Material Matters

SOURCING JUST THE RIGHT MIX OF COMPONENTS WAS KEY TO THE SUCCESS OF THIS DECEPTIVELY SIMPLE-LOOKING KITCHEN PACKED WITH DESIGN FLAIR

The main brief for the kitchen in this large family home was to utilise the sizeable space in a way that worked effectively for a large extended family that loves entertaining, and to ensure that there was plenty of storage to it everything into one space. Key elements in delivering some of this included a large Sub-Zero fridge and freezer, a ‘secret’ walk-in pantry, a large island with seating and hob, and a bar and TV area to act as a real family space.“Although it was a very large kitchen, we quickly illed every zone with clear and speciic storage to suit the client’s needs,” explains the kitchen’s designer Paul Welburn of Roundhouse. Materials were at the very heart of the design of course, and the selection process was very much in partnership with the cient.

“The materials we used were very pleasing,” says Welburn. “The choice was inspired by visits to three different Roundhouse showrooms – Wigmore Street, Fulham and Guildford – as well as a speciic journey to a stone yard to select the correct piece of worktop for the show-stopper island.”In terms of appliances, Welburn says that the choice of Sub-Zero was a no-brainer because of the volume of storage for the chilled and frozen requirements, along with a backup fridge in the hidden pantry.

Gaggenau built-in ovens and hob were also chosen due to the aesthetic and high-level performance, and the integrated wine cooler because it its so well into custom furniture. “The client loved the look of the Sub-Zero combo but equally loved the look of the Gaggenau ovens so between them, this offered the ideal solution.” 

KITCHENS / CASE STUDYdesigner kitchen & bathroomdesignerkbmag.co.ukAUG2019d61Contacts Roundhouse /roundhousedesign.comThe furniture is Roundhouse Urbo high gloss lacquer in Farrow & Ball Ammonite on the sink and fridge runs, with Hammered Silver on the island and wall cabinet. Quartz worksurfaces in White Fantasy and brushed stainless steel and splashback in White Fantasy are combined with Metro vertical grain Driftwood on the bespoke TV and drinks bar and wine storage cabinetry. The space also includes the Nightingale Cabinet in RAL 7026 with Antique Bronze Mirror splashback.Welburn believes that the key elements in the design were all about the combination of the furniture, materials and the appliance practicality.

“The polished plaster surrounding the Sub-Zero run framed by Roundhouse Gloss furniture was chosen to give a real sense of glamour. This was punctuated with Roundhouse bespoke furniture in a Hammered Silver inish to lift the kitchen – the way in which this inish catches the light was a signiicant factor in its selection.”He adds: “On the opposite wall, the Driftwood adds some warmth to give more of a furniture and less purely kitchen feel, housing the TV and the hidden bar.

The only giveaway is the wine cooler but again, because it is integrated well into this wall, it works really well in this location.”Two sets of pocket doors hide the bar and coffee zone and complete the large family kitchen giving different zones to the whole space and allowing low into all other parts of the room and the house overall. From the designer’s perspective, there are a few key highlights within the project. Welburn says that it was particularly pleasing that the clients stuck with their original instincts regarding their choice of inishes and were happy to combine these with the extra elements such as the White Fantasy quartz and the polished plaster effect.

He adds that the hidden aspects are also real gems within the scheme. “I love the hidden pantry behind the ‘secret’ pocket door. Every kitchen should have one! Also, hiding the bar and coffee zone gives a little wow factor and continuing the White Fantasy stone in these areas adds glamour.”Above all though, it is another example of how close co-operation between client and designer can really reap dividends. Welburn adds: “Working with the client on the detail was really important with this one. In particular, we took the time out with them to explore the storage throughout the kitchen so that every element was considered, to the point where we added a bespoke glass display cabinet to just give the kitchen the inal inishing touc