AUDLEY | Luxurious new build kitchen
When the homeowner and property developer of this stunning seven-bedroom new build in leafy Hertfordshire embarked on this extensive project, he returned to Davonport to help create the luxurious kitchen and dining space. Presented with a totally blank canvas, the designer’s task was to ensure it remained in keeping with the rest of the four storey property’s opulent interiors, which featured a lift to all floors, a fully equipped gym, cinema room, ten-pin bowling room, large party room with bar and an extensive garden.
The brief for the kitchen was simple: plan and bring to life a room that would have strong aesthetic appeal and feature the ultimate high-end appliances with no limit. Working with a completely empty space sounds like a designers’ dream, but, if not carefully considered, can prove challenging when trying to incorporate all the essentials close to hand, as well as run the risk of the room looking cold and cavernous.
Davonport’s traditional style ‘Audley’, hand painted cabinetry with its generous proportions was key to the design of this vast kitchen, which includes a show-stopping island hand painted in Farrow & Ball’s Stiffkey Blue with leather banquette seating for up to eight people. For additional grandeur all the kitchen furniture has been finished with rich walnut interiors, topped off with stunning Carrara marble throughout.
You cannot escape the sheer scale of this kitchen. Therefore, introducing softness with bevelled glass in some of the cabinets was a must, plus allowing natural light through the room’s large glass windows to flood in and dapple the stunning marble floor.
Subzero and Wolf appliances, including two wine fridges (perfect for entertaining), were incorporated into the design for their iconic looks and expert engineering, aligning harmoniously with the client’s limitless luxury brief. This extends into a large utility room, where high-end Miele laundry appliances are housed and the same Davonport cabinetry and Carrara marble top appears for continuous flow from the main kitchen.
It’s clear that what began as a blank canvas has resulted in a dream kitchen. Delighted with the results, the client especially loves the symmetry in the bespoke design and says that “entertaining is brilliant!”
