DAVE & JAN’S Contemporary Nolte kitchen with sociable peninsula, Burgess Hill
DESIGNED BY
Catherine @ TKS
PROJECT MANAGER
Gabby @ TKS
STORE
Horsham
LOCATION
Burgess Hill
The brief
Dave and Jan wanted a contemporary, highly-functional kitchen that opened up the existing layout and created a sociable hub linking kitchen and dining. They asked for clever storage, a clean continuous stone finish and a layout that made everyday life easier without losing the feeling of the original space.
The challenge
The kitchen sat behind a small hatch to the dining area and the clients wanted both connection and separation — a sociable sight line for family and guests but without removing the wall completely. The brief also required optimising storage in a relatively compact footprint and integrating everyday appliances so the kitchen looked calm and elegant.
Our solution
We widened the existing hatch to visually and functionally link kitchen and dining, improving flow while preserving the structural line between rooms.
A peninsula with a venting hob created a sociable cooking position facing the dining area, maintaining clear sightlines while providing generous prep space and an informal breakfast/dining edge.
Nolte Soft Lack in Lava paired with manganese bronze handles gave an architectural, contemporary feel; Cimstone Cortina stone worktops (with upstands and a stone window cill) provide a continuous, premium finish that’s hard-wearing and elegant.
Practical, everyday living was solved with deceptively clever storage: a tall larder with pull-out drawer storage, Le Mans corner solution, pull-out bin, and drawers-within-drawers for organised cutlery and utensils. A tall framed cabinet conceals the washer and dryer for a seamless run of cabinetry.
Finishing touches — Quooker tap, floating shelves and a timber open-shelving unit in volcanic oak — add texture and warmth to the otherwise pared-back contemporary palette.
Timescale
Design development and refinements took around 2–3 months from first home visit to final plans, allowing the clients to see and tweak the scheme until it felt just right.
Special features & technical highlights
Widened serving hatch to improve flow without full wall removal.
Peninsula with integrated venting hob to keep a clear sightline.
Stone worktops, upstands and window cill for a continuous finish.
Le Mans corner and internal drawer units for maximum usable storage.
The result
A contemporary, sociable kitchen that feels larger and more connected to the house, yet remains practical for daily family life. The material choices — deep Lava cabinetry, warm bronze handles, volcanic oak shelving and continuous stone surfaces — deliver a confident, cohesive aesthetic while the internal storage solutions keep the space remarkably clutter-free. The clients left a positive review following completion
