From the elegant cabinetry to the lavish details, discover how balance and harmony are weaved through every aspect of this sophisticated off-white kitchen design…

Glamour abounds in this off-white kitchen, which sits in a Georgian-style new build on the outskirts of Winchester, Hampshire. The professional couple, originally from Canada and the US, wanted their home to have a sense of age and history. They also wanted to pay homage to the Georgian period, known for its symmetry and uniformity.

They included architectural details such as multi-paned windows, high ceilings and decorative cornicing for a historical link. Plus, the interior décor, particularly the show-stopping diner, was meticulously planned, in an ode to this refined heritage style.

KBB journo Louise O’Bryan shares the ins and outs of this elegant space…

Designing the kitchen

Tasked with designing the heart of the property, kitchen designer and managing director of Searle & Taylor Kitchen Architecture, Darren Taylor, set about creating a cook’s paradise and an entertainer’s haven.

“Everything happens in this open-plan kitchen-diner,” says Darren. “It’s the first room guests are led into from the front door. It connects to the busy boot room, the home gym and the formal sitting room, and it also seamlessly opens onto the rear garden.

“It really is the central focal point of the house and therefore needed to work hard to deliver many different functions. The challenge was integrating these modern-day activities within a classic period aesthetic.”

The kitchen layout

From the outset, the homeowners’ focus was on the inclusion of state-of-the-art appliances, notably Gaggenau’s 400 Vario oven collection, and this became the starting point of the room’s layout and design.

Two main runs of bespoke cabinetry, made using dark-stained oak carcases and hand-painted in a warm neutral, form the L-shaped room plan, and are accompanied by a stained oak veneered island, topped with a honed quartzite worktop.

The floor-to-ceiling run behind the island houses the Gaggenau oven stack, flanked by an integrated fridge and freezer either side. Then, this is balanced by a three-zone wine conditioning cabinet and matching bespoke glassware cabinet, designed to precisely fit with the wine cooler and create a cohesive feel.

“We finished this aesthetically pleasing cabinetry run by adding five storage top boxes that flow into the moulded cornicing for a luxurious touch,” says Darren.

Appliances and storage

The hard-working appliances continue at the island. A personalised Gaggenau cook centre includes a gas and induction hob, a teppanyaki plate and two downdraft extractors.

“The owners love entertaining. So, the island becomes a stage from where they can cook for their guests standing on the other side. For this reason, we wanted to keep the island neat and streamlined, by integrating the hob controls into the cabinetry below, and designing handleless cupboards and rounded corners for comfort,” says Darren.

Another aspect that was streamlined was the owners’ storage needs. The contents of cupboards and drawers were scrupulously planned out before Darren and his team even came on board. “This is one extremely organised kitchen,” he says.

“Every cupboard and drawer insert in the main kitchen area has been precisely designed to house every pot, pan, plate and food preparation item, while all perishable food is stored in the pantry behind the tall run of units.”

Materials and finishes

While the layout of the room was a constant from the start, the finishes and materials were extensively discussed. The choice of wood veneer, for example, was a crucial aspect of consideration. Finding the right finish for the island to complement the lightly distressed weave parquet flooring was a challenge.

“We were conscious that in such a light and bright room, a walnut veneer would typically lighten over time. So, we decided to go for oak carcasses and stain them a rich dark tone to ensure they didn’t bleach from the sun,” he says.

The dining zone

“Then, we continued this dark oak stained veneer at the niche shelves either side of the banquette seating area to visually connect these two spaces,” says Darren, who is admittedly very proud of this elegant dining set up built into the triple window bay.

“We designed the bench seating to be extra wide to allow the area to be used for lounging as well as dining, while the back cushions have been cleverly designed at an angle for support and comfort.”

Despite the pale palette, Darren has warmed the space with texture, introducing plenty of materiality for focal points and interest. “Elements like the vertical grain on the veneer, the bold vein of the quartzite work surface, and the antiqued brass handles and brackets add a warm, tactile feel,” he says.

And the owners couldn’t be happier with the result. So much so, they asked Darren to help with other areas of the house, too, such as the laundry room, boot room, bedroom banquette seating, a walk-in wardrobe and a bathroom vanity unit. Each of these spaces shares similar heritage character and benefits from all the convenience of a contemporary new build.

As originally told to: Louise O’Bryan | Photography: Paul Craig

This house tour was featured in the December 2024 issue of Kitchens Bedrooms & Bathrooms magazine.

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