Toby Hall, founder of Lewes-based kitchen makers Inglis Hall, reveals the design process behind a contemporary kitchen scheme for a busy family home, and explains why the choice of materials in the space was key.
The owners of this Edwardian Arts & Crafts house in a picturesque village in West Sussex are an entrepreneurial couple with 3 young children, who were after a family kitchen that was striking and minimalist, but practical at the same time. The kitchen is in an extension at the back of the house overlooking the garden, and while the design flows seamlessly from the main building into the additional space, it also forms an intriguing visual counterpoint as traditional architecture meets modern.
"The extension informed the design – a confident and clean copper-roofed extension created a juxtaposition to the original house, and we followed this example," explains Toby Hall of bespoke kitchen designers Inglis Hall. "Clean lines and careful consideration of material interactions were the focus of the design."
The main focus was to devise a space that would work for the couple in every way. "This is a family home. A calm backdrop for the dramas of family life. The client wanted to keep the kitchen neutral, but warm with a focus on functionality and longevity," says Toby.
Raw sawn oak was chosen for the imposing central island, and topped with Caesarstone's 5031 Statuario Maximus, which is both classic and elegant, and has a soft dove-white base punctuated by broad, light grey swirls adding depth.
"The Statuario Maximus provided the right level of subtle movement in the work surfaces," says Toby. "The soft white is the perfect tone to complement the raw sawn oak and cabinet doors." The doors were made from Forbo Furniture Linoleum – a natural surfacing material with a soft matt texture delivering a durable finishing touch to high-end furniture – in a soft, neutral taupe tone that allowed oak and quartz combination to take centre stage.
Matching the island, the cabinetry worktop and splashback feature the same Caesarstone design, giving the kitchen a continuity of colour and finish. The splashback runs across the side of the cabinetry, whilst the worktop has a waterfall edge on one side – interesting details that enhance the contemporary character of the kitchen and add visual appeal.
Premium appliances by Fisher & Paykel and Neff were chosen for both their high quality and sleek appearance, while a Blanco sink and Quooker tap complete the elevated look. The addition of bronze patinated brass handles on the tall units reinforces the overall warmth of the space and natural feel of the materials.
The space is bathed in natural light flooding in from skylights above, and the floor-to-ceiling glass doors that lead onto the garden, which works beautifully with the combination of surfaces and materials.
"We love the collection of colours and finishes," says Toby. "Caesarstone surfaces have a natural look and feel to them which is sometimes hard to find with manmade products. Their high-performance qualities make them an ideal choice for family kitchens."
