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Livingetc
Livingetc
Faiza Saqib

This Kitchen in North London Touches on Finely Crafted Design With Irresistible Marbling

A marble and oak kitchen. In this kitchen is an arched door leading into a large pantry.

Kitchens are the heartbeat of every home, and this space certainly makes for an unforgettable statement and source of inspiration. An elegant and elevated design — courtesy of Matt Prall and Stephen Garland — this North London property was transformed into an oasis of fine marbling and exceptionally intricate design.

A kitchen trend we've been seeing lately is using marble in different forms, but this kitchen design takes things to a different level. Adding touches of marble on the countertops, splashback and even door frames, the designers crafted this room to carry a striking and seamless design.

Matt Prall, one of the designers at Papilio Bespoke Kitchen tells us: "We selected a minimalistic, nature-inspired colour palette to establish a sense of calm and cohesion." Something that is seen throughout the kitchen and that certainly creates an alluring atmosphere.

The color palette chosen throughout the kitchen brings every single detail together effortlessly and it's safe to say, we're obsessed.

Oak and marble play a central role in this kitchen. (Image credit: The Property Photographer. Design: Papilio Bespoke Kitchens )

Embracing Marble in Every Way

Embracing marble kitchen ideas in the most unique way, while mixing it with different materials and textures enhances the marble itself and creates a more defined and elevated look throughout the space.

"Our team designed oak-finished cabinets to add warmth and texture, set beautifully between the soft, whitewashed walls and the deep black-tinted glass on the appliances and tall pantry," Matt tells us.

The natural balance of tones and rich materials is the key attraction of this kitchen. As strong as the materials might be, they balance the space without overpowering it.

A kitchen island that makes a statement. (Image credit: The Property Photographer. Design: Papilio Bespoke Kitchens )

"The central focal point in our design is the magnificent kitchen island wrapped in stunning Arbescato marble, with its soft, curved edges adding a touch of elegance."

The kitchen island has been beautifully wrapped in 20mm Arabescato marble with a bullnose, shadow gap, and curved countertop edges — enhancing its design, while welcoming smooth lines across its body.

"The island too was left deliberately free of appliances and is purely for preparation and a stunning feature," explains Matt. "Within the island on the preparation side we have 3no drawers and 2no cupboards with double doors and bespoke cutlery drawer."

The three drawers can hold all your daily kitchen essentials. (Image credit: The Property Photographer. Design: Papilio Bespoke Kitchens )

Exceptional Kitchen Storage

To get the most out of the kitchen storage, the designers decided to put in floor-to-ceiling cabinets as well as hidden storage solutions. The space remains looking neat and clutter-free with its integrated appliance design, perfectly thought out by the designers to hide away bulky items.

"Our client wanted optimal storage and functionality, so we incorporated floor-to-ceiling cupboards, which seamlessly house a refrigerator and a double-door pantry," says Matt.

A hidden pantry with extra storage is a great way to keep clutter at bay. (Image credit: The Property Photographer. Design: Papilio Bespoke Kitchens )

The designers also created a walk-in pantry to grant the homeowners easy access to what they need, when they need it.

Matt tells us: "From here, a striking marble-clad archway leads into a walk-in pantry, a thoughtfully designed area providing ample storage space for kitchen essentials and a concealed Fisher & Paykel freezer, keeping the main kitchen area free of clutter."

The marble-clad archway is certainly the focal point of this kitchen, providing separation from one room to another. Matt says it was an existing feature in the home and was the perfect way to maintain the connection with the glazing. "The archway into the larder complements the existing pippy oak doorway through to the lounge," explains Matt. "The material has incredible properties that bring drama to the space against the simplicity of the oak cabinets."

The base of the archway, as well as other elements of the kitchen, is Pippy oak. "The material used is pippy oak; this feature is something that Papilio can manufacture and install."

Pippy oak is known for its distinctive look, unique patterns, and knots — that brings in that rustic feel into the home, without looking outdated.

I mean...must I say more? Just look at that archway. (Image credit: The Property Photographer. Design: Papilio Bespoke Kitchens )

Seamlessly Integrated Appliances

To enhance the kitchen's overall aesthetic, the kitchen appliances have been integrated within the cabinet units, adding contrast and depth to this section of the space.

"Adjacent to the main cooking area, we designed a sophisticated appliance stack with two Miele ovens, a wine fridge, and a tinted glass cupboard at the top, completing the sleek, all-black cabinet front," says Matt.

Sleek, integrated appliance are a must for modern kitchens. (Image credit: The Property Photographer. Design: Papilio Bespoke Kitchens )

Uninterrupted Flow

We're seeking a kitchen with easy access and effortless design — and this space does just that. The marble creates an uninterrupted flow as it's used throughout the island, splashback, archway, and even countertops, creating cohesion and a balance of design.

"We positioned the sink and a Bora hob along the rear wall to achieve an uninterrupted marble flow, explains Matt. "Above them, a floating marble shelf adds a light yet practical touch, offering display space without visually weighing down the wall."

An effortless touch of elegance.

Don't you just love how the marble effortlessly flow from the countertop, all the way up to the shelving? (Image credit: The Property Photographer. Design: Papilio Bespoke Kitchens )

This kitchen embodies elegance and modern interior design in the best way. The designers used marble and oak to draw in tones that create an even and effortless look throughout the room.

So, the next time you're looking to remodel your kitchen, think about playing with materials in different ways — like the designers did in this home.

A work of art. (Image credit: The Property Photographer. Design: Papilio Bespoke Kitchens )
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