A Bespoke Chelsea Townhouse Kitchen, Fit for a Bordeaux Winemaker

We had the privilege of working with a celebrated Bordeaux wine maker in remodelling his Chelsea townhouse kitchen. Naturally, wine, food and hosting sat at the heart of this brief. We were introduced via his main contractor, who recommended us as the kitchen supplier for this complete remodel of a narrow townhouse in Chelsea.

 

With an open staircase running through the centre of the house and several finishes already agreed elsewhere, the kitchen needed to feel intimate while sitting naturally within the wider interior. As the first space to be remodelled, it would also set the design direction for the rest of the home, with the choices made here influencing the rooms that followed.

 

Another consideration was to create enough space for the couple to prepare for guests together, without having to constantly navigate around one another. We settled on an L-shaped kitchen and a large island which would give them ample flow throughout their kitchen. 

 

As we explored the look and feel with our client, one element of their vision was made clear: a striking blue stone would be the room’s defining feature. 

 

 

Balancing Practicality and Personality

The blue stone was specified in Ocean Blue, and we were already deep into production when the manufacturer withdrew it from the market without notice because of quality issues.

 

Knowing how central the stone was to our client’s vision, set to work re-sourcing an alternative that wouldn’t feel like a compromise. The replacement needed to work across the full-height cladding, not just the worktops. XTONE Blue Roma, a sintered porcelain in grey-blue with copper veining, was selected for its ability to bring the same sense of drama and individuality, while allowing us to preserve the full-height cladding concept. 

 

The challenge was to create substantial storage without overwhelming an already compact room. Rather than treating the feature stone and storage as competing priorities, we used one to strengthen the other, extending the stone across the upper cabinetry so that it became a part of the room’s overall design.

 

A Kitchen Designed for Entertaining 

Designing the kitchen to run the full 3m height of the newly excavated lower ground floor added much-needed space for smart storage.

 

With the porcelain stone established as the centrepiece, a natural flow began to develop throughout the rest of the space. Just beyond the kitchen, a courtyard featuring a lush, living green wall welcomes a sense of openness to the lower-ground room. 

 

Beside it sits the Dunavox wine wall, with three full-height fridges. Serious wine storage was now taken care of, while the courtyard brought another dimension to a space that had previously offered little outlook. 

 

Luxury in the Look, Ease in the Use

Bold focal points may have set the direction for this kitchen, but it was the details that followed that made the space truly personal to our clients. 

 

The cabinet handles were Buster & Punch T-Bar handles made from solid brass with diamond-cut knurled handle detailing, making them sensory to the touch. 

 

To help our clients entertain with minimal fuss, we ensured the countertop surfaces are zero-porosity and resin-free . Meaning red wine, citrus, and heat leave nothing behind, no matter the evening or the guests.

 

Realising the Vision with Meticulous Care

Working alongside our stonemasons, we laid the actual wall doors over the slab to position every cut, so the veining runs unbroken across the joints and the wall reads as a single face rather than a set of cupboards. 

 

Several bespoke elements supported the central idea, such as brushed brass legs for the stone island, specially made for this project. 

 

Another bespoke feature is the recessed wine bar, with a mirror backdrop and suspended glass rack. A fitting addition to the home of an esteemed winemaker.

 

Every Detail Considered Throughout

A kitchen designed to last needs to be considered beyond the day it is finished. What happens if something needs repairing years from now? The last thing our client would want is to cut into their beautiful porcelain to reach a pipe.

 

So, we planned discreet access through cabinetry and removable panels, keeping services hidden but accessible. From re-sourcing the stone to resolving the smallest technical details, our design, supply and installation approach helped carry the original vision through to completion. Our clients have a kitchen that feels made exclusively for them, supports their love of cooking and entertaining, and has been carefully considered for everyday life.