Classic Contemporary Kitchen, Ingatestone, Essex

When the idea for this new build open plan home in Ingatestone, Essex was conceived, it was done so with it being a forever home in mind. And the best thing about a self-build project? No compromise. After living in an older much darker property, the clients’ natural focus for this new project was an open plan space that felt light and airy. Our brief was to create an inviting space for family and friends to come and go as they pleased so with this in mind, the kitchen had to be carefully zoned to make full use of the available space whilst providing an entertaining area for multiple guests.

As you walk through the open plan dining/ living area towards the main kitchen, your eye is instantly drawn to the tall run of painted Nickleby cabinetry behind the island. Designed with entertaining for multiple guests in mind this kitchen includes top spec Miele appliances which are easy to use and renowned for their precision. On the far left of the run is a breakfast cupboard that conceals a built-in Miele bean-to-cup coffee machine and additional shelving for cups, tea, sugar and jars etc with worktop space beneath to prepare hot drinks. Located in the centre of the run is a Miele combi-steam oven, a Miele sous vide drawer below and a Miele single pyrolytic main oven providing the perfect combination of cooking appliances for entertaining. Ample cupboard space both above and beneath the cooking appliances provides essential storage for pots, pans and trays. Concealed at the end of the run closest to the pantry is an integrated Gaggenau French door fridge freezer.

The island is used as the main food prep area with the Miele induction hob positioned here which features built in down draft extraction which removes unwanted odours as soon as they leave the pan. Beneath the hob to the left-hand side is a Miele gourmet warming drawer which, due to its larger capacity, is ideal when cooking for multiple guests holding more crockery and larger tableware when needed. Beneath the counter to the right of the hob is a knife drawer with an integrated pull out bin below for ease of use. On the far side of the island is seating for guests to sit and enjoy a glass of wine and talk to the host whilst dinner is being prepared.

The main sink run looks out across the beautifully landscaped garden and countryside beyond. In the centre of the run is a large Kohler deerfield sink, Perrin & Rowe Athenian tap with rinse, and a Zip Arc hydrotap. Below the worktop to the right of the sink is a Miele dishwasher ideally positioned so dirty dishes can be cleared away quickly and is close to the food prep area. Under the counter at the end of the run is a CDA wine cooler, perfectly positioned close to the island so that wine can be served to guests without getting in the way of the host cooking at the island.

The classic contemporary design of this project lends itself perfectly to the overall look and feel of this home. The soft colour palette of Tailored Grey on the perimeter cabinetry, boot room and utility and Farthing II on the island, along with polished nickel hardware works so well in this space and particularly well with the natural Burford limestone etched flooring.