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The sophisticated and exclusive Scalea Equinox stone is a real eye-catcher in this opulent kitchen with dramatic tones
Michelle Burnette (Cush Interiors)
Location
Enniskerry, Co., Wicklow (Ireland)
Manufacturer
Stone Surfaces
Colore
Equinox | Trilium
Spessore
30 mm, 20 mm
Architecture/design
Michelle Burnette (Cush Interiors)
Materiale
Scalea | DKTN
Applicazioni
Kitchen worktop, island, kitchen front, bathroom countertops
End Date
2022
Interior Designer Michelle Burnett of Cush Interiors took a challenging brief brimming with drama and moody hues and, featuring Cosentino materials, has produced this stunning culinary setup in Enniskerry. This exquisite home has undergone a remarkable kitchen transformation that seamlessly merges opulence with modern functionality to conclude with a room that reflects a rich boutique hotel style.
This journey began with the sweeping transformation of a newly built home’s kitchen, where the existing setup was a standard white shaker design, lacking in storage and innovation. Interior Designer Michelle Burnett says, “The initial setup had a white counter and standard white shaker cabinets. However, the client had specific desires, including a wine cooler, prompting us to reimagine the entire kitchen space.” The old kitchen was replaced with a black, sleek, and open-plan design that seamlessly merges with the house's overall theme.
All in black: a bold colour choice with great results
“We selected 'off black' from Farrow and Ball to exude a softer dark tone that complements the rest of the house. To infuse warmth, dining chairs were customised in a luxurious burgundy wine velvet with a pillow hexagonal design on the back,” she continues.
Michelle worked with the client’s brief to create a room that is reminiscent of a boutique hotel but was given the freedom to conceptualise. She adds: “Starting with a builder's handover, I reimagined the concept based on the client's brief for a dark, moody, and opulent ambience."
Acknowledging that bold brief, she confesses, "I had my reservations about going too dark, but the open-plan layout, with its height and abundant light, perfectly balanced the depth of the dark tones.” The luxurious ambience exudes richness through those vibrant red velvets and atmospheric lighting.
"The homeowners expressed a strong desire for drama and opulence. This translated into the use of Cosentino worktops that provided both luxury and balance.” Michell continues. That journey led them to the selection of Scalea by Cosentino in Equinox colour worktops, a natural stone boasting crystal formations, lending an ethereal shimmer when sunlight permeates the space. This was installed on the island as a focal point in a waterfall style injecting a spark of brightness. "The stone's variation and natural movement counterbalance the strong black elements," Michelle elaborates.
Ergonomics and functionality for a customer-focused kitchen
The design was rooted in essential functionality with a desire for a wine cooler prompting the whole redesign of the builders’ model. Michelle says, "The homeowners also requested a Quooker Tap for convenience, offering sparkling water to eliminate the need for additional clutter. The wine cooler, a must-have, influenced the island's layout, which was expanded to incorporate both the cooler and seating.”
The transformation extended beyond aesthetics to optimise practicality. "We switched from cupboards to deep drawer systems.” The result? A sleek, unlined exterior with compartments that cater to specific kitchenware, aligning with the client's cooking habits.
Michelle's background in ergonomics played a pivotal role in designing a space that reflects the client's functional requirements. It’s an attribute she is proud to bring to any of her designs. “Many new kitchens in new builds are created without the end user’s cooking habits and living style in mind but what I do is look at how they work and how they use a space and design around that.”
Maximum attention to detail for the perfect outcome
The finer details balance out the dark tones. Lighting plays a role, with hexagonal pendants and cube-shaped wall lights casting an enchanting glow. "The island lighting provides direct functional illumination, while the wall lights create a soft ambience over the dining table," Michelle explains. The design details extend to wall finishes, such as the luxurious Sharkskin grey with a violet undertone from Paint and Paper Library.
Michelle carefully selected wave pleat curtains for a contemporary vibe, and a custom-made rug from Wexford-based Ceadogán beneath the dining table introduced an artistic focal point with its sweeping brush stroke design in keeping with an art theme throughout the rest of the home.
DKTN Trilium for a bathroom that is both classic and avant-garde
In addition to Scalea, Michelle used another Cosentino stone, DKTN, in the renovation of this newly built home. For the bathroom countertops, she chose Trilium, a colour mix inspired by volcanic stone with touches of grey and intense black, which was developed in 2016 and became DKTN’s first ecological colour. “I initially considered using black marble, but when the customers saw DKTN Trilium they fell in love with it,” recalls the interior designer.
As a result, Michelle changed the colour scheme she had originally planned, opting for dark blue units and complementing them with warm tones on the walls. “DKTN Trilium has the feel of a rusty industrial surface, which may not seem like a good match for a classic vanity. However, when juxtaposed with blue, it is a bold bet on the unexpected,” concludes Michelle.