Sophie Mills Studio have been Shortlisted for Kitchen Design Over £100,000 Award in The International Design and Architecture Awards 2022.

A sculptural kitchen which combines the warmth and simplicity of limestone and oak with minimal lighting, to enhance the exposed beams and brick of this Grade II Listed warehouse penthouse. 

Sophie Mills Studio had the opportunity to design this kitchen after an older kitchen was destroyed by a large fire. That layout was of units all around the edge of the room, which left too large a space in the middle. Whilst the room is slightly too narrow for a standard island, the Studio had to use the best of their ingenuity to come up with a solution. This design creates zones within the kitchen – a pantry, an island, a breakfast cupboard, and bench seat. 

The pantry has crittal doors that echo large crittal doors from another area of the apartment, the doors enable part of the kitchen to be closed off, hiding mess where necessary, and creating a more intimate feel. The pantry purposely sits behind the oven and hob to facilitate food storage and preparation. If the clients wish to entertain, this is a good space to prepare canapes and drinks as it has a full height fridge, with additional sink, Quooker and dishwasher. 

The hob, oven and sink were placed in the island, so that food can be cooked, or plates cleared, while continuing to maintain social contact with the room. To fit all the necessary functions in the island, Sophie Mills Studio needed to think beyond standard width 600mm units, and they used vertical slats on all panels, to camouflage breaks in the visual lines and as handles for opening the drawers.  

The kitchen faces west along the Thames with beautiful views, which were previously half covered by units. Sophie Mills Studio fully revealed one window between the pantry and island, bringing more natural light into the room and a stunning visual entry from the hallway, and set a bench seat by the other two, creating a calm and comfortable space to sit while enjoying the view. 

Sophie Mills Studio

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