The Client Brief

From the existing kitchen there was a step down to a TV/snug area and the dining room was separate. The client felt they would prefer the dining room to be part of the kitchen space but wanted it to have a very glamorous feel. They entertain a lot and it was important that the kitchen be practical, not just a showcase.

They also wanted to incorporate a matching cabinet to house the TV, a bar/drinks area and a fireplace in the snug area.

The Designer's Challenge

by Andrew Rizza, Design Director, Dream Design

Spatial Design

I had 3 main objectives for the spatial design:

1. Provide open plan living with 3 defined areas for kitchen, snug and dining

2. Create direct routes from the entrance hall to the kitchen or the dining room, utility room, snug or cloakroom without the need to walk through the ‘business area’ of the kitchen.

3. Enable the client to prepare elaborate dishes whilst interacting with people in the dining and snug areas but also discourage guests from entering the working space.

The first objective was simple to achieve by removing the dividing wall between the dining room and the kitchen. For the second objective however, I also needed a section of wall at right angles to the party wall removed and for the steps to be extended in to this space. This created a route from the kitchen to the snug and a separate route from the snug to the dining area and through to the hall. It also left me with a vertical supporting pier to contend with.

To achieve the objective of interaction to both spaces, I designed an L shaped island linked to the supporting pillar.  I positioned the hob overlooking the snug and the preparation sink overlooking the dining area and incorporated a bar for 2 stools. The island units bridged the central section of steps to fully utilise the space available with a step down to a sideboard type cabinet in the snug.

I then created a separate zone for cleaning and storage incorporating 2 dishwashers, a large sink and tall crockery store. The 2 dishwashers enable the client to put used dishes directly into a dishwasher even when one is in use, so there is not a build up of unsightly dirty dishes on the worktop.

Ambience

To create a touch of glamour, I specified cabinetry from the Andrew James Nero Collection and to define the working area used stainless steel fronts for the tall bank housing the appliances. The stunning circular drum element to the end of the L-shaped island is the focal point as you enter the kitchen from the hall.

With such a large kitchen it would have been easy to either make it too homogenous resulting in a rather dull look, or too varied resulting in a disjointed look. This mix of materials harmonised beautifully, gave the kitchen character and enabled each aspect to add something extra to the overall ambience of the room.

It was great to have a client so involved and together we selected furniture and lighting from the Dream Design portfolio to compliment the kitchen.

Products Available From Dream Design

Cabinetry Andrew James Nero Collection

Worksurfaces 30mm Polished Zimbabwe Black Granite

Main Cooking Appliances Gaggenau

Cooling Appliances Sub Zero

Dishwashers Miele

Bar Stools Ronald Schmitt

Dining Table & Chairs Giorgetti

Feature Lighting Brand Van Egmond