The brief was to create a kitchen with the presence of fine furniture rather than fitted cabinetry. Inspired by the character of the period property, the design focuses on architectural proportion, classical detailing and craftsmanship, creating a space that feels entirely at home within its surroundings.
We hand-painted the cabinetry with a subtle, antique finish that allows the natural wood grain to take center stage. The result is a tactile, limed aesthetic that highlights the exceptional joinery and brings a warm, lived-in character to the room.
Classic architectural moulding is the defining element of this design. Every door features precise, recessed inset panelling, accented by traditional fluted pilasters and a dramatic mantle canopy. These deep shadow lines and structural layers elevate the cabinetry from simple storage into a testament to traditional Irish joinery.
A rich herringbone timber floor anchors the room, introducing natural warmth to contrast with the cooler stone surfaces. To balance this, a solid Carrara marble splashback mirrors the stone used on the central island, while subtle, in-cabinet lighting illuminates the glass-front dressers to elegant effect.
This kitchen is the perfect resolution of the brief: a balance of serious cooking power and elegant display. It proves that you can have all the functionality of a modern space without losing the character and drama of a period property.
We really wanted the kitchen to feel like it has always been part of the home. By hand-painting traditional cabinetry with an antique finish, we were able to create that lovely, ‘lived-in’ character from day one. By mirroring the home’s original architectural proportions, the furniture acts as a seamless extension of its history while delivering a high-performance modern layout.
For this hand-painted kitchen with an antique finish, we selected stone that is both elegant and practical. The main island and splashback feature classic Carrara marble, chosen for its soft, feathery grey veining and luxurious, refined appearance. Around the hob, we used a darker, patterned grey granite. Its robust character contrasts beautifully with the marble while providing heat-resistant durability – so you can place hot pans on the surface without worry. Together, the combination creates a harmonious balance of beauty and function throughout the kitchen.
The illuminated glass cabinets work beautifully in two ways: they provide a gorgeous backdrop for a curated display, while offering subtle accent lighting. When evening falls, their soft, ambient glow highlights the craftsmanship and softens the scale of the furniture, keeping the whole kitchen feeling wonderfully light and inviting.
The classic herringbone floor adds immediate ‘period drama’ to the space. Its rich, geometric pattern balances the grand scale of the cabinetry, making the room feel more like a curated living hall than a standard kitchen. The warm timber beautifully grounds the heavy stone elements and strikes a perfect tonal balance with the delicate antique brass accents.
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