Our Shillington project is set within a characterful period property with picturesque views. This kitchen was conceived as more than just a place to cook; it’s a celebration of culture, memory, and artistry. Our clients have a love for Italy, and this is what inspired them to create a design full of romance, colour, and the character of the Mediterranean.
Rich in personality and layered with timeless detail, this space tells a story of la dolce vita, transforming everyday living into something vibrant, warm, and unforgettable.
Let’s captivate you at first glance and welcome you into our Italian-inspired In-Frame Shaker design.
The Style – Interior & Exterior
At the heart, the design is our signature In-Frame Shaker style, chosen for its timeless elegance and craftsmanship, whose qualities resonate with the artisanal traditions of Italy. The clean, classic lines of the Shaker profile provide the perfect canvas for bold colour and statement appliances, while inside, the cabinetry lends itself to perfectly crafted solid oak internals.
The layout itself is an L-shape with a central island, creating a sociable flow where cooking, dining, and entertaining merge beautifully. The island becomes the stage for everyday living from morning espressos to lively gatherings, and the L-shaped cabinetry ensures every inch of the space is maximised for storage and usability.
Together, the design delivers a space that embodies la dolce vita in the heart of an English home.
The Colours
The vivid, spirited hue that instantly transports you to the Mediterranean soaks the cabinetry found in the heart of the home. Cooks Blue by Farrow & Ball is a colour brimming with life and optimism, chosen with intent to echo our client’s love for Italy and to perfectly complement the magnificent Smeg x Dolce & Gabbana Range Cooker. The colours are a vibrant celebration of Italian tradition, and Cooks Blue is no exception in creating a striking and inviting space.
What elevates the cabinetry further is the Hendel & Hendel Belgravia polished nickel handles, which introduce a touch of refinement. Their classic finish balances the vibrancy of the blue and the surrounding palette.
Together, the colour, texture, and detail found in this kitchen space embody something that feels both deeply personal and beautifully curated to Italy and beyond.
The Appliances
No Italian-inspired kitchen would be complete without a true centrepiece that celebrates its tradition. This kitchen design takes that form in the magnificent Smeg x Dolce & Gabbana range cooker and matching extractor hood. Together, this beautiful duo transform cooking into theatre, where everyday meals become a celebration of art, heritage and passion. Forming part of the Divina Cucina collection by Smeg, this limited-edition collaboration pays homage to the vibrancy of Sicily with bold colour palettes and intricate majolica-inspired motifs, capturing the stunning essence of Dolce & Gabbana’s signature style.
The chimney hood, submerged in the same exuberant print, crowns the design with drama and flair, ensuring the kitchen radiates the joy and romance of Italy at every glance. For our clients, who hold a deep affection for Italian culture and cuisine, this is a functional masterpiece duo, contributing to their travels and memories of this rich heritage country.
Supporting this showstopping duo is a suite of premium NEFF integrated appliances, including a seamlessly hidden fridge freezer and dishwasher. This setup ensures modern practicality never detracts from the artistry display. You will find a Caple wine cooler, perfectly placed at the island for entertaining, and a sleek Caple microwave provides further convenience, marrying efficiency with elegance.
This collection of appliances balances statement design with discreet functionality, bringing our client the best of both worlds, where beauty meets performance, and every detail sings in harmony with the Italian spirit of the space.
The Sink Area
The sink area amongst this Italian-inspired kitchen is practical and elegant, a great example of craftsmanship, heritage, and innovation in one beautifully composed space. At the heart is the timeless Shaws Shaker double bowl sink, paired with the Perrin & Rowe Phoenician widespread mixer with rinse in pewter, whose soft metallic finish adds understated luxury to the classic design. Complementing this setup is the Quooker Nordic Round in stainless steel, providing instant boiling water at the touch of a button.
Framing this functional hub is a bespoke over-window mantel, seamlessly bridging the cabinetry on either side. This thoughtfully integrated solution consists of LED lighting above to cast a warm glow while enhancing both task efficiency and architectural elegance.
These details together create a sink area that is not merely utilitarian but a refined focal point where form and function flow in perfect harmony.
The Finishing Touches
The finishing touches of this kitchen come to life in the choice of surfaces and the inviting island seating area. Dekton Malibu was chosen to elevate the tops, to bring a fresh porcelain surface while offering the strength and durability a busy kitchen needs. At the centre, the rectangular island becomes the heart of the room, elevated with a solid oak breakfast bar on one side, stained in Rubio Cotton White (a take on freshly spun candy floss). This warm, natural detail softens the sleek porcelain and is much more than just a design feature. This daily ritual is a space where our clients can enjoy morning coffee bathed in light and casually gather with friends and family.
A beautiful detail where the island encapsulates the kitchen’s spirit into a welcoming and elegant space to admire.
Practicality is taken even further with deep drawers fitted with custom inserts, and a clever Le Mans corner unit, bringing hard-to-reach areas into easy access. There is also a pull-out rack for oils and spices located next to the range.
The Pantries
Other beautifully designed storage includes the two pantries. A dedicated coffee station formed with elegant reeded glass-fronted doors adds both texture and sophistication to the layout, concealing shelves lined with jars of rich Italian coffee. This daily indulgence feels like a ritual in a dedicated Italian space. On the other part of the run of cabinetry, a tall, slim pantry cupboard maximises vertical space while remaining discreet, offering generous storage for dry goods and everyday essentials.
Read more about the Italian-Inspired In-Frame Shaker Kitchen
Related blogs:
Smeg Divina Cucina: The Celebration of Italian Roots & Traditions with Dolce & Gabanna
Every detail within this kitchen celebrates our client’s love for Italy. The colour of the cabinetry and the stunning Smeg x Dolce & Gabbana range capture the vibrancy of the Mediterranean while blending seamlessly within a traditional English home.
The result of this kitchen tells a story, and one that holds plenty of memories, culture, and style.
