Mr & Mrs Taylor - Aberdeen, Aberdeen

Mr & Mrs Taylor showed no interest in any of the typical ‘wow factor’ ingredients of a new kitchen. Rather, they wanted a space that would continue the comfortable feel of their warm family home, be extremely practical to use (they’re keen cooks) and at the same time be an inviting place for the rest of the family to socialise.

While they might not have put ‘wow’ at the top of their list of priorities, the resulting kitchen is no doubt a showstopper, thanks in large to the combination of neutral colours, unusual textures and bespoke cabinetry from Leicht.

The rust coloured Leicht cabinetry at the far end of the room has an unusual finish, achieved by applying a lacquer containing oxidised powdered iron. It gives a warm, attractive colour with unique patterns weaving throughout.

One of the trickiest challenges in the project was how to create a practical layout for the island, given the shape and size of the room. A large square island allowed for the inclusion of a breakfast bar providing the Taylor’s with the homely, informal dining space allowing family to spend time together in the kitchen.

The hob was positioned on the island to allow whoever is cooking to interact with family and friends, without having their back turned. Extraction was initially a challenge as downdraft was not an option due to concrete floors. An unobtrusive canopy extractor was fitted flush with the ceiling so that the open feel of the kitchen was not spoiled.

An incredibly useful utility/laundry area was formed by utilising an existing niche, which houses a washing machine stacked on top of a tumble dryer, with enough space for an ironing board and bulky cleaning equipment. The machines sit in a unit (again by Leicht) that was designed specifically to accommodate stacked appliances and absorb their vibrations. Not only does this protect the cabinet itself, it means the utility space remains completely unobtrusive in the open-plan kitchen.