Crafting a well-designed kitchen requires an astute understanding of each client’s unique needs and habits, as well as clever spatial planning that maximises ease of movement.

These qualities are embodied in the kitchen concept designed by Elliot James, which pairs minimalist elements with rustic touches. “We like working with contrast and creating juxtapositions,” shares Elliot James Barratt, the founder of his namesake firm. “We like to create eclectic spaces that mix the new and old, bold and muted, textured and simple. We like to show that modern appliances can work well with an old workbench.”  

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For this kitchen concept, a selection of built-in Gaggenau ovens, fridges and wine displays creates a modern backdrop, while the antique-style wooden island serves as the focal point of its design. The designer picked out a charcoal grey finish for the vertical cabinet doors to create a contrast against the brushed steel structure of the Gaggenau appliances.

A Mondo marble countertop sits beautifully above the reclaimed wood workbench, which the studio has modified to fit a sink as well as sunken countertop hobs. “We’ve kept the palette simple in colour to allow the natural stain of the wood in the bench to really pop,” says Barratt. ”Here, the bench demonstrates that the modern lines and finishes of the Gaggenau pieces can sit in perfect harmony with more traditional kitchen finishes.“

The versatility of these modern appliances conveys the firm’s elegant design ethos. “At Elliot James, we feel that less is more, so Gaggenau appliances allow us to give a very elegant kitchen design that touch of opulence without being too obvious,” says the designer. “They offer a fantastic range of sleek appliances that all sit so well together, giving the most luxurious finish to a kitchen.”

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