WALNUT SERENITY
Finding calm at a great height
The owners of this apartment in west London had recently bought the flat next door to their own and were in the process of having the two turned into one. Their hearts were set on having a Bora hob but knowing that installing the necessary ducting would be complicated, they were relieved to discover that Sola Kitchens could not only create a beautiful kitchen to fit the particularly high-ceilinged room but that the duct work for the hob would be done as part of the installation process, thus saving the owner from having to find a separate contractor to do that job separately.
The Brief
Walnut cabinetry, extra tall wall cabinets to make the most of the high ceilings, a simple, quite pared-back look, and plenty of storage so surfaces can be kept clear were the owners' main concerns. The Bora hob was essential, as was a purpose-designed piece of cabinetry for all the accoutrements necessary to make tea. They also wanted to be able to put a contemporary fireplace into the chimney breast.
The designer's solution uses flat-fronted cabinetry to create a tangible sense of calm while at the same time, allowing the room's architectural details to shine. Keeping the walnut cabinetry at floor level firmly anchors the kitchen in its place, while the extra-tall wall-mounted cabinetry, including the column that houses the American fridge-freezer to the left of the fireplace, is in perfect proportion with the grand scale of the room. Painted to match the walls and edged with coving that matches the original in the room, the effect is both decorative and spacious, yet not overwhelming.
Special Features
Time for tea: the bespoke tea cabinet was designed in close collaboration with the owners. At one corner of the island, a pair of walnut-veneered pocket doors open up and slide away to reveal an oak-veneered, LED-lit interior fitted with a quartz shelf (to match the worktop above) and a power socket for the tea-maker. The deep drawer beneath the shelf has a simple half-moon-cut fingerhole to make the experience of using it a mindful one.
On the shelf: instead of filling in the opening to the right of the chimney breast with cabinetry that would be awkward to get at, four walnut-veneered display shelves are a practical and visually interesting alternative.
Materials & Finishes
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3.- AC Calacatta Gold
- Walnut Veneer
- Spray Painted In Bespoke Finish
The process
