There’s a beautiful Spanish saying I always carry with me: el camino se anda y el diseño se va diseñando — the path is walked as it’s built, and design is shaped as it’s lived. And that, precisely, is what happened in this project: a full building renovation in the heart of London, where each step we took fed the next. And today, I want to walk you through a part that’s especially close to my heart — the kitchens.

Yes, plural. Kitchens. Because this wasn’t just one pretty flat — it was a whole building. A Georgian beauty, full of architectural elegance and heritage. The kind of space that doesn’t need a “design concept” because it is the concept. It guides you. And as interior designers, we often speak about the famous “hilo conductor” — the narrative thread. In this case, the thread was the building itself: classic British architecture with a timeless charm that deserved a fresh, respectful reinterpretation.

And so, the kitchens were born. Not loud. Not flashy. But strong, grounded — and absolutely intentional.

 

A Kitchen That Feels Like It Has Weight

I often say traditional kitchens have “weight”. You know that moment when you open a cupboard and it feels solid? That’s what we were after. We didn’t want to recreate a period piece, though — this wasn’t about copying the past. Instead, we wanted a kind of modern traditional — a kitchen that felt like heritage but looked like now.

So we designed our own version of the Shaker door. A bit slimmer, a bit more refined. Still with that lovely sense of depth and weight, but cleaner, quieter — a kitchen that speaks, not shouts. The handles were integrated into the door fronts, with just a whisper of bronze to lift the whole look. It’s subtle, but powerful. These small touches make all the difference.

Remember — these kitchens are part of a property investment. A development. So every detail must not only feel beautiful but sell that sense of quality. You want someone to walk in and say, “Ah, yes. This feels good.”

And kitchens do sell homes. More often than not, they’re the emotional hook — the room people linger in. If you’re investing in property, let me say it clearly: don’t skimp on the kitchen.

 

Stone, Light and Soft Grounding

Once the cabinetry was settled, we turned our eyes to the stone. The magic-maker. The soul-giver. Here, we worked closely with a stone fabricator and a quarry in Italy — a rare treat. We chose a soft, light-toned slab to bring brightness to the space. London’s narrow streets can cast long shadows, and light is everything in these homes. Our chosen oak flooring had a greyish tint, but with just enough warmth to feel inviting — and the stone continued that gentle balance. It’s all about flow. You should be able to glance from floor to counter and feel harmony, not interruption.

And then, oh — the details. This is where my heart skips.

We created sinks directly from blocks of stone. Not glued bits. Not prefabs. We’re talking carved. Sculpted. With drainage grooves etched into the worktop with a slight gradient — the kind of detail you don’t see at first glance, but you feel. It’s craftsmanship. It’s artistry. It’s the sort of thing that gives me goosebumps.

Do most buyers notice the sink was carved from a single stone? Perhaps not. But they’ll feel the quality. And that’s what counts.

 

Of Mirrors and Mild Compromises

Now, let’s talk splashbacks. If you ask me — really ask me — I’d carry the stone all the way up the wall. Let it climb, uninterrupted. Let it sing.

But… we made a choice. A mirrored splashback.

Why? Balance. Cost. Practicality. Sometimes, in interior design, you make a small compromise for the bigger picture. And the mirror works — it’s neutral, it bounces light, and it gives a contemporary edge. It also helps keep costs manageable. If you’ve ever quoted full-height stone splashbacks, you’ll know what I mean.

 

Appliances: Hidden, But Powerful

As for appliances — we didn’t compromise. Not here. In a project like this, you have a baseline of expectation. And that baseline is Miele.

Almost all appliances are fully integrated — you don’t see them. But when the doors open, they speak of precision, reliability, and longevity. A buyer might not shout about it, but it gives confidence. It says, “this home has been thoughtfully done.”

 

Holding It All Together

This whole kitchen story is, in truth, a dance. A dance between past and present. Between beauty and function. Between investment and emotion.

We let the building guide us. We honoured its history. We played with its future. The cabinetry feels strong and rooted. The stone is luminous and calming. The mirrors are modern and clever. The appliances are quietly top-tier.

And while it might look easy from the outside — eight kitchens, done and dusted — the truth is it took hours. Days. Weeks of decision-making, coordination, and care. But design, when it works, looks effortless. That’s the goal. That’s the magic.

Thank you for walking this little path with me.

And remember — our interiors often say more about us than our words ever could.

See you next week,
Miriam

 

If want to watch this click HERE, Please note that this is in Spanish, but you can auto-translate the subtitles. 

 

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