Soho | A luxurious kitchen perfect for entertaining

After several years of searching for the perfect plot to build their dream home on, Mr and Mrs Elms discovered a dilapidated bungalow that was about to go up for sale. Set in 7 acres of woodland, it was exactly what the couple had been looking for, they were fortunate to go on to secure it. 

When it came to designing their new build, Mrs Elms had a clear vision:  “I’ve always loved the ‘New England’ style architecture and it heavily influenced the build. Whether the structure is large or small, this style always seems to make homes seem so inviting. Bizarrely, the bungalow had the same American vibe to it too, timber clad with a broken back, so it seemed meant to be.” Says Mrs Elms. 

With a completely blank canvas, the kitchen became the starting point for the interior. 

“The possibilities were endless. We looked at numerous kitchen companies, but none of them felt right. At the time the designs on offer were two extremes: either ‘too bachelor pad’ or ‘too country cottage’. Davonport had been recommended to us, so we went to visit our local showroom in Colchester to take a look”.

“I instantly fell head over heels in love with the Davonport Soho kitchen design.” Exclaims Mrs Elms. It had just the right hint of femininity that I was looking for in the fretwork on the pantry cupboard. We wanted to use a local company: the image of Richard and his father in the brochure helped to cement our decision, as it felt like an authentic family business.”

The couple’s brief was to create a design that would allow the kitchen to be the hub of the house. They wanted a sociable, but workable space without any compromise on style.

Almost identical to the layout of the Soho kitchen design in the Davonport showroom, Mr & Mrs Elms’ kitchen has been made to hug the back wall (nearest to the entrance from the hallway), with integrated luxury appliances from Sub Zero and Wolf, and a large split-level island that includes an induction hob, looking out towards the room. 

A luxurious Davonport pantry with internal drawers and marble cold shelf is also included in the design. It is positioned in the centre of 2 tall larder cabinets, framing the wall between the kitchen and utility room, opposite the dining area.

The style of the Soho kitchen is naturally sociable – allowing the couple to be able to host whilst carrying out last minute food prep. Mrs Elms says “The table-level seating works particularly well as my youngest son sits there and completes his homework whilst I’m cooking. It makes it easy to help him if needed.” 

The Davonport Soho furniture with it’s handle-less design and delicate fret work strikes the right balance between statement and minimalist, making it the perfect style for the open-plan living room in this contemporary new build. The eclectic mix of rich materials, tones and textures, all combine to create a truly unique kitchen that exudes luxury.