With grown-up children about to leave home, the owners of this modern townhouse were keen to make the kitchen work better for their needs. To help create a luxurious kitchen design they turned to Allison Lynch, senior design consultant at our Cambridge showroom. One of the main issues was the very open-plan layout. Not only that, the original white and timber design was dated plus it lacked good kitchen cupboard storage and worktop space.

“They had a long kitchen along one wall which didn’t look right or work for a keen cook,” explains Allison. “They wanted to rethink the layout and add a kitchen island to make cooking more sociable.”

Island life

Inspired by the dark kitchens on the Roundhouse website the owner was keen to create a kitchen with mood and ambience.

“The clients wanted a modern kitchen and loved the liquid metal island in the Cambridge showroom,” adds Allison. “But they also wanted Gaggenau appliances, so the budget had to be realistic. I advised them to go for the smooth matt bronze and Graphite grey finishes from the Studio Urbo range.”

Studio is a capsule collection of modular cabinets offering the same attention to detail as all Roundhouse furniture. Built to last, these luxury contemporary kitchens come in fixed sizes and a collection of 31 finishes, which include smooth, matt colours and textured finishes.

With its sleek, metallic doors, it was important to get the right size modern kitchen island with seating to not overpower the room. In fact, the comfortable bar stools are the perfect spot to look out to the gardens outside.

Dark and dramatic

The deep charcoal shade on the handleless kitchen cupboards is unavoidably chic and minimalist. “There were some initial reservations on the darkness of the cabinetry,” notes Allison, “but the clients trusted their instincts.”

Indeed, the dynamic mix of material, colour and texture is one of the signature elements of the design. The dramatic shade creates a striking contrast with the pale concrete floor (chosen to make the space feel bigger) and Caesarstone’s Rugged Concrete composite stone surfaces.

“The worktop and splashback are very much a feature,” adds Allison. “I love the light reflecting on it from the winter garden in the centre of the house – and how calm and serene it looks.”

Cupboard love

Bi-fold doors in the sink area of the kitchen design create a stylish and efficient work zone. At one end, a kitchen pantry cabinet is stacked with dried ingredients; at the other a breakfast cupboard hides away the coffee machine. Space-saving, neat and practical, these clever kitchen cupboard ideas also enhance the eyecatching symmetry of the room.

“As keen bakers, bi-fold doors mean the mixer and dry ingredients can all fit into one cupboard, the other being a coffee station,” says Allison. “They worked much better than a Fulham Pantry which would have taken up more worktop space.”

Raise the bar

The stylish built-in bar adds serious star quality to this luxury modern kitchen design. Using a luxe mix of antique bronze mirrored splashbacks (lit by discreet LEDS) and solid walnut shelving, the look is glamorous yet contemporary. Like a cool private member’s bar to enjoy from the comfort of their own home.

The bar area also effortlessly connects the kitchen and living spaces creating a cohesive and sociable space the clients wished for.

Cook up a storm

The slick yet sophisticated kitchen is perfect for a couple who love entertaining. It is kitted out with a range of top-notch appliances including Gaggenau’s combi steam oven, pyrolytic oven and warming drawer. On the contemporary kitchen island, BORA’s flush fit teppanyaki plate and downdraft extraction allow the clients to cook and socialise at the same time.

The result is a masterclass in liveable minimalism. Thanks to Allison’s expertise and creative design eye this luxurious kitchen design has it all. It is a considered mix of colour, material, ergonomics and storage where the kitchen truly becomes the heart of the home.

Our expert kitchen designers can help you make the best choices for your Roundhouse bespoke kitchen, furniture or wardrobes. Visit any of our seven Roundhouse showrooms; Wigmore St, Clapham, Fulham, Richmond, Cambridge, Guildford & Cheltenham and get planning!