The couple wanted to maintain a minimalist layout in their newly built home, allowing the material choices to become the focal point of their kitchen. This design style extends throughout the whole house, with thoughtful planning that highlights the natural materials used both inside and out.
In the kitchen, they also wanted to prioritise high-quality products that emphasised this organic aesthetic, ensuring a seamless transition into the adjacent dining and living spaces while complementing their chosen furniture and accessories.
The large windows throughout the home really bring the outside in, and add to the overall look of each space. This meant that with the changing natural light throughout each day, the design and colour palette had to be carefully considered to maintain a minimal look that allowed the changing light to add to the home’s character, rather than overwhelming the space.
With the layout and aesthetic being quite simple, we had to maximise storage space by using the height in the tall bank and incorporating wide drawers in the island to ensure clutter would be non-existent and the minimal look the couple wanted could be achieved.
Functionality was another crucial element we had to consider very carefully, ensuring everything was located in the correct zone to suit the activity that would take place in each area, with everything needed close to hand.
For example, we designed a cleaning zone with features such as a large sink, dishwasher and bin. On one side of the island we created the prep area, equipped with a small sink and utensil storage which was thoughtfully positioned next to the hob and pan storage. This then flowed seamlessly to the ovens, fridge and freezer located to the other side of the island. Every detail of the cooking and cleaning process was meticulously thought through so the movement in the room would flow effortlessly.
During the process, the couple loved the natural slate and stone look we proposed, which was combined with wood to warm up the space. With this in mind, we opted for slate cabinetry, paired with timber slatted doors on the island, which brought a modern aspect into the space and complemented the wood in walls and furniture throughout the rest of the home.
To keep the aesthetic simple and minimal, we incorporated silestone worktops with waterfall edges on the island and splashback. This simplified everything and balanced out the more striking slatted and slate doors.
The client chose to incorporate the same floor tiles in the kitchen and garden, so during the summer the sliding doors can remain open and create a great sociable space inside and out. Finally, we added strip LED lighting to enhance certain areas, while the client added subtle pendants above the island for added lighting.
Overall, this modern kitchen blends well with the rest of the home aesthetically, and offers a functional space for the couple’s everyday lifestyle. The different textures and materials work together seamlessly, adding visual interest to the sleek and minimal look the client wanted to achieve.
“When I visited the client recently, I couldn’t take my eyes off the kitchen - it looks different from every angle in the open plan house! With the large windows showing off the greenery outside, combined with the wooden walls and doors throughout the home, everything is just so interesting and eye-catching. The kitchen blends in so well with the rest of the house, you don’t really feel like you were in ‘the kitchen’ because all the areas flow so seamlessly.”
- Nicola Swanson, Senior Designer at Laings
Feeling inspired? If you’re dreaming of a brand new kitchen to better suit your lifestyle, our team can deliver bespoke designs with quality of service and materials at the heart of our creations.
