Sam Hart

The designer: Sam Hart at Roundhouse (www.roundhousedesign.com)

The story: Roundhouse is a multi-award winning British design and manufacturing company of bespoke kitchens and other furniture. With seven prestigious showrooms across London, the South East and Cheltenham, Roundhouse is design-led with a signature understated look influenced by contemporary architecture and design. Renowned for its craftsmanship and innovative use of materials, it has its own R & D team developing new finishes. British and totally bespoke, manufacturing to order, Roundhouse makes furniture to any size and virtually any finish, colour or veneer.

Designer Q&A:

Q) What was your brief from the client?

The client wanted a wow factor. She knew she wanted a high gloss finish and as it’s a very large open plan light filled space, she wanted a big ‘sociable’ island that everything centred around. She already had Sub-Zero and Wolf appliances in mind too, and as they were to be in a prominent position in the kitchen and would make quite an impact visually, it was important what they looked like.

Q) How did you set about answering that brief?

We considered the space together and looked at the other materials she had chosen, particularly for the flooring, as this area is so vast. We made the island feel more like a piece of furniture by introducing more finishes and materials, like natural wood and stone – this was crucial if it were not to feel too monolithic in the room. I suggested she use a bookmatched high gloss horizontal walnut veneer to help soften down the high gloss white lacquer and prevent it from seeming too clinical. We chose a beautiful piece of White Fantasy Leather finish stone for the island to bring in a further textural layer. I also introduced plinth lighting to create the illusion of a ‘floating’ island.

Q) Which products did you use and why?

All large appliances are Sub-Zero and Wolf, because they are so prominent in the space and look fabulous visually. The Wolf range is very large, accommodating four burners, charbroiler and griddle and sits very well in the 2.2m square-shaped island. As a coffee lover, she wanted a great coffee machine but not have it on permanent display – a Miele Bean-to-Cup machine, hidden inside the cupboard next to the wine cooler, fits the bill.

All the Roundhouse furniture is bespoke and there is a double pantry behind the doors next to the fridge. All the drawers and cupboards have Blum fittings, which fit well with the Roundhouse ethos of ‘built to last’.

Q) Was there any renovation work involved?

Yes, an enormous amount. The house was virtually rebuilt and included a new basement. Roundhouse got involved at a very early stage and so we were able to influence the layout of the kitchen.

Q) What design elements do you think make the scheme so successful?

Using different materials in a really large space, layering texture and putting the White Fantasy finish and walnut on the island. The island is a key piece in the ergonomics of the kitchen – it clearly defines the different areas. It is an unusual square shape that best fits the space and apart from the big appliances, also has a huge sink and Quooker boiling water taps.

Q) Any advice for someone who may be planning a new kitchen?

If your kitchen is to be part of a wider living area then it is vital to consider how you will use your kitchen within the space. If it’s part of a new extension or build, involve your designer at the earliest stage so that all angles have been considered and covered prior to work starting. One of the key elements in a great looking kitchen is good advance planning.

The details:

Urbo high gloss bespoke kitchen in White RAL 9003 and bookmatched high gloss horizontal walnut veneer with worksurface in White Fantasy Leather finish on the island and Kensho on the sink run with Integrity One Kensho sink and larder shelf, all Roundhouse, www.roundhousedesign.com

Fridge freezer and wine cooler by Sub Zero, www.subzero-wolf.co.uk

Sealed burner range, built-in oven and warming drawer by Wolf, www.subzero-wolf.co.uk

Dishwasher and coffee machine by Miele, www.miele.co.uk

Boiling water taps by Quooker, www.quooker.co.uk

Internal fittings by Blum, www.blum.com

Hayley loves: the contrast of the light and dark high gloss, which seems to blend classic and contemporary styles perfectly