Devon Blue

It is the greatest compliment when a client returns to you for more work. I supplied a kitchen for this couple in Balham 10 years or so before. When they purchased a new build house in Devon they asked me if I would be interested in working for them again. I jumped at the chance. They both have a keen eye for design and for details so I knew the project would be special. Even though the distance creates a few logistical problems it was nothing we couldn't resolve. The clients said they wanted something similar to the Balham project so that was the starting point. I roughed the layout out quite quickly. I zoned the refrigeration area on the left hand side of the sink. This contains a full height wine chiller and full height fridge and freezer and keeps them central (ie you walk past them to get to the large undermounted sink for morning tea!).

On the opposite side the tall units house the ovens and pantry. I wanted to keep an element of symmetry to this run so we placed a large sideboard type unit under the window on the return wall instead of returning cupboards around the corner.

The island is the real focal point of this room. At over 4 metres long it is quite special. Those large pan drawers in Pippey Oak are 1300mm wide. We designed the doors to have a 45 degree chamfer and are oversized so the drawer front closes onto the side panel on the right hand side. On the left it closes onto a 45 degree angled filler piece that surrounds the furniture. This frames the Pippey Oak drawer fronts in the Farrow and ball Devon blue. The combination was inspired by the property being so close to the sand and the sea. The beauty of a bespoke project like this is that the client was even able to choose which Pippey Oak veneers we used from photos sent through from the veneer supplier.

The worktops and splashback are Calacatta Gold Aurora quartz. We designed this with its own 45 degree chamfer (known as a sharks nose edge detail). This gives the worktop a skinny appearance but also allows more space for fingers to slide in and open the doors and drawers. A very elegant solution.

The cabinet over the sink is actually antique brass to add a focal point on the back wall and houses glasses and cups.

We also designed a knife block especially for the clints own collection of kitchen knives. Measuring each knife and ensuring they would all fit neatly into a knife block. the block is engraved with 'DAD'S KNIVES' letting everyone know who does most of the cooking in this family! Even the sockets on the island are colour matched in Devon Blue so they don't stand out.

it is this level of detail that not only makes a kitchen personal but also turns it from the ordinary to the extraordinary.