuring the home feels rooted and enduring. Inside, a muted palette of natural tones and tactile materials enriches the tranquil atmosphere and reinforces its sense of place.
Spacious, open-plan living areas form the social heart of the home. Designed for adaptability, these spaces accommodate family gatherings as easily as moments of quiet reflection. A fully equipped gym, indoor pool, bespoke bar and games room create opportunities for relaxation, wellness and entertainment within the comfort of home.
The principal suite occupies the entire second floor and serves as a private retreat. It includes a generous bedroom, personal study, walk-in wardrobes and a luxurious en suite, all arranged to offer serenity, privacy and ease of use.
Every aspect of the interior has been designed to complement the home’s architectural grandeur. A soft, textural colour palette brings warmth and cohesion to the spaces, while refined materials and bespoke finishes enhance the overall sense of craftsmanship.
With its harmonious blend of classic architecture and modern living, Edge Hill embodies understated luxury. As the project progresses, it continues to reveal the balance of form, function and feeling that defines the Lewis Knox approach.
Ledbury Studio is delighted to present its latest design, the Hampshire Kitchen. This beautifully curated kitchen, pantry and utility space forms part of a meticulous renovation of a country house, located within the grounds of a Victorian walled garden.
Led by Charlie Smallbone and the team at Ledbury Studio, this project is a testament to the brand’s signature ethos: artisan craftsmanship meets timeless design. Working in close collaboration with interior designer Hollie Bowden and the client, their combined efforts have created a scheme that perfectly balances rustic simplicity with contemporary sophistication.
“This kitchen is all about balance,” says Charlie Smallbone, Founder of Ledbury Studio. “We wanted to create something that feels authentic to its setting – rooted in the craftsmanship and character of a traditional country house – but with just enough refinement and modern detailing to make it truly timeless. Every material, every junction, every finish has been carefully chosen to stand the test of time, both aesthetically and practically. It’s a design that feels both grounded and elevated, as functional as it is inspiring. The whole team is delighted with the finished result.”
At the heart of the kitchen sits a stainless-steel island, conceived as both a showpiece and a hardworking hub. It houses a striking Lacanche range cooker, paired with a bespoke stainless-steel hood complete with a rail for saucepans and utensils. Every element has been meticulously considered. The island’s custom-cast handles, crafted in stainless steel with brass accents, echo the oven’s detailing. In addition, the limestone worktop – sourced from The Once A Week Quarry in Bakewell – is edged in stainless steel and finished with a surrounding rail, lending the piece a distinctly tailored, architectural feel.
To allow the island to take centre stage, the surrounding cabinetry adopts a classic Shaker design, hand-painted in Cloth by Atelier Ellis, and paired with handmade, rustic wall tiles that add texture and warmth.
The pantry and utility room continue this understated, timeless aesthetic, painted in Tirzah by Atelier Ellis and complemented by dark-stained solid oak worktops and matching open shelving. The result is a cohesive and deeply considered design language that flows seamlessly throughout the home.
Together, these spaces form a masterclass in pared-back rustic chic – elegant yet inviting, stylish yet supremely functional. Built to be lived in and loved for generations, the Hampshire Kitchen exemplifies the artistry and craftsmanship at the heart of every Ledbury Studio project.
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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