Walnut and zinc are the stars in Ledbury Studio's New Forest Kitchen

You’d be forgiven for thinking that the owner of an Edwardian villa in the New Forest would be looking for a classic kitchen to match her house. In fact, nothing could have been further from the truth. Her reason for approaching Ledbury Studio in the first place was because she was looking for something a world away from the standard Shaker look.

“When I first met our client, not only was she undertaking a big move from the Midlands to the New Forest, but she was also embarking on a sizeable kitchen project too,” recalls Charlie Smallbone, founder of Ledbury Studio. “She knew she’d be spending most of her time in her new kitchen, as it was roomy enough for both a large island with breakfast bar, a separate dining area, and plenty of tall cupboards for storage.”

To bring the required contemporary aesthetic to the room, Charlie designed furniture that combined beautiful book-matched walnut veneer with hand-patinated zinc panels. The zinc panels are edged in the same walnut and the cupboards feature aged-brass handles. This juxtaposition of timber and metal is a signature feature of the Metallics Collection from Ledbury Studio, giving Charlie’s kitchens their unique look and feel.

The stunning island – topped with an Ambre quartz worktop ­– is an obvious focal point, but you also can’t ignore the imposing Housekeeper’s Cupboard behind it. Charlie designed this piece of furniture to mimic the cupboards beloved of the original residents of Victorian and Edwardian homes, so it seems fitting that there is a contemporary version in this house. It has space inside for the microwave and breakfast items, with pan drawers below and fluted-glass cupboards on either side lit from within to create a display. There is also a tall larder next to the fridge with pull-out freezer drawers, and sufficient cupboards and drawers elsewhere in the kitchen to keep it clutter free without any need for wall cabinets.

“What’s so pleasing about this kitchen is that one of the pieces I designed for it has already become one of our client’s most treasured possessions,” says Charlie. “The bespoke walnut table was made from a single piece of walnut, which we then embellished with aged brass. We designed a banquette seat also made from wood and upholstered in leather. The banquette needed to be durable enough for the other important member of the household, my client’s gorgeous Dalmatian, to be able to lounge in comfort too!”

Bringing the whole design together – and adding an additional contemporary feel – is the chic terrazzo floor. Again, it’s a great hardwearing choice for a dog owner, and the shades of grey perfectly play off the tones of the zine panels above. Both homeowner and her canine companion are delighted with their new kitchen!