The designer: Shehryar Khan, MD and owner of Sheraton Interiors

Photos Chris Snook

The story: This kitchen was designed for a young family who had recently renovated their home and wanted a space that reflected both their lifestyle and values. They were drawn to the approach at Sheraton Interiors, as they specialise in kitchens that are not just visually striking, but crafted around how their clients cook, gather and live.

Every project begins with a conversation about lifestyle – morning rituals, family routines, entertaining habits, storage preferences. The aim is always the same – to create a space that becomes the emotional centre of the home.

Designer Q&A:

Q) What was your brief from the client?

The homeowners wanted a kitchen that would serve as the heart of the home. somewhere they could cook daily, entertain friends and gather as a family. They asked for a space that felt warm and calm, yet still luxurious. Practicality was key – clear zones for prep, cooking, coffee, drinks and refrigeration, alongside generous storage that wouldn’t compromise aesthetics. They specifically requested soft, natural colours and a layout to support the way they live, not just how the room looks in photographs.

Q) How did you answer that brief?

We designed the kitchen around flow and usability. With efficient working zones centred around the range cooker and refrigeration and pantry storage behind, as well as a social island to anchor the dining side. We introduced two tonal cabinetry colours to balance mood and sophistication, preventing the space from feeling heavy. The island acts as the connection point, where cooking, serving and socialising meet. We also designed dedicated destination units – a pocket door bar larder, coffee station and a fully integrated fridge freezer. These give the clients intuitive touch points throughout the day for morning coffee, evening drinks and weekend entertaining, all without cluttering surfaces.

Q) Which products did you use and why?

Bespoke Shaker cabinetry – the client had done a lot of research and decided to choose a Shaker style due to its timeless quality and ability to blend with period architecture. The ribbed glass brings contemporary refinement and helps visually soften storage.

Range cooker – a chef-grade cooking focal point. The stainless steel also offsets the softer cabinetry tones, grounding the kitchen.

Quartz worktops – we selected a lightly veined quartz for its durability, stain resistance and elegance. It allows for day-to-day use without worry.

Warm brass hardware and taps. These add subtle glamour and warmth, tying into the natural timber flooring and statement pendant lights. The patina over time adds character.

Integrated refrigeration and appliances – keeps visual clutter to a minimum and allows the tall run to feel architectural rather than appliance-heavy.

Every product choice was made to support the duality of the brief.

Q) Was there any building or renovation work involved?

Yes. This project involved a full reconfiguration of the rear extension. There were skylights to maximise natural light, repositioned structural elements to improve sight lines and a widening of the cooking area to achieve correct proportional spacing around the range.

We created deeper cabinetry in selected areas to house a wine cooler, bar storage and pantry-style pull-outs, ensuring everything had a place. The electrical and lighting plan was redesigned to support task lighting, ambient mood lighting and feature lighting – crucial for a multifunctional family home.

Q) Which design elements do you think make the scheme so successful?

The dual colour cabinetry palette. This adds depth and calmness without ever feeling cold or clinical. Ribbed glass display units create the perfect balance between openness and concealment, adding texture and sophistication. Dedicated lifestyle zones. The bar cabinet and coffee station elevate daily rituals and free-up workspace for cooking. Natural light and layered lighting. Skylights, pendants and integrated cabinet lighting give the kitchen personality at every hour of the day.

Q) Any advice for anyone who may be planning their own kitchen?

Start with how you live, not just how you want the kitchen to look. Think in terms of zones – prepping, cooking, serving, socialising, storage and rituals – coffee, wine, baking, children’s snacks. When every activity has a home, clutter disappears.

Invest in proper lighting early in the process. You can always change hardware or accessories, but poor lighting is hard to fix later. Finally, choose timeless materials and finishes that age well. A kitchen should be a space that grows with your family – functional, calm, and beautiful – not a design trend that you tire of in two years.

The details

Kitchen by Sheraton Interiors

Interior fittings by Blum

Worksurfaces by Artscut

Appliances by Caple, Neff and Rangemaster

Sink and tap by Shaws of Darwen and Perrin & Rowe

Hayley loves: the serene green cabinetry and clever use of lighting, which creates a beautiful mood night and day