Biophilic Kitchen with Earthy Tones
The Brief
When the clients first walked past our showroom window, it was one of our contemporary kitchens that caught their eye, specifically, the beautifully crafted oak bar top. At the time, they had been considering a more traditional kitchen, but their curiosity led them inside, where we introduced them to bulthaup.
They were immediately drawn to bulthaup’s thoughtful engineering, tactile surfaces, and meticulous attention to detail. Though a departure from their original plan, the contrast sparked excitement and shifted their vision, with the oak bar top they’d first admired anchoring the entire kitchen’s aesthetic.
The Design
From the outset, the clients emphasised functionality and sociability. With two young children and a love for entertaining, they needed a kitchen that could handle the daily chaos of family life while transforming seamlessly into a space for hosting friends.
The kitchen space itself was generous and flowed into the dining area and onto a garden terrace, ideal for the kind of modern open-plan kitchen layout they envisioned. The original orientation included laundry access through the kitchen, causing unnecessary traffic near the island and cooking zones. Instead, we rerouted it via the main hallway, freeing wall space for tall cabinetry and enhancing functionality.
The Finished Space
A large kitchen island serves as the hub, offering ample space for prep, gathering, and casual conversation. Facing the dining area and the garden beyond, the BORA induction hob with integrated extraction allows the cook to stay connected with guests and keep an eye on the children while entertaining. Wrapping one corner of the island, the oak bar top creates a warm, informal spot for morning chats and relaxed family meals, comfortably seating all four. Thoughtfully integrated storage keeps the island both practical and clutter-free.
The clients had already chosen a cool natural stone floor tile, providing a calm, grounding tone. To complement it, Design Consultant Guy Foan, chose a beige quartz worktop with warm greige tones, mineral depth, and subtle pastel-pink undertones, both stylish and durable. The custom-stained oak bar top remained the standout feature, complemented by clay bulthaup laminate for an earthy tone, and tall units in black-brown oak veneer that echoed the worktop’s warmth.
The sink run features bulthaup Clay laminate on both the units and worktop—durable and ideal for prepping and washing up. Positioned just below a window overlooking the garden, the sink benefits from natural light throughout the day. Surrounding it, Sand-Beige wall panelling reflects warm light into the space, while hanging plant holders bring greenery down from above the wall units, helping to unify the open-plan kitchen and dining areas.
Grey-washed oak wall units, adorned with an array of plant life, offered a complementary wood finish to the dark oak. This area, in particular, became one of the playful, personality-filled zones the clients aspired to have in their home, reflecting their love of nature and tactile materials.
To simplify mornings, we designed a pocket door breakfast station. Tucked neatly out of sight, it houses the coffee machine and toaster, with matching quartz worktops and grey oak veneer lining, continuing the aesthetic seamlessly. The new layout includes dedicated routes to both the hallway and pantry, maintaining distinct zones for cooking and socialising, yet keeping everything beautifully connected.
The result? A warm, family-friendly kitchen that doesn't compromise on style.
Download our Free ‘How to Plan a Premium BULTHAUP Kitchen Guide’
If you are thinking about a new bulthaup kitchen renovation, it is always advisable to have a conversation with an expert. Their knowledge, expertise and experience can open up new possibilities whilst potentially saving you money, stress and time.
To help you get started, we have put together this guide to help you think about what you want from the new space. This document highlights some of the obstacles you may encounter and the questions you may like to ask designers when you venture out into the world of bulthaup kitchen design showrooms.
Photography by Hobson’s Choice
The DETAILS
Kitchen
bulthaup tall units in Black-Brown Oak Structure
bulthaup island and base units in Clay Laminate
bulthaup wall units in Natural Grey Oak Structure
bulthaup wall panneling in Sand Beige
bulthaup worktop in Clay Laminate
bulthaup Mixer Tap
BORA Professional 3.0 Extraction and cooktop
Caesarstone Topus Concrete Quartz worktops for island and pocket door
Spekva Rustic Oak with luxury oil vintage Breakfast bar
APPLIANCES
Fisher & Paykel Series 9 Integrated Single Dishwasher
Gaggenau - 200 Series Oven 60cm in Metallic finish
Gaggenau - 200 Series Combi-Microwave Oven in Metallic
Gaggenau - 200 series Warming Drawer in Metallic
Gaggenau - Vario Cooling 400 Series, Fridge in Stainless Steel
Quooker Pro3 Nordic Square Tap