The client was working with an architect to modernise and extend the entire property and therefore wanted a kitchen to suit. Top of his wish list was a generous kitchen island – but here we had a problem, as the architect had initially placed the kitchen at the back, where the living area now is. The structural central pillar left us with very little room to play with and it would have been a struggle to fit in the longed-for island. As such, we recommended relocating the kitchen to the other side of the room, where there was more space, allowing the island to become the focal point as you enter the space.

The kitchen is divided into four areas. Firstly, the hob is on the run by the door; then the ovens and tall storage are in a bank perpendicular to this; the bar area is next to the full-height windows; and finally the island houses the sink, prep area and breakfast bar. This divide and conquer approach was a conscious decision in order to enhance the functionality of the space. Initially, our client had not thought to include a bar area, but jumped at the idea when we suggested it! There’s space for glasses, accessories and a dual-temperature undercounter wine cooler.

There is a lovely contrast between the sleek and modern form of the Pronorm kitchen cabinets and the chosen finish for the doors, which is a warming timber-effect finish. Its horizontal grain makes a bold statement, though it is deliberately mismatched across the cupboards to add a hint of quirkiness too. Plus, the sophisticated white Corian worktops bring a subtly masculine vibe, so the cupboard doors also help to balance this.

Our client had the idea of creating a floating effect by running the Corian worktop all the way around the cabinets – I think it works very well! We would have struggled to install the hinges of a conventional integrated dishwasher above the Corian base, but fortunately the Vario hinges of the Siemens SN95ZX61CG dishwasher got round that.

On the other side, we included some open shelving to give the island more of a furniture feel when observed from the lounge area. In addition, the high-quality grey laminate top of the breakfast bar overlaps the Corian worktop to create a design feature. The stunning contrast between the elegant grey top and pop of orange on the bar stools really draws the eye as you enter the room.

We have a similar display to this in our showroom and our client loved it. He does not require lot of storage, so rather than the conventional two-drawer units below, we just put in one to increase the feeling of space. And, from a practical point of view, you can stand close to the flexInduction hob while cooking without the kickboard getting in the way. There are LED strips both under and above the wall units, to wash light down the splashback and up the wall. It provides practical task lighting, but it also creates atmospheric mood lighting in the evening when the main lights are off.

The bank of ovens includes two full-size ovens, one with steam, plus a compact combi-microwave and a warming drawer, giving our client the full cooking capability he wanted. He hadn’t considered the idea of smart appliances, but when we pointed out such features as being able to turn on the oven on the way home from work, he did not need much persuading! There’s useful storage above, below and to one side of the ovens, with an integrated fridge-freezer to the other side.

Siemens produces appliances that not only perform exceptionally well but also add a touch of sophistication to any kitchen. The appliances are known for their cutting-edge features, such as intuitive touch controls, advanced cooking modes and energy-efficient operations. And, in this case, their sleek and modern design perfectly complements the high-end aesthetic we wanted to achieve, making them an ideal choice.

We also designed the utility room, which is just off the main hallway. It is a compact space, so we were keen to make it as practical and functional as possible. As such, we specified a stacking kit to place the tumble dryer on top of the washing machine. This not only saves on floorspace but makes efficient use of the height of the room. To ensure a clutter-free space, there’s ample room for cleaning essentials, with everything from detergents to mops having a designated place.