Fumed Oak Kitchen
The perfect balance of minimalist aesthetics and intelligent design
Our client came to us with a vision driven wholly by style: their kitchen had to be contemporary, sleek and look incredible at all times.
With their passion for cooking and entertaining, they also wanted to be able to interact with their guests whilst they were cooking up a storm.
They mapped out the key zones and placements, leaving us with the task of crafting a space that would be a stunning combination of intelligent design, functionality and minimalism.
We crafted bespoke, floor-to-ceiling cabinetry in Fumed Oak, the rich, dark tones of the smoked timber veneer showing discreet flashes of light in the heartwood.
Ample storage and additional worktop space are revealed when the sleek cabinet doors are opened and slid into recesses, creating an adaptable, streamlined space.
A central island was designed to be ready for cooking, prepping and entertaining. It boasts an integrated, invisible induction cooktop by TPB Tech: a feature only visible to the chef, allowing for an uninterrupted worktop that is both striking and functional.
Free flow
The process started with a typical Design Hub initial conversation: a relaxed, open exchange where ideas and inspiration flow freely.
In this kitchen space, the layout had to cater to movement, interaction and efficiency. We needed time for some serious thought about the design and ergonomics.
Our clients were happy for us to come back to them with our ideas and, as with many of our projects, we ended up working with them in a truly collaborative way.
Minimalism and warmth
We designed the space to be the perfect balance of minimalist aesthetics and intelligent functionality.
Every piece of cabinetry was meticulously crafted by Nigel, matching the Fumed Oak veneers so that each door, handle and panel became part of an unbroken, sculptural whole.
The rich, dark colour and bold simplicity of Nigel’s furniture more than meets the contemporary brief and the vertical grain pattern with its delicate flashes of lighter colour adds warmth and interest.
The retractable pocket doors reveal interiors crafted from a contrasting lighter timber with ample storage lit by warm LEDs.
Curved shelving and storage crates make sure every item is within easy reach.
Precision-led design
True to the client’s brief for a sleek aesthetic, the high-performance induction hob by TPB Tech is embedded seamlessly into the island's surface. Guests relaxing on the six Kartell bar stools at the kitchen island remain part of the action, with nothing breaking the chef’s connection to them.
We used the same worktop for the wall runs and splashbacks where power points were carefully recessed and an undermounted sink kept the lines clean and pure. Magnetic knife racks and Fumed Oak shelves are hidden just out of sight around the corner to either side of the window.
Precision NEFF ovens and warming drawer sit at eye level for ease of access. Recessed lighting softly accentuates the form of the kitchen in the evening.
When not in use, the subtle and sophisticated form of this kitchen flows naturally and seamlessly with the contemporary interiors of the rest of the home.
Nigel's attention to detail - bookmatching grain patterns and his relentless pursuit of perfect alignment of the veneers across all the furniture - was not part of the initial brief, but we believe it has elevated the design. In the end, it’s that level of craftsmanship that takes a space from the expected to the extraordinary.
