THE ULTIMATE ACCESSIBLE KITCHEN

A bespoke wheelchair-friendly kitchen, combining accessibility and practicality with the ultimate in modern style

A bespoke kitchen dining space with top-of-the-range appliances was at the top of the wish list for a Sophie Shane, a sociable homeowner who uses a wheelchair. Based in an airy apartment within the prestigious Luma Park development at Kings Cross, with impeccable interior design by Conran and Partners, she enjoys great transport links to the UK and the continent as well as the buzz of a vibrant part of the capital.

Georgie Robbins, Showroom Manager at Brandt Design Hampstead says, “It was a privilege to be recommended for the project and to demonstrate our commitment to personal service and product quality for a client who wanted a designer kitchen which didn’t look as if it had been adapted and complete with appliances which were easily accessible. It made sense to select furniture from our Brandt Urban collection which is handleless with clean lines and has a contemporary feel in an attractive and popular Taupe. We paired it with durable easy-clean surfaces in Crystal White from the Brandt Collection for an upscale look.”

The work surface was lowered by couple of inches, a subtle variation which ensured that the client could cook with ease but was barely noticeable to guests. Other custom design features include a gap under the sink to accommodate the wheelchair and a practical pull-down shelving unit so that the top units in the compact L-shaped layout can be utilised easily.

The position of the appliances is key to making light work of food prep, with a fully integrated Fisher & Paykel fridgefreezer taking pride of place. Generous double doors ensure that the contents can be seen at glance, making top-up shopping even easier as well as cutting down on food waste. A Neff oven and microwave complete the bank of appliances in bespoke housing, and the N50 Slide and Hide B6ACH7ANOA single oven has a super functional door which slides under the appliance so the client can reach in and out when baking or preparing roasts.

Bespoke storage solutions include cubby holes for trays and also a dedicated refreshments zone next to the retro pastel green Smeg toaster and nearinvisible SI2M7643DW white Smeg induction hob. It has an ultra-low profile which seamlessly blends in with the countertop, and the discreet under cabinet extractor fan even has a remote control for the chef, so she can operate it without relying on touch controls.

The wet zone is home to a Brushed Nickel 4 IN 1 Pronteau Propure hot water tap which delivers domestic hot, cold, filtered water and 98°C steaming hot water on demand, below 100° boiling point for extra safety. In addition, it has a compact footprint for the boiler tank making it the perfect fit under the unit boasting a Blanco Rotan 500-U Silgranit Undermount Sink in White.

After cooking for friends, it’s easy to deal with the dishes thanks to the integrated Fisher & Paykel Double DishDrawers placed to the right of the wet zone. With no need to wait for a full load, it is energy-efficient for a oneperson household as well as being easy to load.

With a back wall which includes generous storage as well as an illuminated display area for decorative objects and glassware, the open-plan kitchen is an inviting place to linger. The stylish Taupe and Pearl Grey kitchen complements the pale timbertopped sideboard leading to the patio doors and drawing the eye outside to the private gardens, combining natural elements with the best of city living.

Homeowner Sophie Shane enthused, “Brandt Designs Georgie was so knowledgeable about all the products that were available and always gave me at least two options so I could weigh up what would work best for me.

I really love what we achieved, it’s exactly what I wanted, a kitchen that was accessible and practical, but also looks beautiful. I’ve really enjoyed adding my personal touches to the space, dressing the shelves and finding what looks great but also work for me.

I wanted a kitchen that looked modern but with such a big investment it was also important to have a design that didn’t date easily.” www.brandtdesign.co.uk