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Our client approached us after returning to their home following a few years away with work. The existing kitchen was installed several years earlier by the client. Following a period of letting the property, the kitchen needed replacing ready for our client to make the house their permanent home.
This kitchen is one of the best examples to show off how at Nü, we carefully listen to our clients needs, and also their style preferences to design kitchens unique to their space, who they need to cater for, and individual personalities. What we really loved on this project was the design is a genuine collaboration between our team and the client resulting in a truly individualized design that works for both day-to-day needs, as well as entertaining for larger groups.
Planning & Design
Key priorities included:
– Refreshing the kitchen, respecting the recently replaced stone floor, designing a kitchen that didn’t look ‘too fitted’ and reflecting the client’s personality and style. Need to take account of existing open plan space and not encroach too much into dining area.
-Open shelving for client art pieces and lighting to highlight wall design and bar area.
– Client entertains and enjoys cooking for large numbers especially for family occasions. Kitchen needs a very functional layout with updated modern Neff appliances including oven/steamer, ¾ height fridge, and under counter freezer, wine/beer fridge, vented hob , 2 drawer Fisher and Paykel dishwasher, Quooker taps.
-The client’s favourite colour is dusty pink which they wanted to pair with organic wood.
Following an initial showroom meeting, we carried out a detailed site visit. Due to newly laid stone flooring, and need to maximise storage, we agreed a peninsular layout, moving the hob from the back wall to on the peninsular allowing clients to cook whilst talking with guests who would be located either at seating on the peninsular or at the dining table beyond. Existing space considerations included manifold for underfloor heating, plumbing services for dishwasher/sink,and shallow storage. A bar area was added to the rear side of the peninsular to allow guests to serve themselves drinks without needing to enter the main kitchen space.
How the property shaped the design:
– The kitchen and open plan dining/living all open out on to a beautiful garden backing onto woods so we wanted to reflect and maximise that.
– existing flooring, water services, statement furniture e.g. large dining table needed for entertaining.
The design evolved through careful iteration as part of our kitchen design process. Original design for the kitchen was to be larger, but further discussion with the client reduced the depth to allow for a larger dining area & the addition of a bar area. To enable this we were able to carefully locate the integrated bins into the sink base, and also the Quooker tank was relocated.
The finishes are overall very neutral white and wood, with a soft pink highlight. Carefully considered lighting enhances the design and provides further functionality to the bar area. The worktop is a neutral marble effect Quartz finish that complements the other finishes in the space perfectly.
Layout
We changed from island configuration to peninsular. This provided more storage options, and also allowed us to move the hob from the back wall to the peninsular without impacting the newly installed floor.
Storage
– We built a food larder and multiple drawer packs. Variety of storage on the wall bringing visual interest and practicality.
Key Features
– Wood breakfast bar – visual interest and extending out the seating on the rear of the peninsular.
– Bar area to allow guests to easily serve drinks away from the main cooking area
– Varied colour/style of units on back wall to provide visual interest, extra storage and inline with the clients personality.
