Playing with proportions is a sure way to make a space feel uniquely your own. A tweak here and there can reap dramatic results, especially when applied to areas that usually come in standard dimensions, such as the depth of a worktop. Super-sized slabs of stone or marble are the obvious choice for ushering in a luxe feel, but terrazzo or concrete would provide similar wow factor. Wood offers a less costly way to get the same monolithic effect, whether you go rustic and reclaimed or sleek and contemporary. Alternatively, combine materials for an extra custom twist.
Above right Roundhouse Design’s custom kitchen island is constructed from two chunky layers of honed ‘Calacatta Manhattan’ marble. Bespoke kitchens, from £30,000 (roundhousedesign.com). ‘CH20 Elbow Chairs’ by Hans J Wegner for Carl Hansen & Søn, from £755 each, The Conran Shop (conranshop.co.uk)
Above left Cortney Bishop Design’s ‘Calacatta Cervaoile’ marble worktop gives this elegant space an edge (cortneybishop.com). Lapicida can supply mitred marble tops, from £474 per m sq (lapicida.com). ‘Utopia’ linear pendant by Kelly Wearstler, £2,195, Visual Comfort (visualcomfort. com). ‘3800 Parche’ faucet, from approx £1,087, Waterstone Faucets (waterstoneco.com)
Left In this bespoke design by Belgium-based architect Peter Ivens, the thick proportions are carried throughout the ‘Carrara’ marble and integrated reclaimed wood chopping block. Price on application (peterivens.be). The Main Company can make a similar bespoke kitchen, from £25,000 (maincompany.com)