Birch plywood kitchen for contemporary living

Designed and handmade for a left- handed chef.

CLIENT: Private homeowner

CATEGORY: Residential

PROJECT TYPE: Kitchen design, manufacture and installation

LOCATION: West Midlands, UK

MATERIALS: Birch plywood, clementine and papyrus Formica with powder-coated steel elements

PHOTOGRAPHER: Hayley Salter

APPROACH:

Our ‘full-flavoured’ kitchen was designed in collaboration with the homeowners and centres around their love for cooking and socialising. During our research phase, we learned they were left-handed, used an antique bureau as a workplace, and owned a much treasured collectable, a china plate titled "A Good Day for Cyclists" designed by British artist Jeremy Deller. These discoveries became the catalyst for our design approach.

We were asked to reimagine and transform their tired kitchen, which wasn’t functioning effectively. Used for several activities, including cooking, dining, entertaining and working. We were challenged to blend these actions together to form a cohesive design.

We overcame these problems by creating a warm and relaxed atmosphere to reflect the welcoming personality of the homeowners. This was achieved by making the cabinetry in birch plywood with an amber-toned colour palette, and an injection of orange was used to add personality as a striking and playful design accent.

Design details for a left-handed chef include a hanging pan rack, a contemporary plate rack, a condiments tote box and easy-reach ingredient shelves. Furthermore, an elegant elliptical handle detail adds sophistication and ease. Practical aspects were fully considered by integrating the antique bureau. Alongside a combination of open and closed storage, used to zone areas and create a functionally cohesive, balanced, and harmonious look.