Contemporary Intuo Matt Glass Kitchen with Bespoke Additions

As part of a large open-plan extension to a detached house in Hampshire, Searle & Taylor was commissioned to design a timeless modern handleless kitchen for a couple who are keen cooks and who regularly entertain friends and their grown-up family. The kitchen is part of the couples’ large living space that features a wall of panel doors leading out to the garden. It is this area where aperitifs are taken before guests dine in a separate dining room, and also where parties take place. Part of the brief was to create a separate bespoke drinks cabinet cum bar area as a separate, yet complementary piece of furniture. Handling separate aspects of the design, Darren Taylor and Gavin Alexander both worked on this kitchen project together. They created a plan that featured matt glass door and drawer fronts in Lava colourway for the island, sink run and overhead units. These were combined with oiled walnut veneer tall cabinetry from premium Austrian kitchen furniture brand, Intuo. Further bespoke additions including the 80mm circular walnut breakfast bar with a turned tapered half-leg base were made at Searle & Taylor’s bespoke workshop in England. The worktop used throughout is Trillium by Dekton, which is featured in 80mm thickness on the kitchen island and 20mm thickness on the sink and hob runs. It is also used as an upstand. The sink run includes a Franke copper grey one and a half bowl undermount sink and a Quooker Flex Boiling Water Tap. The surface of the 3.1 metre kitchen island is kept clear for when the couple entertain, so the flush-mounted 80cm Gaggenau induction hob is situated in front of the bronze mirrored glass splashback. Directly above it is a Westin 80cm built-in extractor at the base of the overhead cabinetry. To the left and housed within the walnut units is a bank of Gaggenau ovens including a 60cm pyrolytic oven, a combination steam oven and warming drawers in anthracite colourway and a further integrated Gaggenau dishwasher is also included in the scheme. The full height Siemens A Cool 76cm larder fridge and tall 61cm freezer are all integrated behind furniture doors for a seamless look to the kitchen. Internal storage includes heavyweight pan drawers and Legra pull-out shelving for dry goods, herbs, spices and condiments. As a completely separate piece of furniture, but finished in the same oiled walnut veneer is the ‘Gin Cabinet’ a built-in unit designed to look as if it is freestanding. To the left is a tall Gaggenau Wine Climate Cabinet and to the right is a decorative cabinet for glasses and the client’s extensive gin collection, specially backlit with LED lighting and with a bespoke door front to match the front of the wine cabinet. At the centre are full pocket doors that fold back into recesses to reveal a bar area with bronze mirror back panel and shelves in front, a 20mm Trillium by Dekton worksurface with a single bowl Franke sink and another Quooker Flex Boiling Water Tap with the new Cube function, for filtered boiling, hot, cold and sparkling water. A further Gaggenau microwave oven is installed within the unit and cupboards beneath feature Intuo fronts in matt glass, as before.

Appartement PARIS 7, 200m2

Myhome rénovation

Très belle cuisine familiale, où absolument tout a été refait : chape, électricité, plomberie, la cheminée a été remise en fonction, le parquet a été posé...

Highbury Kitchen / Living Room

Emilie Fournet Interiors

Caitlin Mogridge
Small midcentury single-wall open plan kitchen in London with a single-bowl sink, flat-panel cabinets, white cabinets, laminate benchtops, mirror splashback, panelled appliances, dark hardwood floors, no island and brown floor.

Bronzed mirrored splashback

LWK London Kitchens

Two tone gloss Antique White and Pebble Grey Laminate kitchen. Featuring a full glass mirrored splashback, 685mm in height.
Contemporary kitchen in London with mirror splashback and with island.

Chislehurst House

Corrie Jones Architecture

We transformed the ground floor of this house, which was a collection of small, dark and disjointed spaces into one full of light, and life. The previous floorplan was a bit of a rabbit-warren, with an enclosed entrance hall with six separate doors coming off it, each leading to a room with a different function. A very dated kitchen was linked with an even smaller dining area, with a small utility room off of that. The house had no sense of cohesion, very little natural light, and no sense of space...or fun. Our aim was to create a large space for entertaining friends and family, somewhere to eat, drink and be merry. We converted the kitchen into a snug, and opened up most of the rear of the house and introduced two large expanses of glazing out onto the garden terrace. A large island, along the main entrance axis of the space was introduced, with a large bespoke pocket door allowing the space to be completely open, providing a clear unobstructed view from the front door throughout the house to the rear terrace. The palette is very smart and subtle mix of light ivory with accents of dark greys, with brushed brass fittings, and warm timber furnishings to bring in added warmth.

Extension in Holmer Green

AG ARCHITECTURE STUDIO

Transitional galley kitchen in Buckinghamshire with an undermount sink, shaker cabinets, blue cabinets, mirror splashback, black appliances, a peninsula, grey floor and white benchtop.

Cotswold Country House

Gasson & Phillips Interiors

Open plan living/dining/kitchen in refurbished Cotswold country house
Design ideas for a large country l-shaped open plan kitchen in Gloucestershire with a farmhouse sink, shaker cabinets, green cabinets, granite benchtops, mirror splashback, panelled appliances, limestone floors, with island, beige floor and multi-coloured benchtop.

Thames Ditton Painted Shaker Kitchen

Higham Furniture

An aesthetically pleasing utility is just as important as a kitchen. We love how this Shaker utility turned out.
Design ideas for a mid-sized traditional l-shaped eat-in kitchen in Surrey with a farmhouse sink, shaker cabinets, grey cabinets, quartzite benchtops, grey splashback, mirror splashback, stainless steel appliances, porcelain floors, with island, grey floor and white benchtop.

Edward Road

Noel Dempsey Design

Luxury handmade kitchen from our New Hampshire Collection. The hand painted kitchen is custom made in our solid wood framed cabinet style with detailed doors and drawers. Armac Martin handles complete the look.

A London Town House Kitchen By Burlanes

burlanes interiors

A stunning period property in the heart of London, the homeowners of this beautiful town house have created a stunning, boutique hotel vibe throughout, and Burlanes were commissioned to design and create a kitchen with charisma and rustic charm. Handpainted in Farrow & Ball 'Studio Green', the Burlanes Hoyden cabinetry is handmade to fit the dimensions of the room exactly, complemented perfectly with Silestone worktops in 'Iconic White'.

Contemporary Grey Kitchen

Tom Howley

The Hartford collection is an inspired modern update on the classic Shaker style kitchen. Designed with simplicity in mind, the kitchens in this range have a universal appeal that never fails to delight. Each kitchen is beautifully proportioned, with an unerring focus on scale that ensures the final result is flawless. The impressive island adds much needed extra storage and work surface space, perfect for busy family living. Placed in the centre of the kitchen, it creates a hub for friends and family to gather. A large Kohler sink, with Perrin & Rowe taps creates a practical prep area and because it’s positioned between the Aga and fridge it creates an ideal work triangle.

27th Street

Amber-Tru Construction

This is an example of a mid-sized modern l-shaped kitchen in San Francisco with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, marble benchtops, medium hardwood floors, with island, brown floor, black cabinets, metallic splashback, mirror splashback and stainless steel appliances.

Contemporary kitchen-living space, Herts

Sue Murphy Interiors

Peter Landers Photography
Inspiration for a contemporary kitchen in Hertfordshire with flat-panel cabinets, white cabinets, mirror splashback, black appliances, with island and grey floor.

U Shaped Kitchen with Breakfast Bar

Elan Kitchens

Design ideas for a mid-sized contemporary l-shaped eat-in kitchen in London with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, white cabinets, metallic splashback, mirror splashback and a peninsula.

Квартира на Мосфильмовской

Надежда Каппер

Mid-sized contemporary single-wall open plan kitchen in Moscow with flat-panel cabinets, grey cabinets, grey splashback, black appliances, medium hardwood floors, no island, solid surface benchtops, mirror splashback and black benchtop.

Seminary Condo

Charlotte William Interiors

Dustin Halleck
Design ideas for a transitional eat-in kitchen in Chicago with an undermount sink, open cabinets, white cabinets, mirror splashback, stainless steel appliances, dark hardwood floors and brown floor.

Medallion Cabinetry

Doug Ashy Cabinet Design Center

Design ideas for a mid-sized transitional u-shaped separate kitchen in New Orleans with recessed-panel cabinets, white cabinets, solid surface benchtops, metallic splashback, mirror splashback, stainless steel appliances, medium hardwood floors and with island.

Chicago Bread Baker's Kitchen. Design by Fred M Alsen of fma Interior Design.

FMA Interior Design, Inc.

Mike Kaskel
Large contemporary u-shaped eat-in kitchen in Chicago with a single-bowl sink, glass-front cabinets, white cabinets, soapstone benchtops, metallic splashback, mirror splashback, stainless steel appliances, cork floors and with island.

Recent Kitchen Renovations

Carnes Home Builders

Gordon Gregory Photography
This is an example of a small modern galley separate kitchen in Richmond with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, light wood cabinets, quartz benchtops, mirror splashback, stainless steel appliances, ceramic floors and no island.

Dashing Duplex | Full renovation in Kensington, London, W8

Jemimah Barnett

Wall colour: Slaked Lime Mid #149 by Little Greene | Ceilings in Loft White #222 by Little Greene | Pendant light is the Long John 4 light linear fixture by Rubn | Vesper barstools in Laguna Matt & Antique Brass from Barker & Stonehouse | Kitchen joinery custom made by Luxe Projects London (lower cabinetry is sprayed in Corboda #277 by Little Greene) | Stone countertops are Belvedere marble; slabs from Bloom Stones London; cut by AC Stone & Ceramic | Backsplash in toughened bronze mirror | Stone floors are Lombardo marble in a honed finish from Artisans of Devizes

Kitchen with Mirror Splashback Design Ideas

There’s a lot to consider when it comes to planning your kitchen design. Where do you even start? Gathering some inspiration in a photo gallery is always a good starting point, as looking at different kitchen designs often brings up ideas you haven’t even thought of yet.

Browse Photos of Kitchen Designs for Inspiration and Collect Your Ideas

You can browse through photos of all kinds of kitchen styles, layouts and sizes on Houzz to get started before jumping into any design software or contacting a local professional for help. Here’s a few considerations to keep in mind when planning your kitchen.

1. What Makes a Good Kitchen Design, and Why is it Important?

For starters, you want to find a balance between aesthetics and function. You may have heard of the ‘kitchen work triangle’, which refers to the space between your fridge, sink and stove. You want everything within easy reach when you’re working in the kitchen and look beautiful at the same time. It’s a good idea to take note of both when browsing our photo gallery.

2. Consider Your Space to Determine Your Kitchen Layout

Firstly, consider the space you have, and the limitations that come with it. Do you have a small kitchen and need to maximise your workspace and storage? Can you allow yourself some more space and a big island with seating? Are you designing your kitchen from scratch or renovating an existing design? Which appliances do you already own and what are their measurements? Are there windows you need to take into consideration when planning cabinets? How do kitchen, living and dining areas connect? Depending on your space and needs, you want to use a shape that suits you. U, G, or L-shaped kitchen, with or without island or peninsula? Know your dimensions, plan cabinetry carefully and consider the placement of your appliances. You don’t want to end up with a finished design, only for your significant other to question where the fridge is supposed to go. Consider from the start where your fridge, oven, microwave and sink goes to save yourself from starting again from scratch - remember the kitchen work triangle! You also want to plan the layout of your cabinets. Maybe you’re planning for a pantry and can do with less storage space in your kitchen, so that your design can be one without upper or lower cabinets for a different look. A corner cabinet can be a smart storage solution if you want to keep the look clean and simple.

3. Decide on a Kitchen Style, But Don’t Forget Practicality

You want the style of your kitchen to reflect your personality and taste. We have curated a large array of kitchen styles here at Houzz, from traditional to contemporary to transitional and everything in between. Consider what your cooking style is for a start - Italy is known for its cuisine, so italian kitchen designs are generally popular. Also consider ergonomics - depending on how much time you spend in your kitchen, the height of your counters can make a big difference to your overall health. You also want to consider colour and finishes of cabinets, countertops and splashbacks. Which colour do you want your cupboards to be? Simple, timeless white or rather making a statement in black? Maybe rather a rustic wood? Also consider the colour of your floor - if you have dark floors, you may want to keep cabinets lighter. You could also go for an all-white look and choose black appliances for contrast. Once you know which style you fancy, don’t forget how you will be using the space. You want to keep cooking in mind, as well as how easy to clean and maintain the space will be. How many cooks do you need to accommodate? Do you have kids around? How much storage do you need? Maybe you want to go for open shelves rather than cabinets and allow for easy reach of key items you use when cooking. Again - remember the triangle! Lastly, choose lighting that both enhances the look of your kitchen as well as your cooking performance, providing light in all the right places.

4. Be Conscious of Your Budget

No matter what you plan for your kitchen design, cost is always a big factor. Be sure to plan with your budget in mind. It may make more sense to go for a modular kitchen design rather than custom build. You can save a lot of money if you get at least 3 estimates from professionals before locking in the job. And don’t forget to allow a 20% buffer for emergencies. Once you are ready to hire a pro, our directory will help you find one, no matter where you are. So whether you're looking for an Interior Designer in Melbourne or an Architect in Sydney, you can be sure to find a qualified expert for the job!