What happens when you give some of Britains most talented kitchen and joinery designers a blank canvas and ask them to design their dream kitchen?

Magic!

**WINNING DESIGN** by HUGH LEADER WILLIAMS

We gave our team a blank page, with only a set of room dimensions and asked them come back with a design for their dream kitchen. No restrictions. No boundaries, just an opportunity to allow creativity and innovation to run wild.

The competition was hot, the banter amusing, but more importantly, the results were every bit as exciting and unique as you would hope from such a diverse and talented team of designers.

But don't just take our word for it….

HERE WHAT OUR JUDGES HAD TO SAY

WINNING DESIGN

Hugh’s winning design plays on balance and proportion to create drama.

**HUGH LEADER WILLIAMS**
HEAD OF TECHNICAL DESIGN
BLAKES LONDON

“Having recently visited the Noghchi retrospective at The Barbican, I was inspired by Noghchi’s use of the living environment and his choice of materiality within his designs.

Noguchi’s work after the second World War was inherently optimistic and focussed on renewal, and having emerged from the pandemic, these themes really resonated. For me, this translated into a desire to keep the design light, airy and rich with natural textured materials.

I also wanted to keep an element of opulence and excitement with a touch of the unexpected.”

The Island is also a story of two halves. The working end of the island is a polished monolithic black marble that, while functional, also reflects ambient light off it surfaces at night time so that it sparkles like a jewel. The other half of the Island is a direct contrast. The harsh lines of the marble give way to a a pale pink curved pedastel section in a matt polished plaster, which offers a balance of texture, colour and light to this statement Island.

On the wall run above the sink sits a series of curved display unit made from a pale nordic timber, a fun, playful detail that contrasts nicely with the linearity of a practical plate drying rack which sits above the sink- this is after all a kitchen that has been designed to be every bit as practical as it is striking.

It would be wrong for any other light to sit above the island other than Noguchi’s iconic Ozeki pendant, but these oversized shades soften the space and offer a pleasing nod to the inspiration behind this design.

Rather than a more industrial style Crittal, the pantry is specified as timber with a stained not painted black finish which allows the veining of the timber to remain visible on lower panels. The rest of the units are left in a natural finish.

A lighter Carrara marble is chosen for the work surfaces on the sink run and within the pantry, and for an added but of interest, the pantry was tiled in a slim rectangular wall tile.

The judges chose this as the winning design as they felt that it offered so many practical solutions while at the same time being incredibly beautiful and unusual.

We hope to find a client who will commission this design for their own home.

HIGHLY COMMENDED

Annie’s refined aesthetic pulls on traditional artisanal craftsmanship and offers it a new lease of life by fusing traditional features with modern touches.

A two tone painted timber screen physically separates the different functional parts of the kitchen without visually dividing the room. As a result the messier aspects of kitchen life can be somewhat hidden behind the screen and the stunning La Canche range cooker with jewel like brass handles is offered centre stage.

Low profile painted timber cabinetry in tawny terracotta tones and natural finishes gives the space a calming relaxing vibe.

A light open family space, this is a kitchen for a modern family with a traditional heart.

**HIGHLY COMMENDED**
DESIGN BY REUBEN WARD, TECHNICAL DESIGNER, BLAKES LONODN

“ I don’t like white walls, they strike me as a lost opportunity to add mood and texture to a space”says Reuben Ward, Lead Designer, Blakes London

Reuben focussed on making sure that every elevation of his room was different and eye catching using a variety of textures and colours to given warmth and energy to the space.

Even the ceiling was given a treatment, with decorative timber beams used, less for structural support rather to add a cosy vibe to this hybrid kitchen, dining living space.

Perhaps the most unusual aspect of this design is the use of varying shades of sustainably sourced cork on the appliance run. To ensure that the kitchen didn’t feel too 70’s farmhouse, Reuben placed the flat fronted cork panels within a brass trim to offer a touch of glamorous in this relaxed earthy design.

A curved banquette seating area framed by arched crittal windows offers the family a relaxed and friendly dining space to retreat at meal times.

**HIGHLY COMMENDED**
DESIGN BY DULCY DE PONTE E SOUSA, TECHNICAL DESIGNER, BLAKES LONDON
Dulcy’s design was so pleasing to the judges due to its ability to encompass both practicality and functionality with an aesthetic that was luxurious and refined without being cold. No easy feat, especially given the canine element that had been so thoughtfully considered.
The use of mixed natural materials, with warm timbers, deeply veined dramatic marbles and elegant fluted glass looked like the space would offer a multifaceted feast for the senses. Tactile, visual, and soulful.

This competition has given us not only a renewed excitement and passion for what we do, but most importantly reminded us just why we do it. In an industry where so many people claim to offer a bespoke design but instead provide a customised solution, we are so enormously proud to be able to point to our incredible team of designs who prove to us daily what the true difference between bespoke and custom really is. Well done team!

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Blakes Fantasy Kitchen Design Competition

WINNING DESIGN

HIGHLY COMMENDED

Winner of Living Etc Best Bespoke Joinery Award 23

Project in focus: Hendham