As I am the client my wish list was huge, I had to make sure I also met the needs of my husband too, especially as he spends more time at home and has a damaged back so bending is a challenge.
• Split level dishwasher
• Social breakfast bar minimum 4
• TV easy to see from the breakfast seating
• Hidden Microwave, Steam oven, large warming drawer, vac drawer
• Waste disposal
• Large fridge, small freezer with ice maker
• Venting induction hob
• Quooker boiling chiller and sparkling water
• Worktop areas for toaster and Nespresso machine
• Comfortable bar stools
• Glass cabinets for drinks and glasses
• Pullout food pantry
• Soap dispenser
• Feature shelving to allow us to change the feel
• Ceramic worktops
• Island without a join or socket (hate seeing clutter)
• As much pullout storage as possible
This is the wish list, but as important, is how the room makes us feel. We are very house proud and take great care of things; it will be with us for the rest of our lives, so we had to truly love it.
The island had to function but be stylish, it needed to seat at least four, we actually have six stools, it truly works for us. The floating design feels effortless, not heavy or dominating, but elegantly floating off the floor.
The Glass cabinets are really my husband’s dream; he organises his unit with whiskey glasses with whiskey, gin glasses with gin and so on; it all makes sense and looks spectacular. It is fun watching guests try new drinks, just because they can see it all.
The tall run is totally calm and understated (even the recessed track lighting is subtle). This area is the function block; we have hidden ovens, pullout food pantry, French-style fridge freezer with ice maker, pullout food pantry and then the hidden split-level dishwasher. All carefully calculated to line up with the mezzanine floor and fit tightly from floor to ceiling.
The Hob area is all made from 5mm steel. Central is the venting induction hob, flush fitted into the steel, with space for the Nespresso and the toaster; all the storage below pulls out. Above are shelves and wall cladding in Dekton, no risk of water or heat damage, an area we can accessorise with the seasons (loads of pink at Christmas for sure) Under the stairs we have a TV for hubbies sport, below a sideboard that is spaced off the wall and floor to allow for perimeter lighting the wall is all 3d panels drawing your eye up to the staircase and Corian illuminated handrails.
The fit wasn’t without its challenges; existing underfloor heating meant careful channelling for the pipes, and super careful fixing for the hidden steel in the island pedestal. Dekton shelves are super heavy, and bespoke steel had to be made and drilled into brickwork and weight tested. The kitchen being made of steel meant no scribing, so the wall was plastered perfectly square to the kitchen. A challenge to the last millimetre!
