How to include texture in a kitchen

No one wants a replica kitchen and everyone wants a practical space in which to prep, cook, dine and live. In fact, the ‘living’ aspect of a kitchen – particularly an open plan one – has come into focus as we all want to create spaces that feel instantly welcoming and there is only one way of balancing practicality with character, and that is texture.

To create a space that is as smart and personal as it is practical, we’ve shared some of the ways we have incorporated texture in the kitchen at the Arts and Crafts Country Estate. It’s so important to understand that using a mix of different textures like wood, metal, glass, natural stone, fabric and leather will have a huge impact on not just how a room looks, but how it feels.

For me, the kitchen had to feel alive with texture; a place where gentle, tactile finishes sit quietly alongside more structured materials.” peter humphrey, design director & founder of hM reflects. “It was this interplay that brought a sense of warmth and refinement to the room. In the end, texture became the thread running through everything, giving the space its depth and character so you always feel that sense of welcome when you walk in.”

For the island worktop, the clients opted for a natural oak top that would soften some of the most industrial elements like the staircase and crittall style pantry doors. The juxtaposition of these different materials layered together creates several striking features that result in a finished room that feels perfectly balanced.

It’s so important to first of all consider the base colour palette of your space, as these form the foundation upon which all other design elements are layered. In the kitchen, the clients chose ‘Wellington’ for the perimeter cabinetry, a soft light grey and ‘Soot’, a deeper grey, for the island. By using two complementary neutral tones, the design remains versatile, allowing standout features like the natural oak island worktop to integrate seamlessly without feeling overpowering.

The quartz worktop used on the perimeter cabinetry pairs perfectly with the natural oak island worktop and creates a visual distinction. The use of a natural material such as this softens the appearance of the room, offsetting the industrialism of the metal elements.

Appliances in a kitchen are often hidden within integrated cabinetry and whilst in certain cases this is necessary, as it was for the Wolf warming drawer on the island, an element of the visible metallic can really complement a space.

This project takes this celebration of metal to a whole new height. Not only featuring a statement spiral staircase and Crittall-style pantry doors, most of the appliances also boldly showcase their metal exteriors. Including two Wolf M series pyrolytic ovens, two Gaggenau Verio fridge freezers and a Lacanche Chalonnais 1405mm range finished in Anthracite.

Above the island hang two Latham pendants by Hudson Valley Lighting Group, which further introduce a combination of mixed materials in their finish. This considered choice of lighting, with its opaque glass shades, lends a softness by gently diffusing the light, avoiding the harsher effect that clear glass would create.

There are countless creative ways to add softness to a room and one of the most effective is through the use of fabric. In the kitchen, khaki green leather was chosen for the counter stools, introducing an earthy tone that complements the surrounding natural materials. The use of green continues in the Roman blinds, which draw the eye upward and adds a touch of visual interest to the upper half of the room.

Natural limestone flooring was selected not only for its practicality but also to introduce another natural element to complement the timber worktop, while also contrasting the industrialism of the kitchen. The hardwearing Earl Grey natural limestone with its gently mottled texture, softly scattered markings and tumbled edges adds the perfect amount of character.

Bringing all of these elements together, the Arts and Crafts Country Estate is a masterclass in how a considered balance of texture, tone and material can transform a space. Every design choice from the statement timber worktop to the finer details like the roman blinds works in harmony without ever competing for attention. It is this layering of contrasts that creates a room with a true character, one that feels inviting and deeply connected to the traditions of craft and design.

Images: Paul Craig