An inky blue painted finish contrasts beautifully with natural English oak

Furniture graduate Matt Podesta, liveryman in the The Worshipful Company of Furniture Makers, designed this newly built kitchen as well as other cabinetry, bedrooms, and a paneled hallway for this home. Matt Podesta is an experienced designer, having worked with Habitat, Smallbone, Tom Dixon and Mark Wilkinson before launching Podesta in 2002. Matt and his team produce bespoke, fitted and freestanding furniture using traditional skills and methods.

Q: What was your brief from the client?

They wanted something classic but with a twist … which is evident here on details like the door handles on the fridge/larder run. We also designed cabinetry elsewhere in the property, from bedrooms and paneled hallway to the utility room, study and overall period features of the property.

Q: How did you set about answering that brief?

By looking carefully at the proportions of the rooms and designing cabinetry that fitted perfectly. A lot of influence has been taken from classical architecture and furniture.

Q: Which products did you use and why?

We used English oak for the natural wood elements and specified painted cabinets elsewhere. Natural marble work surfaces add soothing, restful look.

Q: Was there any building/renovation work involved?

It was a new build so we pretty much had a blank canvas. It was therefore a long term project, stretching out over 16 months. Lots of forward planning and client discussions took place, to ensure that every element was accurate, suited its purpose and would sit well within the house itself.

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

The island is striking – it’s pure furniture with leg details, moulding under the worktop and small feet to the corner posts. The cornice on the larder run is a bolection curve frieze with cornice over. There are elegantly proportioned end panels, and dovetailed drawers on the latest Blum soft close runners.

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

We always urge our clients to involve us as soon as possible at the start of a project. We have a wealth of experience and will be able to advise on all sorts of associated details – whether structural or aesthetic -which can radically alter the overall look of the final design. An accurate budget is also vital; it is not worth giving the designer a false budget as you never know what might be possible if you could spend a little bit more! Think of practical ideas too, like allowing for tray spaces.

We Love: The imposing look of the navy blue larder cabinet, and it’s giant-sized handles

The Details:

All design and cabinetry by Matt Podesta. www.podesta.uk.com T: 01494 677 770
• Boiling water tap by Quooker, www.quooker.co.uk
• Fitted appliances by Siemens, www.siemens-home.co.uk
• Sink by Frank, www.franke.co.uk
• Taps by Perrin & Rowe, www.perrinandrowe.co.uk
• Bianco Carrara marble worktops, Podesta. www.podesta.uk.com