The brief was to create a kitchen with the presence of fine furniture rather than fitted cabinetry. Inspired by the character of the period property, the design focuses on architectural proportion, classical detailing and craftsmanship, creating a space that feels entirely at home within its surroundings.
Flat paint is great, but this is next level. Here we handpainted this kitchen with an antique finish. You can see the grain; you can feel the timber. It gives the joinery a tactile, limed look that whispers high-end craftsmanship.
The design draws heavily from classical architectural principles. Fluted pilasters, substantial cornicing and a statement mantel create a sense of permanence and scale, while the balanced symmetry of the cabinetry gives the room a calm, ordered presence. The result feels less like a fitted kitchen and more like a collection of bespoke furniture crafted specifically for the home.
The room is anchored by a stunning herringbone timber floor, bringing warmth where stone tiles might feel too cold. We built a substantial canopy with a full marble splashback to match the island, and added illuminated glass cabinets to show off the owner’s accessories.
This kitchen is the perfect resolution of the brief: a balance of serious cooking power and elegant display. It proves that you can have all the functionality of a modern space without losing the character and drama of a period property.
We really wanted the kitchen to feel like it has always been part of the home. By hand-painting traditional cabinetry with an antique finish, we were able to create that lovely, ‘lived-in’ character from day one. By mirroring the home’s original architectural proportions, the furniture acts as a seamless extension of its history while delivering a high-performance modern layout.
For this hand-painted kitchen with an antique finish, we selected stone that is both elegant and practical. The main island and splashback feature classic Carrara marble, chosen for its soft, feathery grey veining and luxurious, refined appearance. Around the hob, we used a darker, patterned grey granite. Its robust character contrasts beautifully with the marble while providing heat-resistant durability – so you can place hot pans on the surface without worry. Together, the combination creates a harmonious balance of beauty and function throughout the kitchen.
The illuminated glass cabinets work beautifully in two ways: they provide a gorgeous backdrop for a curated display, while offering subtle accent lighting. When evening falls, their soft, ambient glow highlights the craftsmanship and softens the scale of the furniture, keeping the whole kitchen feeling wonderfully light and inviting.
The classic herringbone floor adds immediate ‘period drama’ to the space. Its rich, geometric pattern balances the grand scale of the cabinetry, making the room feel more like a curated living hall than a standard kitchen. The warm timber beautifully grounds the heavy stone elements and strikes a perfect tonal balance with the delicate antique brass accents.
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