An eclectic palette of materials brings drama and depth to this kitchen
A CLEVERLY CURATED PALETTE OF SURFACES LENDS DEPTH AND DEFINITION IN THIS GORGEOUS KITCHEN
For several years Mioko Fujisaki honed her kitchen-design skills, creating ultra contemporary looks. But recently, her style has pivoted in line with the zeitgeist. ‘Now the tables are turning; everyone wants kitchens loaded with character. In particular, they’re seeking materials with life that will age as their family grows,’ she says. With four children and two dogs, the owners of this home were looking for resilience plus plenty of personality. ‘They have a strong, visual sense of colour and wanted an eclectic palette of materials, nothing overtly new nor too precious,’ Mioko explains.
The brass island was the springboard from which the other material selections evolved. ‘We initially began discussing a classical white and grey scheme but then the client saw a project featuring Quirky Interiors’ brass doors and everything changed,’ recalls Mioko. ‘It often happens this way. What is in a client’s head, when they’re thinking sensibly about timelessness etc, can be very different from what’s in their heart.’ Quirky Interiors coated the island doors in a thin brass veneer, which was then aged and polished to get the vintage look required.
To make the brass island stand out, the cabinetry was painted in Farrow & Ball’s Black Blue. Taking it right to the ceiling helped rationalise the four different ceiling heights created when the room was significantly extended into the garden. ‘We used this dark colour and structural steel support to define the kitchen area as a separate entity from the dining area,’ says Mioko. The antique-effect mirrored splashbacks are f lecked with off-black and rust-coloured tones, helping to bind the brass and black surfaces while reflecting some much-needed light into the corner.
The quartz worktop was boosted to a chunky 8cm thickness using mitred edging. ‘The solidity makes a statement that regular 3cm-thick quartz wouldn’t have achieved,’ explains Mioko. The quartz features green tones that work well with brass and it has a softly clouded pattern that echoes the plaster finish on the walls. ‘All the materials may be different, but everything flows and connects to achieve a relaxing and cohesive space,’ says Mioko.