Gary Gourlay
Kitchens International (Edinburgh, Dundas Street)
Creating the new living space for the Bowlers I have taken inspiration from the idea of freestanding furniture and open living spaces rather than the traditional fitted kitchen environment.
This has given the family a flexible comfortable space to relax and entertain guests. The use of a mix of man-made and natural materials help to blend the space with the outside spaces. I also felt that lighting was of the utmost importance to create space that totally transforms after sundown.
The kitchen space consists of a large spacious island which houses a cooktop extracting induction hob which allows for uninterrupted task lighting above. The island also contains a single bowl sink, recycling and dishwasher. The island also has large drawers for easy to access storage with easy to clean aluminium coated fronts along with under top pullout trays made from grey nut oak for quick access to essentials. An 80mm cantilever Dekton Bergen worksurface provides high-level seating which produces an ideal place to catch a coffee and increase social interaction at the main preparation space.
I have also created an area so the family can enjoy fresh homegrown herbs. The herb store takes full advantage of the natural light with its position in front of one of the large angled windows. It is formed from Dekton so that the area is easy to wipe clean and the moisture won’t damage the surfaces. The shadow gap below has led lighting creating a glow that flows across the floor. Housed in front there is a free-standing unit with black legs and the 3 drawers that have a split finish with the top half containing a compact dual zone fridge.
The main feature of the room is a large open shelved area which also features the extra wide Gaggenau Steam oven & Gaggenau Microwave oven given the family the opportunity to experiment with the latest in cooking technology and style. The open shelving allows the family to put their own personality into the room with accessories. The lighting provides mood lighting on the shelves and within shadow gaps above and below the main areas.
A final freestanding unit within the kitchen area house both a tall fridge and freezer. Alongside this is a tall larder unit with additional pull out drawers. The unit is on legs which allows it to sit well between the living and cooking spaces.
The media centre provides the family with additional storage which makes the best of the alcove area which hides all the media cabling within a concrete clad overhang creating architectural interest.
A final freestanding unit within the kitchen area house both a tall fridge and freezer. Alongside this is a tall larder unit with additional pull out drawers. The unit is on legs which allows it to sit well between the living and cooking spaces.
The media centre provides the family with additional storage which makes the best of the alcove area which hides all the media cabling within a concrete clad overhang creating architectural interest.
Mirroring the Herb store I have created bottle storage which is in close vicinity to both the lounge and dining area which is handy for socialising. With the Dekton Bergen anti-stain properties indicates this is an ideal material for housing highly stainable liquids. By inserting a lighting strip in the base the light will shine up and through the base of the drinks creating quite unique light and colour patterns and again with a shadow gap below.
I truely believe that the Bowlers would find this space flexible and a comfortable place to relax & entertain. The family can easily live in this contemporary living environment, which embraces the latest in cooking technology and contemporary living space design.
