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How to design a kitchen that is not trend-led

By Zoe Parker

We all want a kitchen that is timeless, that is not led by passing trends and fads. We don't want to invest in the most special and the most important room in our home, only to tire of it and the way that it looks, the way that it works, the way that it feels. Over the past 38 years of designing and making kitchens, we've learnt a thing or two about creating something that will look beautiful for a lifetime, and another...

Looking through the door of a grand yet simple linen-white classic English kitchen, one sees white and cream splashback tiles, a cooker run with a polished sapele worktop, and a kitchen island topped with Arabescato marble, a polished brass, and an aged brass Ionian tap. The space is simply decorated with books, glass vases filled with wildflowers from the area, and a large metal-and-crystal chandelier.Our Margate Manor Kitchen is a perfect example of a timeless interior.

Firstly, we think you can safely choose a simple Classic or Shaker cupboard without fear of being driven by trends, and from there you need to avoid anything that feels too contrived.

A grand yet simple white linen classic English kitchen, featuring white and cream splashback tiles, a cooker run with a polished sapele worktop, and a kitchen island topped with Arabescato marble, a polished brass sink, and an aged brass Ionian tap. The space is decorated with a large scientific-style illustration of different vegetable species and a large metal-and-crystal chandelier.Shaker cupboards painted in 'Linen' for the perimeter, with a Classic English oak island.

You should always go for natural worksurfaces as they don’t date. Carrara marble is our all-time favourite, but think black granite, worn stained wood, Arabescato, with a little tlc they will all age so gracefully rather than becoming tired and tatty. And, even if they do become less-favoured, they are not unfashionable.

A closer look at the kitchen island reveals a surface topped with Arabescato marble, a polished brass sink, and an aged brass Ionian tap—all part of a grand yet simple linen-white classic English kitchen. The space is decorated with a garnish of parsley beside a butternut squash, and a large metal-and-crystal chandelier.A mix of Arabescato marble and dark stained sapele worktops here.

Styling is easy if you just go with everyday kitchen things such as pots and pans and crockery and glassware. These items feel so natural for a kitchen and won't look contrived. Start with a simple base! Then, you can add your treasures as and when you collect them. 

A closer look at the kitchen island reveals a surface topped with Arabescato marble, a polished brass sink, and an aged brass Ionian tap—all part of a grand yet simple linen-white classic English kitchen. The space is simply decorated with a large scientific-style illustration of various vegetable species, a garnish of parsley beside a butternut squash, and a gold-framed mirror above an unused fireplace.Perfectly simple styling, things you actually use every day. 

Really, there are no set or hard-and-fast rules when it comes to timeless kitchen design. We could say to you “Avoid statement lighting”, but a grand old chandelier is total perfection to us...

In a grand yet simple linen-white classic English kitchen, one sees an Arabescato marble kitchen island, a polished brass sink, an aged brass Ionian tap, a large dining table with metal-framed chairs upholstered in black cushions, and a vintage French door leading to the garden. The space is simply decorated with books, glass vases filled with wildflowers from the area, and a large metal-and-crystal chandelier.The huge vintage crystal chandelier was the making of the room.

We could say, “Avoid patterned marble”, but Arabescato is just too beautiful to pass by...

An oblique view of a short aged brass hanging rail fixed to the end of a kitchen island. Two vintage linen tea towels are draped over the rail.This stone has been very cleverly fabricated to appear as one very thick and sumptuous slab. 

We could say, “Go light, go dark, go multi-coloured”, but remember, nothing is going to look timeless unless it has style and clever design. Some people just have a knack for picking the right things, don't they? There is nothing more telling than walking into a kitchen full of carefully selected accessories and curated paint colours. It can work sublimely, or it can shout, ‘So last year!’ It’s a matter of taste.

An angled photo looking at a bank of full height Shaker furniture. It is made up of two tall cabinets, both painted off white and fitted with brass hardware. In front is a round dining table with black and chrome chairs. The walls are white and the floorboards underfoot are dark brown.The addition of a little mid-century styling, mixed with our Shaker furniture, is so tasteful here.

Now, you should avoid too many gadgets and trendy ‘in’ looks such as 'industrial'. Don’t go full-on with a theme or have a shopping spree to accessorise the whole room all in one go... it's going to look forced.

A classic English kitchen in white linen features white and cream splashback tiles, a cooker with a polished sapele worktop, and a kitchen island topped with Arabescato marble. It includes a polished brass sink, an aged brass Ionian tap, a scientific illustration of vegetable species, two glasses of local wildflowers, and a metal-and-crystal chandelier.A kitchen that feels so casually thrown together but still so considered, it's just effortless.

Again, it is hard to decide on every feature of a room all at once; you need time to reflect on where the light falls, where you like to sit, what you want on your walls and what colours help you feel happy and relaxed and joyful.

A grand yet simple linen-white classic English kitchen, featuring white and cream splashback tiles, a cooker run with a polished sapele worktop, and a kitchen island topped with Arabescato marble, a polished brass sink, and an aged brass Ionian tap. The space is simply decorated with a large scientific-style illustration of different vegetable species, a glass vase filled with wildflowers from the area, and a large metal-and-crystal chandelier.How lovely to be perched up at the island, such a sociable spot.

Trends create a contrived look. They give the impression you are a slave to fashion and you try too hard. The wow factor is not important. What is important is that your kitchen feels comfortable, interesting and calming.

The deVOL Aged Brass Pot Filler, a timeless addition that is actually practical.

The key is to incorporate personality, individuality, passion and above all, restraint. A room that can begin as a simple space with all the necessities and can be added to over time is a perfect way to achieve a timeless look that is more organic than forced.

Looking through the door of a grand yet simple linen-white classic English kitchen, one sees an Arabescato marble kitchen island, a polished brass sink, and an aged brass Ionian tap. The space is simply decorated with books, glass vases filled with wildflowers from the area, and a large metal-and-crystal chandelier.My dream kitchen, what a joy it would be to call this home.

If you’d like a little help from us to create a timeless kitchen, we’d love to hear from you. Take a look at the Design Service page of our website to find out everything we need to get started and, when you're ready, send us an email, give us a call or drop into one of our showrooms.


- Take a look at the other projects on our website for even more beautiful kitchen inspiration.

- Keep up to date with all things deVOL on our Instagram.


 

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