Project in focus: CASTLEBAR

Our latest project, “Castlebar” was a wonderful collaboration with the uber-talented team at The Vawdry House.

Together as a team of design-focused professionals, and an incredibly trusting and visionary client, we were able to push boundaries to create one of our favourite kitchens to date. No easy feat we assure you!

The combining of different textures was key to this scheme.

The sheer size of the kitchen meant that we needed to be very considered in our choice of materials. The overuse of one and it would become monotonous, yet introducing multiple different elements would run the risk of being too busy and fussy.

Talk timber to me

We chose to introduce several species of timber into this space. In doing this, it offered depth and warmth in contrast to the concrete floor and also helped to zone the different areas within the kitchen.

The kitchen carcasses were all made from beautiful bleached plywood. The carcass edges were left with a natural finish so that the pressed plywood edges were exposed, a lovely added detail. 

Using the same material, we built sturdy boxes to slide in and out of the shelving unit. We designed the boxes to be very practical with kids toy storage in mind. These boxes can be taken off the shelf, popped onto the table or floor to be played with, and quickly and easily tidied away when needed.

To break up the sleek uniform finish of the plywood kitchen carcasses, we used a contrasting rustic timber floorboard for the wall units. The same timber matches the back of the kitchen island to tie the pieces together.

For further contrast, we stained the tall oak veneered pantry cupboards using a black stain. Opting for a stained rather than a painted finish allowed the natural texture of the timber to feature.

Those with an eye for detail will spot a third material used on the sink run. We used a somewhat magical matt black melamine called Fenix which is scratch-resistant, fingerprint-free which pretty much makes it kid-proof! A fabulous solution for the hard-working business end of the kitchen.

Slide on over

Hidden behind a secret sliding door, the butler’s pantry-come-utility room houses a large sink and a pair of dishwashers.

By hiding away these messier elements of the kitchen, we were able to keep the rest of the kitchen highly decorative and elegant. Note the golden prep sink that acts like a little jewel on that back kitchen run, a stunning little detail. But there is no glossing over the real show stopper within the Castlebar kitchen.

The sliding Crittal screen!

This beautiful fluted Crittal door was specially designed to mirror the glazing used within the kitchen extension. Every detail was considered, from the horizontal glazing bar sitting at the same height as the worktops, to the colour matching of the units matching the blackened steel.

Talking tops

For that real chef’s touch, we wrapped the island worktop in industrial-grade stainless steel. A bold contrast to the brass used for the lighting and hardware throughout the rest of the space.

The splash-back and sink run are a natural quartzite stone, mirroring the tones of the concrete floor.

Bottoms up!

Cladding the window seat in the same rough sawn timber boards used in the kitchen units, connected the inside space with the garden. The window seat lifts for extra hidden storage.

The blackened steel detailing can be seen again in the office screening that we developed on wheeled casters. For that extra bit of functionality and versatility, this shelving unit can be moved to screen-off the study area, offering the illusion of privacy.

No house built for entertaining would be complete without a home bar, this fabulously decadent double-height pink and brass bar hits the spot on so many levels. Accessed from the dining and living room, it functions as a room divider, as well as the perfect place to pour an aperitif.

Bottoms up!

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