Big picture

DESKTOP

MOBILE

Designed by: Roundhouse Design Richmond Studio

Photography by: Mary Wadsworth

This project became a rare opportunity to optimise space and improve insulation, straightening walls and ceiling lines for a clean architectural canvas after significant flood damage had necessitated a complete strip-out of flooring and finishes.

The owners wanted a kitchen that would embrace natural materials and subtle contrasts, ensuring a consistent yet visually engaging finish.

European White Oak was the primary material, used innovatively across different elements: smooth crown-cut bookmatched veneers, fluted and profiled accent doors, and whole-stave oak side surfaces.

A refined balance of handleless cabinetry and recessed brass edge pulls in waxed natural brass adds a timeless, evolving patina.

Beyond aesthetics, spatial efficiency was key.

Between the sliders and skylights the wood veneer kitchen is bathed in natural light. — Between the sliders and skylights the kitchen is bathed in natural light.

A ground-floor toilet was discreetly integrated into the layout without compromising the kitchen’s proportions, offering practicality for the family’s young child.

The result is a space that enhances daily life with both functional and aesthetic precision.

Challenges – material consistency without monotony

A key challenge of this project was maintaining material consistency across a large space without creating visual monotony.

European White Oak served as the foundation, yet depth and variation were introduced through nuanced changes in texture and construction.

Smooth, crown-cut bookmatched veneer established a refined base, complemented by fluted and profiled door details, while whole-stave oak enriched the side surfaces.

An understated induction hob is set into the island, as is a discreet but to hand wall oven.

At first glance, the kitchen appears effortlessly simple, yet achieving this sense of balance required meticulous attention to detail.

Often, designs that feel the most natural and inviting are the hardest to perfect – this refined simplicity was realised through expert craftsmanship.

Further enhancing the space, the cabinetry blends handleless elements with carefully considered hardware, including recessed brass edge pulls.

“Crafted in waxed natural brass, these details were chosen for their ability to age and patinate beautifully over time, adding a sense of evolving character,” – Roundhouse Design Studio.

Though the property is generously proportioned, it originally lacked a ground-floor lavatory.

To address this, the open-plan layout was subtly reconfigured to incorporate a discreet toilet – primarily for the family’s five-year-old – alongside a well-integrated cloak cabinet.

The positioning and proportions were planned to ensure seamless integration, preserving both flow and aesthetic harmony.

Ultimately, the project exceeded the original brief.

The homeowners envisioned a multifunctional open-plan space that maintained a sense of openness, and this was successfully achieved.

The result is a striking yet highly practical kitchen – perfect for entertaining, yet thoughtfully designed for the demands of a dynamic family home.

Sustainability was a fundamental consideration

All natural timbers and veneers used are sustainably sourced and FSC-accredited, ensuring responsible material selection.

Additionally, all cabinetry is British-made, produced in Roundhouse’s state-of-the-art factory in Malvern.

The cabinetry blends handleless elements with carefully considered hardware, including recessed brass edge pulls – as seen on the wood veneer bar cabinet at left. — The cabinetry blends handleless elements with carefully considered hardware, including recessed brass edge pulls – as seen on the bar cabinet at left.

The Malvern factory operates with a biomass boiler that converts timber waste into energy, reducing reliance on fossil fuels.

Lean manufacturing techniques ensure material efficiency while packaging materials are selected for recyclability, minimising environmental impact.

This project not only incorporated sustainable materials but also contributes to the longevity of the property itself.

By addressing underlying structural issues and implementing a thoughtful, high-quality design, the renovation helps preserve a home that might have otherwise fallen into disrepair, effectively giving it a second life.

Furthermore, the existing kitchen featured high-specification Gaggenau and Miele appliances, many of which were retained and reused.

This approach significantly reduced waste, preventing perfectly functional appliances from being discarded and sent to landfill.

The project embodies Roundhouse’s ethos of merging luxury with sustainability, demonstrating how high-end kitchen design can be both beautiful and environmentally responsible.

Find more design ideas and inspiration at trendsideas.com

Credit List

Designer Roundhouse Design Richmond Studio	Cabinetry Custom – oak; fluted oak
Cabinetry manufacture Roundhouse Design Richmond Studio	Benchtop/splashback Taj Mahal Natural Quartzite
Handles Henry Blake	Tap Quooker Fusion
Ovens Miele, Smeg	Refrigerator/freezer Gaggenau
Awards Trends International Design Awards (TIDA) International Kitchen of the Year – Finalist