Welcome Back
Su and Darren were already familiar faces at Artizan Interiors, having worked with us to design the kitchen in their previous home. It was a pleasure to welcome them back and hear their ideas for this next chapter.
Key Elements
Their starting points were quite different. Su was drawn to a curated, contemporary take on Shaker cabinetry, while Darren preferred a cleaner, more streamlined aesthetic. In particular, he had his eye on one of the kitchens in our Studio – although Su was rather less convinced, to begin with anyway…
The existing Neptune kitchen had been in place when they bought the house and, while perfectly serviceable, it never really felt like their own. Replacing it so soon hadn’t been part of the plan, but when the flooring throughout the ground floor failed and needed to be replaced, the kitchen would have to come out as part of the work. Rather than reinstall something they didn’t love, Su and Darren decided the time was right to create a kitchen that felt entirely theirs.
The project quickly became about more than the kitchen itself. Alex advised on flooring and joined Su and Darren on a visit to one of our trusted flooring suppliers to explore the options, ensuring the new floor and cabinetry would work together as part of a cohesive scheme.
Meanwhile, Luisa began developing two distinct design directions, one Shaker, one contemporary. The plans also reworked the existing utility room to create a practical pantry space.
And then, of course, there was the home bar…
Do you like what you see?
In the end, it was the modern aesthetic that won out, although Su was unwavering on one particular detail, an induction hob with gas? Absolutely. Luisa’s design delivered on that as well as so much more.
The finished scheme is a beautifully resolved, handleless matte black and walnut kitchen and pantry, where strong architectural lines are softened by layers of texture, subtle detailing and carefully considered finishes. It feels confident and contemporary without ever becoming stark.
And then there’s the home bar, a wonderfully atmospheric addition, designed with the same attention to detail and sense of occasion as the kitchen itself. Rich, sophisticated and effortlessly inviting, it brings a touch of boutique hospitality to the heart of the home. And where better to raise a toast to a job well done?
