The designer: Andy Barette, Creative Services Director at McCarron & Co (mccarronandco.com)

Designer Q&A:

Q) What was your brief from the client?

The owners’ brief was for the same material to be used throughout the house for a pared down, cohesive look. The design had to take into consideration the fact that they love entertaining and are serious cooks, so there needed to be a good mix of high-end appliances. Above all, the brief was to create a beautiful, harmonious space for a growing family.

Q) How did you set about answering that brief?

It involved a number of very detailed meetings, whereby a lot of questions were asked of the client and a lot of listening was involved! There were literally reams of pages of ideas, wish lists and scrapbook photos, which we then edited down to reveal the brief. From that point, it was easier to create the drafts of the design proposals.

Q) Which products did you use and why?

We make our own furniture, so the product was 100% McCarron & Co. This was the reason the client came to us in the first place, to have a locally made fully bespoke high-end British product. With regards to appliances, we used Miele throughout, which was part of the client’s brief and wish list anyway. The stone worktops were from Caesarstone, again an easy choice because the client had used the worktops for a previous project.

Q) Was there any building/renovation work involved?

There was a huge amount of renovation involved, not least because there were two basement levels, resulting in a very complex excavation. McCarron & Co became involved at the stage when both basement levels were fully plastered, so it was easy to understand how the spaces worked and how aspects such as the natural lighting worked.

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

Quite simply, keeping the same beautiful softened oak finish throughout made the scheme successful. Any concerns from the client that they could have been making a mistake by keeping to one finish dissipated as the project came together. The furniture acts as a cohesive subtle backdrop for a stunning family home, and that was very much the vision from the offset.

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

Seek out a designer that shares your vision and that you have confidence in to work with you throughout the project. Create a wish list for the project including all elements, from style to finishes to appliances, and above all be open minded – it could well be that the best options are something that you had never considered. 

The details:

Appliances by Miele, www.miele.co.uk

Sink and taps by Franke and Quooker, www.franke.com and www.quooker.co.uk

Flooring by Stone & Ceramic Warehouse, www.stoneandceramicwarehouse.co.uk

Wall paint by Farrow & Ball, www.farrow-ball.com

Accessories by Skandium and Rockett St George, www.skandium.com and www.rocketstgeorge.co.uk

Hayley loves: the way this design has a subtle Scandi look, which is so on-trend right now