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Crystal Clear

13 Aug 19

This kitchen grew from one of the most detailed briefs that Martin Moore have ever received. The client had carried out a great deal of research and had a very distinct aesthetic sense of her own; the overall feeling had to be simple, uncluttered but ultra-luxurious, with an emphasis on natural textures and colours.

The entire back of the house was opened up and extended out to create an enormous cooking/living/entertaining zone with a continuous wooden floor running throughout for visual unity. The kitchen occupies around one third of the new space and the client wanted it to look and feel like a family kitchen at the heart of the house.  

The project was briefed and built in three separate tranches. First the main kitchen, followed by the addition of a beautifully fitted-out walk-in pantry, and finally by the freestanding Butler’s Cupboard.

A busy family life and a love of cooking and entertaining en-masse meant that storage was an absolute necessity, as was the large multi-purpose island that takes centre-stage within the space. The cooking zone runs across one wall, flanked by the walk-in pantry on one side and a matching doorway on the other to give symmetry. Convenience was key to the design and so a batterie de cuisine was installed in purpose-fitted drawers surrounding the freestanding range cooker, whilst a large fridge/freezer and a capacious glazed dresser were placed close at hand to the central island. 

Two sinks were also on the list; one on the large island and a second one just to the right of the cooking zone with a boiling water tap to create a tea and coffee making area.

With a real affinity for natural stone - drawn from her expertise in working with crystals - the client selected an extraordinarily characterful piece of Bianco Eclipsia marble for the worktop of the island. To avoid competing with this, the other tops and upstands throughout the kitchen are in a plain white quartz material.  

The size of the room and a strong preference for drawers and glazed fronted cabinets required careful design and spatial planning in order to achieve balance and symmetry at eye level. The overall feel of the kitchen is cool and restrained; something which is reflected in the cabinetry itself. Detailing has been kept deliberately minimal, allowing accent features such as the interior-lit glazed cabinets and beautifully upholstered brocade chairs to stand out.  

The splashback behind the cooking zone and the insides of the glass-fronted cabinets are made from an amazing Italian fabric - a glittery silver mesh which, especially when lit, adds another layer of luxury without stepping away from the innately laid-back style of the room.

The furniture, from Martin Moore’s English collection, is hand-painted in a range of soft neutrals which echo the natural stone, creating a calm and uplifting feeling - especially as the room is filled with natural light.

Paint Colours: 
Butler’s Cupboard exterior and cooker run: Martin Moore Pale Grey

Island & Butler’s Cupboard interior: Martin Moore Cobalt

Fridge Freezer Run and Glazed interior: Martin Moore Dove Grey 
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