In this striking kitchen design, natural materials meet stylish worktops and ultra-sleek cupboards. Fancy a tour?

Warm, antique brass accents, the sophisticated American walnut, and showstopping Calacatta Gold porcelain worktops make this contemporary kitchen design both elegant and inviting. The owners, a family with two children, have lived in their five-bedroom 1930s property in Buckinghamshire for around five years.

Following a large rear extension and kitchen renovation project by Krantz Designs, they now have a vast, open-plan space where they can cook, enjoy dinner and entertain. From a corner pantry cupboard, clever drawer solutions, to a breakfast bar that brims with character, all the chic but also practical elements in this kitchen have turned it into the hub of the home.

Krantz Designs’ design manager Jess Sroga, who worked on the project, reveals how it all came to be…

Where does the new kitchen sit and what are some of the key changes you made?

The kitchen, now sitting in the opposite side of the room, is part of a large, open-plan space that’s part of a new rear extension – this also includes a living, dining and bar area. The room really is the heart of the home for the family and, sitting in the centre of it, it actually connects most of the other downstairs rooms, as well as the entrance hall.

We created a direct link to the outside, too, with the addition of bi-folds, and extended the ceiling to dramatic pitches and skylights to bring in more natural light.

What were the homeowners looking to get out of their new kitchen?

First of all, they love to cook, so they wanted a functional space, but one that didn’t look like every other kitchen; their go-to aesthetic was contemporary yet timeless. They also asked for a design that would suit their busy family life – so, we introduced separate zones including a sink area, preparation and cooking island, a live-edge breakfast bar (where the edge of the woodwork appears unfinished), and a breakfast pantry.

The latter is definitely our most requested feature, especially within a family home; pocket doors are always great for accessing the area whilst in use, and then closing away any mess. The owners have a huge spice collection, too, so they wanted specially designed drawers placed directly below the hob to house this.

What inspired the layout and the materials featured in the design?

I guided the homeowners to decide on the best layout for their space, ensuring that a large island took centre stage, surrounded by ample storage, additional preparation space and appliance housings. A second sink on the island made sense, so that this could become the main food preparation area; set right by the breakfast pantry, it works great for making drinks, as well.

In terms of materials, we incorporated a blend of hand-painted and solid walnut cabinetry, with introduction of metalwork – such as antique brass and mesh – and porcelain worktops. Finally, the live-edge breakfast bar is made of walnut; this turned out really beautiful and unique, as we ended up hand-picking a piece of walnut from a local timber yard.

Why the choice of the Calacatta Gold porcelain and the rest of the gold accents?

We wanted something striking that imitated natural marble for the work surfaces, but at the same time, we needed a material that would be 100% heat resistant, as well as scratch and stain resistant. Porcelain was the perfect choice. The gold accents bring out the warmth of the American walnut and tie in with the antique brass hardware throughout.

Was there an aspect of the design that you found challenging?

Originally, the homeowners really wanted a pantry. However, when I experimented with this in the design, other areas of the room felt compromised – such as the circulation space or the size of the island. So, we decided to incorporate a clever corner pantry cupboard with internal baskets, instead.

How does the family feel about the space?

It’s really changed the way they live and spend their time in the home. It makes cooking for the whole family and hosting guests easy and enjoyable.

Photography: Paul Craig

This house tour was featured in the April 2025 issue of Kitchens Bedrooms & Bathrooms magazine.

Featured image: Soft blue runs of cabinetry pair with the rich American walnut. The addition of gold accents create a tranquil, plush space. Handles by Armac Martin.

Enjoyed this post? Click here to tour a classy farmhouse kitchen with a contemporary twist

About Post Author