When this family first fell in love with a minimalist Scandinavian kitchen design, originally sourced from Sweden, they weren’t sure Higham could help. Known primarily for classic Shaker kitchens, we weren’t the obvious first call for a contemporary Nordic aesthetic. But when sourcing the design directly from Sweden proved too difficult, they got in touch. It’s a brief we relished. Bespoke craftsmanship isn’t tied to one style, it’s the ability to realise any vision, with the same precision and care regardless of the aesthetic. This kitchen is the result.

The goal was a warm, light-filled family kitchen that balanced natural timber textures with dramatic stonework, and the space itself set the tone. A large overhead roof lantern and floor-to-ceiling crittall-style sliding doors flood the room with natural light, looking out onto the garden and bringing the Scandinavian connection to the outdoors that was central to the brief. Classic light oak herringbone flooring runs throughout, grounding the dark wood and green cabinetry while tying the Scandi theme together underfoot.

The cabinetry draws a confident contrast between rich, dark-stained oak on the lower and tall units and matte white on the uppers. The lower cabinets feature a subtle grid-like framing detail, understated and precise, while the island end panels showcase vertical slatted tambour curved ends, a direct nod to high-end Swedish design.

Rather than running the dark oak throughout the entire open-plan space, a deliberate decision was made to zone the layout. A dedicated bar and drinks area, positioned adjacent to the dining zone, introduces vibrant sage-green Shaker cabinetry, a fresh contrast to the deep earthy tones of the oak nearby and a deliberate choice to prevent the sprawling space from feeling too ‘woody’. Fluted glass cabinet doors add texture and softly obscure the glassware within, while aged brass handles, a matching floating shelf and articulating brass wall lights complete the zone. An integrated wine cooler sits within the cabinetry, making it a natural transition between cooking and entertaining.

To achieve the look of heavily veined bookmatched marble without the maintenance or cost, premium porcelain was specified for the full-height splashback behind the range cooker, creating a dramatic backdrop that anchors the cooking zone. The island serves as both a high-functioning prep zone and a social anchor, with warm timber bar stools and a Quooker tap in aged brass delivering instant boiling water at the point where it’s most needed.

The utility room continues in Shaker cabinetry, painted in Little Greene Bone China Blue, a considered choice that gives the room its own calm identity while remaining part of the wider scheme.

  • Kitchen style: Layon Japandi, base and tall units with flat wall units
  • Bar style: Inset Shaker, 45mm rails and stiles
  • Utility style: Shaker, 60mm rails and stiles
  • Kitchen colours: Main runs and island – Oak Rubio 10 Chocolate; wall units – Little Greene Clay Pale 152
  • Bar colour: Little Greene Hopper 297
  • Utility colour: Little Greene Bone China Blue 107
  • Kitchen handles: Finger pull
  • Bar handles: Higham Inset Pull, aged brass
  • Utility handles: Corston Kilburn knob and 128mm handle
  • Worktop: Brachot Uniceramica Calacatta Viola, 20mm (kitchen and bar); Horizon Stone Carrara, 30mm (utility)
  • Splashback: Brachot Uniceramica Calacatta Viola, bookmatched
  • Kitchen sink & tap: Clearwater Saxon double bowl, cast iron white, Quooker Fusion Round, patinated brass
  • Utility sink & tap: Villeroy & Boch Cisterna ceramic undermount; Franke Tessuto pull-out nozzle, brass
  • Range: Bertazzoni Professional Series, 120cm dual fuel

Photography: Paul Craig @paullmcraig(opens in new tab)

 

 

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