The designer: Libra Dalligan at PAD in collaboration with interior designer Dee Gibson at Velvet Orange

Photos Chris Snook

The story: Family-owned and interior design led, PAD specialises in bespoke kitchens and joinery, creating spaces that are designed for living and built for life.

Often working in collaboration with designers and their clients, its designs bring functional luxury and consistency to the home. This project was for a terraced London property.

Designer Q&A:

Q) What was your brief from the client?

To maximise space in the home by using the height of the room and choosing different textures and materials to create a kitchen with drama to reflect the owner’s personality.

It needed to be a beautiful, atmospheric space with function, which could also be enjoyed by the owner’s older children to enjoy cooking and socialising in.

Q) How did you answer that brief?

We maximised storage by making the cabinetry go right up to the ceiling. We did this using a variety of materials so it didn’t look heavy, and we also added LED lighting above to add drama, but also to brighten up the space.

We went through in detail the items that are in the kitchen to carefully make sure we had the necessary storage space the client desired. We also wanted to allow for as many pull-out mechanisms as possible, to make them all easy to use and highly functional.

Having a social area within the space was also another big must-have, especially since in the previous design, there was a lot of unused space in the middle of the room, so we ensured there was space for the owner and her grown-up children to enjoy socialising together in the mornings and evenings.

Q) Which products did you use and why?

We chose the Tarnished Brass finish mixed with dark oak melamine from PAD’s Camden Collection. It has textured finishes like wood and metallics, which look fantastic blended together.

The wooden elements have a melamine finish, and it’s such superior quality that it’s difficult to tell that it’s not solid wood due to its quality of definition and texture.

With the gold metallic, this is such a statement piece and reflects the homeowner’s personality. We were also very pleased with the overall selection of colours; it was a great match and a lovely palette to work with.

Because the room has no direct natural light, the client wanted to exaggerate the moody scheme in the colour palette. This also had to be reflected in the worktop choice, so we decided on Dekton because not only was it dark, but it also had the marble veining, which tones perfectly with all the other elements. It also had the superior durability and function of a porcelain worktop for long-lasting beauty and performance.

Most fittings are by Blum – we use these as they are not only very strong and hardwearing, but also come with a lifetime guarantee.

Q) Was there any building or renovation work involved?

Yes, the entrance to this room was in another location – almost where the back of the peninsula meets the rest of the kitchen, so this made the room very dark.

To create a new entrance, an existing door was moved to a new position, which brought in more natural ceiling light from the rear living room space. The electrics and plumbing also needed to be re-positioned, the flooring re-adjusted and the re-decoration of an internal wall.

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

The different textures and the drama created in the space make it a statement kitchen. Although bold, the design makes the space very personal due to its colour and material palette. By using the full height of the room, we were able to cover more area in the chosen finishes and really maximise the room’s potential. Though it is a smaller kitchen than some, the client maximises the space and loves spending time together at the peninsula.

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

If it is a long-term home, choose materials and finishes based on your own style and do not worry too much about resale, so you can personally enjoy it for many years to come.

It’s not just about the look though; it’s how the space functions for you, and the answer to this question is different for everyone. For example, think about when you wake up in the morning, how does the space work for you? Is it a busy breakfast time with older children? Do you want to invite children and family into the space with you, or have the freedom of an island, or maybe you want to zone off the cooking zone in a peninsula-style design?

We always ask if there are any preferences, niggles or questions at the design stage, so we can make tweaks – no question is invalid. You do not want any what-if’s once you’re in your new space.

Q) What trends do you predict for 2026?

Light, neutral spaces are still very popular, with taupe and coffee tones, dark wood finishes and even a dramatic marble splashback to add character.

The details:

Cabinetry by PAD

Interior fittings by Blum

Worksurfaces by Dekton at Cosentino

Appliances by Miele, Westin, Fisher & Paykel and Caple

Sink by Blanco

Hayley loves: the pure glamour of this design, which is perfect for a festive get-together as well as the ultimate New Year’s party