Design inspiration: The kitchen was to be designed as an open plan lifestyle space that also included a full workstation that could be concealed when not in use. What Searle & Taylor created: The kitchen was part of an extension to a detached house that was built during the 1990’s. The extension was designed as an open plan lifestyle space that incorporated a kitchen and separate dining area, a ‘snug’ seating area and importantly, a workstation that could be hidden from view when socialising and entertaining. Floor to ceiling cabinets were designed against the back wall with a large linear island in front. To soften the look of the room, the corner units were curved at equal angles on either side and includes a tall walk-in larder with internal shelving at separate heights. Also integrated is an extra wide 90cm Liebherr fridge freezer with ice maker and a bank of built-in cooking appliances, as specified by the client. The large central island with granite worksurface houses nine drawers with shell handles and is designed with a dual purpose: for food preparation and cooking on one side and for relaxed seating with a cantilevered solid oak breakfast bar on the other. The cooking area houses a centrally positioned full surface induction hob, which is directly beneath a flush mounted ceiling hood. As requested, to the right hand side of the cabinets, a work station was created that could accommodate files, folders and a large screen PC. In order to be as functional as possible, a set of pocket doors were developed on a bi-fold system that return into side pockets to leave the workstation clear and open. Complementing the rest of the cabinetry, the doors feature carved semi-circles within clean lines together with semi-circular handles that reveal a mandala-inspired design when closed.