Daring to Go Bold in a Shaker Style Kitchen

Shaker style cabinetry continues to be a popular choice for kitchens, lending classic timeless style to a space. For those wanting to stand out from the crowd, the careful use of bold colours can be a great way to create a bespoke, future-proof design that reflects your personality. This kitchen was designed by Smallbone of Devizes for a family as part of a large open-plan living scheme. We spoke with Vincent Glue, one of the senior designers at Smallbone of Devizes, to discuss the inspiration and practicalities behind this striking space.

What were the clients’ requirements for this kitchen?

Our client was a family who had purchased a five-bedroomed Victorian house in rural Surrey and were in the process of renovating it. Initially, the kitchen had been disproportionally small to the rest of the house, and was not suitable for their needs, and so a large open-plan space was created following a ground floor extension. The family wanted a grand and luxurious space to reflect the sense of history the house had, but one that could also cope with the practical demands of family life and incorporated a space for entertaining.

What was the biggest challenge? 

The available space and light were excellent, and this made it very easy to design something both grand and practical, however we did have quite a search to find the right worktop that was large enough to cover the island in a single join-free slab. The final choice was a Silestone quartz surface by Cosentino in the colour ‘Lagoon’, that both aesthetically matched the requirements but also provided a seamless look thanks its large sizing options.

What is your favourite aspect of the kitchen?

I love the luxurious handcrafted internal racks and storage solutions in the larder, and it is the little details like these that really set a bespoke kitchen apart. The rich, dark cabinetry with its crisp Shaker styling contrasts against the exposed brickwork perfectly, and really balances the notion of heritage with a contemporary industrial edge.

Why were Miele cooking appliances selected? 

It was felt that a range cooker would tip the balance too far towards traditional, and the client loved Miele’s quality and functionality, making it the obvious choice. The two full size ovens give a huge amount of internal space, whilst the pyrolytic programme makes cleaning quick and easy, perfect for busy family life. Completing the main bank of appliances, the warming drawers lend a further helping hand for entertaining, and the eye level bean-to-cup coffee machine was an absolute must for the client, adding a further touch of luxury to this space. In addition, the hob offers a sleek minimalistic finish that does not interrupt the flow of the worktop on the central island, whilst its flexi induction zones offer maximum versatility and can handle any size of pan, again, a great plus for entertaining.

 What advice would you give to customers wanting to achieve a similar contemporary look with such a traditional kitchen style?  

Using two contrasting materials, worktops or shades of paint can help to give a bespoke look and update a traditional style. The open wall space between the two floor-to-ceiling cabinetry arrangements gives the kitchen an uncluttered, contemporary feel, whilst exposed, stainless steel appliances add an industrial element.

Finally, do certain colours or materials work best for creating this look?  

Don’t be afraid of using darker cabinetry shades. If the room is light and spacious, they can create a real visual impact with a contemporary twist. In addition, opting for a lighter coloured worksurface not only creates an aesthetically pleasing contrast, but also helps to better reflect the available light.