Contemporary kitchen design is often dominated by simplicity and functionality, making it seem cold and sterile. But incorporating distinctive details like rich texture and fine craftsmanship into a modern space is a sure way to make your design a success. This space designed by bespoke kitchen brand Roundhouse makes the most of this appealing combination.
With bold black and white marble and thoughtful details in every direction, the space is a relaxing retreat. To hear more about the design process and learn more about the space, H&G We spoke to Daniel Lau, Senior Design Consultant at Roundhouse, who explains how the team at Roundhouse brought this modern kitchen to life.
(Image courtesy of Mary Wadsworth/Roundhouse)
Marble is a timeless, high-quality, and timeless material that complements any kitchen, and bold stripes are one of the hottest trends for 2024. The eye-catching pattern is unexpected and exciting, elevating an otherwise simple space.
In this marble kitchen by Roundhouse, the bold black and white countertops and backsplash elevate the overall atmosphere of the space, making it feel luxurious and lived-in. Here, they pair beautifully with the neutral color palette, proving the versatility of this unique material.
“Having this kind of movement in the marble really adds character to the space. Every slab and piece of marble is completely unique and we wanted to create a feature, a point of interest and some kind of conversation starter,” Daniel says. H&G.
(Image courtesy of Mary Wadsworth/Roundhouse)
While marble plays a central role in this design scheme, another distinctive element catches the eye: the dark, built-in dining table that juts out from the kitchen island. Made from natural stone and set around the island, the table is entirely bespoke and built with functionality in mind.
“The concept behind the dining table element was for a contrasting element to 'elevate' from the white marble. We chose custom stained black granite to create this contrast. Not only that, it's also a very durable natural material, making it ideal for a busy space like a family kitchen,” says Daniel.
(Image courtesy of Mary Wadsworth/Roundhouse)
“The sculptural island was the most challenging element of the project and I had many sleepless nights thinking about the technical aspects of how to actually construct the island,” continues Daniel.
But over time, working with Roundhouse's technical team, a specialist stone fabricator, and the client, Daniel says the design began to come together: Decisions were made about how and where to cut the stone, how the island would blend with the hardwood floors, and “how it would interact with the semi-cantilevered black granite.”
“All of these details were carefully considered and created in 3D mock-ups so that all stakeholders could approve the look before a single stone was cut,” says Daniel. The final product is streamlined, unique, and blends beautifully with the rest of the space.
(Image courtesy of Mary Wadsworth/Roundhouse)
The kitchen space blends seamlessly into the dining room, which features floor-to-ceiling glass doors and chic plaid curtains. Though the two rooms feel quite different, Daniel says the color palette of the open-plan space made them blend together very easily.
“The monochrome design language is carried through to the rest of the property, as well as the basement floor, where the kitchen is located. The clients opted for black-framed Crittall doors leading out to the garden, black pendant lights and of course a black-fronted Wolf oven – all of these elements tie the whole space together,” says Daniel.
(Image courtesy of Mary Wadsworth/Roundhouse)
When it comes to using texture in interior design, the kitchen isn't always the first room that comes to mind, but as you'll see throughout this space, cabinets and countertops offer plenty of opportunities for striking textures and materials.
“Combining different, and sometimes unconventional, materials, details and textures is our speciality at Roundhouse. Being in the rather unique position of being able to design bespoke classic and contemporary designs is what sets us apart from other kitchen design studios and this project is a perfect example of that,” says Daniel.
The combination of Shaker-style floor-to-ceiling cabinetry and handleless matte black lower cabinets creates a dramatic contrast, yet blends beautifully together.
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A true embodiment of Roundhouse, the finished space is stylish and pure luxury, fusing contemporary luxury with quirky charm. Daniel says that despite some design setbacks along the way, the final look is “absolutely stunning.”
“Seeing the space in person makes you forget all the difficult moments during the design process. Everyone involved in the project was key to making this unique design a reality and it was a true honour to be part of such an incredible project,” concludes Daniel.
