Spacious kitchen with convivial seating layout and large scullery

An effective kitchen has to suit its immediate surroundings and offer a functional workspace. This kitchen by designer Lara Farmilo delivers on both fronts – but that’s not the full story.

“The owners wanted a Poggenpohl kitchen that would suit all three generations of their family,” says Farmilo. “The design had to include all modern conveniences required for Asian cooking, keep their children settled during mealtimes and also have a fully kitted out scullery where their grandparents could also prepare and cook.

To address their cooking needs and optimise storage, Farmilo designed a kitchen with every touch from timber cutlery inserts to handle-free, electrically opening drawers. Advanced cabinetry design means everything pulls open for access to every nook and cranny. Even the toekick space holds plinth drawers to provide additional storage.

“The kitchen is L-shaped with a central island and a waterfall-end bench set at right angles to that – an efficient layout for this family.

“The children have their meals at the large eating bench which has seating on both sides to allow for a social arrangement of stools. The bench even has USB charging and data ports.”

Then there’s the older generation to consider.

“The grandparents love having their own well equipped scullery where they spend hours prepping and cooking family meals. The long, linear space includes plenty of pull-out-pantry storage, Gaggenau gas cooktops, integrated extractors, a large sink with accessories and a second dishwasher.

And, lastly, the kitchen meets the needs of the owners themselves. When friends arrive, he or she takes over the cooking. The cooktop is set in the island for its entertainment value. Above the flush-set hob, a flush-set ceiling rangehood clears the air. This connects to a remote motor  and so is as quiet as it is effective.

Keeping things cool, the modern kitchen’s refrigeration comprises three integrated units – a refrigerator, freezer with ice and water, and a wine conditioner. The Gaggenau coffee machine is a perfect match for the wall ovens.

“The finishes in the kitchen create a refined atmosphere,” says Farmilo. “The tall units, in a dark, textured oak veneer, reach to the ceiling."

LED strip lighting under the wall units gives great task lighting for the cleaning centre on the wall side behind the island.

For continuity, the owners extended the use of the same cabinetry into the laundry, as display and storage for the lounge and into the library/media room in the form of a tea-station.

Story by: Charles Moxham

Photography by: Mark Scowen